The Meaning of the Seal of the Holy Spirit
The Riches of God’s Grace • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Talk about the Series in the book of Ephesians: "The Riches of God's Grace"…
God's command is:
2 Peter 3:18“18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
It is one thing to be saved; It’s another thing to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus” – and the book of Ephesians places an emphasis on growth.
The letter itself actually resembles a sermon. When you scan this book, you will find that the first half of the book deals with issues that pertain to Bible doctrine. The last half of Ephesians deals with putting into practice the doctrinal principles.
Your doctrine affects your demeanor. What you believe affects your behavior.
The church in Ephesus was a young church with many problems. They were rich in the things of God, but they did not know it.
This letter was sent to let them know what they had in Jesus, who they were in Jesus, and how to take possession of what they had in Jesus!
Today is not much different, many believers in Jesus do not understand who they really are in Christ, what they have and how to possess what is already theirs.
In order for you to live the life that Jesus came to give us (John 10:10) you need to understand what God says about you.
You need to know who you are, what you have in Christ and how to use what you have.
That's what we're going to talk about in these first weeks of the new year.
When you hear the word “seal”, what do you think of?…
When you hear the word “seal”, what do you think of?…
stamp used to seal approve confirm affirm assure authorize certify prove contest corroborate put into effect ratify swear maintain prove ratify revalidate sanction sustain stamp seal close seal seal close seal lock seal finish seal win finish conclude positive finalize complete liquidate wax carry complete fail fail finalize wither away finish expire close epilogue ready die complement firm unravel secrecy finish ready verify tie up complete liquidate finish stamp unite consummate endorse...
marine mammals that live chiefly in cold regions and have flippers adapted primarily to swimming - fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion
seal: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure: GUARANTEE, ASSURANCE…
…
Phew, there are many meanings!
Today, we are going to talk about this subject: “The Meaning of the Seal of the Holy Spirit”.
(give background of the series…) …
Now, the meaning of the word seal that I'm going to use is the legal meaning - because and that's the meaning that Paul is using here.
Starting in verse 13, he talks about what happened to us when we were saved, and he says,
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.
I want you to remember that Paul was a lawyer, before converting to Christ, he was a member of the Sanhedrin.
Sanhedrin. Supreme judicial council of Judaism with 71 members, located in Jerusalem. Paul was one of the judges of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. He was a man of the law.
And here he is using the word “sealed” in a legal way.
Paul says that when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, when we are born again, one of the ways we know that we are saved, one of the proofs, one of the authenticating evidences that we are genuine, that we legally belong to Jesus Christ is that God puts His seal upon us.
Now, the seal that God places on us is the Holy Spirit of God, because every believer, when he is saved, receives the Holy Spirit of God. Amen?
See what Rom.8:9 says
9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Acts 19:1–6
1……Paul, crossing the highlands, arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They replied, “No, we haven’t even heard that the Holy Spirit exists.”
3 “So what baptism did you receive?” asked Paul.
“The baptism of John,” they replied.
4 Paul said: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 Hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,........
If you haven't received the Holy Spirit, you haven't received Jesus yet. The only way you can receive Christ is by receiving God's Holy Spirit.
From then on He lives in you; And when He enters you he remains in you.
The Holy Spirit is the same thing to you as a seal is to a legal document.
"You were sealed" - says the Bible - "with the Holy Spirit of promise". (Ephesians 1:13)
Now, what does this mean for the Christian?
I. A Seal Means Finish
I. A Seal Means Finish
Now, first of all, the word sealed tells us that there has been a completion. A conclusion - It is definitive. In verse 14, he mentions that the Holy Spirit is: a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance - Ephesians 1:14
If you have time, when you go home, read Jeremiah chapter thirty-two and you will see that Jeremiah went out and bought a field. Jeremiah, the prophet, paid 200 grams of silver for this field. He bought it from his nephew. The Jews were about to be taken into captivity, and Jeremiah knew that not only would they be taken, but they would also be brought back from captivity. Then God said, "Jeremiah, go and buy that field. When you buy that field, get the documents signed and sealed, and that will be a sign that you have faith - that not only will you go into captivity, but will also come back - because who would want to buy a property they would never see again?" (Jeremiah 32:6-8) And so Jeremiah went and bought this property. You can read about this in Jeremiah chapter 32. But the interesting thing is that the Bible says that when Jeremiah paid that price, they brought the scripture and sealed it.
10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
“I have signed and sealed the deed”, this means that the price has been paid in full and the transaction has been completed!
Now, dear friend, Jesus purchased our life, and the price has been paid. And when you receive God's Holy Spirit, it means the price has been paid in full. There is nothing more you can do and nothing you need to do.
Let me tell you, friend, without Jesus nothing can be done, and with Jesus nothing else needs to be done. You understand this?
It is fully paid. When Jesus died on the cross, He bowed His head and said one word in the Greek language: "tetelestai".
"It's finished”. (John 19:30) And that word literally means “paid in full.”
