Untitled Sermon (41)
Notes
Transcript
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
With that said, we are currently doing that through the NT book of Acts. A book written by a First Century disciple named Luke, who wrote it for a couple of reasons:
First, to give us a history of the church. How it started, who was there, and the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, to give us a template of sorts. A template that teaches us how to accomplish the mission Jesus gave us to take the Gospel into the rest of the world.
So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go online to mcf.life where you can listen to all of the messages leading up to today.
Today however we are picking back up with the Apostle Paul in the city of Ephesus.
You may recall that Paul arrived in Ephesus after a short break from the mission field.
But now that his break is over, Paul is back in full force. In fact, so much so, that as Paul begins his ministry in Ephesus, Luke tells us that God began to use Paul in an extraordinary way. Luke puts it like this:
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
So, a great question would be, “What kind of miracles was Paul doing?”
Well, we’re going to get to that as we walk through this chapter, but as I’ve said the last couple of weeks, before we find out “what” God was doing through Paul, maybe the question we need to ask is, “Why was God working through Paul in this say?”
And the reason that’s an important question, is if we want God to use us in an extraordinary way as well, then maybe we need to first understand what led God to use Paul in this way.
So, what did Paul do?
What we’ve learned so far is that Paul was committed to three specific priorities when it came to reaching people for Jesus. Three priorities that we too must be committed to if we want to reach our community, county, a region for Jesus.
So, what are the priorities? So far, we’ve looked at two of them.
The first one we stated like this:
Priority #1 - If we want to be a church that God works in and through in an extraordinary way, we have to be a church that leads people to the knowledge and truth of who Jesus is.
The fact is, we live in a world where, not only are there people who haven’t heard about Jesus, there are a lot of people who don’t know the truth about who Jesus is. ‘
And unfortunately that includes people not only outside the church, but inside as well. Because as we’ve learned over the past couple of weeks, according to a recent survey, over 50% of people in the church don’t believe Jesus was sinless and don’t believe He’s the only way to salvation.
Which means, over 50% of Christians don’t believe or know the truth about Jesus.
That being the case, if we want to be a church that God works through in an extraordinary way, that’s where we start. By telling people the truth about Jesus.
In addition to that, we need to be committed to a second priority. And we stated it like this last week:
Priority #2 - If we want to be a church that God works in and through in an extraordinary way, we have to be a church that is committed to teaching people about who the Holy Spirit is.
We saw this last week as Paul entered Ephesus, and after talking to a group of disciples, not only were they not up to speed on Jesus, but they didn’t know about the Holy Spirit either. Look at how Luke tells it:
2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Luke says as Paul engages with these well intentioned disciples, he realizes not only do they not know about Jesus, but they don’t know about the Holy Spirit. In fact, they hadn’t even heard of Him.
Which raises an important question. The question being, “Why is knowledge of the Holy Spirit so important?”
As we learned last week, it’s important because The Holy Spirit isn’t just a symbol, He’s a person. And He’s not just a person, He’s God. And He’s not just God, but He’s His own person within the Trinity which represents God in three persons.
Now, if that sounds confusing to you, then I would encourage you to go back and watch last weeks message because we looked that that means in detail.
But it doesn’t stop there. Because beyond the Holy Spirit being God and part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit has a purpose in our life that is essential both to the salvation process and the ongoing growth and empowerment of the believer. Which leads us to our third priority, and I would state it like this:
Priority #3 - If we want to be a church that God works in and through in an extraordinary way, we have to be a church that is committed to teaching people about the purpose of the Holy Spirit.
So, what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit? To be honest, there are many things that He does, but for our purposes this morning I’m going to break it down into three major purposes, two of which we are going to look at today, and the third next week. So, to get us started, here’s the first purpose:
Purpose #1 - The Holy Spirit Brings The Spiritually Dead Back To Life.
