Wk 1 - The Personhood of The Holy Spirit

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Baby Dedication Today

August - Fellowship/Outreach - 8/24 at 11am Downtown Mahomet - Christian Band: Cochren & Co

September - Fellowship/Outreach - Save The Date: 9/21 - Cookout over Fire

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard and paper connect Card

Text keyword “ConnectCard” to 217-583-1112

Giving: box, web, app, mail

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

We are reaching out to our family, friends, and neighbors as the body of Christ.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Series INTRO: THE HOLY SPIRIT (PNEUMATOLOGY)

WHY?…

Do we treat Him as an abstract force, or do we engage with Him as a living, personal presence in our lives?

The Holy Spirit pictured powerfully as…water (Jn 7:38-39), anointing oil (Ac. 10:38), wind (Ac. 2:2), fire (Ac 2:3), dove (Lk. 3:22)

Doctrine of the Trinity

Do you worship the Holy Spirit?

Where is you devotion?

TODAY: Who is the Holy Spirit?

or “what” is the Holy Spirit

Opening Scripture:

The Holy Spirit’s Actions

The Bible presents the Holy Spirit not as an impersonal force, but as a dynamic and active Person within the Godhead.

He creates—Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps. 33:6

He re-creates, or regenerates—John 3:5; Titus 3:5

He strives with men—Gen. 6:3; Isa. 63:10

He convicts, or convinces, unregenerate men—John 16:8

He intercedes—Rom. 8:26

He performs miracles—Acts 8:39; Heb. 2:4

He raises the dead—Rom. 1:3–4; 8:11

He speaks—John 16:13; Acts 8:29; 10:19; Rev. 2:7

He teaches—Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27

He testifies—John 15:26; 1 Pet. 1:11

These are not the actions of a mere force; they are the deliberate, personal actions of God Himself.

Jesus calls The Holy Spirit the Parcalete

Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit as a Person when calling him the “Paraclete” (i.e. Helper, Comforter, Advocate)

Examples of Helper, Comforter, Advocate:

John 14:26 “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

John 15:26 “26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

Jesus was the first “paraklete” (Jn 14:16, 1 John 2:1)

Both the Father and The Son send the Holy Spirit

Story of being “sent”

The Spirit is sent by both the Father and the Son to be with us, guiding, teaching, and comforting us.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “He”

John 14:26 “26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is God

The Holy Spirit is not just a divine messenger; He is fully God

Matthew 28:19 “19 Go[ing] therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Isaiah 48:16 “16 Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.”

Hebrews 9:14 “14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Just as God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, so is the Holy Spirit. His presence fills the earth.

Psalm 139:7 “7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?”

Are you trying to hide?

Story of trying to hide

Do you know someone trying to hide/isolate?

Conclusion/Reflection:

Some hide their true devotion to coerce others…

1 Timothy 4:1 “1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,”

Paul says the Spirit prophesied some would fall away (see WBC)

They fall away because of Spirits and demons, two distinct things (see PAI)

“devoting themselves to…” shows this is no accident but a willful aligning with satan

v. 2 “consciences are seared” shows that those who satan is behind have chosen to be branded by him to mark his ownership, like being marked 666 (WBC).

As we reflect on the Holy Spirit's role in our lives, we must ask ourselves: where is our devotion? Are we truly devoted to the triune God, including the Holy Spirit? Or have we, consciously or unconsciously, neglected this vital relationship?

Is your devotion to the triune God?

Is your devotion to the Holy Spirit?

Is your devotion elsewhere?

As we continue this series, let us commit ourselves to a renewed understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit, embracing Him as our Comforter, Helper, and Advocate. May our devotion to Him reflect the fullness of our devotion to the triune God.

TALK IT OVER

How do you personally perceive the Holy Spirit? Do you see Him as a distant force, or do you engage with Him as a present and active Person in your life?

In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit as your Helper, Comforter, or Advocate? How has He guided or supported you in your walk with God?

Are there areas in your life where you may be neglecting the Holy Spirit's presence and influence? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?

Is your devotion fully aligned with the triune God, including the Holy Spirit? Are there influences or distractions in your life that may be pulling your focus away from a genuine relationship with Him?