GOD'S POSSESION

 

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.

 

1.      You were included in Christ.  Jesus Christ death, burial, resurrection, broken body and shed blood gave us salvation, eternal and abundant life.  Secured all the blessings and promises given by the Father to the on.  Which are two numerous for us to follow in this message.  Paul will allude to some of them here.

2.      When you heard the message of truth.  Jesus said, “I am the way truth and life.”  The truth would set you free.  You believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth.  Your will intellect and emotions you gave to Him.  You gave up your past, chose the present of Christ and now rely on Him for your future.  You have the certainty, fact, principle, law and belief that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which mankind can be saved.  You have put your dependence on this truth.

3.      It was good news of salvation.  You heard because of the word of God and the testimony of others.  It came to you in some form and you believed it.  Salvation means deliverance.  Being delivered from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death (Romans 6:23).  Being delivered from mortality and given the gift of eternal life (John 3:15).  Salvation means being rescued by God from the consequences of our wrongdoing.  Salvation is all about how a Christian can live a better life today and, ultimately, live forever in the future! 

4.      When you believed and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior the result of that is that you were marked.  Cain was marked so no one would kill him.  You are marked so the devil cannot touch you unless God or you allow it.   You have the armor and hedge of protection around you.  Your words and your life have marked you in the natural realm and God marks you in the Spiritual realm.

5.      You have been sealed in the Holy Spirit.  When you cane to Christ you were regenerated by the Holy Spirit.  You became God’s temple.  He came to live our take up residence.  As you allow Him to take control He then transforms you, gives you gifts and produces in your life fruit.  You carry the seal and authority of God here.  You have authority of the blood, word and name.  In the ancient world a seal was either carried on a rope or ring.  It was usually a metal symbol of the person and it was their introduction to the world of government or business.  We are God’s ambassadors in the world systems and business.

6.      The Holy Spirit is also the deposit for our inheritance.  He insures that we have all the rights and privileges now and also in the future.  He is our lawyer.  It is like having a deposit in the bank which you can draw from when needed and also have in the future.  The beautiful thing is that this inheritance never loses its value.  In previous messages.  I gave you the crowns, the rewards of the overcomers.  Lois taught you last week what was in it for us.

7.      We have redemption.  We were bought back by Jesus dying on the cross.  We are valuable.  You have divine favor.  Wherever you go and whoever you are.  Talk when I became AM 930 the light broadcaster.  Did I deserve it, am I better, is it because of my connections?  No redemption and favor

8.      You are God's own possession.  You belong to Him.  You were bought with a price.  God says this person is mine.  No one can touch you without God’s permission.  If they do in a wrong manner they will have to face God and the consequences He deems for those who hurt His kids.  You are His chosen, daughter and son, royal priesthood, holy nation, chosen generation and unique one of a kind person.  I did just one search on the internet and found 45 names for the person who belongs to God.  Paul says out of all the people in the world you chose to be God’s own possession.  You are somebody.   

9.      For his praise and glory.  We are His ambassadors in our world.  What are the duties of an ambassador?  Charged with the responsibility of maintaining diplomatic relations between our country, government and those in our world.   Represents the king in matters of foreign policy. As ambassadors we help promote, and the exchange of information between the Kingdom of God and this world.

 

a.      We do this by what we say and how we live.  How we conduct ourselves in the affairs of others.

b.      How we love, accept and forgive others.  By People rarely remember what you say but they will always remember how you made them feel. 

c.      The glory of God in simple terms is showing the character, nature and essence of God in day to day life.