Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.
25th November, 2018
Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.
A sermon preached on 25th November, 2018, as part of our Basic Christianity. series.
John 14:15-18 & 16:7-15
Listen online Read a transcript
Reading is John 14:15-18 & 16:7-15; many references, especially the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-25.
Phil Marsden
Phil received his call to full-time ministry as a child and since the age of 19 has served with Youth For Christ, the Baptist Missionary Society and several large churches before taking up his present role as Ministry Team Leader at Central Baptist Church. Phil’s a visionary leader with a heart to share the good news of Jesus and to see the church grow.
Basic Christianity.
-
Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".
Phil Marsden
9th September 2018 -
Basic Christianity 2 -- The Truth About Jesus.
Phil Marsden
16th September 2018 -
Basic Christianity 3 -- What Is A Real Christian?
Phil Marsden
30th September 2018 -
Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?
Phil Marsden
7th October 2018 -
Basic Christianity 5 -- Learning How To Pray.
Phil Marsden
21st October 2018 -
Basic Christianity 6 -- Understanding the Bible.
All-age Team
28th October 2018 -
Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?
Phil Marsden
4th November 2018 -
Basic Christianity 7 -- Living the Christian Life.
Phil Marsden
18th November 2018 -
Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.
Phil Marsden
25th November 2018 -
Basic Christianity 9 -- Sharing Faith With Others.
Phil Marsden
2nd December 2018 -
Basic Christianity 10 -- Being Part of the Church.
Phil Marsden
9th December 2018
The Holy Spirit and Me
God as Trinity is mysterious…Holy Spirit possibly most mysterious / misunderstood (identity/role)
Person of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a person (Jn 14: 16-17)
- not simply a force…referred to as ‘him’ & ‘he’, with mind, will, emotions etc.
- personal characteristics (knows, thinks, loves, can be grieved) (Eph 4:30)
- acts like a person (speaks, hears, teaches, prays) (1 Cor 12:11 & Rom 8:27)
The third person of the Trinity (2 Cor 13:14)
- Father, Son and Spirit often mentioned in scripture together…esp. N.T.
- all 3 create, are one with each other, and have fellowship with believers
- Jesus ‘Baptise people in name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’ (Mt 28:19)
Promise of the Holy Spirit
To everyone who believed in Jesus (Jn 7:38-39)
- previously the Spirit had come upon people for specific tasks at specific times
- but then it often left again. Now it was to come upon all believers for all time.
To help us all when Jesus had gone (Jn 16:7)
“Promise is for you, your children & all who are far off, all God will call” (Ac 2:39)
Purpose of the Holy Spirit
Read: Jn 16:7-15
- Counsel us like Jesus did (Jn 16:7)
- Convict us of guilt and sin (Jn 16:8)
- Convey truth and guide us (Jn 16:13)
- Continue making Jesus known (Jn 16:14)
…afraid after Jesus left…Spirit helped disciples internalise gospel & understand it
…one of primary purposes is to bring glory to God in Christ…to further his cause
- Empower us to be Jesus witnesses (Ac 1:8)
- Prevent us being controlled by sin (Ro 8:9)
- Fruits of Spirit to develop character (Gal 5:22)
- Gifts of Spirit to help us serve God (1 Cor 12:7)
These gifts include: message of wisdom, knowledge…gift of faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, speaking different tongues, interpreting tongues Nb.: tongues mainly to God…should be interpreted in church…or use prophecy. We have control over gifts…not possessed by the gift, we possess the gift to use self-control is fruit of Spirit & Paul says use in fitting/orderly way (1cor 14:40) elsewhere inc: apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, leadership, helpers, administration, hospitality, generosity, encouragement. Spirit decides who to give what gift to, various in church, ask if gift needed.
Possession of the Holy Spirit
Believe, repent and be baptised (Ac 2:38)
Obey Jesus, make him your Lord (Ac 5:32)
“How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask” (Lk 11:13)
- At point of conversion (Ac 9:17)
- At point of water baptism (Ac 19:6)
- At point of laying on of hands (Ac 8:17)
- At another time God chooses (Ac 10:44)
Presence of the Holy Spirit
- Every true believer has the Spirit (Jn 3:5; Rom 8:9; Ac 2:39)
- Endeavour to be ‘full’ of the Spirit (2 Tim1:6) (and ‘be being filled’ - Eph 5:18)
- Encourage the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:25)
- Enjoy using the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 14:1)
Gifts given to all church, not just leaders…to edify church. Think about what gifts you might have to help the church, then offer to use them