I. The Gospel V. 13a

A. The Message Of Gospel

1. after you heard the word of truth…the gospel of your salvation…

a. There is a particular message that is called “the gospel”.
b. It is translated “good news” in the Greek language.
c. It is called “the gospel of your salvation”.
d. The Gospel is not good news about…

i. How to improve your life or get rid of bad habits
ii. How to bring world peace or maximize your “inner potential”
iii. The Good news is not a list of what you should do for God.
iv. The Good news is about what God has done for you (Read 2:1-10)

e. It is called “the word of truth”.

i. It is not called a word of truth, as if it were one of many truths
ii. It is not called an opinion, a story, or an option.
iii. It is called the word of truth.
iv. John 14:5, 6 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

f. The Gospel speaks of man’s sin & deserved judgment, & that Christ volunteered to take our punishment, & offers us forgiveness & eternal life. (1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10)
g. The Gospel is a message that needs to be preached, heard, believed
h. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
i. 1 Corinthians 1:21 “…it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

B. Believing The Message Of The Gospel

1. In Him you also trusted, … in whom also, having believed…

a. God ordained the Gospel be preached, and then invites people to believe.
b. Trusted-Added by the translators, but consistent with the context
c. Believed-to place your trust and confidence in a thing.

2. One does not become a Christian simply by a change of sentiment, behavior, or opinion. It is not enough to say that one is a better man, or a changed man.
3. One does not become a Christian by joining a church and embracing a set of church morals, even though pleasant moral changes take place in that person.
4. If a person only wants to be a better person, some cults can help you achieve that at least for a season. Some philosophical groups can help you change your behavior. Cults and self-help programs can give you a measure of success.
5. If you want forgiveness of your sins, you must believe on Christ. Are you saved?

II. Sealed When You Believed Vs. 13b, 14

Regarding The Present V. 13b

1. “…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”
2. What was/is a seal?

a. To set a mark upon something by the impress of a seal or a stamp
b. A seal indicates possession & security. Seal a letter w/hot wax & imprint
c. A trademark. Like a brand on cattle. Authenticity. (John 6:27)
d. We bear God’s mark in our hearts. More than logic, deduction, fruit, etc.
e. The Holy Spirit is the seal & internal witness in the Christian’s heart.
f. His presence guarantees our sonship. (Romans 8:14-17; Mark 14:34-36)

B. Regarding The Future V. 14

1. 14 “…who is the guarantee of our inheritance…”

a. guarantee, earnest (KJV)– money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid
b. The earnest not only guarantees full payment, but is a first fruit of it.
c. The internal witness of the Holy Spirit is a valid indicator to the Christian

i. The internal witness of the Holy Spirit agrees with Biblical truth.

d. The Mormon faith also claims to have a similar experience, called the “burning in the bosom”.

i. “If one prays sincerely about the truth of the Book of Mormon, they will receive a burning in the bosom, verifying the truth of the Book of Mormon.”
ii. The Mormon internal witness agrees with the book of Mormon, but not with the Bible. The Bible and the Book of Mormon have conflicting information.
iii. An internal witness, warm feeling, etc., isn’t enough for anyone.
iv. A witness is one who testifies to what they know, not what they imagine or feel to be true.
v. A witness needs to testify to truth, not to fables or sentiments.
vi. Other faiths may have an “internal witness”, but what do their witnesses agree with, and claim is true?

d. Regarding salvation/inheritance, the price has been fully paid by Jesus (Ephesians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 5:4-6)
e. inheritance– Our inheritance is that we will be taken from this earth, and gathered to Christ, to be in His presence.

2. “…until the redemption of the purchased possession…”

a. We already read about being redeemed in verse 7
b. To pay a price for someone in order to set them free
c. We have been purchased, and spiritually set free from the dominion of sin
d. Some day, our bodies will be set free from the penalty of sin.
e. A new body that will exist without corruption or decay. ( Romans 8:16-23)
f. We are a purchased possession, bought with His blood.

i. He has put a down payment on us.
ii. That down payment lets us know that He is coming back to physically receive that which is His.
iii. The transaction is complete.
iv. He left the Holy Spirit as an indicator that He will be back to gather his possession to Himself.

g. Presence of the Holy Spirit is a foretaste of the higher blessings to come.
h. Blessings of the Spirit now, just a sample of the fullness that is to come.
i. Until the redemption…we have the down payment, the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit continues to dwell in the Christian until the redemption
“…to the praise of His glory.”