When a man from that time went to prison… A Note of his crime was posted on his cell door. When he finished fulfilling... they stamped the word: tetelestai - "paid in full".
Jesus paid everything. And when I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, it means my salvation is complete.
Jesus Christ, with His royal blood, purchased my salvation. Praise be to God, I was bought at a high price!
So that means, first of all, the Seal of the Holy Spirit means it's final. It means it's done; the great transaction is complete. Finished!
But secondly… …
II. A Seal Means Security
II. A Seal Means Security
You see, The seal has behind it the Security of the institution for which the seal represents.
Most of the products we consume have a safety seal from the product manufacturer.
Milk, juice, medicine, perfume etc.
Now, the Bible teaches that we have the security of God over our lives, that is, we are not only saved by Jesus Christ, but we are secure by Jesus Christ. His seal is upon us.
Let's take a look at Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 30. In Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 30, the Bible says the following:
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
See what this means? Dear friend, when He placed His seal on you, first of all, it means that "you belong to HIM."
There was a completed transaction.
But secondly, there is a fixed assurance "with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" -
In other words, you are safe until the day of redemption.
Now, I'm going to show you what a seal meant to these people. (Paul, Ephesians, etc.) Remember, these people understood a context that you may not understand.
Let's look at a passage in the book of Esther,
8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
The kings of that time wore a ring, and in that ring was the king's signet, (I saw Queen Jezebel's signet in the Jerusalem museum). When the king wrote something, when the king declared something, when the king decreed something, He would put his signature there and then, with the wax melted, he would place his seal directly on the wax.
The decree, the king's declaration, was signed in the king's own handwriting, and was then sealed with the king's seal.
And that meant that it was better not to mess with what the king decreed!
The king had written this; the king had sealed it.
Now, what the apostle is talking about here in Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 13 and 14 - the King of kings, the Lord of lords, has sealed us.
Who can nullify the seal of the King of kings? Who can reverse what the King of kings said?
See, Ephesians chapter 4, verse 30, says: Ephesians 4:30 “30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
The King of Kings decreed: “You have been sealed for the day of redemption.” - Who can nullify the seal of the King of kings? Who can reverse what the King of kings said?
I believe in the eternal security of the believer, because I believe that this seal is secure.
Some people think the devil can snatch our salvation.
Well, friend, that's always struck me as a very strange theology because, you see, if the devil could snatch our salvation, he would.
See how weird that sounds: consider with me, if you are still saved, and He could snatch salvation from you, but simply decided not to. Has he not been good to you? Hasn't he been good to you? So you no longer go to heaven through the goodness of God; now you go by the goodness of the devil.” No. Listen to me, dear friend. The only reason he hasn't is because he can't. If he could, he would. The Bible says, "And no one...will pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28) Your protection is in my hands!
We are not saved by holding on to God's hands. We must hold on to God's hands. But, my dear friend, we are saved and kept safe because HE has us in His hands!
1 Peter, chapter 1 and verse 5, the Bible says
5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
"who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation." //
It is the shield, the power of God that keeps us. It's not my power. It's his power.
See, dear friend, any of you fathers and mothers here would protect your children at any cost if you could, but we are human, flawed, and weak.
But God is all-powerful. Do you think God has enough power to keep his? Do you think He wants to? Of course, then, we are kept by the power of God.
You see, what He wants to do, He is enough power to do, but Do what? PROTECT US!
1 Peter 1:5“5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Now, do you know what people say?
"Ah, look, man, if you tell people they're eternally safe, you know what's going to happen to them? They're going to relax. They're going to lose heart. They're going to become carnal and worldly."
I'll tell you something, guys. The best people I know today, the most godly people I know today, the most selfless people I know today, the most consistent people I know today, the most evangelistic people I know today, and the most Spirit-filled people I know today believe in doctrine of eternal security. This does not make people negligent.
I'll tell you a story that happened. In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed, this magnificent structure built over the San Francisco Bay. It's a beautiful bridge. At that time, it was the largest suspension bridge ever built. However, when they built the first section of the bridge, there was a tragic loss of life, and several people fell from the bridge and drowned in the treacherous waters of the Bay. I believe there were around 29 lives lost when people fell overboard and died.
Now, when they built the second section of this big bridge, they decided that they were going to do something about the safety of the workers and they built a big net and stretched it right under the workers as they worked.
In fact, at that time, the construction of this large net cost one hundred thousand dollars. And this net, they say, saved ten lives. Ten people fell, but the net caught them.
But the most interesting thing about this is this: Did you know that when they placed the net under those men, their work progressed at a rate 25% greater than in the first section?
The net didn't make these people work less; it made them work better because they knew they were safe.
They knew that there was a net underneath and that meant they could focus on the work they had to do.
Zig Ziglar. said, "You know, a Christian is someone who has their past forgiven" - amen? - "and your future is guaranteed." Amen? Now, when he has his past forgiven and his future secured, he can focus on the present, amen?
But you see, dear friend, if he is still worried about the forgiveness of his sins and the possibility of losing his salvation, you can understand how disoriented he is here.
