part 9: “I Believe In The Holy Spirit” Clearing Some Misconceptions
• The Holy Spirit Is A PERSON We Can Sin against the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10). We Can Grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We Can Lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:2). We Can Honor The Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11). We Can Obey the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:19-21). • The Holy Spirit Is By Nature MYSTERIOUS And Unpredictable The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. John 3:8 • The Holy Spirit Is By Nature SELF-EFACING When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you John 16:13-14 The Work of the Holy Spirit Defined:
To Glorify Jesus And To Manifest The Active Presence Of God In The World And Amongst God’s People The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Life Of A Believer:
The Holy Spirit Is Our HELPER. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” John 14:15
The Holy Spirit Leads Us In TRUTH “The Spirit of Truth” John 14:17 1. The Spirit TEACHES Truth “He will teach you all things.” John 14: 26
2. The Spirit REMINDS Us Of Truth “He will bring to you remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14: 26
3. The Spirit INTERPRETS Truth “He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:14
4. The Spirit Brings NEW Truth “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:12-13
5. The Holy Spirit CONVICTS & CONVINCES Us of The Truth of the Gospel “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:7 Two Conditions That Will Facilitate The Coming Of The Holy Spirit:
1. When We Are Prayerful And Expectantly WAITING “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling…” Isaiah 30:15
2. To REPENTANT Hearts “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’”. Acts 2:38-39 ____T
The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people. ~AW Tozer~
The Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Life Group Questions: (Interested In Connecting To a Life Group? Contact Pastor
[email protected]). •
In your group, briefly discuss your personal experience and understanding to date with the Holy Spirit.
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In the past has it been hard for you to think of the Holy Spirit as a person rather than a force or a presence? Do you find it difficult relating to the Holy spirit as a person who is distinct from God the Father and God the Son?
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Do you perceive any difference in the way the father, Son and Holy Spirit relate to you in your Christian life? If so can you explain what the difference is and how you are aware of it?
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Have you ever been aware of the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in your life or his specific empowerment for ministry or service?
Read John 14:15-27 •
Of the 5 specific ways mentioned in the sermon that the Holy Spirit minsters to us in truth which have been most evident in your life?
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Martin Luther said ”All of the Christian life is one of repentance”. How is your constant posture of repentance related to the ongoing filling and activity of the Holy Spirit in your life?
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Discuss the statement; “Prayerful expectant waiting creates the platform upon which the Holy Spirit descends.” How can you and your group better create environments of expectant prayerful waiting?
Sources: • The Apostles Creed _ William Barclay- Westminster John Knox Press • Affirming The Apostle’s Creed _ J.I. Packer - Crossway Books • Systematic Theology _ Wayne Grudem - Zondervan Publishing • Baptism & Fullness_ John Stott –IVP Books Send feedback or questions to Pastor
[email protected]