Ministry in the Church - Part 2

Intro

The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church includes numerous activities that often go unnoticed.

Through Paul's teachings, we will discover the richness of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church of the Lord Jesus.

Sermon outline:

One Temple, One Body;

Renewal by the Spirit;

Inspiration and Sanctification.

N.1 - One Temple, One Body

1A. The Ephesian’s Letter.

Ephesians 2:17–18 NIV

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The Problem in the Church of Ephesus. What was causing divisions in the church at Ephesus were the sociocultural differences between Jews and Gentiles.

The Solution for the Church of Ephesus. One of the themes of Leviticus is access to God through sacrifice. Sin cut humanity off from God. There was no way they could make or find for themselves that could bring them back into fellowship with God. God provided the way through sacrifices that pointed to the supreme sacrifice of Christ.

But the Law with its sacrifices became a wall that separated Jews from Gentiles. Christ’s death removed the necessity of the sacrifices of the Law and thus broke down the wall between Jew and Gentile. Jesus himself became the new and living way of access to the Father:

Hebrews 10:20 NIV

by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

The Holy Spirit then becomes the means by whom we can have that access.

N.2 - Renewal by the Spirit

2A. Keep on being filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Paul was speaking to people who were already filled with the Spirit. The experiences of the believers in Acts point to the fact that it is better understood as repeated fillings.

In order to be filled with the Holy Spirit we need to quit specific sins like: bitterness, rage, anger, yelling, slander, malice.

Question. Summarize in your own words how these continued fillings with the Spirit will affect our worship, our love for one another, the battle against Satan and his hordes, and our prayer life.

2B. Stand Fast in the Spirit.

Philippians 3:2–3 NIV

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

In the church of Philippi, the heresy had spread that only those who were circumcised in the flesh could be considered children of God.

We are talking about the Judaizers, a sect that diminished the value of Christ's sacrifice.

This is why Paul denounces their heresy, emphasizing to the believers of the church of Philippi that true circumcision, the true Israel of God, consists of all those who worship the Lord in Spirit.

When our worship is supported by the Holy Spirit, we rejoice in Christ, placing no merit in the flesh or in our own merits.

Question. In what way does a believer today run the risk of boasting about himself, instead of rejoicing in what Jesus did on the cross?

2C. Rekindle the Gift of God.

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NIV

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

The young pastor of Ephesus, Timothy, was experiencing a time of great difficulty in his pastoral ministry.

His young age, a large church, intimidating adversaries, and other factors were extinguishing the fire of service in Timothy's heart.

This is why the apostle Paul encourages his spiritual son to rekindle the flame of his love for Jesus and His church.

Question. How can you rekindle God's gift within you?

2D. Jealous Yearning.

James 4:5 NIV

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he (God) jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

The Epistle of James mentions the Holy Spirit only in this verse.

The context deals with the fact that friendship with the world makes one enemy of God and with the need to submit to God and His grace.

Question. Is it an exaggeration to say that friendship with the world is enmity towards God? If so, why?

N.3 - Inspiration and Sanctification

3A. Four implications of the work of the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter.

In his first epistle, Peter emphasizes four implications of the work of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of believers:

See chart and read verses in 1 Peter.

Questions.

1 = C

2 = B

3 = D

4 = A