Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
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Do You Have the Seal that You Are Sealed?
2 Timothy 2:19

Introduction
The text for this sermon jumped off the page during the Tuesday morning regular Hungry Men prayer time. I though of the scriptures that say saved people are "sealed ". The sermon title

Do You Have the Seal that Your Sealed came from further reflection.

The text says ". . . the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His, . . . " Do you know the Lord knows you as one of His children? If so there are several benefits of having that seal.
 
 

A.    You Know Salvation because of Your . . Authority. v 19 a
        "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, . . . "
            1.    God's Word is the Firm Foundation.

B.    You Know Salvation because of Your . . Ancestry. v 19 b
        ". . . having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His, . . . "
            1.    I know who My Father Is.

C.    You Know Salvation because of Your . . Actions. v 19 c
        "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."
            1.    He Enables the Christian to Abstain.

Illustration
Our son Jonathan asked Jesus to come into his heart when he was four. A few months later as I was getting him ready for bed, he asked in all seriousness, "Mom, what did I used to do when I was wicked?" -- Janell Adams, Sumas, Washington. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."

Application

Do You Have the Seal that You Are Sealed?

Revelation 9:4 And they were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. NAS
 
 

NT:1860 epaggelia (ep-ang-el-ee'-ah); from NT:1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good): KJV-message, promise.

B.    You Know Security because of His . . Pledge. Eph. 1:14
        "who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

NT:728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn'); of Hebrew origin [OT:6162]; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest: KJV-earnest.

C.    You Know Security because of His . . Purpose. Eph. 4:30
        " And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Illustration JUSTICE
While browsing around in the attic, Junior came across an old report card which had been his father's. He brought it downstairs and compared it with the one he had just received at school and which he intended to show when his dad was in a good mood. When Dad was seated in his easy chair, Junior approached.

"Hey Dad, just look at this old report card of yours and then look at the one I just got. Why, your grades aren't any better than mine." "You're right, son," he said. "I guess the only fair thing to do now is give you what my Dad gave me."

Application

Do You Have the Seal that You Are Sealed?
 
 

A.    Stability that is . . Received. v 32 -33 a
        32"What He has seen and heard, of that He bears witness; and no man receives His witness. 33"He who has received His witness.. ."

B.    Stability that is . . Ratified. v 33 b
            ". . . has set his seal to this, that God is true."

C.    Stability that is . . Revealed. v 34 - 35
        34"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. 35"The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
        1.    Revealed in God Sending His Son. v 34 a
        2.    Revealed in God Giving the Spirit. v 34 b
        3.    Revealed in Words of Jesus. v 34 a & 35

D.    Stability that is . . Rewarded. v 36
        36"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Illustration Topic: Steadfastness Title: Love Never Gives Up
A New England girl had just become engaged when the Civil War broke out. Her fiancee was called into the army, so their wedding had to be postponed. The young soldier managed to get through most of the conflict without injury, but at the Battle of the Wilderness he was severely wounded. His bride-to-be, not knowing of his condition, read and reread his letters, counting the days until he would return. Suddenly the letters stopped coming.

Finally she received one, but it was written in an unfamiliar handwriting. It read, "There has been another terrible battle. It is very difficult for me to tell you this, but I have lost both my arms. I cannot write myself. So a friend is writing this letter for me. While you are as dear to me as ever, I feel I should release you from the obligation of our engagement."

The letter was never answered. Instead, the young woman took the next train and went directly to the place her loved one was being cared for. On arrival she found a sympathetic captain who gave her directions to her soldier's cot. Tearfully, she searched for him. The moment she saw the young man, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I will never give you up!" she cried. "These hands of mine will help you. I will take care of you." --James S. Hewett, p. 325.

Application

Do You Have the Seal that You Are Sealed?

A.    You Know Substantiation In Light Of . .Contention. v 2 a
        ". . . If to others I am not an apostle, . . . "

B.    You Know Substantiation In Light Of . . Confirmation. v 2 b
        "at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Illustration
At this point I used a visual of Paper cut Illustrating those who take the acknowledge Jesus and those who try good works.
 

Application

Do You Have the Seal that Your Sealed?

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."

If You Have This Seal You Know . . Salvation

If You Have This Seal You Know . . Security.

If You Have This Seal You Know . . Stability.

If You Have This Seal You Know . . Substantiation.