The Holy Spirit-Part 1
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: Meet The Holy Spirit
Main Scripture: John 14:15-16; John 16:5-7; Matthew 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 12:5-7
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Who is the Holy Spirit? Who is He in relation to God? Who was He and where was He in scripture? Why does he matter to us, today? Pastor Ryan answered these questions and laid out a foundation for the rest of the series. We learned that the Holy Spirit is God in Spirit and He belongs in the Godhead or Trinity. God is One, in three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We learned that the Holy Spirit should be viewed as a relational personal Spirit, not an “it” or “force.” Pastor Ryan shared how much the Holy Spirit was involved in Biblical History throughout the Old and New Testament books. The Holy Spirit is involved in every aspect of our lives as children of God and there’s still much to learn of his involvement as the series continues. Jesus introduced the disciples to the Holy Spirit by calling him the Advocate (The Holy Spirit) who will come alongside us to be our helper, comforter, counselor, and standby. It was encouraging to hear that when the Holy Spirit is with us and in us, it means the fullness of God is there too. We can be confident that we are not alone. With the Holy Spirit, we have a spiritual, holy, and fruitful life. But if we don’t have the Holy Spirit the opposite is true. We know who the Holy Spirit is now, but does He know you in a personal way? Does He live in you? Trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior would change all of that, today. Be sure to recognize your need to trust in Jesus and for Him to come and change your whole life. This happens through the Holy Spirit.
Notes:
Today, I want to introduce you to the Holy Spirit. This may be a reintroduction or a refresher for many of us who are believers and raised in the church. Perhaps, some misconceptions will be fixed about the Holy Spirit today and throughout the series. But, as I always say to seasoned Christians, we always have more growing to do and we always keep learning so we are accurately teaching followers of Christ that we disciple in our lives. We learn for ourselves, but we learn for others because God has called us to make disciples of Jesus.
I think the Christian pastor and author, Francis Chan gave a compelling and sobering title for his book on the Holy Spirit. He called his book, “The Forgotten God. Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.” We tend to neglect and underutilize what we don’t understand. If we don’t understand the Holy Spirit's place in our lives we risk neglecting, under-appreciating, and missing out on the life-giving blessings that come with Him.
Here’s a recent statistic to confirm Pastor Chan's concern: "Some 62% of self-identified born-again Christians contend that the Holy Spirit is not a real, living being but is merely a symbol of God’s power, presence or purity." https://www.christianpost.com/news/most-us-christians-dont-believe-holy-spirit-is-real-study.html
This is why we are doing this series
The Godhead/The Trinity
Jesus’ baptism: Matthew 3:13-17; Peter testifies of this baptism here: Acts 10:36-38.
The Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is one in purpose, and yet He has three expressions (Persons) who perform unique functions. Though there are three Persons, there is only one God. The Holy Spirit is unique but in a perfect and divine relationship with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ. We call this the Godhead.
The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2) or the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9 says “God” and “Christ”).
“Neither Person in the Godhead exists or works separately or independently of the others.” God’s triune nature works in unity and cooperation with one another. -AG 16 Fundamental Truths
Why does this matter? Because if you experience the Holy Spirit in some form such as guidance, a conviction or encouragement from Him, you are experiencing the presence of God and Jesus, as well. The fullness of God is at work in you: the trinity. One is not better, they are the same, so proper attention and respect for one is to ultimately honor and respect God.
Many metaphors and analogies have been used to try to describe the complexity of three divine persons but one God. All metaphors don’t do justice nor will any suffice because God is above all and beyond full understanding. But here’s an example:
How Do the Three Work? 1 Corinthians 12:5-7 offers some insight into how the Three work together as One: 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Corinthians 12:5-7
As we read this passage, we discover that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all serve different roles. The Father operates or initiates (verse 6), the Son administrates (verse 5), and the Holy Spirit manifests (verse 7); yet all of them work together for the same purpose.
If you and I were going to build a house, what would we need to do? Well, we would need to hire an architect, a foreman, and workers (subcontractors) to actually build the house. In this illustration, God the Father is the architect, Jesus is the foreman, and the Holy Spirit is represented by the workers who build the house. All three roles are essential to the construction of any house. Bevere, Addison D. The Holy Spirit: An Introduction (pp. 20-21). Messenger International.
