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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (12-11-1995
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Ephesians1:13-14 describes the work of the Holy Spirit as a
seal and an earnest in the believer’s life. The guarantee, and the first
instalment, of blessings to come, to the praise of His glory. Begin first by
noting way Paul describes believers – those he has sealed and to whom he gives
an earnest. Not apologise for reminding us of essentials of Gospel. Sinners need
it, and saints love it.
Believers are those who have heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation, and believed (Ephesians 1:13). Thinking recently about God’s part in our salvation – He chose us, predestined us, provided redemption through the blood of Christ, and His sealing of us. But that does not mean we are inactive. So here is human side of our salvation. Men have to hear the truth and believe in Christ.
Election by God’s sovereign will, though a mystery,
does not make evangelism and faith unnecessary. In fact, the very reverse is
true. God gathers His people through the preaching of the Gospel, and then calls
on them to exercise faith. Preaching of the Gospel with power of the Holy Spirit
is His means of delivering people from bondage and blindness, and enabling them
to believe in the Saviour. N.B. What they have to hear is the Word of Truth, the
Gospel of Salvation. God makes Christians through the truth of Salvation. You
cannot be a Christian apart from His saving truth.
Being a Christian is not just
about religious experience or having a new direction to life, or feeling happy,
or being delivered from worries. Many agencies and cults can do this – they
can make you feel good and happy and lead you to do good, produce results in
people’s lives. But that does not make people Christians – only the Word of
Truth and Gospel of Salvation does that.
The Christian is one whose
entire position depends on the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It all hinges on
the Son of God and His atoning death. He delivers us from sin, from the
condemnation of God and wrath to come. Christ has borne our condemnation. We are
now reconciled to God. God has taken our sins, and put them on His Son, punished
them in Him. Hence we are forgiven. God will have all men to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
Because our gospel came to
you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with
deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5), so the Christian heard, understood
his need, and placed his faith in the Saviour, and yielded his life to Him. At
one time he despised this news, laughed at it, did not understand it. But now
his eyes are opened and he finds it marvellous. He knows he is a sinner,
condemned by God’s law, and has to stand before judgement. Alarmed at his
whole position, he hears the glorious truth that Christ has died for sins, and
knows it is the very thing he needs. He wants it, believes it, surrenders to
Saviour, places hope and confidence and trust in Christ alone. That is what
makes us Christians, and nothing less. Despite unworthiness and weakness, for
time and eternity, the Christian clings to Christ and rests on Him.
Is Christ the basis of your hope and confidence? If not, whatever else you may be, you are not a Christian.
“On
Christ the solid rock I stand,
All
other ground is sinking sand”
Is that you?
God does something in the lives of believers. He seals
them with His Holy Spirit of promise – the Holy Spirit promised in the Old
Testament, e.g. Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:32; Ezekiel 36:26ff, also in the teaching of
John the Baptist and our Lord Himself, that He would follow Christ’s
ascension, be poured out in all His fullness and power. When men trust Christ,
the Holy Spirit enters lives, and among His many ministries, He acts as a seal.
The seal was a very common thing in Biblical times. Metal
or stone. Small ones were sometimes part of a ring worn on the finger. They had
various designs. Pressed on to soft wax or clay. Many Bible references. The
Christian is the soft wax or clay. God impresses the seal of the Holy Spirit on
him that he may know, and others also, that he is a believer and that he is
saved.
Aware that some Christians believe sealing takes place
later, and not all Christians have it. They believe sealing is the same as
baptism – immediate direct assurance that they are God’s children, that the
love of God has been poured out, and His joy unspeakable. It marks the height of
Christian experience – when we become more effective Christians. We should
keep seeking it. We will know when we have it. We should be satisfied with
nothing less. Failure to do so makes Christians lifeless, powerless and
helpless.
Now, the normal evangelical position is that all Christians are sealed at conversion. Though not deny that they are constantly seeking deeper experiences of the Holy Spirit, but not convinced there is “sealing” or “baptism” of Spirit. All believers are sealed. Christians are not unmarked sheep or unsealed possessions. To know and recognise seal is a relief and joy to those struggling with doubts, fears and worries. Presence of life-giving Holy Spirit in life is seal
(a). Mark of genuineness. It means I can say, “I am
sure”. Presence of Holy Spirit in lives is mark that we really are Christians.
It authenticates our faith. Like a personal signature at bottom of letter saying
it is genuine. C.f. Jezebel using Ahab’s seal in 2 Kings 21:8. Presence of
Holy Spirit in hearts and lives is God’s signature on us. This is genuine
believer, authentic, the real thing, a possessor and not just a professor. The
Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans
8:16). He who loves me… I will love him and manifest myself to him (John
14:21).
How helpful this is when beset by doubt. Counterfeit
experience? Devil at work? Then in reply the Holy Spirit personally gives
assurance in heart. Not from friend or minister, but from the throne itself.
