I. Introduction
A. Surprise Gift
1. Have you ever received one, only to be told that another gift came with it? It’s kind of like a Russian doll.
2. In Acts 2:38, we often emphasize that when we are baptized, we receive forgiveness, but this verse also promises another gift: the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. In our text today, we learn that the Holy Spirit is a seal and pledge for Christians. What does that mean?
B. Who is the Holy Spirit?
1. He is God (Genesis 1:2; Matthew 28:19).
2. He revealed the Word of God to men (2 Peter 1:20-21).
3. He is the One whom Jesus promised in John 14 & 17.
4. He participates in the washing of regeneration in our baptism (Titus 3:5-7).
5. He helps us in our walk with God (Galatians 5:16-18).
C. Indwelling or Word Only
1. He works through both.
2. For the non-Christian, He works through the Word.
3. For the believer, He dwells within us and works through us.
a. Romans 8:9, 11
b. 1 Corinthians 6:19
c. 2 Corinthians 6:16
4. While there is much debate about the Holy Spirit, one thing we can be sure of, God has given Him to us for a reason. Let’s explore what it means to be sealed in the Spirit.
II. Sealed in the Spirit
A. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
1. The Spirit serves as an before God that we belong to Him.
a. The word translated sealed in the Greek is σφραγίζω (sphragizō) means to set a mark upon, distinguish by a mark
b. In ancient times, a seal designated authenticity, , and delegated authority.
2. Scripture reveals that the mark for the Christian identifying us as God’s people is the Holy Spirit.
a. 1 Corinthians 6:19
b. Romans 8:16
3. Illustration: At most tourist destinations, you’ll find a group that has bright colored t-shirts that are meant to make it very easy to find each other. In a similar way, you are marked, and God can easily identify you.
4. God knows those who are His because He has sealed us with His Spirit.
B. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
1. The Spirit is given to us now as a that God will keep His promise of our eternal reward.
a. Among the ideas that a seal in the ancient Near East could symbolize was security, as when Daniel’s tomb was sealed by King Darius (Daniel 6:16). Only the King had the authority to break the seal.
b. The word translated “guarantee” in the ESV is the Greek word, ἀρραβών (arrabōn). This word is used elsewhere to refer to a down payment or earnest money, indicating that the full payment is pledged.
2. The gift we receive now is the Spirit who helps us in our journey to receiving the full payment of our reward, which is being in the presence of God.
a. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 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 (ἀρραβών).
b. God has placed a seal that secures our salvation. (Matthew 10:28)
C. (Romans 8:26-27)
1. Jesus promised that when He finished His earthly ministry, an advocate would come to help the apostles.
a. John 14:16-17,26
b. John 16:7
c. The word for advocate is παράκλητος (paraklētos), someone who renders a beneficial service.
2. When Paul writes to the church at Rome, he reminds them that they have access to God because they are special (Jew and Gentile alike). Each Christian receives the Spirit, which means they have a to God, unlike anyone else
3. Because of this connection, we receive support in the most trying times of life.
a. The Spirit of God communicates the deepest groaning of your spirit.
b. The word ἐντυγχάνω (entynchanō) tells us that the Spirit pleads our case before God.
4. Although we may never fully understand exactly how the Spirit works in our lives, we believe He does.
5. As we continue to engage with God’s Word, we become more to the Spirit, and that affects our conscience as the Spirit prompts us to action.
a. Afterall, He has always been involved in helping Christians do the work of the Lord; why would that stop now?
b. It looks different now that we have the Word of God. We don’t need miracles through human agency to prove that what we speak is from God. That is supplied in the Word.
c. Nonetheless, we still need the Spirit to help us in our spiritual journey.
III. Conclusion
A. Gift of the Spirit
1. God has given us an amazing gift in the Spirit. Because of Him, we:
a. Know God intimately through His Word
b. Can be secure in knowing that God knows who we are
c. Have a special connection to God
2. God has blessed us richly with the Holy Spirit.
B. Invitation
1. In Acts 2:38, we are promised the Holy Spirit.
2. Notice that the gift of the Holy Spirit only comes after we have repented, been baptized, and been forgiven of our sins.
3. Are you missing the gift?
4. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, we read, Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
5. In this verse, Paul is speaking to the congregation as a whole. He reveals to us that this fellowship is where the Spirit lives.
6. Today, you may need to be surrounded by the Spirit through those connected to God, especially if you feel disconnected.
7. We are told that we can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Maybe that’s what you’ve been doing.
8. Don’t miss the gift!