Here’s what I mean by that. When it comes to our relationship with God, one of the first things we have to come to terms with, is that prior to faith in Jesus, we are spiritually dead. A spiritual death that took place back in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. A decision that opened the door for sin and death to enter the world.
Theologians call this moment of death “original sin”.
And by original sin, we’re not talking about the first sin of Adam and Eve. What we are talking about is the consequences of that first sin. Consequences that led to the transmission of a corrupt nature to the entire human race. A corruption you are born with. The Psalmist puts it like this:
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
The idea here isn’t that your mother conceived the psalmist in sin. Like she was having premarital sex or something when he was conceived. The idea is that when we are born, we are spiritually still born. Born dead in trespass and sin. The Apostle Paul puts it like this in Ephesians 2:
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
What that means then is, when we were born, we were born with no spiritual awareness of our need for God. In fact, we were deaf and blind to it.
Which means from the moment we were conceived we were incapable of seeing the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is invisible to us because we are spiritually blind. Why are we blind? We are blind because of sin. Paul puts it like this in Ephesians 2:
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
In this passage Paul confirms what a person is prior to faith in Jesus. And he says not only were we dead in our trespasses and sins, but because of our sin nature, we were walking and following the course of the world. A world that is ruled by a Being that is opposed to God. A Being Paul calls the Prince of the Power of the Air, which is just a fancy name for Satan. A Being that in our sin nature we follow.
And according to Paul, what that means then, is when we are born, we are not born spiritually alive as God’s children. Instead we are born spiritually dead as sons of disobedience and children of wrath, and our father is the devil.
Now, you might be thinking, “Oh come on pastor. That sounds a little drastic. Aren’t we all God’s children?” In the sense that He created us, yes. But in the sense of being spiritually right with God, no. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said this to the Pharisees:
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
To the religious leaders of his day, Jesus says, “Your father isn’t God, it’s the devil.” Kind of a strong statement, right?
So, why would Jesus say that and what does He mean by that?
He says it because they are living and acting just like the devil. And the evidence is in their words and actions. Words and actions that run contrary to the heart of God. And as a result, they are sons of disobedience.
And what was true for the Pharisees is true for all of us. Why? Because we are all born spiritually dead. And as a result, our father is the devil, and the proof of that is seen in the way we live our lives and the hope we put in what the world offers.
Now, you might be thinking, “Well that’s great pastor. What an encouraging word for you to give us this morning.” I know, it’s not very encouraging. But here is where the Holy Spirit comes in and why His presence in our lives is so important.
Because while Jesus provides the sacrifice for our sin, the Holy Spirit is the one who regenerates us spiritually. The Holy Spirit is the one who has the power to undo the consequence of original sin.
How does He do it? He does it through a process called, “Being Born Again”.
Now, when I say that term, I know for some that sounds like a silly term and something you’d hear from that church out by Taco Bell.
But the truth is, it’s not a crazy term, it’s actually a Biblical term coined by none other than Jesus. Because when it comes to being right with God and entering the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus says being born again is absolutely necessary. Look at how Jesus explains it to a Pharisee named Nicodemus:
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Notice what Jesus says. He says for a person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they must be born again.
So, what does Jesus mean by that and why is it necessary.
Well, let’s start with what he means by it. Because to be born again sounds impossible. At least it did for Nicodemus. Because look at how he responds to Jesus’s statement:
4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Nicodemus is like, “Jesus, that’s impossible. How can a person reenter the womb when he has already born. Jesus, have you been attending that church out by Taco Bell or something?”
Look at what Jesus says next:
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus now clarifies what he means. Because he isn’t just talking about being born again physically, but also spiritually. That’s why Jesus says, “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus says, yes, being born of water, which is the physical, is necessary. But in order to enter the kingdom of God, you have to be born by the Spirit as well. Which means, when Jesus talks about being born again, he’s talking about being reborn spiritually.
So, a great question would be, “Why do we need to be reborn spiritually?”
Because of what we just talked about. We need to be reborn spiritually because we are born spiritually dead. Stillborn, remember.
