Sealed

Turn to Ephesians 1

How important is it to have a sense of genuine belonging? To have that deep assurance that no matter what, I belong? Assurance of belonging is essential in relationships. But not just feeling like you fit in (we can all fit in places, doesn’t mean we belong) - we’re talking about belonging - about having an unwavering confidence that the other person or the group … they’re committed and I’m in. Assurance of belonging is essential to genuine relationships.

We like to watch Survivor. 20 people competing for a million dollars. To survive, to get to the end, competitors must form alliances. But even so, they never fully know who they can trust. In Survivor, people get blindsided all the time. They thought they could trust their alliance, they thought they were secure, but then at tribal council, they get voted out. Blindsided.

Ever wonder if God will blindside you in some way? You thought you were in, thought you were secure, then all of a sudden - you’re voted out? Curious -

What assurance do we have from God that He is committed to this relationship?

What assurance do we have that He will not secretly blindside us?

That’s a good question. Think about it for a moment.

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

What does “sealed” mean? First, I want to make sure we know what believe means? This is not a fanciful belief such as believing in UFOs.

Believing, in the Biblical sense is equivalent to faith and trust. Biblical belief creates action or transformation.

It’s one thing to believe in Jesus and do nothing about it (a lot of people); it’s another to believe what the Bible says about Jesus and act upon that belief - i.e. acknowledging I’m a sinner condemned to hell and I need a Savior to forgive me and purchase my salvation. Biblical belief creates action or transformation.

Person believes, then sealed. What does “sealed” mean?

A seal indicates ownership.

When I was in the Army, I put my name on everything I owned including my underwear. I wanted to keep what I had purchased. This is my stuff - hands off! Or you might see a sign that reads, “Property of ___ stay out!” Or cattle are branded by the rancher.

When a sinner becomes a believer, God puts His Spirit in their heart and says, “He's Mine! She's Mine! Hands off!” God wants to keep what He has purchased. The Believer has been “branded.” So in Christ you are God’s possession! The Holy Spirit is His seal of ownership!

What thoughts and feelings emerge when you hear things like, “God owns you? You are His possession?” Some might cringe - “I don’t want anyone owning me! I don’t want to be told what to do!” What does it mean that God owns us?

Look, according to Scripture, we only have two options. Either the God owns us, or the devil. Who do you prefer?

When God says we are His possession, what is He saying? “You no longer belong to the devil! You no longer belong to the world! You’re no longer homeless or fatherless, no longer without a family. You are mine! I will love you. I will provide for you. I will watch over you! Under my ownership you have a future, you have hope, you have a purpose, you have eternal life.”

When we brought Ally into our home, I signed a paper that says, “You’re mine.” Meaning, I’m now responsible for you. I’m going to take care of you and provide for you and love you ….”

So, is “ownership” so bad? How often do we humans say to those we love, “You are mine and I am yours?” I tell Susan, “You are my wife,” because I want to communicate fidelity and commitment. “I’m proud to be your husband. I’m proud you’re my wife.”

I believe God communicates the same thing and so much more when He says to us, “You’re my people and I’m your God.” Not only has God given us His Spirit, but in

Isaiah 49:16 ESV

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

God is talking to His people and He’s saying, “I’m always thinking about you.”

What is God saying to you right now?

Think about this -

With Whom are we sealed?

We are sealed with a person - God’s Spirit.

Now, a seal signifies ownership, but also

A seal also serves as a form of identification.

It’s common among world religions to scar their bodies, have tattoos or piercings as a form of identification. Perhaps the most recognized symbol is the bindi - Hindu red dot. Even in the OT, Israelite men had a seal that they were God’s people. Circumcision. All external.

But now in Christ - God has put His Spirit in His people. People can’t see the Spirit, they don’t know the Spirit, so how will people know we are Christian? Going to church? Wearing a cross? Fish on the car? How will people know you are a follower of Jesus? Gal. 5:22. John 15:5.

What’s the purpose of God’s seal? The ESV says guarantee, but if you read several translations, you’ll get a good idea. The Greek word

Arrabōn means down payment, a deposit, or first installment.

What is the significance of a down payment?

The seal is also a promise.

, a pledge that the rest is coming, there’s more on the way. This is not about more of the Holy Spirit coming because we already have all of the Spirit (does He have all of us) - so this must mean something else.

Think of this down payment of the Holy Spirit as an engagement ring. Q - What the purpose of an engagement ring? A promise of fidelity (forsaking others), commitment, love, presence, promise of a future, there’s a wedding on the way, we’re going to journey this life together ….

Q - So, what is God communicating to us by giving us His Spirit? Same thing.

Sealed - indicates ownership, it’s a form of identification for others, and a promise.

At the beginning, I asked,

What assurance do we have from God that He is committed to this relationship?

Is the Holy Spirit active in your life?

If the answer is yes, then you have been saved by Christ and sealed.

If you don’t have that assurance, then a little self-reflection might be in order.

What is the Spirit saying to you?