TITLE: God Has a Guarantee on You TEXT: Ephesians 1:1-14 THEME: You should feel confident because God permanently secures your position in Him.

There have been times in my own spiritual life when I have related to God exactly the way Quincy relates to us or Mike did to God: Timid, cowering, wanting to run away, yet afraid of being abandoned—and not having a clue about what it means to be part of God's family. Like Mike and Quincy I have shared those fears and I suspect there are many here this morning who have done the same.

Why should you feel secure in your position in Christ?

I. You've were on God's mind before the beginning of time.

Ephesians 1:3-5 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—”

I. You've were on God's mind before the beginning of time A. God loved us and chose us before the world began. (4)

A. God loved us and chose us before the world began. (4) The point here is that God choose us before the world began. It was not based on a whim. It is not influenced by the emotion of the moment. It was settled long before you were ever born. Our security is determined by the fact that He choose us apart from any influence other than his love for us.

I. You've were on God's mind before the beginning of time A. God loved us and chose us before the world began. (4) B. God loved and chose us to be holy in his eyes. (4)

I. You've were on God's mind before the beginning of time A. God loved us and chose us before the world began. (4) B. God loved and chose us to be holy in his eyes. (4) C. His plan has always been to adopt us into his own family (5)

Adoption wasn't just a case of childless parents choosing to provide a home for a parentless child. That was only one aspect of it. Adoptions also frequently occurred for business or political reasons, and it wasn't at all uncommon for one grown man to adopt another grown man to ensure that his wealth and power were passed on in the way that he intended it to be.

Adoptions were irrevocable Adoptions were irrevocable. In fact, a man could disown his birth son, but could not disown his adopted son. It was a permanent relationship. Paul said, "You've been adopted into the family of God. Get comfortable; you're here to stay."

I. You've were on God's mind before the beginning of time A. God loved us and chose us before the world began. (4) B. God loved and chose us to be holy in his eyes. (4) C. His plan has always been to adopt us into his own family (5) D. All things happen exactly as he decided long ago. (11-12)

Ephesians 1:11-12 “11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory”

D. All things happen exactly as he decided long ago. (11-12) God knew that you would be where you are today in your job, in your relationships, in all areas of your life. He knew you would be here. For some, it's been a rough ride. There have been mistakes and disappointments along the way, and you've fallen short of God's glory more times than you want to admit. Many of you have many regrets; many of you have wanted to give up many times. But God's love for you has never changed…You have been on his mind from the very beginning.

The message of Ephesians is that God accepted you into the body of Christ not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

Why should you feel secure in your position in Christ?

II. You belong to God, and that will never change.

Ephesians 1:6-11 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Ephesians 1:6-11 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

II. You belong to God, and that will never change A. His adoption of us is accomplished through His grace. (6)

II. You belong to God, and that will never change A. His adoption of us is accomplished through His grace. (6) B. He purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son. (7)

II. You belong to God, and that will never change A. His adoption of us is accomplished through His grace. (6) B. He purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son. (7) It refers to buying back an item—or more specifically, a person—that would otherwise be lost, taken prisoner, or destroyed. The word means, literally, "ransom." It is used to describe the purchasing of freedom for a slave, a prisoner of war, or even one condemned to die. When the ransom is paid, the prisoner is set free.

II. You belong to God, and that will never change A. His adoption of us is accomplished through His grace. (6) B. He purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son. (7) C. The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us everything He promised. (13-14)

Ephesians 1:13-14 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Guarantee "Guarantee" is a business term that refers to pledge money or earnest money that is paid up front to ensure that full payment will be made later. It's like a deposit…Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit is that deposit, that guarantee.

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

John 10:28-29 “28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Why should you feel secure in your position in Christ?

III. You have everything you need A. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (3)

Ephesians 1: 3 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

III. You have everything you need A. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (3) B. He has showered his kindness, wisdom, understanding and knowledge on us. (8)

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

APPLICATION God isn't mad at you. He isn't disappointed in you. He isn't sorry that he chose you. He didn't choose you because you had to, he chose you because he wanted to. And if he had to do it over, he would choose you again. Why? Because you have been on his mind from the very beginning.

Catherine Marshall "Kenneth, do you remember when you were younger—when you used to play so hard, you would be too tired to undress yourself, but just fell asleep in my bed? [In] the morning you would awake to find yourself in your own bed in your own room?

Catherine Marshall Your father had come with his strong arms and carried you there. Death is like that. You will wake up to find yourself in your own room where you belong, because Jesus cared and carried you with his strong arms."