So, the only way to rectify that, is to be reborn spiritually. Which Jesus says is done by the Spirit.
So, how does that work?
Well, it begins with you recognizing you are a sinner in need of a savior. A savior named Jesus. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul says when a person confesses their sin and believes that Jesus is the one who paid the price for their sin, they will be saved.
Which then leads to the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul explains it like this:
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
What Paul is saying here, is that when a person puts their faith in Jesus, in that moment, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, enters your mortal body. And in that moment the HS resurrects your dead spirit. And in that moment you are spiritually reborn, you are born again. Pretty amazing, right?
And so going back to what Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3, in order for a person to be saved, that has to happen. A person has to be born again as the Spirit of God enters your mortal body and gives life to your dead spirit.
Which means, if a person is not born again, they are not a Christian. Yes, they may be a member of a Christian church. They may even profess to be a Christian. But if they haven’t been born again, then they are not saved. Because without regeneration, without the Holy Spirit, a person can neither see or enter the kingdom of Heaven.
So, how does one go about getting born again. Again, it starts by recognizing you’re a sinner in need of a savior. It starts with you and I coming to the end of ourselves and recognizing we have sinned against a Holy God. It starts as we make Jesus Lord and savior of our life. And from there, the HS takes over as the door to your heart is opened and He enters.
Now, you might say, “Ok Pastor, but how will I know that really happened?”
Oh, you’ll know, because in that moment your life will forever change. Because from that point on everything will be different. How you think will be different. How you view life will be different. How you live your life will be different. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Paul says the Holy Spirit radically changes you as your former life is put to death and a new you is born. Which is what Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 5 when he writes:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
And the evidence of that is now seen in a transformed life. Which is what Paul means when he says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.
In other words, if you’re born again, you will now live a life that represents the work of the Spirit in you. A work that will produce a certain way of living, thinking, and conduct. The Bible calls it the “Fruit of the Spirit”.
Which leads us to the second purpose of the Holy Spirit. Because not only does the HS bring the spiritually dead back to life:
Purpose #2 - The Holy Spirit Helps Us Become More Like Jesus.
While we don’t always think of it like this, one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit is actually displayed in His name, Holy Spirit.
Because it’s through the work of the Spirit that we are not only spiritually reborn, but we are saved unto holiness. In other words, the Holy Spirit helps us to become more holy.
In the world of theology, the word we use to describe this is “Sanctification”.
So, what is sanctification?
Sanctification is the process through which the Holy Spirit helps us become more like Jesus.
A process that doesn’t happen over night but instead takes place over the course of your entire life as day by day, week by week, year by year, the HS is transforming you more and more into the image of Jesus.
A process that isn’t always fun. A process that can sometimes be painful. A process that becomes the evidence of our salvation and the progress of our sanctification.
So, a great question would be, “What exactly should this sanctification process look like?” In other words, what kind of fruit should this process produce in my life?
In Galatians 5 the Apostle Paul gives us some insight into this as he contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh. Which means, if we want to know what fruit a born again life should produce, Galatians 5 would be a great place to start.
So, to help us get a better understanding of what our born again life should produce, let’s start with what it shouldn’t produce. Paul puts it like this:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul says, if you’re not born again, the works of the flesh will be what dominates your life. Works that represent the way of the world. Works that represent a lifestyle of habitual sin.
In other words, Paul’s not saying if you happen to commit one of these sins your not saved. What he’s saying is if after you give your life to Christ, if any of these sinful works continue to habitually dominate your life, then there is a problem.
Now, you might be thinking, “Pastor, can you give us an example of what you mean by that?” You bet. I’m so glad you asked me to do that.
So, for example, let’s say a person claims to be a Christian, but they continue to give themselves to a lifestyle of sexual immorality. For example, they keep sleeping with their girlfriend or boyfriend. Then we have a problem. Why do we have a problem?
