The Sealing of the Spirit: Assurance and Transformation

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, we delve into the profound significance of the Spirit's role in the application of salvation. The Father orchestrated the plan of salvation, the Son executed it, and the Holy Spirit applies it to our lives, making it real and experiential. This evening, we focus on the concept of the "sealing of the Spirit," a term used in Scripture to describe the Holy Spirit's work in authenticating, securing, and marking us as God's own.

The sealing of the Spirit is mentioned in three key passages: 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14, and Ephesians 4:30. A seal serves three primary functions: authentication, ownership, and security. The Holy Spirit authenticates our identity as God's people, marking us as His peculiar possession. This authentication is not just for our assurance but also serves as a testimony to others of our genuine faith. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, producing the fruit of the Spirit, is the evidence of our Christian identity.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit signifies God's ownership of us. We are His property, set apart for His purposes. This assurance of belonging is crucial for our spiritual confidence and security. The Spirit's presence is a guarantee of our ultimate salvation, a promise that we will be fully redeemed and glorified. This assurance is not merely intellectual but deeply experiential, as the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, confirming our status as children of God.

The concept of the "earnest of the Spirit" further enriches our understanding. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a first installment, a pledge of the full inheritance that awaits us. This earnest is a foretaste of the glory to come, encouraging us in our present trials and temptations. It is a reminder that our current experiences of the Spirit are but a glimpse of the eternal joy and perfection that God has prepared for us.

To fully enjoy the Spirit's work, we must avoid quenching or grieving Him. Quenching the Spirit involves resisting His leading, while grieving the Spirit occurs when we sin or fail to follow His guidance. Instead, we are called to be led by the Spirit, walking in His ways, and allowing Him to transform us into the likeness of Christ. This involves a conscious awareness of His presence, a commitment to Scripture, and a life of prayer and obedience.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Holy Spirit as a Seal: The Holy Spirit authenticates our identity as God's people, marking us as His own. This seal is not just for our assurance but also serves as a testimony to others of our genuine faith. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, producing the fruit of the Spirit, is the evidence of our Christian identity. [06:31]

2. Ownership and Assurance: The Holy Spirit signifies God's ownership of us, assuring us of our belonging and security in Him. This assurance is crucial for our spiritual confidence, as it confirms that we are set apart for His purposes and destined for ultimate redemption and glorification. [09:54]

3. The Earnest of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is given as a first installment, a pledge of the full inheritance that awaits us. This earnest is a foretaste of the glory to come, encouraging us in our present trials and reminding us of the eternal joy and perfection that God has prepared for us. [22:47]

4. Experiential Knowledge of the Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit is deeply experiential, bearing witness with our spirit and confirming our status as children of God. This experiential knowledge is vital for our assurance and spiritual growth, as it involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will. [27:22]

5. Avoiding Quenching and Grieving the Spirit: To fully enjoy the Spirit's work, we must avoid quenching or grieving Him. This involves resisting His leading or sinning against His guidance. Instead, we are called to be led by the Spirit, walking in His ways, and allowing Him to transform us into the likeness of Christ. [30:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- [01:31] - The Sealing of the Spirit
- [03:46] - Functions of a Seal
- [06:09] - Authentication by the Spirit
- [09:03] - Ownership and Assurance
- [12:25] - Assurance of Salvation
- [15:03] - Security in the Spirit
- [19:29] - The Earnest of the Spirit
- [22:47] - First Fruits and Foretaste
- [25:34] - Experiential Knowledge
- [30:03] - Quenching the Spirit
- [33:40] - Grieving the Spirit
- [37:32] - Walking in the Spirit
- [40:05] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
- Ephesians 1:13-14
- Ephesians 4:30

---

Observation Questions:

1. What are the three primary functions of a seal as described in the sermon? How do these functions relate to the Holy Spirit's role in a believer's life? [03:46]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit being described as a "seal" in Ephesians 1:13-14? [02:21]

3. How does the sermon explain the concept of the "earnest of the Spirit" and its implications for believers? [22:47]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the experiential aspect of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives? [27:22]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Holy Spirit's role as a seal provide assurance of our identity as God's people, and why is this assurance important for our faith journey? [06:31]

2. In what ways does the Holy Spirit signify God's ownership of us, and how does this impact our understanding of belonging and security in Him? [09:54]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between the Holy Spirit's presence and our ultimate redemption and glorification? [15:03]

4. How does the sermon describe the potential consequences of quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit, and what practical steps can believers take to avoid these actions? [30:03]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit's presence as a seal in your life. How did this experience impact your faith and assurance of belonging to God? [06:31]

2. Consider the concept of the Holy Spirit as the "earnest" of our inheritance. How can this understanding encourage you during times of trial or temptation? [22:47]

3. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be resisting the Holy Spirit's leading. What steps can you take to be more open to His guidance? [30:03]

4. Think about a recent situation where you may have grieved the Holy Spirit. How can you seek forgiveness and realign your actions with His will? [33:40]

5. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it as part of your interactions with your family? [07:59]

6. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you enhance your prayer life and commitment to Scripture to be more attuned to the Holy Spirit's presence? [38:04]

7. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus that you want to change? How can you minimize that distraction this week? [28:26]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as Our Divine Seal
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in authenticating our identity as God's people. This divine seal marks us as belonging to God, providing assurance of our faith and serving as a testimony to others. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, which confirms our Christian identity. This seal is not only for personal assurance but also a visible sign to the world of our genuine faith. The Holy Spirit's work in us is a continuous process, transforming us and affirming our place in God's family. [06:31]

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."

