Sealed by the HS

Introduction

Today we will FOCUS in on Eph 1:11-14

We have been learning about the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ. VERSE 3

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We learned about the father’s sovereign choice before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him.

In love we were predestined to be adopted to himself as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ

This was all done for the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the beloved. This means according to the purpose of his will is his people to share in the glory of Christ.

We learned last week about our redemption and what that word meant (SLAVE and Purchased FREEDOM) this was done through his blood. We have forgiveness for your trespasses against God. The riches of God’s Grace has been lavished upon us.

Part of this grace out of the abundance, God purposed to give us wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will. The grace to hear and understand the things of God. The very grace to be able to open the bible and understand what it says. Part of this mystery is the plan to unite all things in him.

NOW WE WILL continue in the letter to the Ephesians

Stand with me for the reading of God’s word

Ephesians 1:11–14 ESV

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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Having Been Predestined

In him (we have obtained an inheritance) this verb is one idea in the greek. The word is Kayrool and it means to obtain by lot, or appointed by. The verb tense is past and passive. This means we receive this by the soverign will of God in eternity past.

The NIV translation says here in him we were also chosen. I like the way the ESV says it because its more than being chosen by God.

The inheritance in Christ has already been obtained having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

Notice the beginning of the verse says in him we have obtained. Then in verse 13 Paul writes in him you also, when you heard the word of truth. We need to note something extrodanry here, Paul is describing two groups of people. The first group is the we and the second group is the you also in verse 13. I believe he is speaking to the Jewish people first in the beginning of verse 11 with the we since Paul is a jew and then the you also in verse 13 is speaking to the gentiles.

This is part of the mystery of God’s will that Paul says was hidden for ages in the past. God’s purpose has always been to save a a lot of people for himself out of the jewish nation and the gentiles. This is part of the riches of his grace

The inheritance through Christ is stable and unshakable. God is sovereign directing all things freely according to his royal counsel

One commentary stated the clear contrast with the pagan gods the eph people knew and worshipped. Man made God’s are fickle or bound by an inscrutable and arbitrary fate.

God’s sovereign direction, his predestination should give his people tremendous comfort. Listen to verse 11 as it says him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

What does the bible say about our inheritance? lets looks at a few promises regarding this inheritance

Matthew 5:5 ESV

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Mattew 5:5

Matthew 19:29 ESV

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Matt 19

Matthew 25:34 ESV

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Colossians 1:12 ESV

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

1 Peter 1:4 ESV

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

To sum this up. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the World to be blameless and Holy sons and daughters of His. We are given a portion a lot, an inheritance which is to share in the inheritance of His son Jesus Christ that is imperishable undefiled and unfading, this all is for the praise of HIS glory. It doesn’t matter if you are jewish or gentile, through hearing the word of Truth the gospel of salvation and by believing in Jesus we are then sealed with the promised holy spirit.

We have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

Read with me verse 13 and 14 with me

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

we who have heard the word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in him

remember last week, it is God’s grace when we hear the word of truth we understand and believe. Remember 1 cor 1:18 and the other scriptures we read regarding the lack of understanding and the impossibility of understanding the things of God unless through his grace he enables you to understand.

So you here and now, you are saved the same way. When you heard the word of truth or when you read it like in my case, after the truth of God’s word was revealed to you by the holy spirits you then believed in him. This is a work of God in your life. This is for his praise and glory. This is his great love for you. This was his choice before he created the world. This inheritance you will partake in is guaranteed.

Look again at the verse, 13 and believed in him were sealed with the promised Holy spirit.

the word sealed speaks of a mark as in the insignia of a king

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:13–14a

God is the One who seals, Christ is the sphere in which the seal is done, and the Holy Spirit is the instrument of the seal

2 Corinthians 1:22 ESV

and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

In other words the holy spirit in each believe is a deposit of Heaven into our hearts here on earth

The holy spirit is God manifesting himself through us here. His personal seal on us marked out of the world identified as belonging to him. We are his chosen possession. We are his adopted ones, redeemed out of the sinful world through the finished work of Jesus Christ .

The promised holy spirit who is a guarantee a deposit of more to come. Notice the last part of the verse, guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it. To the praise of HIS glory.

By his grace you were chosen by the father, redeemed by the son and then sealed by the Holy Spirit this is all for the praise of his glory. Motivated by love.

Conclusion

Therefore —

Are you living the Christian life in victory?

Are you confident in the work of the father in by his calling of you?

Are you confident in the work of the son for paying in full your redemption price by his blood?

Are you confident in the Holy Spirit’s work in sealing you, marking you as belonging to God. Do you read these words and cherish them as truth. The spirit is a guarantee, have you contemplated what that word guarantee means?

What is getting in your way of seeing more clearly your marked identity? Do you see your position in Christ? Are you beginning to see more clearly God’s plan and your inclusion in that plan? Why not?