First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day May 25, 2003 Anno Domini

Ephesians 6:23-24 Blessings

  I.  Benediction: the word that does good.
      A.  In the beginning. Gen 1:22; Gen 1:28; 5:2; Gen 2:3; Gen 9:1.
      B.  At the heart of God’s covenant.
        

Abraham, Gen 12:2-3; Priestly blessing, Gen 14:18-20; Num 6:22-27; Christ in his mediation, John 17:26; Luke 24:50-51; In the church, Eph 1:3 & 6:23-24.

      C.  At the end, and forever. Revelation 22:7, 14.
     

  II.  Blessing God: to acknowledge him and to reflect back to him.
      A.  To reflect back the blessings of God to his glory.
         1.  Ephesians theme one: God’s grace in Christ to believers.
         2.  Ephesians theme two: the Church in the world.
         3.  The benediction summarizes and applies the good word of God to
us.
      B.  The nature of the blessing of God by his people.
        1. Thanksgiving for gifts that sustain life. Deut 8:10.
        2. Thanksgiving for good order and government in society
and in church. Jud 5:2; 1Chron 29:20.
        3. Always an expression for worship. Ps 16:7; Ps 104:1;
Deut 10:8; Ps 96:2-3; Ps 103:20-22; Rev 7:12.
     C.  The benediction in Ephesians 6:23-24 summarizes life in

covenant with God.
        1. Verse 23 summarizes the blessings of life in covenant
with God.
        2. Verse 24 summarizes the response of the believer.
John 14:23-24; Ex 20:6.
        3.      Verse 24 provides a covenant warning to protect us from
corruption. Deut 7:9-10; 1Cor 16:22; Rev 22:14..
       

   III. Be blessed, be blessing.
     A.  The blessing of peace.
            1. God has established peace with everyone who loves the
Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 2:17; John 14:27; Eph 1:7.
        2.      Cultivate peace in your life: bless God, bless others.
        3. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called
sons of God. 
            B.  The blessing of love with faith.
        1. The joy of the Lord: 2Thess 1:3.
        2.      Not one or the other, but both and. 1Cor 13:2.
        3.      God provides the means, we must cultivate love with
faith. Eph 3:17-20.
     C.  The blessing of loving our Lord Jesus Christ.
            1. The faithful and loving husband. Eph 5:25; Rom 8:35.
        2.      If he loves you with such constancy, will you love him
lukewarmly in return? Rev 3:15-17.
            D.  If you love me, keep my commandments. John 15:9-10.
       

Bless him because he blesses you.

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185