Because when Paul says sexual immorality, he’s talking about anything sexual outside of the boundaries of heterosexual marriage. \
How do I know that? I know because in the Greek, the Greek word translated here as sexual immorality is “porneia”. And the word “porneia” is actually a junk drawer term for anything sexually immoral.
Anybody have a drunk drawer in their home? A drawer full of all kinds of junk?
That’s what we are talking about here. But in this case, it’s a drawer full of sexually immoral junk. Which would include everything from pornography, to adultery, to pre-marital sex, to prostitution, to homosexuality, to whatever sexually immoral you can think of.
So, what that means, if you’re claiming to be a born again Christian, yet you’re living a lifestyle of sexual immorality, and you’re ok with that lifestyle, then we have a problem Houston. In fact, the Apostle John says we have a big problem. Because look at what he says about this:
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
John’s point here is that if you are truly a born again believer, then the last thing you should want to do is to live in a way that is contrary to God’s law. In fact, it should really bother you if you are. It should create a conflict in you that leads to repentance as the HS convicts you and leads you out of that sin.
Because that’s part of the Holy Spirit’s job. To help you become more like Jesus. And He does that by pointing out sin in your life that needs to go. This is what Paul is talking about in Galatians 5 when he writes:
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Paul says if your born again and your walking by the Spirit, you will not want to gratify the desires of the flesh. Why? Because those desires are contrary to what the Holy Spirit is trying to change in your life. Paul expands on this in Romans 6:
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul says the goal of the Holy Spirit is to lead you to sanctification, which produces the image of Jesus, which eventually leads you to eternal life.
All that to say, when a person is born again, from that point on they should no longer live to gratify the works of the flesh, but instead they live by the Holy Spirit allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them producing fruit that represents their new life in Christ.
So, what does that fruit look like?
Paul defines what it should like like in Galatians 5 when he writes:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Paul says the fruit of the spirit can be summed up in 9 words.
Words that represent a new way of thinking and living. 9 words that now become the measurement of our sanctification. Which means, if you want to measure where you are in your sanctification, take the fruit test.
What’s the fruit test? I’m glad you asked because I put a copy of it in your sermon notes. So, just for fun, let’s take it together.
FRUIT TEST:
Keep track of your score
#1 Love: I maintain an unselfish, tender, caring heart towards people that is free from a critical spirit.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#2 Joy: In times of difficulty I draw on an inner joy and speak cheerful words of praise to God instead of complaining
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#3 Peace: I am consistent in staying in a place of rest and freedom from anxiety even when I am under pressure.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#4 Patience: When people or things are not moving as quickly as I would like, I am able to wait gracefully and absorb my frustration.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#5 Kindness: I consistently make a point of encouraging people and lending a helping hand even when it’s not convenient.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#6 Goodness:
#6 Goodness: I am honest and upright in my dealings with God and other people, quick to acknowledge my wrongs and repent.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#7 Faithfulness: I am dependable and follow through on the things that are expected of me.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#8 Gentleness (Meekness)” I am able to bear the slights of others and refrain from reaction while maintaining a tranquil, humble spirit.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
#9 Self-control: I am able with God’s help to resist sinful temptations and addictive impulses and conquer bad habits in my life.
1. Regularly (2 pts.)
2. Sometimes (1 pt.)
3. Seldom/Never (0 pt.)
So, how did you do? I think if we’re all honest, we probably all have room for improvement, right?
So, how do we improve on that fruit?
That’s what the Holy Spirit is here to help us do. But here’s what we need to understand about fruit production. Unlike salvation, sanctification is a two way street.
What I mean by that is, when it comes to salvation, salvation is 100% the work of God, because as we’ve learned, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Why? Because salvation is a gift given by God through faith in Jesus.
However, when it comes to Sanctification, we actually play a part as we partner with the HS to become more like Jesus. The Apostle Peter describes it like this as he challenges us to pursue holiness. He writes:
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
In this passage Peter encourages Christians to do their part in becoming more like Jesus. So, what does it involve?
