Ephesians 1:11-14 In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:3-14 I. The blessings of salvation from the Father: A.Divine Election (1:3-4) B.Divine Predestination (1:5) C.Divine Grace (1:6) II. The blessings of salvation from the Son: A.Divine Redemption (1:7) B.Divine Forgiveness (1:7) C.Divine Illumination (1:8-9) D.Divine Economy (1:10) III. The blessings of salvation from the Spirit: A.Divine inheritance (1:11) B.Divine sealing (1:13) C.Divine guarantee (1:14)

Ephesians 1:11 In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will…

Our Divine Inheritance, Sealing and Guarantee I.What is the inheritance? In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance… Literally – “in Him we were made or claimed as His heritage (inheritance).” (NAS) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, (ESV)In him we have obtained an inheritance, (NKJ)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, (NLT)we have received an inheritance from God, (NIV)In him we were also chosen, (HCS)In Him we were also made His inheritance, (NET)In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession…

Our Divine Inheritance, Sealing and Guarantee I.What is the inheritance? A. God’s portion in His people Portion or Inheritance - a part of the whole, a section or quantity taken out of a larger thing or group; a part of the larger group that is separated from a whole and allotted to a person or group.

Deuteronomy 32:8-9 8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel. 9 For the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance.

1 Peter 2: But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Our Divine Inheritance, Sealing and Guarantee I.What is the inheritance? A. God’s portion in His people “we have obtained an inheritance…” B. The saints’ portion reserved in Christ Ephesians 1: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Genesis 31:14 “Do we still have any portion or inheritance in our father's house?”

Psalm 2:8 “Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.”

Psalm 16:5-6 “5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.”

Psalm 28:9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason He [Jesus] is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

1 Peter 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our Divine Inheritance, Sealing and Guarantee II.How have we received the inheritance? A.Our inheritance is by the will and purpose of God B.Our inheritance is by listening to the message of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and by believing in Christ 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. C.Our inheritance is by the sealing of the Holy Spirit who is the pledge of our inheritance until we can experience it fully.

How Can We “Know” If We Are Sealed 1.We are to know it “biblically” - factually “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9).

How Can We “Know” If We Are Sealed 2.We are to know it “experientially” a.The Spirit-indwelt believer experiences the love of God. “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). b.The Spirit-indwelt believer experiences a desire to live for God, the peace of God and the joy of God. “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

How Can We “Know” If We Are Sealed 2.We are to know it “experientially” c.The Spirit-indwelt believer experiences the compulsion to confess Jesus as Lord. “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). d.The Spirit-indwelt has the Spirit of God as the pledge – the guarantee or down-payment of our inheritance in Christ. “who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession…” (Ephesians 1:14).

Our Divine Inheritance, Sealing and Guarantee III.Why we have received the inheritance? 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory…14… with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Isaiah 43: The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. 21 The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.”

1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

How are we to “proclaim” the glory of God 1.We are to use our mouths to tell others what God has done. “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). 2.Our lives, the very things we do on a regular basis, are to point others to God. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1).

How are we to “proclaim” the glory of God 3.Our very thoughts and attitudes are to praise our God. “15 O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. 16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:15-17).