The Blessing of Security

Introduction

Recap last few weeks

Part 1: The Father’s perspective on Salvation. (Election) v. 4-6

Part 2: The Son’s perspective on Salvation. (Redemption) v. 7-10

Now, we will take a look at The Spirit’s role or perspective in Salvation (as defined by Paul)

We said before, that this passage (3-14) is one continuous flow of thought for the Apostle Paul.

It is one long sentence - meant to convey that there is one subject - THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION

READ OUR TEXT

Ephesians 1:11–14 KJV 1900

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

“In whom” who is the “whom?” It’s none other than Jesus. If you are saved this morning, you are in Him.

Notice it doesn’t say anything about belonging to a particular church or crowd or class - it only says “in Him”. As far as salvation is concerned this is the only marker that matters before God.

*Story about guy on the bridge* Christian/Protestant/Baptist/American Baptist/1689 or 1617? Die heretic!

See, this is not our attitude toward the Lord. As far as our standing before God is concerned, whether we go to Heaven or Hell. It rests on one thing, being in Jesus Christ.

Today, a unique opportunity presents itself before us as a congregation of Jesus Christ. We have the chance to tackle an issue that is dear to my heart, and it is dear to my heart because I’ve seen many people close to me wrestle with it.

I’ve seen it keep people awake at night, I’ve seen it cause people to have anxiety attacks, I’ve seen it make people not want to go to church or read their Bible.

I’m talking about those who deal with “assurance” of their salvation. If we took a poll, many would say they deal with it.

If you are here, and that is you, can I say please listen to the words of this message. It has been my prayer for you specifically that The Lord would use this message to help you, and provide you with peace and comfort.

I. The Purpose of God

Ephesians 1:11–12 KJV 1900

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The first thing we notice in verse 11, is the phrase, “we have obtained...”

The inheritance it is speaking of here is the fullness of our redemption in Christ, meaning eternity with Him in Heaven in our glorified state reigning as kings and priests to God. We can take a look around very quickly and realize...that has not happened!

I had to fight my flesh to get to church this morning, I KNOW I’m not in my glorified body.

Yet, it’s in the past tense… this was a common way (in Paul’s day) of communicating that something in the future was so sure of happening, that it could be said as though it had already come to pass.

So, Paul is saying if you are in Him, in Christ, you are as good as in Heaven right now.

But, how is that possible? Well he clarifies even that...

God’s Predestination - “having been predestined according to the purpose of him...”

We spoke on this several weeks ago, but we can rest assured of our security of salvation and our future in Heaven due to the predestination of God. God set all things together in motion from before the foundation of the world.

We can have great confidence in God because as we said before: God chose from eternity past that ever elect sinner though vile, rebellious, defiant, and in enmity with God, who trusted on Jesus as their Savior would be saved and glorified to spend eternity with Him.

God’s Power - “who works all things according to the counsel of his will”

ἐνεργέω (energeo) - where we get the word energy, or energize

This is the display of God’s all-encompassing power. He has the power to do all things.

He has the power to create, to form worlds, to hang the cosmos, to measure gravity, to scoop the oceans, that mound the mountains, raise and lower kings, to speak light and life into existence.

Therefore, anything He plans, He executes. God has not prototypes, nor does He have Plan B’s. He’s not like Apple or Tesla who have to update their products after they’re launched because it gets discovered that they have bugs or glitches.

No, His plan works to His exact specifications all the time every time. AND this includes you...

Don’t believe me, read Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 KJV 1900

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

God’s Preeminence -”to the praise of His glory.”

In all of this, it is evident that God deserves the gory for each aspect of salvation.

All of these things work together to His glory, and the sovereign Lord of the universe.

He is most glorified by the faith of His people, that is what brings God the most glory. Therefore, Paul continues...

II. The Possession of The Believer

Ephesians 1:13 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

In Him, “you...” Notice Paul’s words here now. He is saying, here is what God has done, now let us examine what it is that you have done here.

Notice, he does not attribute any “works” to the Believer. Paul does not praise the believer’s knowledge, or glorify them for making the right choice, or sing their praises. No, we see Him reserve that glory for God alone.

Why? Because salvation has nothing to do with “what you can do or offer to God.” That should bring us comfort.

Many people doubt their salvation because they say, “well I haven’t brought anything to the table.” To this I say, “Good!” Empty-handed is the only way to come before Christ.

Salvation is not contingent upon something you do, or a prayer that you pray, or a magic formula take can only take if the stars are aligned in some mystical magical setting.

No, the parameters for salvation are as follow...

“after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” - Hearing the Gospel

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

What is Paul describing here? He is saying the order of salvation begins with hearing the Gospel. In hearing it, we also must understand it. (Not theologically) We must acknowledge Christ’s central message. Which is:

We are sinners before a perfect God, we stand guilty. But, God sent His Son to live the life I couldn't live, die a substitutionary death on the cross, and rise again on the third day. And the only hope we have is to trust in Jesus and Savior and Lord.

