"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT A GUARANTEE THAT GOD HAS MADE TO BELIEVERS"
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:
1. Here's what happened to those in Ephesus who became christians, and it's what has happened to those of us today who have also become christians. Paul says, Eph 1:13c "you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise".
2. Let's take a closer look at what this is, and how it applies to our lives today.
(1) This guarantee was put in place as soon as you trusted in Christ. Notice how it's stated here Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation;
The Ephesians had the gospel presented to them, and many of them trusted in Christ as their savior. They came to faith. They like you heard the "Word of truth" , which is the good news of salvation. They heard the good news, and they turned to Jesus Christ.
(2) There is more here. We are told, Eph 1:13b "in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." Paul is now explaining what happened to those who trusted in Christ, or believed in Christ to save them, and it's what has happened to you also if you have trusted Christ to save you. Upon your believing You were Eph 1:13d "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" What this means, is that God has identified you as His own, by giving you the Holy Spirit whom he had promised along time ago. So, this sealing is a mark of ownership. The Holy Spirit comes inside of a Christian when they are saved, and His being there is a "Mark of ownership" It means You belong to God. You are His.
(3) Here's where the guarantee part comes in. Please notice. Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Or to say it another way, the Holy Spirit is your guarantee of all that God is going to give you everything He has promised you.
The word guarantee, means, a pledge, or a security. It's like the earnest money one puts down as a downpayment. Today, we would say, "it's the money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid"
(4) What has God promised to do for those who believe? Please look again at Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit dwelling within you, is the guarantee you have, until the time when God takes you to heaven, and there you will praise His glory. He has promised not only to save those who believe, but He has promised to be with them after they are saved, and he has promised to eventually take his saved people to heaven.
This is God's guarantee to us. The Holy Spirit in You is His guarantee that He is going to do everything that He has promised to you.
(5) One final way to look at this "Guarantee" Eph 1:14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. NLT. The Holy Spirit is God's pledge to you, that He has plans for You, and He is going to fulfill those plans. It's just like the person who says, "I'm going to buy that house. And the realtor and the lender say, "Ok, can you please put some money down" That pledge you just made, means that you intend to complete the deal. You are saying by giving the downpayment, "You intend to actually buy the house" Well, God has done the same thing. He has given you a downpayment of what He intends to do. He is going to finish what He started with You, and this is just one more reason that today you can praise God.
A prayer:
Father, You are so good, You have not only given us Christ to believe in, but You have pledged to us, that You will do everything that You have promised to do for us. We now belong to You, and You will finish what You have started in us, and one day, we will wind up in heaven praising You forever, and forever. In the meantime Lord, we have the assurance that You own us, we belong to You, and no one is going to take us away from You. Thank You for this wonderful guarantee. Thank You Holy Spirit for Your being in our lives this very day. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
