The Spirit in Jesus’ Teachings

Intro

Jesus’ teachings about the Holy Spirit. In this lesson we will examine what Jesus Himself taught about the Holy Spirit.

Most of this is recorded in the Gospel of John, and much of it was given privately to Jesus’ disciples. The first three Gospels do have some important things to say about the Spirit, however.

F. E. Marsh points out, “When the Spirit is received, He is perceived. To know Him is to be swayed by His truth, inspired in His love, kept by His grace, led by His hand, sustained by His presence, cheered by His promises, and used in His service.” 

Sermon’s outlines. We will consider in this lesson:

The Giver of good gifts;

Disciples sent with the Spirit;

The New Birth;

Living in the Spirit;

The Comforter.

N.1 - The Giver of good gifts

Matthew 7:11 NIV

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 good gifts to those who ask him!

Some people have been afraid to ask for the baptism in the Spirit or for the Spirit’s gifts for fear they might receive something strange or harmful from some other source than God. But if it is our Father we are addressing, we can have confidence. He will see to it that what we get is good.

Quiz: Which of the following are true?

a) The prayer for the Spirit is to be addressed primarily to the Father. yes

b) We should also look to Jesus for the baptism in the Spirit and for further fillings. yes

c) It is wrong to address prayer to the Holy Spirit himself.

N.2 - Disciples sent with the Spirit

2A. With Them in Ministry.

Luke 12:11–12 NIV

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

2B. Sent out with Power.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Throughout church history, miracles have followed the spread of the gospel, especially in new areas or among neglected people or neglected classes of people.

When the church becomes self-satisfied or self-centered and ceases its outreach, it has usually happened that miracles become less and less frequent.

Quiz: We learn from Matthew 28 that the primary purpose of the power of the Spirit was to:

a) win souls.

b) do miracles.

c) raise money to spread the gospel.

d) teach or make disciples who would want to learn more about Jesus and the Word. yes

e) defeat the enemies of Christ so Christians could have more liberty.

N.3 - The New Birth

John 3:3–5 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. (from above)” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Quiz: What does John mean by the expression born of water?

Those who take this view consider water baptism necessary as a channel of grace by which we receive salvation and the Spirit. The textbook takes the view that water baptism is a symbol which witnesses to a cleansing and a new life already received. As we saw previously, John’s baptism did not produce repentance but testified to it. So our water baptism does not produce the forgiveness of sins but testifies to a forgiveness already received.

The Bible does show in many places that the Spirit uses the Word to bring salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith but faith must be based on the truth of the Word. Men must first hear:

Romans 10:14 NIV

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

N.4 - Living in the Spirit

John 4:13–14 NIV

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The new birth is just the first step, but the beginning of a glorious jorney with God.

The symbol of water is an interesting one since water is so essential to life and growth. Flowing water has power to move obstacles. I have seen great boulders that were moved by flood waters. Water also is cleansing, reviving, satisfying to our thirst. It revives and refreshes us better than any artificial drink.

Quiz: Which of these statements are true?

a) The prophesied Age of the Spirit began when the Spirit descended on Jesus. it began at Pentecost

b) In the Old Testament we read of the Spirit being in people, that is, filling them. yes

c) Jesus promised an overflow, an outward flow, a pouring out, as well as a pouring upon. yes

d) The experience Jesus promised was really the same kind of overflow often seen in the Old Testament.

e) An overflowing experience is now available to every believer. yes

N.5 - The Comforter

John 14:16–17 NIV

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the 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.

Quiz: By another Comforter, Jesus meant

a) another of the same kind as Jesus, helping and teaching in the ways He did. yes

b) another of a different kind, one who would be quite unlike Jesus in His relation to the disciples.

c) all of the above

Questions

1 = B

2 = B

3 = D