Ephesians 1:3-14
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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
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.
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus, Christ, Amen, today, we think about the incredible truth of being first chosen, second, redeemed and third, sealed in Christ, these three words sum up God's eternal plan of salvation and reveal the wonderful love For us all. They assure us of our identity and inheritance in Christ and calls us to live lives of praise to God. Let us think about the three truths, these truths, as we look at what it means to be chosen, redeemed and sealed by God, we will study each of these words and see what it means to us. Let us first begin with the word and concept of being chosen by God, to be chosen means to be selected or set apart for a specific purpose in biblical times, this meant to be chosen to receive an inheritance, which meant for the person to be included in a family, so they had an inheritance of the family. Promises Paul writes in Ephesians one verse four, he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. This choice was not random but deliberate, rooted in God's love and purpose. Again, he chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in his sight, Paul tells us in verse five, in love, He predestined us for adoption to himself as Sons through Jesus Christ, in Roman culture, adoption was a legal act that granted the adopted individual all the rights and privileges of a natural born child, this included inherent inheritance into the family. Adoption by God makes us part of God's eternal family and recipients of his promises. This inheritance is imperishable, unfading and secure, as it says in First Peter one, verse four, being chosen transforms our lives in three ways. First, we are now part of God's family, his sons and daughters. Second, we are part of God's eternal plan. And third, this promise provides us with identity and purpose, being chosen leads to a promised inheritance of eternal life with God. This adoption unites all believers and brothers and sisters in Christ, breaking down barriers of race, gender and social status, as it says in Galatians three verse 28 our promised inheritance encourages us in our trials, reminding us of the eternal glory that awaits us. The prodigal son story in Luke 15 verses 11 through 32 is a good illustration of this truth. The Father, representing God, reaffirms God's grace and a son's identity as a member of the family Upon his return. In verse 24 of Luke 15, it says, quote, this son of mine was dead and is alive again. End, quote, God chooses us to belong to his family, not because of our worth, our worthiness, but because of his love for us. Now, let us look at the concept to be redeemed. To redeem is to buy back or deliver from bondage, often at great cost. Trust. What does it mean to be redeemed by God? In Christ, redemption is the act of freeing us from the power and penalty of sin. Paul proclaims in Ephesians, one, verse seven. Quote in Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. End, quote, redemption came at the cost of Christ's own life. His blood was shed to pay for the price of our sins, liberating us from sins grip and restoring our relationship with God. Redemption is the act of Christ shedding His blood to pay the price for our sins. What is life like when we are redeemed, we have freedom and forgiveness. Our past sins are forgiven. We are no longer defined by them. We are free to live as a child of God. We have reconciliation and peace. Redemption restores our broken relationship with God, bringing us peace and confidence in His grace, the prodigal son came. Prodigal Son redemption came at a cost to the Father. Remember that he had great wealth, and he divided his wealth between the two sons, one to the prodigal son who left, to the other to the son who stayed. So he was left with no money or wealth. The Father welcomed the prodigal son back, restoring his position and dignity in the family with the robe, the ring and the sandals, like Christ sacrificed for our sins, He redeemed us with His blood and restored our relationship with God to be sealed is a mark of or guarantee of something assuring its authenticity and security. What does it mean to be sealed by God? In Christ, the Holy Spirit seals us as God's own. Paul declares in verse 13, quote, you were sealed with a promised Holy Spirit, who is a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it. The Holy Spirit is God's mark of ownership and his promise to protect and preserve us until we take possession of it on the day of redemption, the last day, the impact and application their lives in our lives of being sealed are One. The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation and sustains our faith. Two, we are protected and preserved by God until the day of redemption. And three, we live confidently knowing that we are eternally secure in Christ in Second Corinthians, chapter one, verses 21 to 22 it says, quote, he anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. The Holy Spirit sustains our faith and assures us of our salvation. You are protected and preserved by God until the day you inherit eternal life. Knowing you are sealed by the Spirit gives you courage and joy to live confidently in Christ. The ring given to the prodigal son signifies ownership, security and a sealed restoration, restored inheritance. It is a seal of his position in the family. The Holy Spirit is our seal, guaranteeing our eternal inheritance in Christ.
Include, in conclusion, in Christ, we are one chosen, set apart to be, to be beloved child of God. Two redeemed and. Freed from our sin through Christ's sacrifice, and three sealed marked by the Holy Spirit as God's own, secure in our salvation. These three truths form the foundation of our identity and our inheritance to eternal life with Jesus. As a result of this, we have a desire to respond by one, living in assurance of our identity in Christ. Two, praising God for his incredible grace, and three, sharing his hope and truth with others, inviting them to experience the joy of being chosen, redeemed and sealed in Christ, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus, amen.
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