God’s Engagement Ring
Ephesians 1:1-14
I. What’s a Seal?
A. What was it?.
1. In ancient times it was a symbol impressed on a wax base.
2. A document was written & then rolled up.
a. Melted wax was poured on the edge of the sheet acting as a fastener to keep the sheet rolled.
b. As the wax began to harden a symbol was impressed on the wax.
c. The seal held the roll together & identified the sender.
6. If the sheet were unrolled the seal would be broken so the receiver would know it had been tampered with.
B. How was it used?
1. It was used to bind & identify scrolls, packages & merchandise.
2. ILL: Mordicai’s official order allowing the Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:8).
3. ILL: Pilate saw to it that his seal was placed on the stone at Jesus’ tomb (Matt 27:65-66).
C. What was the purpose of a seal?
1. To identify who the sender was giving authority to the document or package.
2. To fasten the scroll or package together like glue.
D. The seal took on additional meaning during Jesus’ day.
1. Deposit (ἀρραβών) = earnest money deposited by a purchaser to be forfeited if the purchase was not completed - a down payment.
2. ILL: The Engagement Ring.
3. Ancient documents using this word.
a. A women sells her cow & gets a deposit (ἀρραβών) insuring the rest will be paid later.
b. Some dancing girls engaged for public entertainment were given a deposit (ἀρραβών), the rest to be paid after the performance.
II. How Does the Holy Spirit Become God’s Seal?
A. The Holy Spirit begins to work in your life to make a difference.
1. You receive power to live the Christian life.
a. In I Jn 3:24 He helps you to obey the Lord’s commands.
b. In I Jn 4:13 He helps you to identify with the Lord’s holy life.
2. You receive direction to live the Christian life.
a. I Jn 5:6 - it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. He is truth.
b. Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” He assures you that you are God’s child. The Holy Spirit does this primarily through the word of God!
c. Rom 8:16 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
B. The Holy Spirit becomes the first installment to a joyous everlasting life.
1. Eph 1:14 - the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemp- tion of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.
2. II Cor 1:21-22 - He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
3. II Cor 5:5 - Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a de- posit, guaranteeing what is to come.
III. When are You Sealed with God’s Holy Spirit?
A. In Act 2:38 He is given to everyone who surrenders to the Lord’s authority, repents of their sins & are baptized.
B. In Lk 11:13 His filling is promised to Christians who ask Him.
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