My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. - John 10:27-29
The Holy Spirit executes or applies that which the Father wills and the Son has secured. Before we begin this morning’s message, let’s briefly go over the works of the Holy Spirit that we’ve covered thus far. Just for fun, I’ve made this list into a matching game. See how many you can pair up correctly. The Holy Spirit…
_____ 1. Convicts the Lost… a. to All Believers
_____ 2. Convicts Believers… b. Meaning of Scripture
_____ 3. Restrains the Rise… c. into the Family of God
_____ 4. Effects All Aspects… d. of the Antichrist
_____ 5. Baptizes New Believers… e. Writing of Scripture
_____ 6. Adopts New Believers… f. of a Believer’s Salvation
_____ 7. Gives Spiritual Gifts… g. unto Salvation
_____ 8. Inspired the… h. into the Body of Christ
_____ 9. Illuminates the… i. unto Confession
Were you able to match them all? Great job! This morning we will discuss yet another important work of the Holy Spirit. Today’s sermon is titled, “The Keeping of the Holy Spirit”.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SEAL
In Biblical times, and even today, kings would use a signet ring or something similar to make their personal imprint in a seal, which was usually made of wax. The king’s seal could be placed on virtually anything and carried a variety of meanings. Kings regularly used seals to authenticate the source and authority of a written message or decree. Those who received signed and sealed orders from the king were obligated to comply. For example, the Persians fully intended to exterminate the Jews after receiving a signed and sealed order from the king (Esther 3:12, 8:8).
Other times seals were used to guarantee security or indicate possession. Much to his chagrin, King Darius placed his seal on the stone that covered Daniel’s lion’s den. It was secured by the king and was not to be opened without his consent (Daniel 6:17). The Jewish priests urged Pilate to guard and secure Jesus’ tomb, hoping to prevent it from being disturbed. A Roman seal was placed on the stone to scare off anyone who might dare move it (Matthew 27:66).
Royal seals were not to be opened by those who didn’t have the proper authority or permission. In John’s apocalyptic vision, no one could be found in Heaven, on earth, or in Hades below who was worthy to open the seals of God’s scroll except for the Lamb (Revelation 5:3, 6-9). Not even Satan himself, in all his might, had the standing or ability to break the LORD’s seal.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is God’s seal upon them (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22a). It indicates that they belong to Him. As His possessions, Christians are under God’s protection and are sealed and secured until the day of their final redemption and glorification (Ephesians 4:30). The Devil and all his demonic forces are powerless to break or remove God’s seal or to steal away those who have been marked with it.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DOWN PAYMENT
In Biblical times, and even today, buyers who made large purchases would be required to put down a pledge or down payment to ensure the seller that the remaining portion of the sale price would be paid. This initial payment was sometimes referred to as earnest and it indicated that the buyer was serious about completing the purchase. If they failed to do so, they would lose their down payment as well as the property being purchased.
In like fashion, the Bible states that the Holy Spirit’s presence within the believer is God’s down payment or pledge to someday provide them with the rest of their inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22b; 5:5). God’s pledge will remain in force until He completes the redemption of His own possession to His praise and glory (Ephesians 1:14). The Holy Spirit is God’s earnest who guarantees that He will make good of the promises and blessings that He’s made to His people.
The Greek word used in Scripture to describe the Holy Spirit as a pledge or earnest is “arrhabon”. By simply adding an “a” to the end of it, the word changes to “arrhabona” which means engagement ring. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence of a Christian indicates that they are betrothed to Christ and awaiting the coming marriage of the Lamb and His Bride (Revelation 19:7).
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES ASSURANCE
Have you ever doubted God? Have you ever wondered if you were truly saved? Truth be told, probably all of us have from time to time. The Devil loves to stir seeds of doubt into the hearts and minds of Christians. If he can make them doubt or question the LORD and/or His motives, he can more easily tempt them into sin and/or hinder them from living in victory. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit helps believers to live with the assurance of their salvation and with the certainty of God’s promises to them.
The Holy Spirit testifies to the Christian’s human spirit assuring him or her that they are a child of God (Romans 8:16). We talked about adoption earlier in this series - God is our Father. That said, even children can sometimes feel unloved and forgotten by their parents. The Holy Spirit constantly reminds believers that God loves them and will never forsake them.
John wrote that, although no Christian has ever personally seen God, they can “know” that they are His because of the Holy Spirit’s presence within them (1 John 4:12-13). Notice that he didn’t say that it's most likely or probable… He stated that believers can know for certain that they are saved. This steadfast assurance derives from the Holy Spirit.
CONCLUSION
Baptists ascribe to a belief known by theologians as “The Eternal Security of the Believer”. This doctrine is commonly described among normal folks like myself as “Once saved, always saved”. We hold to the Biblical teaching that once a person comes to Christ, they can never fall from grace or lose their salvation. If someone professes to be a believer, but later turns from the faith and doesn’t return, then they were never truly saved to begin with. There are many verses and passages in the Bible that support this doctrine.
Eternal security is also evident in the keeping work of the Holy Spirit. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (our denominational statement of faith) states… “He [the Holy Spirit] seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ.” Could there be any greater assurance than this?
If you have never repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, then you're not sealed. The Holy Spirit doesn’t abide in you, no down payment has been made to you, and you have no assurance of eternal life. But that could all change in an instant. Would you, in broken sincerity, give your life to Jesus today?
