Sermon Central
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The Purchased Possession
Contributed by James Owens on Feb 6, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Our salvation consists of more than the forgiveness of our sins so that when we die we will go to heaven.
“THE PURCHASED POSSESSION”
TEXT: Ephesians 1:11-14
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things (manipulating, moving, maneuvering, & arranging all things according to His purposes) according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
INTRODUCTION:
Our salvation consists of more than the forgiveness of our sins so that when we die we will go to heaven.
What God has in mind is spectacular -- complete and final redemption!
The rapture of the church is that event which will bring about complete and final deliverance for the child of God.
I. WE KNOW WE WERE PREDESTINED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDEMPTION (11-12)
a) Our redemption was not an afterthought of God.
God the Father knew before He created man that man would sin and become a fallen creation.
He also knew that there would come a day when He would offer mankind the gift of redemption.
This gift came through Jesus Christ.
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
ONE TRANSLATION SAYS:
“God sent Him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children.”
b) The eternal plan of God’s redemption called for our salvation (or deliverance).
I Peter 1:3-5, 20-21
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Salvation is mankind’s destiny! But we must choose to follow God’s plan.
II. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEALED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDEMPTION (13)
a) The Holy Spirit seals those who have "trusted" and "believed" in Christ.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
This “SEAL” is a distinguishing mark upon a person’s life and character.
This seal is a MARK OF IDENTIFICATION!
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal:” “The Lord knows those who are His.”
The seal of a notary public
The 7 sons of Sceva in Acts 19
b) The Holy Spirit seals those who believe to assure them of the REALITY of their salvation.
“The experience of the Holy Spirit in their lives
is the final proof to them, and indeed a demonstration to others, of the genuineness of what they have believed, and provides the inward assurance that they belong to God as children.”
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”
III. WE KNOW THAT WE WERE PURCHASED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDEMPTION (14)
a) The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment and our
guarantee of God’s heavenly promises.
b) The price for our salvation was paid, thus making us
God’s possession…
I Peter 1:18-19 (Amplified Bible)
“You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, but [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.”
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
We are a magnificent temple of the Holy Ghost UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
CONCLUSION:
The work of redemption is not complete
until the possession has been completely redeemed.
We are the purchased possession of our God.
Our souls have been redeemed from sin.
Our lives are being redeemed as we become more like Christ.
But our redemption is not complete until Christ returns and we become like Him.
These are the reasons we await the return of Christ with great anticipation!
