The Seal of the Holy Spirit
The God Within Us • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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I. THE BLESSING OF THE CHILD OF GOD
A. In Ephesians 1:1-14 Paul lists the wonderful blessings we have as children of God. We are blessed by being chosen, predestined, accepted redeemed, and forgiven. God also makes His will known to us and gives an inheritance to us.
1. In verse 13 Paul talks about the Christian being sealed "with that Holy Spirit of promise." First we must hear the gospel (Romans 10:14) become aware that our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), then believe in Christ as God's plan for our salvation (John 3:16). After we believe, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
a. In the days when the Bible was written, the seal was used primarily as a stamp of ownership. Roman merchants would travel to Ephesus to choose their goods, stamp them with their signet rings, and then return home. When their goods arrived at the port near Rome, the merchants claimed their merchandise that they had sealed.
b. Once we believe, God claims us as His possessions. The seal of God's ownership is the Holy Spirit indwelling our lives.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/smith_chuck/studyguides_spirit/spirit.cfm 9/21
2/22/2019 Study Guide for Holy Spirit by Chuck Smith
B. 2 Corinthians 1:22 also deals with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Speaking of God, Paul says, "Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." The "earnest" here means a deposit or down payment. The Holy Spirit is not only the seal of God's ownership, but He is the down payment until He redeems us as His purchased possession.
C. In Ephesians 4:30 we are told, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 1:14 also speaks of the Christian being sealed "until the redemption." God declares His intention of completing our redemption by giving the Holy Spirit to us. Our redemption will not be complete until we are freed from our bodies.
1. Paul speaks of the Christian being "burdened" with a body (2 Corinthians 5:4) and of all creation groaning, waiting for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:22-23).
2. Paul also speaks of the new bodies God will give to us as a "building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1), while he refers to our present bodies as tents (Tabernacles). We think of tents as temporary dwellings while a house is permanent. Our redemption by God will include new heavenly bodies that will not be subject to the pain, fatigue, or temptations of the flesh.
3. In Revelation 5 John describes the scene in heaven as Jesus completes the redemption. Jesus purchased the earth with His death on the cross and then sealed all those who accepted salvation through Him. Now we are waiting for God to finish His work of redemption in us, and it will take place very soon. Hallelujah!
