Be Thankful for More Than Your Salvation

Introduction: Growing up I suffered from pretty bad insomnia. For many years, I struggled to sleep so many nights I found myself in front of the TV watching the Home Shopping network because that was really the only on at 2 AM.

I was always amazed at the stuff they were selling, but they sold it so well.

They start out with the thing. Which is usually terrible but you are made to think it’s awesome.

Then they say those 3 magic words, “Wait! There’s more!”

And there is more and more and more.

The entire presentation is building excitement until you know you can’t live without this.

I wanted everything. I could have been mangled animal carcass and I would have been like I need it!

But they are trying to sell you things you don’t need.

From a worldly perspective, if Jesus was trying to sell anything, he was a terrible salesman.

First he spent so much of his time trying to convince people not to follow him.

Make sure you count the cost.

On top of that he said things to intentionally shock people.

Hate my mother, father, brothers and sisters.

Eat my flesh and drink my blood.

Even with his disciples he reminded them

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Even Paul talks about this:

Romans 8:17 ESV

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.

It would appear that we have to sacrifice everything in this life to have the next. Many might wonder if it’s worth it?

And the truth is if all Jesus ever did for us was die on the cross for our sins that would be enough. But wait there’s more.

Even in Jesus’ words there is a promise of peace in the midst of tribulation.

In Paul’s words their is the promise of being coheirs with Jesus.

There is so much more to following Jesus than being saved.

Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bibles to Ephesians 1:11-14.

Last week we talked about how we are to be thankful for our salvation.

Today we see that there are benefits of salvation that go beyond jsut being saved from hell. And...

Introduce: As our authentic principle states:

Authentic Principle: Be Thankful for More Than Your Salvation.

Read:

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.

Authentic Principle: Be Thankful for More Than Your Salvation.

1. Receive your inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11)

Explanation: In vs. 11, Paul tells us that we have obtained (past tense) an inheritance. This means that it is assured.

For many of us we know that “In Him” refers to Jesus, but just in case you back to last week or just the previous 2 verses.

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

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.

The idea of being, “in Christ” means a lot to Paul. It really doubles down on the idea that we are accepted not on the bases of our works (or lack their of), but on the based of what Jesus has done for us.

So when Paul tells us, that in love, Christ has obtained for us more than just salvation from hell.

An inheritance means being a part of the family and entitlement to the work our parents or grandparents or long lost uncle are leaving behind.

But while those leaving an inheritance are still alive, you can be written out of the will for bad behavior.

In this case, we have already obtained it. It’s done. You are in the family of God.

But notice in vs. 13-14, our inheritance comes with more than just a promise. It comes with a downpayment.

Now here’s the crazy thing about this. A downpayment means that if the person fails to deliver on the rest, you get to keep the downpayment. But if the downpayment is God the Holy Spirit, if God fails to deliver on our inheritance, we get to keep the Holy Spirit. We get to keep God.

Illustration:

Application: I have talked to so many people who live in fear of losing their salvation. I even struggled with this as a child. I thought if I made too many mistakes God would reject me. I thought if I didn’t confess every single sin in my life, every day, that would mean Jesus didn’t cover that sin. So I anxiously answered every alter call. I would have been repeatedly rebaptized if my pastor wasn’t convincing that one was enough.

If you are struggling with weather or not God accepts you. He does. And the very idea that you are asking that question might be evidence enough.

Remember,

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

So receive it. Walk in it. And share it.

2. Put your hope in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)

Explanation:

Proverbs 13:12 ESV

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Hope is one of greatest weapons against uncertainty and fear.

Many of us look at the world around us and we feel so hopeless. So many questions.

And before long we all must think of what happens after death. That’s what Paul is talking about. In what will we put our hope?

Illustration: Thinking about sports, if you come into a game against a good team thinking you have no hope, you’re play and effort will reflect that. But as long as you have hope, you have a chance.

In life we have the same thing. if we walk around without hope as if the world is against us (even God) then our life, attitude and effort will reflect that lack of hope.

Don’t just long for hope. You have hope in Jesus…so walk in it!

Application: Hope causes you to walk different. Hope causes you to carry yourself with a humble confidence that shows that you believe everything is going to work out. It’s not about arrogance or making it happen, but a hope that no matter what happens, no matter what others say about you, no matters the ups and downs of life, we trust that Jesus has us.

