John K. Jenkins Sr - 10 Spiritual Blessings to Be Grateful For

Father, I thank You and I bless Your name. Thank You for Your loving-kindness and the multitude of Your mercies You give us every day. We pray for Your richest blessings upon our time together. I pray that You would anoint us to be Your mouthpiece for these few moments and allow Your name to receive all of the glory and all of the praise. Save somebody who needs salvation and reclaim someone who has backslid. Yes, let Your name receive all of the glory and all of the honor. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Can you all help me welcome the 26 states and 11 countries that are watching us online? Welcome! You may be seated. If you have your Bibles, open them to Ephesians chapter 1. Every Thanksgiving, my family, along with my extended family, gathers at our home, and we have established a tradition. That tradition consists of us gathering in a big circle in the kitchen, and we ask everyone to share something they are thankful for. Over the years, I have heard some wonderful expressions of gratitude. Some are thankful for their jobs, some are thankful for family, and when someone gets a car, they say, «Thank the Lord I got a ride.» They have shared various things, but as I come to this year’s Thanksgiving, I want to challenge my family and everyone here to consider what I am going to talk about today. When you express thanks, can we focus on some spiritual blessings that God has given us instead of just material things? I know it doesn’t usually come to the front of your mind; I know it doesn’t immediately rise to the top of your thoughts. However, I thought I would discuss options for things you might want to consider thanking God for. In Ephesians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, and while he speaks to them with this wonderful message, he mentions 10 things that we ought to thank God for. Yes, I have 10 points today! I thought you would be excited. You can clap now, but it’s too late to clap after the fact. Don 't worry; I’m not going to spend 10 minutes on each one-I’ll try not to, at least. They are all right here in Ephesians chapter 1. In fact, I also meet with the managers and department heads of our staff every month, and I start off that meeting by asking them to share someone they are praying for to get saved or any testimonies they might have about someone they want to see get right with God. They share, and then we close our meeting-after we’ve conducted our business-by doing something suggested to me by Dr. Johnny Parker, the director of our counseling department. I’ve adopted his suggestion, and I have done what he has recommended at the close of every meeting. His suggestion was that we mention something we are grateful for. So, at the end of every meeting we now have, I ask if anyone has something they are thankful for. I am grateful for these 10 things I’m about to suggest to you all. Thank you both! I’m just going to walk through Ephesians chapter 1 and highlight these things in the first 14 verses. As I go through this, can you just reflect on the things you’re thankful for and make a note of them? I don’t know if any other families do what our family does, and I don’t see any of my kids here today. I’m hoping they are watching online. Kids, I want someone to surprise me today by saying one of these things when we sit around the table. Can I do that? Great! Thank you! Here 's what Ephesians chapter 1 says. Are you there? Alright, let me start at verse 1. Let 's look at it and walk through it, and as I go along, I will point out the things I want to discuss. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ! Let me shout right there that God has blessed us with spiritual blessings. There is so much more to be thankful for in your life than just the material things that God has placed in your life. I see that the claps are low and few, but it’s okay. Let me point them out to you. In verse 3, he says, «with every spiritual blessing.» He says he will tell us what they are in the heavenly places in Christ. Just as He…-here it is, number one-He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world. Let me shout right there: number one, you didn’t pick God; He picked you! Somebody say, «He chose me!» We have been chosen. I want you to think about that .