Are You Plugged in & Turned On?

Steve Nicholes

John 14:16-17

IN MY HAND IS A LIGHT BULB. What does a light bulb do? It shines and gives light. It helps us to see, especially in the dark. But this lightbulb doesn’t do any of that. It doesn’t shine. Why? Because it has no power. It’s not plugged in. It’s not turned on. Without the Holy Spirit no one can plug into God’s power. If you screw this lightbulb into a socket in the ceiling or in a lamp that is good. But it won’t work if the light switch is turned off. Some people have the Holy Spirit. They are Christians. But they have turned God off. They do things their own way. They’re not yielded to God. Is your light plugged in? Is it turned on? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?

1. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

A. He is Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:9,14). That means that He is the very person of God.

B. He is Personal.

(A) He is intelligent.

He knows “the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

(B) He has a will.

He gives spiritual gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

(C) He can be grieved

(Ephesians 4:30) which also shows He is personal.

C. He is Omnipotent.

1 Peter 3:18 says that the resurrection of Jesus happened because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

D. He is Omniscient.

1 Corinthians 2:10 says that the Holy Spirit knows all things. He knows even the deep things of God.

E. He is Omnipresent.

In Psalm 139:7-10 David asks, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to heaven, You are there...” So, wherever you go the Holy Spirit is there.

F. He is Eternal.

Genesis 1:2 says that the Spirit of God was at creation. Hebrews 9:14 calls the Holy Spirit “the eternal Spirit.”

G. He is God.

In Acts 5 Ananias and his wife lied about how much money they gave to God. In verse 3 Peter said “you lied to the Holy Spirit.” Then in verse 4, “You have not lied to men but to God.”

2. WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO?

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon certain people in a temporary way for a special work. He came upon Samuel (1 Samuel 10:9-10), Jephthah (Judges 11:29), Samson (Judges 14:19), and David (1 Samuel 16:13). He even came upon the ungodly man Balaam (Numbers 24:2). He came upon Saul (1 Samuel 11:6) and then departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). Even David prayed that the Holy Spirit might not be taken from them (Psalm 51:11). Jesus described the difference between the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testament by saying, “He dwells with you, and will be in you” (John 14:17).

A. The Holy Spirit Changes Us into Christians.

John 3:8 says that when you are born again you are born of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 says that the Holy Spirit regenerates us, He changes us. He makes us new. How does this happen?

B. The Holy Spirit Baptizes Us and Lives Inside Us.

When you receive Jesus as Savior 1 Corinthians 12:13 says that you are baptized or put into the body of Christ. You are now in the same water, the same pool, the same group with all believers, past, present and future. All real Christians have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. Your body is His temple (I Corinthians 6:19). Anyone who does not have the Spirit inside them does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9).

C. The Holy Spirit Seals us.

Ephesians 1:13 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 4:30). A seal is like a tojang. It’s a mark. You use it to promise something in your name. When you become a Christian God’s mark is on you. He promises that you are his child and will always be his child. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you and promises that He will be with you forever (John 14:16).

D. The Holy Spirit Gives Us Spiritual Gifts.

The Holy Spirit is the one who gives every believer a spiritual gift as he chooses (I Corinthians 12:711; 1 Peter 4:10).

E. The Holy Spirit Fills Us.

Ephesians 5:18 says, “Don’t be drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit.” The phrase “be filled with” has the same meaning as “be controlled by.” Here in Ephesians 5 it is a command. This same idea is found in Galatians 5:16 which says, “Walk in the Spirit and you will not do the lusts of the flesh.” This is not a one time emotional experience. The filling of the Holy Spirit is a daily confession of sin and complete yielding to God. You don’t need more of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit needs more of you. On your own you can’t have victory in your Christian walk. So yield yourself completely to God. He will do it.

G. The Holy Spirit Causes us to Bear Fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 says that the result or fruit of being filled with the Spirit “is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”

H. The Holy Spirit Teaches Us.

In John 14:26 Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” While someone is preaching or teaching or singing or praying the Holy Spirit is talking on the inside.

[Denny], would you come and share the gospel with us? “Jesus came. He was born of a virgin (That’s right, that’s right). He lived a perfect life (It’s true). He never sinned (It’s true). He never did one sin in His entire life (That’s right). He died on the cross, was buried and rose again (that’s what God says) so that you may have eternal life with God in heaven (You need to believe that). All you have to do is ask Him to come into your heart to save you (That’s what God says), to take away your sins (believe Him) and you will become a child of God (Yes, it’s true). You see when you teach God’s word you need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to do the work. Give your time to Him. Give your teaching to Him. So when you teach or preach on the outside, the Holy Spirit is talking on the inside.”

[Paul and Ready], would you come and sing a song for us? “Lord, give me a willing heart. (That’s right) Lord, give me a brand new start (You need to do that). Create in me a love that’s real (Is it real?). Give me a willing heart. Lord, give me a willing heart. (Is your heart willing?) Lord, give me a brand new start. (Is this your prayer?) Create in me a love that’s real. Give me a willing heart.” You see, before you sing you need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak thru your music. When you sing the Holy Spirit is talking to people.

I. The Holy Spirit Convicts Us.

John 16:8-11 says that the Holy Spirit convicts people about their sin. When you do what is wrong you feel guilty, you feel bad inside. The Holy Spirit is inside talking to you. He is saying, “Don’t do that. That’s wrong. Do what’s right.”