The Holy Spirit

Forgotten God?

Jesus in my heart…

John 16:4–15 NLT

4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer. 5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. 12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

Who is the Holy Spirit? 

HOLY SPIRIT —3rd person of the Trinity—Father, Son, HOLY SPIRIT 

3 persons, 1 nature. He is God, a person, and personal. 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4 NIV

Violent wind inside. Tongues of Fire. Filled with the Holy Spirit.

Kinda weird. It would be if that were the introduction for the Holy Spirit. 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2 NIV

Step back. What is God up to?

Theme throughout the Bible—Temple—visible presence of God in his community, place where heaven and earth meet, God wants to be with his people.

Garden in the middle of Eden (Gen 2)—Living with Adam and Eve—walking together

Tabernacle—visible presence of God in his community—God’s dwelling place—where Heaven and earth meet

Temple—symbol of God dwelling with his people

Jesus—He is the clearest picture of the temple of God—where heaven and earth meet, fully God and fully man.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. .... John 1:14 NIV (tabernacled) among us, 2:19—Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days—where heaven and earth meet.

Followers of Christ—Believer—temple of God

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV

New Jerusalem—Rev 21 and 22—perfect cube (holy of holies), river, tree (Garden of Eden imagery)—No temple—God is dwelling with his people

God wants to dwell with his people. We get it a bit backwards way too often … we think, how do I get to God … when I die. That’s true … just not the whole truth. 

The Holy Spirit is dwelling within you. 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? ... 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV

If you belong to Christ, you have the Holy Spirit. Wildly Comforting. 

Anywhere you go, God is with you. Work / School / hospital / celebrate. Whatever you face, you do not face alone. God is in you. You are God’s temple. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. 

Wildly comforting. Somewhat terrifying. Because I know God. He is perfect. I know me.

Maybe you’re thinking, I don’t feel like God’s temple, I feel like a run-down house. Or, I hurt the people closest to me when my anger explodes. Or, I’m playing the good adult child on the outside, but inside, full of resentment, frustration, and bitterness.

The Holy Spirit is working in you. 

The Holy Spirit is always moving. Initiating. Dwelling. Leading. Guiding. Always moving. 

“If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 NIV

The Holy Spirit

Comforts (John 14:16) — He gives us peace through his presence

Encourages (Romans 15:13) — Fills you with joy, peace, and hope

Intercedes (Romans 8:26-27) — Intercedes when you don’t know what to pray

Convicts (John 16:8) — Convicts the world of sin, justice, and righteousness

Teaches (John 14:26) — Teach and remind you of what Jesus said

Guides (Galatians 5:16) — Walk by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit

Empowers (Acts 1:8) — You will receive power when you receive the Holy Spirit

To be the people of God, you need the power of God. Or, to be the person God has called me to be, I need the power of God inside of me. 

I don’t feel comforted, or encouraged, or hear anything. 

Lost Airpods—Create space to connect with God. 

What does that look like: Chair—morning

Do you want to be comfortable? Or do you want to grow? You can’t have both. I want to grow. 

Is it the Holy Spirit? Is it my hot dog from lunch?

Is it the Holy Spirit?

God’s Word

God’s People

God’s Purposes— Jesus—lead to Jesus, look more like Jesus 

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Holy Spirit is moving through you.

John 20, context—Disciples have locked themselves in a room. Scared to death. Completely understandable. Jesus has been crucified. 3 years they have followed. They have hoped He was the Messiah they were waiting for … and he is dead. They might be next. It’s chaos. It’s crazy out there! 

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22 NIV

Jesus has given you what you need. The HOLY SPIRIT is within you. The power of God is in you. The HOLY SPIRIT has gifted you. 

What has he called us to do? 

The Holy Spirit does not need your permission, but He does ask for your participation. 

You are the temple of God. The visible presence of God in the community. 

God, what do You want me to do today?

Question 1—Want to live like the HOLY SPIRIT dwells within you?

Question 2—Missing something/living life alone.