The Holy Spirit executes or applies that which the Father wills and the Son has secured. Before we begin this morning’s message, let’s briefly go over the works of the Holy Spirit that we’ve covered thus far. Just for fun, I’ve made this list into a matching game. See how many you can pair up correctly. The Holy Spirit…
_____ 1. Convicts the Lost… a. to All Believers
_____ 2. Convicts Believers… b. Meaning of Scripture
_____ 3. Restrains the Rise… c. into the Family of God
_____ 4. Effects All Aspects… d. of the Antichrist
_____ 5. Baptizes New Believers… e. Writing of Scripture
_____ 6. Adopts New Believers… f. of a Believer’s Salvation
_____ 7. Gives Spiritual Gifts… g. unto Salvation
_____ 8. Inspired the… h. into the Body of Christ
_____ 9. Illuminates the… i. unto Confession
Were you able to match them all? Great job! This morning we will discuss yet another important work of the Holy Spirit. Today’s sermon is titled, “The Keeping of the Holy Spirit”.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SEAL
In Biblical times, and even today, kings would use a signet ring or something similar to make their personal imprint in a seal, which was usually made of wax. The king’s seal could be placed on virtually anything and carried a variety of meanings. Kings regularly used seals to authenticate the source and authority of a written message or decree. Those who received signed and sealed orders from the king were obligated to comply. For example, the Persians fully intended to exterminate the Jews after receiving a signed and sealed order from the king (Esther 3:12, 8:8).
Other times seals were used to guarantee security or indicate possession. Much to his chagrin, King Darius placed his seal on the stone that covered Daniel’s lion’s den. It was secured by the king and was not to be opened without his consent (Daniel 6:17). The Jewish priests urged Pilate to guard and secure Jesus’ tomb, hoping to prevent it from being disturbed. A Roman seal was placed on the stone to scare off anyone who might dare move it (Matthew 27:66).
Royal seals were not to be opened by those who didn’t have the proper authority or permission. In John’s apocalyptic vision, no one could be found in Heaven, on earth, or in Hades below who was worthy to open the seals of God’s scroll except for the Lamb (Revelation 5:3, 6-9). Not even Satan himself, in all his might, had the standing or ability to break the LORD’s seal.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is God’s seal upon them (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22a). It indicates that they belong to Him. As His possessions, Christians are under God’s protection and are sealed and secured until the day of their final redemption and glorification (Ephesians 4:30). The Devil and all his demonic forces are powerless to break or remove God’s seal or to steal away those who have been marked with it.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DOWN PAYMENT
In Biblical times, and even today, buyers who made large purchases would be required to put down a pledge or down payment to ensure the seller that the remaining portion of the sale price would be paid. This initial payment was sometimes referred to as earnest and it indicated that the buyer was serious about completing the purchase. If they failed to do so, they would lose their down payment as well as the property being purchased.
In like fashion, the Bible states that the Holy Spirit’s presence within the believer is God’s down payment or pledge to someday provide them with the rest of their inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22b; 5:5). God’s pledge will remain in force until He completes the redemption of His own possession to His praise and glory (Ephesians 1:14). The Holy Spirit is God’s earnest who guarantees that He will make good of the promises and blessings that He’s made to His people.
The Greek word used in Scripture to describe the Holy Spirit as a pledge or earnest is “arrhabon”. By simply adding an “a” to the end of it, the word changes to “arrhabona” which means engagement ring. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence of a Christian indicates that they are betrothed to Christ and awaiting the coming marriage of the Lamb and His Bride (Revelation 19:7).
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES ASSURANCE
Have you ever doubted God? Have you ever wondered if you were truly saved? Truth be told, probably all of us have from time to time. The Devil loves to stir seeds of doubt into the hearts and minds of Christians. If he can make them doubt or question the LORD and/or His motives, he can more easily tempt them into sin and/or hinder them from living in victory. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit helps believers to live with the assurance of their salvation and with the certainty of God’s promises to them.
The Holy Spirit testifies to the Christian’s human spirit assuring him or her that they are a child of God (Romans 8:16). We talked about adoption earlier in this series - God is our Father. That said, even children can sometimes feel unloved and forgotten by their parents. The Holy Spirit constantly reminds believers that God loves them and will never forsake them.
John wrote that, although no Christian has ever personally seen God, they can “know” that they are His because of the Holy Spirit’s presence within them (1 John 4:12-13). Notice that he didn’t say that it's most likely or probable… He stated that believers can know for certain that they are saved. This steadfast assurance derives from the Holy Spirit.
CONCLUSION
Baptists ascribe to a belief known by theologians as “The Eternal Security of the Believer”. This doctrine is commonly described among normal folks like myself as “Once saved, always saved”. We hold to the Biblical teaching that once a person comes to Christ, they can never fall from grace or lose their salvation. If someone professes to be a believer, but later turns from the faith and doesn’t return, then they were never truly saved to begin with. There are many verses and passages in the Bible that support this doctrine.
Eternal security is also evident in the keeping work of the Holy Spirit. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (our denominational statement of faith) states… “He [the Holy Spirit] seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ.” Could there be any greater assurance than this?
If you have never repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, then you're not sealed. The Holy Spirit doesn’t abide in you, no down payment has been made to you, and you have no assurance of eternal life. But that could all change in an instant. Would you, in broken sincerity, give your life to Jesus today?