7_23_2023 - Ephesians 1:11-14
Notes
Transcript
(Opening Prayer)
(Opening Prayer)
(Sermon Introduction)
(Sermon Introduction)
Today we continue our “Ephesians” series.
(AG Reminder)
(AG Reminder)
Central is an Assembly of God church. For more information on our AG beliefs and positions feel free to check out the “What We Believe” link on the Central App, visit the website, or stop by the office.
(Ephesians Context)
(Ephesians Context)
The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are what we call the “Prison Epistles.”
Paul is writing Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60 AD (recorded in Acts 28).
Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (Eph. 6:20-21).
This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.
On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).
On his third missionary journey Paul pastored the church of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31).
Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.
(Series Recap and Sermon Title)
(Series Recap and Sermon Title)
We began our series focusing our attention on Ephesians 1:1-2 and “God’s Desire,” described by Paul as “The Will of God.”
Pastor Robby spoke two weeks ago about “God’s Choice” and Ephesians 1:3-7.
Last week we focused on Ephesians 1:7-10 and “God’s Plan.”
Today we are in Ephesians 1:11-14 and talking about “God’s Promise.”
Ephesians 1:11–14 (ESV)
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1. GOD’S PROMISE IS RECEIVED IN CHRIST
1. GOD’S PROMISE IS RECEIVED IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:11–13 (ESV)
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
(Jewish/Gentile Context)
(Jewish/Gentile Context)
Paul makes an interesting statement when he says, “so that we who were first to hope in Christ” (v. 12).
What does Paul mean?
Paul is referencing the Jewish people who had first heard the message of Jesus.
Remember that the gospel was preached by Jesus to the people of Israel first.
Paul is referencing the order of presentation but quickly connects the Ephesian church (which was a multi-ethnic context) to the multi-ethnic nature of the gospel.
The gospel is for all, but the gospel came through the Jewish people.
Jesus was Jewish and presented the gospel first to the Jew and then to the Gentile.
Paul would tell the church in Rome that it is now the responsibility for the Gentiles to faithfully communicate the gospel back to the Jewish people (Rom. 11).
(“In Him” Teaching)
(“In Him” Teaching)
The first four chapters are filled with the most references to being “in Christ” than any other place in the New Testament.
Their was a great book written many years ago called, “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee.
He truly felt that those three words communicated the stages and themes of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers.
He believed the first 3 chapters focused their attention of “Sitting” with Christ.
Nee spoke of the call of heaven for us to take our position with Christ.
Notice how many times we see Paul reference our position in reference to where Christ is.
Numerous times we have seen that we are:
faithful in Christ Jesus (v. 2).
blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (v. 3).
chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (v. 4).
redeemed, forgiven, and given grace in Him (v. 7).
can fulfill the desire and purpose of God in Christ (v. 9).
united in Him (v. 10).
receive an inheritance in Christ (v. 11).
Were sealed by the Holy Spirit when we believed in Him (v. 13).
As we move throughout this letter we will see Paul reference this life of faith that is ONLY found IN CHRIST.
There is no life apart from Him.
Acts 17:24–28a (ESV)
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28a for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’.
2. GOD’S PROMISE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. GOD’S PROMISE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, the Triune Godhead.
He is distinct in person.
He is not an it.
He is the person of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of promise.
(“The Baptism in the Holy Spirit” Teaching)
(“The Baptism in the Holy Spirit” Teaching)
It is important to note that the Apostle Paul is speaking of the Holy Spirit in reference to the work of salvation and the justification of the one who believes. He is not specifically talking about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit here.
The work of salvation and the sealing work of the Holy Spirit is different from the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
When we believe in Christ the Holy Spirit fills us as water fills a water pot on the stove.
The Holy Spirit enters us and begins His work inside us.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs when the water boils over.
This understanding is consistent with Jesus words about the Holy Spirit in John 7:37-39:
John 7:37–39 (ESV)
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit doesn’t occur from heaven to you but is the partnership with the work of God and the Holy Spirit inside of you.
Jesus taught this.
If you would like to know what the AG beliefs and positions are in reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, feel free to check out the “What We Believe” link on the Central App, visit the website, or stop by the office.
If you are interested in receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and would like someone to walk with you please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Apostle John recorded these words from Jesus about the Holy Spirit:
John 14:16–17 (ESV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper (paraklētos), to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:26 (ESV)
26 But the Helper (paraklētos), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 16:7–8 (ESV)
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper (paraklētos) will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
(“Paraklētos” Definition)
(“Paraklētos” Definition)
Paraklētŏs / παράκλητος
Paraklētŏs / παράκλητος
G3875. An intercessor, consoler:— advocate, comforter.
Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells the Galatian churches in Galatians 5:16-25:
Galatians 5:16–25 (ESV)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
We will talk in future weeks of the Holy Spirit’s ability to lead us to walk out the desires of our God and to make us to walk like Jesus.
However, today we are focusing on the importance of believing in Christ and yielding to the God’s Promised Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
3. GOD’S PROMISE IS SURE
3. GOD’S PROMISE IS SURE
(Instrumental)
(Instrumental)
(Instrumental Music)
Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee (arrhabōn) of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
(“Guarantee” Definition)
(“Guarantee” Definition)
Arrhabōn / ἀῤῥαβών
Arrhabōn / ἀῤῥαβών
G728. a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:— earnest.
James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).
(Down Payment Illustration)
(Down Payment Illustration)
Much like a down payment on a house, the Holy Spirit places His seal upon our temple, saying, “I am moving in and the Godhead will be relocating this temple to another location some day soon.”
Listen to what Paul tells the Roman believers in Romans 8:12-17:
Romans 8:12–17 (ESV)
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
(Sermon Recap)
(Sermon Recap)
GOD’S PROMISE:
GOD’S PROMISE IS RECEIVED IN CHRIST
GOD’S PROMISE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT
GOD’S PROMISE IS SURE
(Challenge)
(Challenge)
Are you In Christ?
Is the Holy Spirit confirming to you that you belong to Christ?
(Response Card)
(Response Card)
(Response)
(Response)
(Invite Prayer Team)
(Closing Blessing)
(Closing Blessing)
Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)
24 The Lord bless you and keep you.
25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.