THE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Blessing’s of The Holy Spirit | Ephesians 1:3-14

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We Have Examined... The Blessings of The Father -- He has Chosen, Adopted, Accepted (v 3-6); The Blessings of The Son -- He has Redeemed us, He has Forgiven us, He has made known to us the mystery of His will, Our Inheritance (v 7-11). Today we will examine The Blessing’s of The Holy Spirit (v 12-14).

There is much confusion concerning the work of The Holy Spirit...

The ministry of the Holy Spirit...

·     He Teaches (John 14:26)

·     He Testifies (John 15:26)

·     He Transforms (John 16:8)

Our Salvation Is Three-fold. Paul, speaking of Christ, says he, Delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 2 Corinthians 1:10. 

In the same way The Holy Spirit. . .

·     Directs us to Christ. John 3:7-8 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

·     Keeps Us In Christ. 2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

·     Delivers us to Christ. Eph 4:30 Ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Definition of Terms:

·     Sealed = to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to make secure. To set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp. 

·     Earnest = money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.

Ancient Custom of Sealing: For thousands of years men have used signets or seals as a means to bind, carry out and protect legal transactions.

As early as Gen 38:18-25 the signet is mentioned; it is spoken of in the books of Esther and Daniel as well. These seals, spoken of in the Word of God, were used to seal and endorse official government documents, scrolls, covenants, & decrees. These seals were engraved on rings or medallions and were used to emboss clay or wax. A sealed document was not able to be opened except by someone who represented that seal.

Today, we explore the spiritual truth of being sealed by the HS

1.   A SEAL WAS USED AS A SYMBOL OF TRUE LOVE. So 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death;

The sealing of The Holy Spirit is a sure token of Christ’s Love. He went to the cross for me because His Love is “strong as death.”

Galatians 2:20 The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

His Seal Reminds Me - I Am Loved.

2.   A SEAL WAS USED TO SHOW THE ACCEPTANCE OF A COVENANT. 2 Tim 2:19 The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.

When We Accepted Christ, He Accepted Us (Eph 1:6); and Placed His Seal On Us (Eph 1:13).

We Are Gods Purchased Possession (Eph 1:11). 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

His Seal Reminds Me - I Belong To God.

3.   A SEALED DOCUMENT CONTAINED INSTRUCTION. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,..shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Job 33:16 He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.

John 16:13 When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:..and he will shew you things to come.

His Seal Reminds Me - I Have The Direction of God.

4.   A SEAL MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON CLAY OR WAX. The Holy Spirit makes an impression on the life of the believer.

Types of seals:

• Cameo (raised) outward

• Intaglio (sunken) inward. The result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit should be seen inwardly and outwardly.

The Image of Christ. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

His Seal Reminds Me - I Am To Bare The Image of Christ.

5.   A SEAL WAS USED TO MAKE THINGS SECURE. Daniel 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

His Seal Reminds Me - I Am Secure In Christ.

6.   A SEAL WAS GIVEN BY KINGS AS A SIGN OF AUTHORITY. Genesis 41:41,42  Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

His Seal Reminds Me - I Am Invested With Authority From God.

CONCLUSION: Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

A white stone was used as...

·     A badge of freedom...

·     A symbol of friendship...

·     A proof of innocence...

·     An invitation to a banquet...