Ephesians 1_11-14 Salvations Seal

Secular:

· A pastor’s story…

· He went to visit a summer camp

· He noticed in the corner of the room a man that seemed to be hiding… not meeting eyes…. With a bit of a scowl on his face

· He went up to the man an extended his hand and introduced himself… the man barley looked up and didn’t respond to the handshake

· When the pastor’s face showed his concern for the situation the man backed away and pulled up his sleeve to reveal a grossly deformed armed… twisted… and very skinny

· All he had to say was, “Look what God did to me!”

· After being caught off guard by the comment… the pastor prayed for wisdom… thought for a second and responded.

· The Pastor responded, “You want to know something?”… “That’s not you.”

· The man responded with “What do you mean it is not me?”

· “It is just the house you live in.” he said, “that’s all” “It is a very temporary house and you are a forever person” “God offers a forever plan for you and also a new and eternal body for your future.”

· The man responded, “You’re kidding”

· The pastor said No I am not.” And responded with the gospel message.

· Sometimes we get focused on this body… our health… our wealth… our leisure….

· And miss the fact that we are eternal beings…

Lot more to offer… than temporal…

· Chosen by God

· Redeemed by Christ

· And Sealed by the Spirit

Biblical:

Eph 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

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.

Personal:

· Warranties

· Extended…. Bet against the product…

· Not sure of its value…

· Real value…. You stand behind…

· The GLORY OF GOD is behind our salvation…

· The Lord God Almighty is our Hope!

· Satisfaction Guaranteed!

· Salvation is Sealed!

Bridge:

Hymn of the Divine Program of Salvation….

Hymn…

Of the saints… Everlasting covenant…

The Father Chose…

Before the Foundations of the World * He Chose… Us for Adoption
He Chose… US to bring Glory to His Name

Redemption in Christ

· Ransomed…

Price paid in exchange for our freedom

Sin for righteousness

Result#1 Forgiveness * Result# 2 Wisdom and Insight

Redemptive Reason…

Glory to God Father… Son…. And Now Spirit… in Salvation

· Salvation is a Trinity event!

·

Body:

The Call

Eph 1:11 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,

In HIM… in God we have our inheritance – in Christ our Redemption!
Not just before the foundations of the world…Having been predestined according to his will and plan… not just an activity of the past but a reality! Not just 2,000 years ago or before the world….
No surprises
His purpose
His choice… his to redeem…
Purposed… Inheritance…. Salvation
Those who are called come…
Romans 11:29 (ESV)
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Those who are called come…
WHY?...

The Glorification of Jesus

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

First to hope… Paul and company… same hope…
Vary of a different gospel…
Hope in this case is synonymous with faith…
Faith in Christ to the glory of Christ
Reminder… we have been chosen for faith… chosen to glorify Christ - PURPOSE

Hoping in Christ is faith that comes from God through hearing his word… 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
No Other Gospel… not other hope!

John 8:54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God';
Chosen by God to Glorify Christ!
John 17:1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,
His death for salvation!
2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen
Elect of God… Faith in Christ…. Glory to Christ
Salvation credited to God…. His Glory
Glorification of Christ….

Unity in Salvation

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation,

In him you also… hardly sounds revolutionary…
But remember this is the Jew of Jews (Paul by his own admission) to the Gentile Church!
Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ…
There is no value distinction in salvation…
Not with held from any gender, tribe, tongue nation…
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
No favourite…
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Drawn together in Christ…
One anothers… fellowship… Communion
Saved… elect… redeemed… to the Glory of God….
Unity in Salvation!

Word and Spirit

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,

The Word of Truth

The Word of God…
The Message of God’s Glory… the message of the gift of God himself… In Christ… the Word.
Heard the Gospel… Enlivened by the Spirit… Message of Christ…
Word discloses… to believe…

Last words of David…. 2 Samuel 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.
It is God’s Word by the Spirit
Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Different Gospel… not of the Spirit…
Important!... It is not effective or true…
Ephesians 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Effective and Powerful!
John 14:26 (ESV)
26 But the Helper, 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.
Word to bear…
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV)
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
…when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,
It is the power to believe… our part… respond in faith
Word and Spirit!

Marked with a Seal

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,

We have not taken possession of our full inheritance…

Rom 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. - Now and Not yet

Seal… ID… Authentic… Official mark… like on a letter… or document
Seal… Ownership… mark of belonging
Rom 8:16 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.
Mark of assurance….

Branded Spiritualy
Marked
Set Apart… for a purpose

Marked with a Seal

To God be the Glory

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.

It is about God’s story…

Glory to Him
Glory in Him!

Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Chosen and redeemed and Sealed for His Glory!
1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
All things to his glory!
Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."
Chosen and Redeemed and Sealed are the saints of the eternal covenant to His Glory!

Conclusion: