The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Solve Your Problems

Introduction

The Holy Spirit is your Guide, your Instructor, and your sensitive Counselor who reveals the wisdom of God to you (based on John 14:16, 26; 16:7-13; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

The Holy Spirit

He is fully divine and is identified as being equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son (based on Matthew 28:19; John 14:16-18; Acts 5:3-4, 16:6-7; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

Divine Characteristics (a partial list to illustrate the deity of the Holy Spirit)

The Holy Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14) as is God the Father (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1-2) and Jesus Christ the Son (Hebrews 1:8-12, 7:24-25).

The Holy Spirit is truth (John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:13) as is God the Father (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16) and Jesus Christ the Son (John 14:6).

The Holy Spirit is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10) as is God the Father (Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:23-24) and Jesus Christ the Son (Matthew 18:20, 28:20; Romans 8:24; Hebrews 13:5).

Divine Works (a partial list to illustrate the cooperation of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit)

The creation of the world was accomplished through God the Father (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 44:24; 45:12, 18; 51:13; Ephesians 3:9), Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2, 10) and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2).

The Holy Spirit and God the Father were present and active in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:35), the baptism of Jesus Christ at the hands of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 3:21-22), the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:1, 14; 9:28-36; Acts 10:38), and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 5:30; Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit, God the Father, and Jesus Christ were all involved in the eternal plan of redemption (Hebrews 9:11-15; 1 Peter 1:1-2).

Eternal life is granted to a believer through the work of God the Father (Ephesians 2:4-7; 1 John 5:11), Jesus Christ (John 6:40; 1 John 4:9, 5:11-12), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11).

The wisdom of God the Father is revealed through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) and Jesus Christ the Son (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30).

Believers are justified through the work of God the Father (Romans 8:33), Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16), and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11).

A believer is sealed in Jesus Christ by God the Father through the pledge (guarantee, promise) of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is sent to believers by God the Father (John 14:26) and Jesus Christ (John 15:26, 16:7).

A believer is supernaturally indwelt by God the Father (2 Corinthians 6:16), Jesus Christ (John 14:18-20; Romans 8:10; Colossians 1:27), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 2 Timothy 1:14).

Comfort is provided for the children of God by God the Father (Isaiah 51:12; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).

Love is imparted to a believer through God the Father (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:7-8, 19), Jesus Christ (John 14:21, 15:9; Ephesians 5:25; 2 Timothy 1:13), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:30; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 1:8).

Joy for a believer is found in God the Father (Psalm 16:11, 43:4), Jesus Christ (John 15:11, 16:24, 17:13), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

The Holy Spirit provides an overcoming and abundant life for you in Christ

In the world, the Holy Spirit:

Is present everywhere and at all times (Psalm 139:7-10);

Is the author of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21) and is the empowerment for effective preaching (Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 1 Peter 1:12); and

Convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11).

In the life of a believer, the Holy Spirit:

Is the regenerating power for his spiritual new birth (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5);

Baptizes him into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13);

Gives him life (John 6:63; Romans 8:11);

Seals him in Jesus Christ (gives evidence of belonging) (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:30);

Is given as a pledge (deposit, downpayment) of our inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:14), which will reach completion when we see the Lord face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2);

Indwells him (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Galatians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:14) and is proof that he belongs to Christ (Romans 8:9);

Bears witness to the truth of God as revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:6-8) and bears witness to a believer that he is a child of God (Romans 8:16);

Testifies of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:26; Acts 5:30-32) and glorifies Him (John 16:14);

Sanctifies a believer (sets him apart for God’s use and conforms him to the image of Jesus Christ) (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2);

Washes (cleanses him from sin) and justifies him (declares him righteous) (1 Corinthians 6:11);

Anoints him to discern between truth and error (1 John 2:18-27);

Provide guidance by:

Revealing the mind of God to him (1 Corinthians 2:9-16),

Teaching him (Luke 12:11-12; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; 1 John 2:27) and bringing the words of Christ to remembrance (John 14:26),

Leading him to all truth (John 16:13-14),

Giving him direction for ministry decisions (for example Acts 13:2-4, 16:6-7), and

Helping him in times of prayer (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20);

Encourage him by:

Giving hope (Romans 5:3-5, 15:13),

Interceding for him (Romans 8:26),

Providing help (coming alongside) (John 14:16, 15:26; Romans 8:26), and

Giving comfort (Acts 9:31);

Empowers him to:

Know Jesus Christ and God the Father in their fulness (Ephesians 3:14-19),

Proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3) and to be a witness for Him throughout the world (John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8),

Speak effectively in time of trial and persecution (Mark 13:11), and

Not carry out the desire of the flesh (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16);

Fills him (controls him) for:

A new and higher dimension of living (Ephesians 5:18-21) and

Effective ministry (for example, Acts 6:3, 13:9-12);

Gives spiritual gift(s) to equip him for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7-11);

Develops Christlike character (spiritual fruitfulness) in him (Galatians 5:22-23) through His transforming power (2 Corinthians 3:18);

Helps a believer in worship (Philippians 3:3), and

Must not be grieved (Ephesians 4:30) nor quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19).