The Work of the Spirit

Introduction:

>>>Turn to Ephesians 1 – reading verses 13-14

Title of the sermon: The Work of the Spirit

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

This morning, we are concluding this 11-verse sentence of Paul with an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit.

We will conclude this section with a continued emphasis on the Triune fellowship in the Godhead. These 2 verses are emphatic about the work of the Father and the Son regarding the Holy Spirit.

Maybe you are asking this question, why another sermon about the Holy Spirit, didn’t we cover Him at length in 1 John?

Yes, we spent quite a bit of time on Him, but in this text, there are 3 facets of the Spirit that are given here that are not stressed on in 1 John.

These 3 facets have everything to do with our eternal destiny. And it is important for us to consider this text because in it we are offered multiple guarantees, both on earth and in heaven.

For us Christians, our belief is not rooted in a “boy, I sure hope this all comes to pass.” No! You and I are given absolute certainty of our belief. It is like having belief in that which is seen, yet it is not. That’s how certain it is.

I say this in the face of a growing problem today. That is the many people who are “deconstructing” their Christian faith, or flat out running from it. If belief is so certain, then why are these people leaving? Great question!

I hope to answer these questions by looking at the certainties of the Holy Spirit and matching them up with this phase of deconstructionism.

Here is how we will combat that.

I. He causes men to hear and believe (v.13a)

II. He is the Agent of sealing in Christ (v.13b)

III. He is the Pledge of our inheritance (v.14)

I. He causes men to hear and believe (v.13a)

The first two of three verbs that describe the work of the Holy Spirit are what we will look at first.

Before we get to the verbs, a note on the people that Paul is speaking to. Paul tells us in Romans 11:13 “I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles.”

This leads to the “you also” in the beginning of verse 13. The “you also” tells us 3 things. 1. That the Jews were faithful in sharing the gospel to the Gentiles, 2. The Gentiles came to hear and believe the same message the Jews did, and 3. The Jews and the Gentiles are one in the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that the beginning of verse 13 begins with the familiar words “in Him.” All that is said in verse 13 is premised on Christ as the prior 12 verses have been.

Multiple examples in the NT of the Jews sharing the gospel with Gentiles (Acts 8:4-40, 10:23-48, 16:14-15).

The Jews and the Gentiles received the same message (Galatians 3:13-14). There is no disparagement in the message as it was given. The same is true for the message that you and I have received until this very day.

The gospel of salvation is ALWAYS the same AND it ALWAYS centers on the Lord Jesus Christ. This we have seen in the work of the Father and the Son until this point. The work of the Spirit centers on nothing different. It is all about Christ.

A Focus upon the Gentile inclusion in Christ

This being said, for the Gentile upon salvation, it is all about Christ, just like the Jew.

All distinctions, heritage, birth, occupation, and past can all be laid aside.

Why? Because for the Gentile, his identity is in Jesus Christ, just like the Jew. At the end of the day that is all that matters. At the pearly gates, the Father is not going see anything else in us except for His Son Jesus Christ! And thank the Lord, He does not see us! If so, we would be in deep trouble!

The word ‘also’ specifically denotes inclusion. Ephesians 2:11-16 break this down into greater detail. The inclusion of Gentiles and the oneness of the family of God both Jew and Gentile are a work that is directly attributed to the Holy Spirit.

It would be like including a person onto a team whom you did not formerly know. You remember playing a game of some kind and there was the new kid that wanted to play. You had a choice to include him or not. In wanting to bring him along you permit him inclusion into your game. Did the new kid earn a spot in the game? No. Did he pass a test for entry? No. The same is true for the Gentile inclusion alongside the Jews in Christ.

Salvation in Order

Salvation is in order as we see it in verse 13. Look at the outline. First, there is a ‘listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.’ This is a loaded statement.

We agree that you cannot believe nor be sealed unless the gospel has been heard. Hence Paul’s question in Romans 10:14 “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?”

Now you may have heard this objection. “How is it that man must hear to be saved, and yet there are people groups that are unreached. How is this not contradictory?” Thankfully, Scripture does not leave us hanging. Romans 1:19 “Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”

Further, the eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen through that which God has made (Romans 1:20).

There is something that we must think upon this morning. That is, there is only ONE message that suffices.

Peter was arrested for proclaiming the truths of Christ not excluding that “salvation is in no one else for there is no other name under heaven by which man can be saved” (Acts 4:12).

This means that the gospel of Christ is isolated from every religion curated by man.

As believers in Christ, we are bestowed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

To bring this separation of biblical Christianity consider this. Among all the religions in the world today, Christianity is the only belief that holds to a doctrine of adoption!

Hindus and Muslims redemption is works based, not so with Christianity, it is in Christ.

