A REASON TO OFFER PRAISE
(Ephesians 1:3)

INTRODUCTION

For those of us who understand its true meaning, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It's a time to reflect on all that Christ's life and death has purchased for us and a time to offer praise to God. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field he said to them:

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10, 11)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." (Luke 2:13, 14)

GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
The praise that Paul offers is not a mindless heartless utterance. It was the expression of a heart that understood the intrinsic worth of the One being lauded. Scripture, in no uncertain terms, declares the worth of God. According to the Psalmist, the judgments of the Lord are to be desired more than gold. (See Psalm 19:9-10.) If the judgments of the Lord or more valuable than gold, then how valuable is the Lord of those judgments?

2Samuel 22:4 (NKJV) I will call upon the Lord, [who] [is] [worthy] to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Twenty-Four Elders
Revelation 4:11 (NKJV) "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things,
and by Your will they exist and were created."

Twenty-Four Elders & Four Living Creatures
Revelation 5:9 (NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals;
for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

All of Heaven
Revelation 5:12 (NKJV) saying with a loud voice: "worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom,
and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

We may use the words that others have written, but only the heart possessed by the worth of God is capable of true praise. Paul's praise is a response to the blessings conferred on him and us by God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THEY ARE PRESENT PROVISIONS - "Who has blessed us."
I remember, as a child, waiting for Christmas morning to see and open the gifts that were under the tree. They were mine, but they were all wrapped up and untouchable. I wasn't allowed to enjoy them until Christmas morning. These blessings aren't confined to the time that Christ walked the earth or put off until we get to heaven. These blessings are ours now. Paul isn't gong to tell us about things God has gift wrapped for us and is going to give us at sometime in the distant future. These blessings are to be enjoyed now and are the occasion for Paul's praise. Are you enjoying your blessings?

THEY ARE PERFECT PROVISIONS - "With every spiritual blessing."
Have you ever received a gift that in itself held no value for you? The value of the gift was in the giver's desire to bless you. I remember giving my mother little bottles of perfume. I think she had a drawer of those little vials of odorized water, but she always received my gift as though it were the most valuable thing anyone had ever given her. The value in the gift wasn't it's price or uniqueness, it was in the receiver's value of the giver. God's blessings are valuable, both in content and because He is the giver. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He has given us all we need for a live of victory here and now. His blessings are good-beneficial to the recipient. His blessings are perfect-complete in themselves. No assembly is required.

THEY ARE PROTECTED PROVISIONS - "In heavenly paces."
Almost every Christmas we hear of some family who experiences the theft of their gifts. I remember such a story. The family returned from an outing only to find that their Christmas tree, the lights, and their gifts had been stolen. I guess there's a Satan Claws. The blessings that God has given us are beyond the reach of this world's corruption. Peter tells us that we have an inheritance that is "incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1Pe. 1:4). It is not subject to decay or deterioration. I remains unstained and holds its luster through the ages. It does not decline in value. It is not subject to the effects of sin and satanic wiles. It is as glorious today as it was when it was given. If anything it goes from glory to glory to glory to glory.

THEY ARE PURCHASED PROVISIONS - "In Christ."
These blessings have been purchased for us by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. To offer someone money for the gift they gave you would be an insult. How much would my mother have offered me for the perfume I gave her? It was a gift beyond purchase. God's blessings are not for sale. They are Christ's gifts given to faithers. We'll look at them in more depth, but allow me to mention just a few of these blessings for which we ought to praise God.

· He chose us before the foundation of the world.
· He chose us to be holy before Him.
· He predestined us to adoption as sons.
· He accepted us in the Beloved.
· He redeemed us through the Blood of Christ.
· He forgave our sins.

CONCLUSION

You Can Know These Blessings
These blessings are not given to a certain tribe and refused to others, but they are the Christ purchased possession of all those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. They are given to men and women who have repented of their sins and who are trusting the finished work of Christ to be enough to satisfy Holy God.

Let Us Give Praise For These Blessings
With these blessings before us, like Paul, we have every reason to bless the Blesser. I trust that our focus during this Christmas season will not be the gifts we give each other, but the great GIFTS that God has given us in Christ. Don't look under the Christmas tree for your joy, rather look to God's gift that died on the tree.

Copyright (C) 1998, by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.

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