The Personhood of the Holy Spirit
The Scriptures teach clearly that the Holy Spirit is a personal being. Yet some Christians misunderstand this, referring to the Spirit as “It,” rather than “He.” -Palma, Anthony D.. The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective
The Holy Spirit has an identity, attributes, purpose, and even emotions. This makes the Holy Spirit a personal, divine presence we can relate to, not a force we use. He has a mind (see Romans 8:27). • He has a will (see 1 Corinthians 12:11). • He has emotions, such as love and joy (see Romans 15:30; Galatians 5:22). • He comforts (see Acts 9:31). • He speaks (see Hebrews 3:7); (see 1 Timothy 4:1). • He teaches (see 1 Corinthians 2:13). • He can be made to feel sorrow (see Ephesians 4:30). • He can be insulted (see Hebrews 10:29). • He can be resisted (see Acts 7:51). • He can be lied to (see Acts 5:1-11).
His presence and work throughout Biblical History
He appears in almost ⅔ of the Old Testament books. The Holy Spirit is an agent at work on earth. The focus in the Old Testament is on what He does, not who He is. Who He is, becomes more evident in the New Testament.
The Holy Spirit was at creation (Genesis 1:2). The Holy Spirit came upon God’s people throughout the Old Testament for specific tasks like building structures, prophecy, leadership, supernatural strength, etc. He was involved at the birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18); the baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:16-17); the Temptation of Christ (Luke 4:1), the works of Christ (Matthew 12:22-30), the death of Christ (Hebrews 9:14), the Resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 3:18), the birth of the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Gal. 3:27), the empowerment of the church at Pentecost (Acts 2) and He continues to live in us, today.
His role in our lives, today.
There are many but let me give you Jesus’ introduction of the Holy Spirit to his disciples.
John 14:15-17
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
John 16:5-7 AMP
5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
Jesus called Him the Paraclete(Greek) and is translated variously as “Comforter,” “Helper,” “Counselor,” “Advocate.” Its root meaning is “one called to the side of.” -Palma, Anthony D.. -The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective
It looks like Jesus thought it was best that He go and send the Holy Spirit on our behalf... Why? With the Holy Spirit comes the continual presence and power of God and Jesus Christ wherever we go.
The Holy Spirit is God keeping His promise to never leave us.
God loves you so much He stays with you through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God with us and in us, to be our comforter, counselor, and strength.
Closing
We’re told that God can change anyone. We’re told that once we encounter the saving power of Jesus, we’re never the same again. We’re told God will never leave us and is with us. We’re told God comforts and helps us. We’re told God will lead and guide us through this life. We’re told we can do greater things than we realize. We’re told we can be powerful witnesses for Christ in this world. We’re told we can heal, have supernatural insight, wisdom, discernment, faith, and many other gifts. We’re told we can be full of love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control. We’re told greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. We’re told who the Son sets free is free indeed. We’re told God finishes what He started. How is this all possible? Through the Holy Spirit in us!
The Holy Spirit enables us to have a spiritual, holy, and fruitful life with God.
God, help us to be more aware of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Takeaways:
If we don’t understand the Holy Spirit's place in our lives we risk neglecting, appreciating and missing out on the life-giving blessings that come with Him.
The Holy Spirit is a personal, divine presence we can relate to, not a force we use.
With the Holy Spirit comes the continual presence and power of God and Jesus Christ wherever we go.
The Holy Spirit is God keeping His promise to never leave us.
God loves you so much He stays with you through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God with us and in us, to be our comforter, counselor, and strength.
The Holy Spirit enables us to have a spiritual, holy, and fruitful life with God.
Discussion:
What scripture verse did you find helpful today and why?
What was one big takeaway for you from today’s message?
How can knowing the identity of the Holy Spirit help your faith and daily life?
Have you ever noticed the Holy Spirit working in your life, what was it like?
What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit? (please share and have the leader send to Pastor Ryan)
How will you be more sensitive and aware of the Holy Spirit this week?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!