Sealing: Problems And Difficulties – Ephesians 1:13
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” (ESV)
Effective witnessing makes God’s people radiant with joy and there is no experience like it on this side of heaven. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:13 titled “Sealing: Problems and Difficulties,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a passionate plea for Christians to seek the sealing of the Spirit. The Christian life is not mechanical and emotionless because the love of God, and the love for God in return is not mechanical or emotionless. The fear of emotions should not discourage Christians to seek this experience of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones works through objections to this doctrine and answers them by bringing other passages of the Bible to bear on the topic, while also looking at subsequent church history for other Christian men and women who have experienced this work of the Holy Spirit. Finally, Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions his listeners on the best way to seek the sealing of the Spirit. One must be hesitant to seek the experience for its own sake but instead should seek the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian cannot be fooled into thinking the Spirit is not sovereign in this matter but instead must recognize the Lordship of the Spirit. With these cautions, Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls the people of God to seek this remarkable assurance that God graciously gives His people. MLJ Trust