THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN SALVATION: The Sealing of the Holy Spirit

Memorial Drive 10/14/18 THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN SALVATION: Sealing Various Texts … WHY THE SEALING WORK OF THE SPIRIT IS SO SIGNFICANT Christians sometimes struggle with doubt concerning their salvation … While we “have been saved” we still struggle with “the world, the flesh, and the devil” To the world that still pulls on us, to the accusations of our enemy that steal our joy, and to the doubts that upset our faith, God says, “I’ve given you MY SPIRIT as a SEAL of your salvation!” … THE FOUNDATION OF GOD’S SEAL THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT “… Hymenaeus and Philetus, (as) men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and THEY UPSET THE FAITH of some.” (2 Tim. 2:17b-18) There is an ultimate, unchangeable, unshakeable foundation for our faith! “NEVERTHELESS, the firm foundation of God stands, having this SEAL, ‘THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS …’” (2 Tim. 2:19) … GOD’S SEALING OF BELIEVERS THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF GOD “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, YOU WERE SEALED in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14) • God’s Sealing of His Own Is Through His Giving of the Holy Spirit To Indwell Us … “… YOU WERE SEALED in him with the Holy Spirit of promise ...” (Eph. 1:13) • God’s Sealing of His Own Follows Belief In Christ and Is For Every Believer… “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, YOU WERE SEALED …” (Eph. 1:13) Is there any hope for us when struggle with personal failure? Are WE sealed as well? “Now He who establishes US with YOU in Christ and anointed us is GOD, WHO ALSO SEALED US and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” (2 Cor. 1:21-22) • God’s Sealing of His Own Guarantees That God Will Keep Us All the Way to the Day of Our Redemption … “… YOU WERE SEALED in him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14) “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom YOU WERE SEALED for the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30) The sealing expires ONLY WHEN it’s no longer needed because you’re safely home! • God’s Sealing of His Own Guarantees That We Are Kept In Christ… “… YOU WERE SEALED in Him with the Holy Spirit …” (Vs. 13) “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is GOD, WHO ALSO SEALED US and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” (2 Cor. 1:21-22) TEN TIMES Paul has already told us what it means that we are IN CHRIST so when he concludes in vs. 13 that the Spirit of God now SEALS us IN CHRIST that is a powerful thing! Notice the things that come WITH being “in Christ” … • God’s Sealing of His Own Is Given As a Pledge of What Is Yet To Come “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is GOD, WHO ALSO SEALED US and GAVE US THE SPIRIT in our hearts AS A PLEDGE.” (2 Cor. 1:21-22) “pledge” - the giving of part of the purchase money up front as security for the rest … FIVE CONCEPTS BEHIND THE MEANING OF A SEAL • A Seal Given To or Placed Upon Another Grants Special Authority To Them See Genesis 41:42 and John 1:12 • A Seal Authenticates And Validates That Which It Seals See I Kings 21:8 and 2 Timothy 2:19 • A Seal Was Used As a Mark Of Ownership See I Corinthians 6:19-20 • A Seal Was Used For The Purpose Of Security See Matthew 27:66 • A Seal Was Often Spoken Of In Conjunction With An Anticipated Future See Daniel 6:17 Since God’s Spirit SEALS us, “nothing would be changed in regard to …” US! We are “SEALED for the day of redemption” !