Holy Spirit, Our Pledge
The Power of The Holy Spirit • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
What Paul says in Ep. 1:13-14 is a continuation of the blessings he began talking about in vs. 4.
The Blessings:
He chose us that we should be holy vs. 4
He predestined us to adoptions vs. 5-6
We have redemption [forgiveness acc. to his riches] vs. 7-8
He made known to us the mystery of His will vs. 9-10
We have obtained an inheritance vs. 11-12
He gave you a pledge. The preceding two verses may be linked to the following two.
The Pledge - What it was
The Pledge - What it was
The pledge was a down-payment, the “first payment”
A guarantee that the rest is coming
ASSURANCE This pledge said I promise and this payment ensures that I will fulfill this promise.
DESIRE - We are God’s possession and He is willing to act on our behalf. This First Payment -This means that it makes the agreement valid.
The Person - It describes the maker of the pledge
The Person - It describes the maker of the pledge
The pledge points to the intent of the person pledging that they will come through on what they promised
It adds credibility to what God has said, whatever God has said! [more on this later]
The things God has said regarding the end times is made certain because of the pledge!
God can be trusted
The words of the Lord are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
Isaiah 26:3 (NASB95)
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
God always comes through. We can know this from His blessings and His Judgments. (Noah, Israel’s and Judah’s captivity)
“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
The Promise
The Promise
The “inheritance” is mentioned. This is a phase of our salvation that we are yet to experience. The Spirit is our pledge that we will experience it.
It refers to property possessed by a legal heir
So went all in to assure us of this promise
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
This shows that we haven’t experienced salvation to the full degree. This makes sense because we are still in the earthly realm.
This shows that we haven’t experienced salvation to the full degree. This makes sense because we are still in the earthly realm.
This is not the only place in the NT that emphasizes this:
This is not the only place in the NT that emphasizes this:
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Does Ephesians 1 teach that I cannot lose my Salvation?
Does Ephesians 1 teach that I cannot lose my Salvation?
Eph 4:13-16 highlights the development of a Christ-like character
Eph 4:17 discourages the embracing of the former walk
Eph 6:10-18 emphasizes the warfare Christians were involved in
All the above imply that salvation is something to hold on to because it can be forfeited due to unfaithfulness.
The Holy Spirit our Pledge teaches us:
The Holy Spirit our Pledge teaches us:
God is true to His word and He will come through
Regardless of what face here, something greater is coming
Do not forfeit your inheritance for anything
The Holy Spirit our Pledge reminds us of these important truths