Ephesians 1:11-14

I. In Christ we have received an inheritance.
-inheritance = kleroo = chose, to appoint by lot
a. Divine perspective
i. God's design
-proorizo = to mark out a boundary beforehand, foreordain
-J.I. Packer "People see the Bible teaches man's responsiblity for his actions; they do not see (man indeed cannot see) how this is consistent with the sovereign Lordship of God over those actions. They are not content to let the two truths live side by side as they do in the Scriptures, but jump to the conclusion that, in order to uphold the biblical truth of human responsiblity, they are bound to reject the equally biblical and equally true doctrine of divine sovereignty, and to explain away the great number of texts that teach it."
ii. By God's power
-works = energeo = to be effective, to be energetic, to accomplish
-counsel = boulen = counsel, will; Greek Exegetical Key "It expresses counsel with reference to action. The word solemnly represents the almighty will as displayed in action."
iii. For God's praise.
b. Human perspective
i. We heard the message
-Rom. 10:17, 10:10-11
ii. We believed
-Heb. 4:2

II. In Christ we are given a guarantee of our inheritance.
-sealed = sphragizo = seal, secure with a mark or seal, affix as true
-Aspects of being sealed
a. Indicates possession
-Ps. 100:3, Rom. 8:16-17, Rom. 8:9
b. Implies protection
-John 10:29
c. Includes a promise
-Acts 2:33
-pledge = arrabon = down paymet, pledge

III. In Christ we are God's own inheritance.
-Deut. 32:9; Exodus 19:5; I Pet. 2:9, Titus 2:4