APPRECIATING THE SPIRITUAL BLESSING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

by Pastor Mitch
September 02, 2012

Sealed By The Spirit Of God

Last week at Bethany’s anniversary, Pastor spoke about the spiritual blessings we have from God. Even as we began our 40th year, he encouraged us to not focus on physical blessings but on divine spiritual blessings. The best spiritual blessing that we can ever have is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” 
Ephesians 1:13b-14

The Lord Jesus promised His disciples that the Father would lovingly give them another Helper and He would be in them and abide with them forever (John 14:16-17). Paul explained further that when the Spirit of God indwells us, He becomes a seal for us. This seal signifies ownership by the Lord. We belong specially to our Saviour. It also represents a down-payment or a guarantee for the future full redemption of our eternal inheritance and life in Christ. This is a special anointing from the Spirit of God for us (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Spirit of God within us is our deep assurance that we have immortality in Christ.

Doing Our Part That We May Be Sealed By The Holy Spirit

“In Him, you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise” 
Ephesians 1:13

The Spirit of God does this work of coming upon us and sealing us. There is a part that we must play that He may indwell us.

1. Hearing And Recognizing The Word Of Truth

Our part is to hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus and to recognize that what we hear about Him is the word of truth. We have forgiveness of sin and redemption through Him and the shedding of His blood according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).

2. Believing In The Lord Jesus

As we listen to the gospel and recognize Christ as our Saviour, we are to exercise faith in Him and in the word. We would truly believe in the Lord Jesus as the Son of God and that He shed His blood for us.

3. Trusting In Christ And Continuing To Do So

The Ephesian Church had a definite trust in the Lord Jesus. They had an on-going active trust in Him as a person, one who is our Lord and Saviour. Let’s also seek to have this.

To The Praise Of His Glory

“That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” 
Ephesians 1:12

“To the praise of His glory.” 
Ephesians 1:14

Paul and the other apostles were the first examples of those who had genuine faith in the Lord Jesus. They became examples to all the Churches of what it meant to give praise to the Lord. As we appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit in our life, let’s seek to be committed to giving honour to the Lord’s glory. Let’s begin our 40th year seeking to offer great praise to the glory of His grace.

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