RoparnaThe Work of the Holy Spirit
Purpose: The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict the sinner, assure the converted, and guide and sanctify the Christian.
Focus: The Holy Spirit is Christ’s personal Representative on earth.
Introduction
Today we will look at what the work of the Holy Spirit is.
John 16:7-11
What does Jesus call the Holy Spirit? A: He = Person. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead (v.13). What three things does the Spirit convict us of according to this passage? Who does the Spirit convict? Have you ever heard the Spirit of God speaking to your conscience? It is important to listen to the Spirit’s voice (Matt 12:31-32, John 12:35, Heb 3:7-8). IE: Native Americans, triangle in heart.
This is what the Holy Spirit does on everyone in the world, but let’s see what He does for believers…
Eph 1:13-14
When do we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts? (2 Cor 1:21-22, Rom 8:14-16) If we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts what is He a guarantee of? Can we have assurance of salvation as Christians? (1 John 5:13) IE: Guarantee money, buying house.
The filling of the Holy Spirit is not just something that happens once; it is a daily filling…
Isa 44:3-4
What is the Spirit compared to? A: Water (Joh 7:37-39). What are we compared to? A: Plants. IE: Plants need water to germinate but also to grow. IE: Why does a farmer plant seeds and cultivate crops? A: To receive fruit.
What is the fruit that God’s Spirit is working to produce in us?
Gal 5:19-24
The fruit is a Christ-like character. This is why God gives us the Holy Spirit. Jesus loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to let us remain as we are. IE: Adoption.
What is the process called whereby we receive more and more of the fruit of the Spirit?
1 Pet 1:2, 14-16
Answer: Sanctification = process of becoming more like Jesus. What is the goal of sanctification? Answer: To perfectly reflect Jesus (Matt 5:48). Until we have reached this state, there is a work to do in us. Otherwise we start comparing ourselves with one another instead of Jesus.
Is there anything that we have to do in this process of sanctification?
Phil 2:12-15
Sanctification is a teamwork. What do we do? What will God do? He will successively change our hearts so that we will (want) to do God’s will (Heb 10:15-17, Ps 40:8), and He gives us power to do it (1:6, Col 1:28-29). But He doesn’t decide for us; this is our job. IE: Lame man.
How long does it take to reach perfection?
Phil 3:12-14
Paul had been an active Christian for many years, planted churches, preached, healed, raised dead etc. But did he consider himself perfect? Did that discourage him from pressing on? Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Did Paul dwell on his former faults? IE: Staircase, one step at a time. IE: Flashlight
But there is something that can hinder our sanctification process…
Rom 8:4-8
Is a person who is led by the Spirit a violator of God’s Law? (Ezek 36:26-27, Acts 5:32). IE: Bottle illustration – not so much water can fit if there are rocks in the bottle. We need to be willing to remove the rocks (sins) if we want to give the Holy Spirit more room in our lives.
APPEAL
Is it your desire to receive more of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are you willing to let Him remove the stones in your life?
If so, let us claim this last promise…
Luke 11:13
How can we receive more of the Spirit? Shall we claim this precious promise right now? Would you like to invite the Holy Spirit into your heart right now?
