The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Part 2

Last week I began our new series “Chasing the Wind” by looking at how the life that is in Jesus is given to us. John 6:63 revealed that the life we need is in Jesus through the Word, but “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

To have success as a believer it is essential to build relationship with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

To be led means to willingly undergo an action or course of action due to the influence of a moral or spiritual influence. I think it is important to recognize that being led by the Spirit is a sign of sonship. When you are in Him, you are led by the Spirit.

Remember, Jesus said in John 14:16–17 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

___________________________________________________________

Submit:

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is first an inward ministry. When you confess Jesus as Lord of your life He comes to abide with you forever. Jesus said in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and dwells with you and will be in you. To the believer He comes as a helper.

The Greek word used here for helper is parakletos which is a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

He is our advocate, counselor, and comforter. As we walk in obedience to the word, He will guide and lead us into all truth.

John 14:26 also says, “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 things that I said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is the expert advocate of heaven who comes on your behalf to aid you in every area of life.

He reminds us in Romans 8:15–17 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

He will affirm to us through an inward witness that we are children of God, and heirs of the kingdom. He also helps us in our weaknesses.

Romans 8:26–28 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

So, what we see in the broader context is that the Holy Spirit comes to aid us in counsel, to teach us, to lead and guide us in to truth, but there is also an outworking of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is also given to us that we might receive power to be a witness for Christ. Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

We will look at the gifts of the Spirit in the coming weeks and their purpose, but we first need to understand the inward ministry. We will struggle to operate in power outwardly if we have not gained sensitivity first inwardly. The outward demonstration of power is tied closely to sensitivity and obedience.

Intimacy with God and sensitivity to the Spirit is the result of Persistent Prayer, Consistent Proximity, and Hosting His Presence.

____________________________________________________________

Apply:

There is something extremely important here about walking in obedience to the word.

Romans 8:5–11 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

If we live according to the flesh carnally we set our minds on the things of the flesh (sin). 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Galatians 5:19–22“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

If we are led by the Spirit, we set our minds on the things of the Spirit leading to the life that is in Jesus and peace.

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

We understand that sin and carnality are in opposition to God, and that they are not subject to the law of God, but they also rob you of sensitivity.

The inward work of the Holy Spirit is to lead you from death to life. This is the transformation process (sanctification). Where He Leads you to righteousness and Holiness. Within this process is a spiritual sensitivity that develops. You gain discernment as you recognize His voice.

However, we must understand that there are dangers ahead (seared conscience) if we are born again but choose not to walk in obedience to the word. There are obvious effects of sin and carnality.

Example:

Sleep around and you may end up with disease, unexpected pregnancy, and emotional trauma.

Uncontrolled anger could land you in a variety of issues from conflict in the home, to fits of rage that could lead to jail or charges being filed on you, etc.

Persistent lying will erode trust and character with those around you. I think you get the picture.

I think we understand the danger of these types of issues, but I believe there is something far worse than the natural effects of sin and carnality. The greater threat is the potential to develop a seared conscience. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 gives an example of some who have a seared conscience.

1 Timothy 4:1–5 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Remember, to live life in the Spirit we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit. The ability to follow His leading is directly related to our sensitivity to hear. In Matthew 11:15 Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Obedience to the truth hinges on our ability to hear the voice of the Spirit. You have heard that sin separates. But how does it separate? By dulling our ability to hear the counsel of the Spirit.

If it is the spirit who gives life, then being dull of hearing diminishes the life we receive. I want to submit to you that it is not because God doesn’t want to give it. The issue is our receptivity to receive.

___________________________________________________________

Closing:

If we persist long enough in separation from the counsel of the Spirit we may develop a seared conscience.

God has given each of us a conscience. Romans 2:15 explains, “who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)”

The law of God is written in our hearts. We know right from wrong, and our understanding of right and wrong increases as we gain knowledge of the word.

However, if we walk in disobedience we may end up with a seared conscience. A seared conscience literally means cauterized. It has been rendered insensitive. Persistent disobedience leads to a lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

We lose our moral compass and often end up back on the throne of our lives ruling and reigning. The example of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 shows that habitual disobedience leads to deception and the potential of giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.

These two are in opposition to the truth and counter to kingdom of God. Remember, that I told you in our study on James that there is an alternate wisdom that stands in contrast with the wisdom of God. James 3:13-15.

James 3:13–15 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”

If we give heed to this alternate wisdom long enough it is likely that a seared conscience is soon to follow.

I want to challenge you this morning to position yourself to hear from the Spirit, and to be led by Him. Draw near to the word, and do what it says. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, and learn to listen for His voice so that you can receive His counsel and live life in the Spirit.

Let’s Pray!

1. Father, would you reveal the Holy Spirit to us like never before. Open our eyes to see, and our ears to hear.