But when you know that you're sealed, that you have been paid in full, and when you know that this seal - the seal of the King of kings cannot be broken by anyone - then you can begin to enjoy this wonderful salvation that you have in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.”
Seal: Finalization
Seal: Security
III. A Seal Signifies Identity
III. A Seal Signifies Identity
Number three: Seal Means Identity: it means you belong to Him.
See, it wasn't just a transaction that was paid for and completed; a Security Seal and Ownership Seal has been placed on your life.
The seal placed on a deed means that it is no longer the property of one person and becomes the property of another.
The Seal of the Holy Spirit means that you now belong to Him.
In fact, in Ephesus, where Paul wrote this, Ephesus was known for its timber, and they shipped logs to other seaports. And the owner of the wood would place their seal on the wood that would be sent, because when it arrived at the new port, this seal would be the sign of ownership. "That wood belongs... Here is my seal."
A Seal is a mark of identity.
Now, listen to this scripture - 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 19:
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
In other words... what does this mean? Very well, if I am bought, sealed and delivered, and belong to Him, then I must live for Him.
The Spirit of God is in me - the Holy Spirit of God is the Seal - That is the sign that I am no longer mine. I belong to Him.
When He sent His Holy Spirit to me, this is saying: (1 Cor.6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The seal that is on me says this: "Samuel, you no longer belong to you." I belong to Him: "Therefore, glorify God with your own body - The word "Therefore” - tells me about my responsibility: to glorify God with my own body.
But do you know what else this tells me? Friend, this is wonderful: it tells me about His responsibility.
Have you ever paid too much for something - car, house, handbag or something like that? … …I'll tell you one thing: the more you pay, the better care for it. Is not true?
Have you ever thought about what the Lord has invested in you?
1 Corinthians 6:20 “You were bought with a price!”
1 Peter 1:18–19
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
A high price was paid, the price of the precious blood of Christ, which is why the Bible says:
““The Lord knows who belongs to Him.”” (2 Timothy 2:19)
That seal, the Holy Spirit of God that He was place on you and me, says - listen - that He has made a tremendous investment in your life and mine.
Think about it, He bought us with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and invested so much in me to not take care of me? This is wonderful!
You know, one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is Romans, chapter 8, verse 32.
Now, Paulo, I remind you again, was a lawyer. He uses logic to pass on his arguments..
Now, here's the way the apostle Paul was thinking. Look. He says in Romans, chapter 8, verse 32:
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Now, notice what he's saying here. He has an argument in his mind. What he is saying is that if God gave Jesus for you, would He withhold anything else? I mean, if He didn't spare Jesus, would He withhold anything else?
I mean, if there was ever a promise that God would have been tempted to take back, it would have been the promise to send His Son, right?
If He fulfilled this one, can we expect Him to fulfill the others? See, I mean, if God didn't spare His own Son...
This is Paul's argument.
Listen, Paul is saying:
"He did not even fail to give up his own Son, but offered him for us all! If he gave us his Son, will he not also give us all things?"
See what he's talking about? If He loved you enough to send Jesus, if He made that kind of investment in you, don't you think He will take care of you?
You see, the seal means ownership. And listen, not only do I have a responsibility to Him, but, friend, most importantly, He has a responsibility to me, He has made a huge investment in us!
““The Lord knows who belongs to Him.”” (2 Timothy 2:19)
And once we believe, we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)
and this is a truth that set us frees!
I want you to take a look at one last passage before we leave. Again, the apostle Paul is talking about confidence and assurance, and he says this:
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.
Do you know what this means, guys? Listen: Philippians 1:6 “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.”
Let me ask you a question: Who began the good work? Jesus. Who will complete it? Jesus.
Now, everyone, listen up.
The Holy Spirit of God, first of all, was the one who convinces. The reason you wanted Jesus Christ is because He convinced you of YOUR Sinfulness and Jesus' status as Savior.
It was the Holy Spirit of God who did this. Do not think that the idea of coming to God was yours. The only reason you love Him is because He loved you first. (1 John 4:19)
The Holy Spirit of God came into the world. He is the one who convinces.
The Holy Spirit was not just the One who Convinces; the Holy Spirit is also what Converts.
The Bible says you are "born of the Spirit." John 3:6, John 3:8 “ “6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 8 The wind blows where it wants. You hear it, but you can't tell where it comes from or where it's going. So it is with all those born of the Spirit.”
Now pay attention. The same Holy Spirit that Convinces is the one that Converts, and is the one that Completes.
Philippians 1:6 “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.”
What the apostle Paul is saying is, "What God begins, He is able to finish."
Do you believe that? Do you believe that God's work will be frustrated? Do you believe that Almighty God is going to be stopped from doing something, that He starts doing it and says, "Oops, everything went wrong; I made a mess and I'm not able to finish what I started"? No!
Listen: "He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
He set out to keep me.
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,
Conclusion
You know one thing, people just don't understand what it means to know the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are saved, you are sealed; and when you are sealed, you are safe.
Bow your heads with me in prayer.
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