This is where Paul continues, “having also believed”. Believed? Means to “put faith in.”

Not simply a “head-knowledge” or a acknowledgement of Jesus. No, to believe means to yield your life to Him. Put your faith into Him, trust in Him.

Not a prayer, or magic formula, simply believing on Christ in your heart. Have you done that? Search yourself.

If you have, Paul concludes by saying we are “sealed.”

III. The Promise of The Spirit

Ephesians 1:13–14 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

This is the message this morning, I didn’t have the chance to refine this as much as I typically like to do with my sermons, but I believe God has a reason for that.

The Holy Spirit is our seal: this would be a very official type of seal. This is not as common in our day as it would have been in Paul’s day. However, the purpose of a seal is to enclose an official legal document to guarantee it reaches its appropriate and intended end.

There are four particular uses of a “seal” as evidenced in Scripture, these would be the kinds of examples running through Paul’s mind has he equates the Holy Spirit as the seal of our soul.

The Anchoring of a Seal - (Security)

In ancient times, a seal on a document would be given by a king/priest/noble/businessman/government official someone of high power. In sealing something, it would represent and ensure that there be NO TAMPERING from anything on the outside or even within.

Ex. Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6:17 “And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” )

King Darius, when placing Daniel in the lion’s den, puts his seal and the seal of his nobles upon the stone to ensure there would be nothing tampered with it. This is what The Spirit has done with our souls, He Himself is the stone, rolled over our souls sealing us within Himself. Therefore, anyone who approaches, sees the signet of His signature imprinted upon the stone of our heart. His seal provides security for your soul.

The Authenticity of a Seal - (Authentic)

In the days of old, another use for a seal was for authenticating letters. In 1 Kings 21:6–16 - Ahab wanted Naboth’s land, he refused to sell, so Jezebel took matters into her own hands… “And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.”

Well, we see here that it was not Ahab who wrote the letters, BUT they were sealed with HIS seal. Therefore, it was authenticated as a decree from the king. So too is the case with the seal of the Holy Spirit. It authenticates us within the Kingdom of God. When God gives us the Holy Spirit, He is saying “This person is a citizen of my kingdom and an heir of my inheritance.”

The Ownership of a Seal - (Possession)

A seal would also communicate ownership - look at Jeremiah 32:10 “And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.”

While Jerusalem was under siege, and Jeremiah found himself in hot water for prophesying against King Zedekiah, God instructed him to buy land in Anathoth for which he had redemption rights.

The request was approved and agreed upon and in front of a cloud of witnesses, we see that Jeremiah’s deed for this land was signed and SEALED… declaring him as the owner of this property.

Seals communicate ownership - this applies to our hearts as well. When the Holy Spirit takes residence in our heart, nothing else is able to own us. Sin is not our master anymore, Satan is not our master, this flesh is not our master… it takes some time for us to realize it and stop living like it. BUT, the fact remains we belong to one - that is God.

Ephesians 6:5–6 “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

God has bought us with the price of His own blood on the Cross, we belong to Him. We have been freed from sin, and wear the glorious chains of redemption in Christ.

The Authority of a Seal - (Power)

Example: Esther 8:8-12 - Esther was worried, even after Haman had been hanged for the plot to kill Mordecai, he had still convinces Ahasuerus to make a decree allowing people to kill the Jews at will within the city.

Since even the king himself was not allowed to rescind a previously sealed decree, he had to make another one decreeing the opposite of the first one.

What’s the point? The seal of a king is so powerful that it cannot be rescinded, taken back, or stomped out. It is not like a bill in Congress or even an executive order… No, the seal of a decree has the power and authority of the king himself within whatever is stated in that decree.

When we are sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit, we are delegates of our king. We are decrees, carrying His Word, to communicate His message, endowed with His power to spread the Gospel and further His Kingdom.

Esther 8:8–12 KJV 1900

Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse. Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

Finally, we see Paul sign off and close his thought this way, Ephesians 1:14 “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

What is the Holy Spirit? He is the earnest, the down payment, the pledge, the seal of the fact that you and I WILL one day see Jesus. Our Lord will make all things new, He will gather all things unto Himself, and we will join with the countless elders and angels in song to sing “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain...”

Here’s the challenge today, no one in this room this morning has a justification for standing up and walking out those doors not knowing whether they are saved or not. For either...

1. You have not been saved, and you’ve heard the gospel today and need to call on Christ as your Savior.

2. You are saved, yet you’ve dealt with doubt and lack of assurance. Now, you know you don’t have to doubt that, because the Holy Spirit is the seal of you faith.

These alters are open to both of those people, come down today and have your faith settled before leaving this Church today!