The Father’s Fingerprint
Ephesians 1:13-14
I. The Seal Of A King
(v. 13b) “..having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise....”
What kind of seal is Paul talking about?
An official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract, or document.
* When royal business was conducted, the document was sealed with hot wax and imprinted with the king’s signet ring.
A kings seal signified 3 things illustrated in Esther 8:8
A. Ownership - Written in kings name, sealed with signet ring. The kings property
B. Security - The built in security of the seal was the king’s authority. Break the seal and die.
C. Irrevocability - v 8b. No One, not even the king himself can reverse such a decree.
Further Examples
* King Darius was tricked and forced to throw Daniel to the lions because of his irrevocable decree (Dan 6:6-16)
* Jesus’ tomb was not only sealed, but guarded under the authority of Pilate (Matt 27:62-66)
Question: What does it mean to be “sealed with the Holy Spirit?”
A king’s seal signifies 3 things revealed in the New Testament.
A. Ownership - (I Cor. 6:19-20)
V. 19 - You are not your own
V. 20 - You were bought at a price by God
B. Security - (John 10: 27-30)
The built in security of our seal is the KINGS authority.
NO ONE can take His seal away because He is “greater than all” (v. 29)
C. Irrevocability - (John 6:37-39)
The king has promised to “by no means cast out (v.37) the one who comes to Him. To break the kings seal on a believer would be to “cast out” one who has believed in Him, making Him a liar!
II. The Mark Of The King
We are not sealed with wax and signet rings, but with the Spirit of the Living God!
Question: What “mark” does this place on the life of the believer?
A. The Mark of Holiness (I John 3:9)
When God’s Spirit (seed) is in you, you cannot live in constant sin. Loving sin is as unnatural as loving pain.
B. The Mark of Resemblance (I John 2:6)
When God’s spirit (seed) is in us, there must be some family characteristics displayed.
Illustrate: My son’s backpack
My son carries around the image of his father; everywhere he goes.
My son has my personality
My son has my allergies
My son has his mothers skin
My son has his mother’s dimples
Question: Do you carry around the image of Jesus Christ everywhere you go?
Do you have any of His characteristics?
Do you love?
Do you hate sin?
Are you humble?
Are you meek?
Do you forgive?
III. The Gaurantee of the King
(v.14) The Spirit Himself gaurantees (down payment, earnest) all the promises pertaining to the future.