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in your daily interactions, serving as a testimony of your faith to those around you?


Day 2: Assurance of Belonging and Security in God
The Holy Spirit signifies God's ownership of us, providing assurance of our belonging and security in Him. This assurance is vital for our spiritual confidence, as it confirms that we are set apart for His purposes and destined for ultimate redemption and glorification. The Spirit's presence is a guarantee of our salvation, offering a deep, experiential knowledge that we are God's children. This assurance is not just intellectual but deeply felt, as the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, confirming our status as God's own. [09:54]

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of belonging and security in your relationship with God today?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit as a Pledge of Our Inheritance
The Holy Spirit is given to us as a first installment, a pledge of the full inheritance that awaits us. This earnest is a foretaste of the glory to come, encouraging us in our present trials and reminding us of the eternal joy and perfection that God has prepared for us. The Spirit's presence in our lives is a constant reminder of the future glory that awaits, providing hope and strength in times of difficulty. This promise of future inheritance motivates us to persevere and remain faithful in our walk with God. [22:47]

2 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV): "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

Reflection: How does the promise of a future inheritance with God influence your perspective on current challenges and trials?


Day 4: Experiencing the Holy Spirit's Presence
The presence of the Holy Spirit is deeply experiential, bearing witness with our spirit and confirming our status as children of God. This experiential knowledge is vital for our assurance and spiritual growth, involving the whole person—mind, heart, and will. The Spirit's work in us is transformative, leading us into a deeper relationship with God and shaping us into the likeness of Christ. This involves a conscious awareness of His presence, a commitment to Scripture, and a life of prayer and obedience. [27:22]

Romans 8:16 (ESV): "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your life?


Day 5: Avoiding Quenching and Grieving the Spirit
To fully enjoy the Spirit's work, we must avoid quenching or grieving Him. Quenching the Spirit involves resisting His leading, while grieving the Spirit occurs when we sin or fail to follow His guidance. Instead, we are called to be led by the Spirit, walking in His ways, and allowing Him to transform us into the likeness of Christ. This requires a conscious effort to align our lives with God's will, seeking His guidance and being open to His transformative work in us. [30:03]

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you may be resisting the Holy Spirit's leading. What steps can you take today to align yourself more closely with His guidance?

Quotes


The Holy Spirit himself, remember, is the authentification or the certification of the fact that we are indeed God's people. The scriptures talk about our being God's Own peculiar position, translated in the authorized version as a peculiar people. What it means is a people for his own peculiar possession. [00:06:16]

It is the presence of the holy spirit in US producing the fruit of the spirit that certifies to other people that we rarely are Christians. Now it's possible for a man to make a profession of Christianity. It is possible for us to give a mental or an intellectual Ascent to the truth and to certain propositions and teachings of scripture. [00:07:50]

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee to us that we really are God's people and God's Property. That is, if you like, another way of talking about the Assurance of Salvation. And you remember that when we were dealing with that particular aspect of the truth, we were at Great pains to emphasize this. [00:09:51]

The spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. That's the ultimate ground of assurance in my own Spirit. I'm assured of my salvation. I believe the scripture. I am able to detect these evidences of the spirit in me as I read the first Epistle of John. [00:12:22]

The fact that we know that the holy spirit is in US is a guarantee of our ultimate salvation, perfectly. I mean by that what the scriptures often describe under the term Redemption. He of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and Redemption. That means the ultimate consummation including glorification itself. [00:14:16]

The Holy Spirit therefore has been given to us by God in order that we might have some kind of an idea as to what awaits us when we arrive in glory. God is given us the first fruits. You remember how the ancient people used to do. They had a festival in connection with the first fruits. [00:22:47]

The Holy Spirit is given to us as a first installment, a pledge of the full inheritance that awaits us. This earnest is a foretaste of the glory to come, encouraging us in our present trials and reminding us of the eternal joy and perfection that God has prepared for us. [00:25:34]

To fully enjoy the Spirit's work, we must avoid quenching or grieving Him. This involves resisting His leading or sinning against His guidance. Instead, we are called to be led by the Spirit, walking in His ways, and allowing Him to transform us into the likeness of Christ. [00:30:03]

Quenching the spirit is something uness which we all must know something about in experience. It means that you tend to argue with the leading instead of responding. It means that you put up your questions and your queries, and it's not only something that can be done in private. [00:31:40]

Grieving the spirit is mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ephesians, verse 30: grieve not the spirit of God, grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby we are sealed until the day of redemption. I need to keep you with this. There are many ways in which we can grieve the spirit. [00:33:40]

We must be led by the spirit. We must walk in the spirit. And what does that mean? Well, it really means this, doesn't it? That we realize the relationship that subsists between us and that we must live our lives and walk through this world as realizing that we're in the presence of the spirit. [00:37:32]

The ultimate test of the reality of the work of the spirit and our possession of the spirit, the test, the final test, the certain test always is not what I felt, is not some thrill I've had. It is my relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, my love for him. [00:40:05]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?