WHO THE HOLY SPIRIT USES

Shawn Blackwell

Follow Jesus • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

John 14:15–17

John 14:8–21

Filling of the Holy Spirit

Disciples of Jesus Are Filled With the Holy Spirit

On the Holy Spirit

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This sermon, Follow Jesus: Part 3 - Intro to The Holy Spirit, explores the necessity and role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. Using engaging stories and biblical examples, the speaker emphasizes three key points: 1. The Need for the Holy Spirit • Like a refrigerator requiring external power, humans are created to be dependent on God. Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as an “Advocate” (John 14:15-18, 26) to guide, teach, and empower believers, ensuring they are never left alone. • The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a feeling or force. He is the Spirit of Truth, aligns with God’s Word, and is an ever-present helper unrestricted by time or space. 2. The Work of the Holy Spirit • The Spirit provides guidance (John 16:13), brings remembrance (John 14:26), and anoints believers with peace (John 14:27). Like oil in Scripture, the Spirit fuels and lights up a believer’s life. Believers must be clean and empty vessels, prepared to receive and carry the Holy Spirit. 3. Who the Holy Spirit Uses • God doesn’t require perfection but seeks vessels that are pure and available, likened to a humble pizza box valued only for what it holds. The sermon highlights how distractions and disobedience can hinder believers from being used by the Spirit. It challenges listeners to guard their hearts and lives against worldly influences to remain suitable for God’s purposes. The message concludes with an invitation to live as vessels for God, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them to reveal God’s love to others. Believers are encouraged to be clean, empty, and ready to carry God’s presence into the world.

Notes

Transcript

The Spirit's Presence: Our Comfort and Guide

Bible Passage: Jn 14:8–21, Jn 14:15–17

Summary: In John 14:8-21 and 15-17, Jesus reassures His disciples that, even after His departure, He will send the Holy Spirit to dwell among them, teach them, and remind them of His teachings, illustrating the profound relationship between Christ, the Holy Spirit, and believers.

Application: Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit can empower Christians to live victorious lives as they lean on His guidance, comfort, and conviction. This sermon can help the audience recognize the Holy Spirit's active presence in their daily struggles and decisions, fostering a deeper reliance on God.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that the Holy Spirit is not just a concept but a vital, active presence in the lives of believers, guiding, comforting, and teaching them in their walk with Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit points to Christ, affirming His work and presence in believers' lives. The sending of the Spirit demonstrates Christ's continuing ministry, as He remains with us by His Spirit after His ascension.

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is our ever-present helper and guide, ensuring that Christ’s presence remains with us and empowering us to live out our faith.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the various roles attributed to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, particularly focusing on the differences between the Comforter and Advocate. You might want to examine the implications of the Spirit's indwelling as seen in Romans 8 and the foundational aspects of the Spirit's work in Acts. Utilizing Logos, delve into commentaries on the Gospel of John to uncover theological insights and historical context related to Jesus' teaching on the Holy Spirit.

1. Plea for Perception

Jn 14:8-11

Perhaps you could begin by exploring how Jesus responded to Philip's request to see the Father. By emphasizing belief in His unity with the Father, Jesus sets the foundation for understanding the subsequent role of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will continue this unity by dwelling within believers, making Christ's presence real and active.

2. Promise of Power

Jn 14:12-14

You could highlight how Jesus promises that believers will do greater works through the power of His name. This ties into the big idea by showing how the Holy Spirit enables these works as a testament to Christ's ongoing ministry within and through us. Encourage the congregation to embrace this empowerment for their own lives.

3. Promise of Presence

Jn 14:15-17

Maybe focus on the conditions and assurances Jesus gives about the Holy Spirit’s coming. Jesus calls us to obedience and promises the Spirit as our Helper. This segment underscores the Spirit's guiding and comforting presence, helping believers turn commandments into a joyful response to God's love.

4. Promise of Relationship

Jn 14:18-21

You could explore the assurance Jesus gives that He will not leave His followers as orphans. The reality of the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Advocate ensures Christ's continued presence. By living in the Spirit, we understand and relish this relationship, drawing us closer to both the Father and the Son.

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