Evidence in lives of inner witness – hatred of sin, the
appearance of the fruits of the Spirit, the promises of God feel real, God’s
peace in times of worry or fear, a love for Christian brethren because they
belong to the Lord. Unto you who believe, he is precious (1 Peter 2:7).
Recognise this seal – a mark of spiritual health. Faith is sealed as genuine.
Have this assurance because of the Holy Spirit’s sealing our lives.
What blessing to enjoy assurance. Latimer said to Ridley,
“Assurance makes me bold as a lion. When I lack it, I could run into a very
mouse hole.” Assurance helps us bear suffering, and gives strength in weakness
and sickness, confidence in death. Stirs us up to action.
Also this seal, the presence of the Holy Spirit, is recognizable by the world. Hence frequent comment, “There is something different about him.”
(b). Ownership. It means I can say, “I am His”. When
Jews completed a bargain, they put seal on it. C.f. Jeremiah sealed deeds of
field which he bought from Hanamel (Jeremiah 32:10). Paul at Tarsus, along the
quay, would have seen goods belonging to merchants, each with seal. Lumberjacks
in Canada, put their seal on logs which are floated down river to sawmill. Each
log there can be identified because of personal seal. In our fields we see
animals belonging to different farmers, all mixed up, but can be identified by
the farmer’s own seal.
The Holy Spirit’s presence is a seal in the way it
shows we are God’s property. God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed
with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Timothy
2:19). People for God’s own possession, He redeemed us and purified us to be
His own special people (Titus 2:14). You are not your own. You were bought at
a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Sealed us as His at conversion. Change of ownership.
Under new management. World and devil and self have lost their claim on us.
Belong to another. Our bodies, with all their faculties, our possessions,
future, career – no longer our own. Sealed men and women, belonging to no one
else but God.
If we live for self, plan our own course, never seek God’s will – this is a sign that we do not understand what it means to be sealed or even to be a Christian. Holy Spirit’s presence within shows that we are owned. We belong to another.
(c). Security. It means I can say, “I am safe”. Seals
can make things secure, prevent anyone from breaking in. C.f. Daniel in lions
den, the stone at the mouth of the den was sealed with the king’s ring (Daniel
6:17). When Jesus was crucified and buried, the Jews sealed the mouth of the
sepulchre to make it secure against the intrusion of His disciples. Modern
example – Registered packets with valuables inside are carefully sealed with
wax on knots. If seal is broken, it shows it has been tampered with. Jam jars in
supermarkets with air-tight seals to prevent people from tampering.
The Holy Spirit is a seal on us till the day of
redemption. No one can break seal. Absolutely safe. He who began a good work
in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ (Philippians
1:6). I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can
snatch them out of my hand (John10:28).
At the second coming, dead saints will be raised, living
saints will be transformed. Until that day, we are in secure relationship. Plans
were made for us in eternity. In time, they will come into effect. Completion in
the future is definite. Cost Him too much, spent so much on us, He will not
abandon us now. His honour and His promises are at stake to let us go.
So the Holy Spirit’s presence is a seal. It indicates
our relationship is authentic, we are owned by Him, and absolutely secure. Jesus
is our shepherd.
“Then
on each he setteth
His
own secret sign.
‘They
that have my Spirit,
These’,
saith He, ‘are mine’”
An earnest is a guarantee, a deposit, a first
down-payment. arrabwn in modern Greek
– engagement ring. So first meaning is a pledge or a promise or guarantee. One
day we are going to get the rest of all that salvation means. Assurance that a
glorious future is ours. If doubt, look at Holy Spirit’s presence –
guarantee and pledge. He who began this good work is going to carry it on. More
than pledge – a first instalment. C.f. deposit on house, says that rest of
money is on its way.
One day we shall receive all that Christ has won for us
when He returns and the work of redemption is complete. The Holy Spirit is not
just a pledge, but a foretaste. Small fraction of what is to follow.
Even the most glorious experiences of God in this life
– deliverances, guidance, peace, companionship – mere foretaste of future.
Our coming together for worship ought to be a foretaste of heaven if we worship
in the Spirit. One day, entirely free from sin, clothed in new resurrection
body, at the reunion with redeemed of every age and race, we shall see Him as He
is, and be like Him. Glorious prospect beyond our power to imagine.
Present experience is but foretaste of looking into face of Saviour who died for us. We see in a glass darkly at present, but then face to face. Perfect peace and bliss.
Holy Spirit is God’s seal on us – a guarantee so that
we can be sure, a mark of ownership so that we can belong, and a security so
that we can feel safe. Also He is an earnest, or deposit, a foretaste of what is
to come. This is strengthening medicine for doubt and discouragement. Heartening
when seal is impressed more deeply on our lives. Becomes clearer and more
distinct as we grow in grace.
Seek more of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in our lives. Do not be content with past experiences. “Keep on being filled”. Especially if darkness in soul, little growth, feebleness, the Holy Spirit’s work is to increase and deepen. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).