So walk in the hope of Jesus.

3. Trust in God’s promises (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Explanation: The entire BIble is about God teaching His people to trust Him. And the Bible is about God’s people’s failure to trust him. Adam and Eve. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. David. The nation of Israel. And how did God show that he was trustworthy? He gave them Himself. And in the New Testament He sent His own son.

But now we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us who is a guarantee of our salvation and inheritance. And we can never lose that!

Illustration: Trust is a hard concept for many of us. Trust takes a long time to build and can be lost in an instant.

In fact if your life is perfect, then God isn’t trustworthy because said it wouldn’t be.

First we look back to what God has already done.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

But then he continues to carry us through the storms of life.

Application: We need to trust in God’s promises. We need to come to see that God has always been trustworthy as evidenced at the cross.

God never abandoned His people even when they did awful things. God didn’t even abandon the gentiles outside the nation of Israel but made a way for even the most pagan of people to have a relationship with Him.

Response: Are you thankful for your salvation? How do you show it?

Summation:

Authentic Principle: Be Thankful for your Salvation.

1. Receive your inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11)

2. Put your hope in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)

3. Trust in God’s promises (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Response: Are you thankful for your salvation? How do you show it?

Closing Illustration:

In a few short weeks, we’ll celebrate Christmas. And around our Christmas trees will be presents. And regardless of how much we spend on our kids, what they want more than anything is us.

I know we sometimes wonder, but if our kids had the choice between the gifts we give then, they would choose us.

And the same thing should be true of us.

I’m reminded of a song about this.

In the morning when I rise Give me Jesus

When I am alone Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus Give me Jesus, 'cause it's all I need, give me Jesus

When I come to die When I come to die When I come to die Give me Jesus

You can have all this world Give me Jesus

Let us be thankful that God who gives us more than just our salvation.

Jesus died for your sins and my sins because He loves His own people and will spend eternity with us in heaven. Too often we think of Jesus as a reluctant savior who

For all of us, let us show our gratitude to God for his many blessings in our lives.

If that’s you, today I want to guide you in a prayer of thanksgiving, confession and repentance. There is nothing magical about this prayer. If you don’t believe it, it won’t matter.

But if you are feeling the Holy Spirit calling you to something more, you can use this prayer to start your own prayer.

God, I’m so grateful for what Jesus did for me on the cross. I know that he took the penalty of my sin and willingly died so that I didn’t have to.

I confess my sin to you as the one I have offended. Knowing that I deserve your wrath I look to the cross of Jesus as He took my sin and died in my place. Because of this, I know your wrath is satisfied. Thank you God for this and all the other blessings in my life.

Cleanse me of my lingering sinfulness and help me to live for you from this day forward as I follow Jesus and shine His light through words and actions to a desperate world that needs His peace. Thank you God for the life and purpose I have in Christ Jesus.

In Jesus name amen.

If today you are accepting the invitation to follow Jesus, we’d love to hear from you today so we can help you being that journey of faith.

Let’s pray.

Week 12 of 2020-2021 Sermon Series: Authentic

Truly Grateful: Be Thankful for More Than Your Salvation

Ephesians 1:11-14

Authentic Principle: Be THANKFUL for more than your SALVATION.

1. Receive your INHERITANCE. (Ephesians 1:11)

2. Put your HOPE in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)

3. Trust in God’s PROMISES (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Response: Are you THANKFUL for your salvation? How do you SHOW it?

Opening Discussion:

What does it mean to be saved? Why do we so often think only about being saved from hell? What else is there?

Sermon:

What does it mean to receive an inheritance? What is the inheritance that we gain in Christ?

What does it mean to be “predestined?” What is the purpose of our “predestination” in God’s plan?

What does it mean to hope in Christ? How is Christian hope different from worldly hope?

How does the Holy Spirit confirm our salvation?

What should be our response as we wait for eternity?

Application:

How would our lives be different if we saw that our salvation is more than just being saved from hell?

What is one benefit of salvation, Paul talks about, that sticks out most to you?

How can the assurance we have from the Holy Spirit, help us to live confidently in light of our salvation?

What steps can you take to live a life that is truly grateful for more than your salvation?

What would it look like if more of us had an attitude of thanksgiving?