Even though the Bible is clear about redemption being in Christ alone, people still get it wrong. Here is a quote from journalist Binoj Mathew, “Redemption is setting people free from physical enslavements, psychological discrepancies and spiritual blindness. They attain it through the meaningful celebration of the Liturgy, reading and reflection of the Word of God, ascetic practices, charitable works, selfless service, silence and meditation.” Not one word is the substitutionary atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross as the needed sacrifice for our sins!

This is the message we hear.

The Gospel of Salvation

The message we hear is the message of truth which is “the gospel of our salvation.” That is the message. Nothing more, nothing less, but exactly the message we need to hear!

This message is not found in “living this life to suffer as the Buddhists think, or creating a flourishing society as Confucianism believes, or seeking “the ultimate state of balance and harmony in the universe” as the Daoists think” (Winfried Corduan).

It is hearing this message that we move on to believing it.

The Importance of Belief

Belief in Scripture is woven throughout its contents. Consider John 14:1 where Jesus comforts the disciples, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 1:21).

Make no mistake, belief is central to Christianity.

For those who defect from Christianity the central issue is that he/she can no longer believe the Bible or Jesus Christ.

I read about a man named Maurice Hayes who converted to Islam. His doubts are all too familiar. “He (Maurice) quoted Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” With this clearly mentioned in the scripture, Hayes would question the preachers, “So how do you know that you’re going to make it?”

How do we know that we are going to make it? Because you and I believe that every word of God is true and without error!

The same is true for those who say how can your God be loving when He allows kids to get cancer, death to come to those in their prime, and the very presence of evil that languishes on. The truth is such a one does not believe what the Bible says about him! That he is a born sinner, an antagonist to God, and one who can do no good on his own accord. It always boils down to belief or lack thereof it.

Listening and believing the gospel of salvation are two of the means that the Holy Spirit is highly involved in in bringing people to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:26, 16:13-15).

II. He is the Agent of sealing in Christ (v.13b)

The third verb in verse 13, I want to separate from the other two. Why? Because sealing is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is the Agent who is used to perform this sealing.

This verb is used in the passive meaning that for the Christian this sealing has already occurred. Some commentators debate as to when the sealing takes place, whether at conversion or shortly after.

I want us to take comfort in the sealing that is provided by Christ through the Holy Spirit.

The Greek defines sealing in three parts, as a designation, a means to be made secure, and to be purchased or owned (Revelation 7:3-8).

To be Designated

What does it mean to be designated? It means to be specifically chosen. In the sports world there is a term designated for assignment. It is a kind way of saying you are no longer wanted on this team.

Praise God that He does not designate us this way. Quite the opposite in fact!

Designation by God could be seen in how godparents are chosen. Godparents are chosen out of closeness in relationships. They are chosen because they know they can fulfill that role. Or it is like having people designated to take care of your children if something were to happen to you. You are designated because of being able to fulfill a role.

As Christians, you and I have a role to play. What is it? It is to tell as many people as we can the good news that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died on a cross for sinner, and raised triumphantly 3 days later.

Here is another thing, God does not designate based on personal bias. He is not partial, but impartial. He designates according to His will which is unbroken and perfect. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.”

To be made Secure

The second meaning of the word sealing is to make something secure. Consider a seal that is in a car to keep oil from escaping, or a seal that is made to keep the canned jelly from getting moldy.

A seal prevents something from leaking. It is not as though I am leaky Christian, or I am going to leak out as losing my salvation.

This sealing is a means of confidence. Listen to Philippians 1:6…What is Paul confident about? He is confident that God will perfect us in Christ Jesus at the very end. Consider also 1 Peter 1:5…Again, you and I have confidence because God’s power is holding us throughout our Christian experience on earth.

Article 17 of the BFC Articles of Faith is on the topic of the Perseverance of the Saints. Listen to how it aligns with what we are looking at this morning, “those regenerated by the Word of God through the work of the Holy Spirit become partakers of the divine nature. They are preserved by the power of God so that they shall never totally or finally fall away but shall persevere unto the end.”

It is not difficult to notice the parallel of the Spirit’s sealing work.

The security in the Spirit is unlike a home security system in that you can go on YouTube and find a short video as to how to disarm it with the proper radio frequency and the homeowner never knowing it.

No! There are no cracks or workarounds this kind of security that the Spirit offers in Christ. There is nothing that Satan or the forces of darkness can do to upend this security. It is a security that is unparallel to anything we experience on earth.

Listen to the camaraderie between the Son and the Spirit. “He who has received His witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure” (John 3:33-34).

The Pleasure of being owned

This is a very controversial statement today in our culture. With so much talk of freedom, reparations of slavery, and the abolition of segregated slavery today, why do we go to this extent? The answer is simple really. It is because the untwisted view of slavery according to God is a great blessing to each of us.

The world has twisted slavery to fit particular agendas. Yes, slavery, as complete dominion over another human is wrong. This is wrong on the human level. But it is not wrong for God, the Creator, to have dominion over His people.

Listen to this guarantee! “And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power on high” (Luke 24:49). Christ’s slaves are promised incredible power in the Holy Spirit. What promise on earth comes close?!

