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Luke Giraudeau / 1 Corinthians 12:8-12

Jeremiah mourned over Judah's departure from God. The nation was marked by corruption, social injustice of venerable communities, cultic prostitution, even engaging in the Canaanite practice of child sacrifice. Judgment and exile to Babylon were coming - without repentance. From Jeremiah 7 we have the prophet's temple sermon, as he stood in the temple gates warning the people as they were entering in. In 8:19-22 he presents them as in the future exile when all opportunity of deliverance was gone. Yet there was still hope. He speaks of the balm of Gilead – a metaphor of God's precious salvation. This balm came from a special tree which was not far away. We are reminded that for sinful man, under judgment there is spiritual healing – because Jesus himself came to bear our sins in His own body on the tree. The Great Physician is near.

This study explores the profound reality of believers possessing all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through their union with Christ. It contrasts the transient nature of material prosperity with the eternal security of God's spiritual gifts, emphasizing that these blessings are irrevocable and comprehensive. The exposition highlights the source of these blessings in the Father, the means in the Son, and the application by the Spirit, covering past election, present redemption, and future inheritance. The tone is triumphant and pastoral, encouraging believers to find their identity and sufficiency in Christ rather than in worldly circumstances. The message concludes with an exhortation to respond with praise and to set one's affections on eternal things, recognizing that the Christian's true wealth is secure in glory.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" King James Version