Blessed inheritors of God (2nd Sept. 2012)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:11~14

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 hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

13. 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,

14. who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

 

 

 

Sermon: Blessed inheritors of God

Have you seen a movie "Evan Almighty"? I love some parts of scenes. Among them, I love the best scene. It is a scene of conversation between God and Evan's wife. In the restaurant, Evan's wife met God as a serving man. Actually she left from Evan bringing three sons. she was uncomfortable about leaving from her husband. But she could not understand his saying " God let me make the ark!" So she asked about it with the serving man. He said to her "This is the opportunity of blessing from God." Think about it. Someone pray for God "give me courage. God gives him courage or give a chance for having courage?" Someone pray for loving family. Suddenly God give him a "thrilled" feeling on his family or gives him an opportunity for loving family.

Definitely, God always gives us opportunities for blessing. The reason is his predestination for us.

Look at verse 11.

According to the text, what we were saved is predestined by God who planed before creation. God has protected us fro the past and will keep his eyes on us till the future. We have to believe in his promise. If some believe in superstitious gods, they believe in destiny but Christians believe in God's will and promise. The promise is clearer then others. More exactly I could say, it is not all determined but all promised. So the fact "I am chosen" is the best blessed doctrine of Christianity.

God does not want to give us a perfectly built house. He wants to provide changes and materials for building perfect house. If you use God's gifts like changes and materials, you can build wonderful house. Therefore, there is no one who destined as a beggar. No body was determined to be saved from the first or the last. Cling to God's will for us, we can be blessed with wonderful success.

This is the witness of God and "in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (verse 12)

Let us read verse 13 to 14.

How are we saved? By the law of Jews, we are gentile. But firstly we listened words of Truth, that is to say gospel of salvation. Secondly, we believe in the words, and thirdly we were filled with the Holy Spirit. Why we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit? It is for guaranteeing our inheritance. Guaranteering is very important in our lives. This is not easy even in secure lives. Between families is no guaranteeing each other. Notwithstanding difficult guaranteeing in this world, Holy spirit guarantees us about eternal inheritance and salvation.

God's blessing is unceasing and continuously flows us all the times like water falls or falling morning dews. Everyone hope "Big blessing" but God's real power belongs to "unceasing blessing" .

Accordingly, we do not stop praying with faith. Faithful and diligent prayer make miracle with blessings. If you want real success, first go to God and pray with faith. God give us perfect inheritance predestend from the beginning of this world.

In conclusion, two biggest blessings of this world is "God's promise" and "Holy Spirit's guaranteeing". Believing in these, we can surely enjoy God's inheritance. No worry about sufferings and hardship in this world. The end of our lives as christians is always toward the goodness. God promise it to us, and Holy Spirit guarantee it with us. Having in mind for it, now we live in God's blessing in this week and for ever.

Let us pray!

Heavenly Father

Thanks for your inheritance as your children. We are nothing to have but your blessings are always on us. Because of your will, we are happy to live. In any harships and sufferings, please give us blessings and make us success from them. I believe in you are with us, In Jesus name we pray Amen.