SF811 - THE SEAL OF THE NEW LIFE - 5 of 9 NEW LIFE FOR YOU (Ephesians 1 13)
Ephesians 1:13
Introduction
The secular importance of a seal
Used to certify documents
We all know that no official document is of any value unless it has been notarized. To be valid it must have the stamp or seal of authority.
Used to identify ownership
Ephesus was a seaport that shipped, among other things, large quantities of lumber. When buyers came to purchase, this commodity they stamped each beam with their seal so that it could be claimed without question when it reached its destination. The seal was the symbol of ownership and security
Used to provide security for contents
A jar, or a tomb.
The spiritual importance of a seal
What is true in the commercial world is equally true in the spiritual realm. To be an authentic Christian, a person must have the seal of the Holy Spirit—and this is what Paul is talking about in the passages before us.
(Ephesians 1:13 NKJV) "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,"
(Ephesians 4:30 NKJV) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
(Ephesians 5:18 NKJV) "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,"
From these statements we learn:
1A. The Seal of the New Life is the Possession of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (1:13)
For this miracle to take place in personal experience:
1B. A Person Must Hear the Word of the Gospel (13a)
Sharing the gospel is essential to the hearing of the gospel
(Romans 10:14 NKJV) "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Hearing the gospel is essential to receiving the gospel
(Romans 10:17 NKJV) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2B. A Person Must Heed the Lord of the Gospel (13b)
Receiving the gospel is essential to believing the gospel
(John 1:12 NKJV) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:"
Believing the gospel is essential to salvation
(Romans 10:11, 13 NKJV) "For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
Ø Belief = obedience
Ø Obedience = repentance and faith
Ø Repentance = confession and forsaking our sins.
Ø Faith = placing our trust in Christ alone.
Ø The Holy Spirit enters our lives and we are sealed forever.
Ø God puts His stamp of ownership and security upon us, and no angel in heaven, no man on earth, no demon in hell, can ever break that seal.
II. The Seal of the New Life is the Position of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (4:30)
1B. What it means to Grieve the Holy Spirit
You can only grieve someone who loves you.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we fail to give Him His rightful place in our lives.
Ø His place is a place of ministry and power
Ø He is working to make us more like Christ.
Ø This progressive work of the Holy Spirit will not be completed until the day of redemption.
Ø In the meantime, we must avoid grieving Him.
2B. What it means to Give Place to the Devil (4:27)
We give place to the devil:
Ø When we tell untruths (4:25)
Ø When we lose our tempers (4:26)
Ø When we rob our neighbors (4:28)
Ø When we use bad language (4:29)
Ø When we show bitterness of spirit (4:31).
God has called us to holy living, that is why He has given us the Holy Spirit.
Ø Therefore, anything contrary to the nature of a holy God grieves the Spirit.
3B. What it means to Give Place to the Spirit (4:25)
We give place to the Spirit when:
Ø We are honest with our neighbors (4:25),
Ø We love one another (4:25),
Ø We work hard in our jobs (4:28),
Ø We show grace in our speech (4:29),
Ø We are kind and forgiving to all (4:32).
This means giving the Holy Spirit His rightful position in every area of our lives.
3A. The Seal of the New Life is the Provision of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (5:18)
If God’s Spirit is both acknowledged and obeyed in our lives, certain things follow which are described to us in this wonderful passage.
1B. A New Melody comes into our Lives (5:19-20)
The Joy of that Revival Brings
“Our public praised were then greatly enlivened; God was then served in our psalmody.” (J. Edwards “A Narrative of Surprising Conversions,” 14.)
2B. A New Harmony comes into our Lives (5:21)
In the church
Ø Between the pastor and people
Ø Between the members
In the home
Ø Between husbands and wives
Ø Between parents and children
On the job and at school
The love that Revival Brings
“If the spirit that is at work among a people operates as a spirit of love to God and man, it is a sure sign that it is the Spirit of God.” (J. Edwards, “Marks of the Spirit of God,” 115)
(John 13:34-35 NKJV) ""A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. {35} "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""
3B. A New Victory comes into our Lives (6:10)
We face a powerful and great enemy (6:11-12)
God has equipped and outfitted us for victory. (6:13-17)
4B. A New Liberty comes into our Lives (6:18-20)
A liberty to live our faith
A liberty to share our faith
With Paul the apostle we can testify that through the prayers of God’s people and the Power of the Holy Spirit we can open our mouths anywhere, at any time, to share the message of the gospel.
Stephen was a bold witness!
…from Acts 7 what it means to be bold in Christian witness.
Application
The seal is a Person, the Holy Spirit.
We must know by experience: His possession, His position, and His provision in our lives.
Only then can we call ourselves true Christians.
Have you received the Holy Spirit?
If not, will you repent right now, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and then, as an act of faith, ask the Person of the Holy Spirit into your life right now?
THE SEAL OF THE NEW LIFE
New Life For You – Part 5 of 9
Sunday, January 31, 1999 - Ephesians 1:13
1A. The Seal of the New Life is the Possession of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (1:13)
1B. A Person Must _____________ the Word of the Gospel (13a)
2B. A Person Must ______________ the Lord of the Gospel (13b)
2A. The Seal of the New Life is the Position of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (4:30)
1B. What it means to Grieve the Holy Spirit
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we ___________ to give Him the rightful place in our lives.
2B. What it means to Give Place to the ____________ (4:27)
We give place to the devil:
Ø When we tell untruths (4:25)
Ø When we lose our tempers (4:26)
Ø When we rob our neighbors (4:28)
Ø When we use bad language (4:29)
Ø When we show bitterness of spirit (4:31).
3B. What it means to Give Place to the _________ (4:25)
We give place to the Spirit ___________:
Ø We are honest with our neighbors (4:25),
Ø We love one another (4:25),
Ø We work hard in our jobs (4:28),
Ø We show grace in our speech (4:29),
Ø We are kind and forgiving to all (4:32).
3A. The Seal of the New Life is the Provision of the Holy Spirit in Personal Experience (5:18)
1B. A New __________ comes into our Lives (5:19-20)
2B. A New ____________ comes into our Lives (5:21)
(John 13:34-35 NKJV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. {35} "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
3B. A New ____________ comes into our Lives (6:10)
4B. A New _____________ comes into our Lives (6:20)
