The Holy Spirit

Introduction

The Series of Following The Call

Last week we talked about leaving everything behind

This week we are talking about The Holy Spirit

Some of you might have heard a lot about the Holy Spirit and others of you might have not.

Some of you might have questions or don’t really understand what the Holy Spirit is and others might not

One thing that you may or may not know is that once you are saved you receive the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

But this leaves us with the question of why do we want to seek the Holy Spirit when we are already saved?

Body

Why Should We Want To Seek The Holy Spirit?

No One Knows Jesus But Through The Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV

3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

We see here that no one can come to Christ except but by the Spirit. Every good thing that happens in us comes through the Spirit.

This is why I always pray for the Holy Spirit to be here in out services.

We can sing all we want and I can come up here and ramble on for hours and you guys listen to every word of it but it would all be useless without the Holy Spirit.

This is why we have to seek the Spirit because the Spirit is what allows us to have a true impact

Romans 8:13 NIV

13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

The Spirit Sanctifies Us

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We see here that the Holy Spirit takes part in the sanctification process of our lives.

We have to seek the Spirit in order to continue to be sanctified in Christ.

The Spirit tells us what to do and prompts us not to sin.

The Spirit Guides Us

Acts 21:4 NIV

4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

We see here that the spirit guided Paul not to go back to Jerusalem. This would have show him where he needs to go.

In the same way the spirit can guide us

Have you ever had a time when you just felt that something was off this could have been the spirit?

The Spirit Teaches and Reminds

John 14:26 NIV

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The Spirit helps us interpret scripture without the spirit we would not be able to know scripture

It also teaches us about who God is as we experience life

Example - I have heard about many people that say they know god better when they become a parent

The spirit also reminds us when we need to be. He brings the right verse to mind when witnessing or in a time of trouble

The Spirit Prays For Us

Romans 8:26–27 NIV

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

We see here that the Holy Spirit prays for us and helps us pray

the holy spirit helps us align our desires with God’s will so we can pray in accordance with it

How Do We Seek The Spirit?

Meditate On Scripture

Meditating is different then simply reading the Bible.

Meditating means to think deeply about something. This isn’t just reading and moving on

This is being very intentional to in the way that you think about scripture.

Worship

When we worship God it aligns us with God and brings us closer to him.

This intern brings us closer to the Holy Spirit

Just Ask

Luke 11:13 NIV

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Lord allows us to just ask for the Spirit. He won’t get offended.

So earnestly ask for the holy spirit to come.

Conclusion

Why do you think it is important that we continue to seek the Holy Spirit?

What is an example of a time when you have seen the Holy Spirit do something in your life? (Doesn’t just have to be spiritual gifts but maybe a time the holy spirit guided them.)

Do you think it can be hard to seek the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

What is a way that you are going to seek the Holy Spirit this week?