You could say that you and I bear the stamp of God on our foreheads.

The Holy Spirit of promise

The designation, security, and ownership are all in the positive here. They are all a means of promise. That is what the end of verse 13 tells us.

The Holy Spirit is a promissory note from God, if you will. He is the stamp of approval applied to you and me!

Listen to this promise as told to the prophet Ezekiel. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your land. They you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done it, declares Yahweh” (Ezekiel 37:14).

The Holy Spirit is the only Trinitarian member that is specifically described as a promise. This is a unique characteristic of His. This is why we must take the time, as we are this morning, to dive deep into His all-important work in our lives.

III. He is the Pledge of our inheritance (v.14)

Verse 14 is a continuation of the work of the Holy Spirit. And with the continuation of the work comes more promises and guarantees.

Quite possibly the greatest work and promise that is attributed to the Holy Spirit is that He is the pledge (or down-payment) of our inheritance.

Because the Spirit has already been told to us as a promise, it should come to no surprise that He is also our pledge from Almighty God.

You could say that the Spirit is like an I.O.U. Unlike us who sometimes don’t fulfill those I.O.U.’s, God comes through every single time. This promise of God about our inheritance is guaranteed through the Holy Spirit.

Isn’t God awesome? He is so kind to us in that He has given us the guarantee while still living in the flesh on earth. Who does this sort of thing? Certainly, no human would. But it is our loving heavenly Father who in Christ has given us the pledge of the Spirit.

Listen to the certainty of this pledge. “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 5:1, 5).

This tells you and me that just as God has promised to be with us on the earth until the day of our death, so He will be with us in heaven. In other words, you and I are promised that God will NEVER leave us!

Do you want to experience heaven on earth? It is possible. How so, you might ask? Listen! ‘The only way to experience heaven on earth is to be indwelt with the Holy Spirit.’ God has given us the pledge of heaven through the Holy Spirit!

An inheritance passed down

I want us to notice the difference in the terms ‘inheritance.’ We saw it in verse 11 and we see it in verse 14. Yet, the words are not the same in Greek. This time around ‘our inheritance’ refers to the promised heavenly dwelling.

It is a heavenly dwelling that is passed from the King on to His people. Or like a parent passing an inheritance or a family heirloom down to a child.

This inheritance is not aimless. There is a purpose to it and that is found unto redemption of God’s own possession. Now, the redemption of God’s own possession is speaking of who? That’s right, you and me.

Listen to this! “So the ransomed of Yahweh will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting gladness will be on their heads. They will obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).

Don’t you see how the ransomed of God and eternity in heaven come together? It is only those who are the possession of God who have this inheritance.

“But you are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9).

Brothers, you are God’s own possession! This is what it means to be owned and purchased! It is a privilege to have Almighty God as our owner! It is a privilege to have the Spirit of God indwelling within us as the stamp of God’s own possession!

Conclusion

There is so much that we can take away from this text. I want to offer a few that are of most importance in our lives.

I. There is only gospel that has saved you. How often do you come back to the gospel for refreshment, encouragement, correction, reproof (2 Timothy 3:16)? It is in the Bible that you and I know who God is. Why would you want to spend your time anywhere else? You have unlimited access to God through the Word. Did you know that? This being said, how much time do you spend with God? Paul Washer, founder of Heart Cry missionary society asks this question of himself. What is my number 1 priority every day? I ask you and me the same question this morning. What is yours and my number 1 priority every day? If you do not answer, spending time with God in the Word and in prayer, then there is some seismic reordering that must take place in your life! Do not delay, fix your life upon God, His Word, and be blessed!

II. You are sealed in Christ through the Holy Spirit. In other words, you can NEVER lose your salvation. So, when the evil one comes to accuse you, and knock you down. Maybe he reminds you of who you used to be and the sins you have committed, remember, he is powerless because Christ has crushed his head! He has sealed you in the Holy Spirit. Moreover, being sealed means that when you sin as a Christian forgiveness and mercy are waiting at the door. Not condemnation and despair. Brothers, take hold of this sealing that God has done for you by the Holy Spirit. He has chosen you, kept you, and will see you through unto the fullness of our redemption in Christ.

III. As Christians you are owned by God as His own possession. In other words, you are cherished by God, not because you are of any praiseworthiness, but because of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross by dying and taking on your sin. May we never lose sight of this simple, but profound truth in Scripture. Jesus Christ has forgiven you of every sin you will ever commit and have already committed. Further, you are seen not as a sinner, but as the cherished possession of God. Yet may this be a warning for those whom we know this morning who are not of God’s possession. Those who are apart from God. This must cause us even more diligence to be speaking to our neighbors, friends, and family who need the wondrous gospel of Jesus Christ. May God grant us strength.

Let’s pray!

Benediction

Psalm 94:22

“Yahweh has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of refuge.” God guide us as we go into this broken world empowered by You. Amen.