First, we are to prepare our minds for action.
This is actually a military term. It’s the idea that we are to prepare our minds for battle? Why battle? Because now that we are living for Jesus, the enemy, the prince of the power of the air, is going to do anything and everything he can to detour you from that journey. And the number one way he will do that is by attacking your mind. Why the mind? Because the heart follows the mind. The writer of proverbs puts it like this:
The New King James Version Chapter 23
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
What the writer is saying is, “We become what we think”. Which means, if the enemy can persuade us to focus on impure and wordly thinking, then that’s the kind of fruit that will begin to show in our lives. Which means along with preparing our mind for battle:
Second, we need to guard against what we allow into our though life.
This is why as Christians we need to be careful about what we open our minds to. What we watch. What we listen too. Even who we do life with.
Because the more we open our minds to the world, the more we become like the world. Which means, we have to choose to quit living like we used to. Peter puts it like this:
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
Peter says do everything you can to avoid your former way of life. How do you do that? By guarding what you allow into your mind. Which is largely determined by what we watch, what we read, and the type of people we choose to do life with. Which means:
Third, we need to be committed to Holy thinking and living.
That’s why Peter says:
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Peter says, “Be a person that is committed to holiness. Committed o living a life that represents your relationship with Jesus.”
Which means, if you’re sleeping with your girlfriend or boyfriend, you need to be committed to put that sin to death.
If you’re a person given to gossip, then you need to be committed to putting that gossip to death, which means maybe you need to delete Facebook.
Or if you’re a person given to drunkeness, then you need to be committed to getting some help.
Now, you might be thinking, “Ok Pastor, I get that, but some of these things are hard to let go.”
I get that. And again this is where the Holy Spirit comes in. Because as we are committed to growing in our faith, the Holy Spirit is committed to helping us do that. That’s why Peter concludes with this:
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter says, “We can be Holy because He is Holy.” Which means, as we grow in our faith, the Holy Spirit is the one who will teach us how to be Holy. Who will help us be holy.
How will He do it? Primarily through God’s Word.
And this is why reading your Bible is so important. Because the Bible is God’s book of truth. And according to the Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the one who teaches that truth to us. Listen to how Jesus puts it:
26 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 that I have said to you.
Jesus says the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and He will teach us, remind us, and reinforce all that His Word says.
Which means, when we read God’s Word, it presents an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to truth. To challenge us in areas we need to grow. To point out areas that need to change. To identify sinful living or thinking that needs to go. And to help us overcome it.
You see what we have to understand is that the Bible is the Spirit’s Word. It’s a book that the Holy Spirit inspired men to write. A book that the Holy Spirit actually authored. It’s His book of truth. A book that He uses to teach us, train us, equip us, challenge us, convict us, lead us, guide us, deliver us, and sanctify us.
This is why it’s so important that get in God’s Word. Because it’s through God’s Word that the Holy Spirit begins to transform the way we think and live.
Which means, the more time you spend in God’s Word and the less time you stay focused on the world, the more you’ll look and act like Jesus. The more the Fruit of the Spirit will begin to grow and flourish in you. The more you’ll want to let go of the world. The more you’ll want to become like Jesus.
Because at the end of the day, that’s one of the job’s of the Holy Spirit. To form you and shape you more and more and more into the image of our savior.
As we close this morning, my prayer is that you would be open to allowing the Holy Spirit to do that in your life. But in order for that to happen, you have to do what it takes for that to happen. So, what does it take?
#1 - It takes a born again experience.
Which means if you want to be saved and experience life in the Spirit, then you need to be reborn. You need the Holy Spirit to come into your life and regenerate what is dead. You need to be born again.
Which means, you need to be willing to take an honest assessment of your faith and where you are at with God. You need to be wiling to ask yourself, “Does my life truly represent a life that has been changed? Or am I just living a lie? Am I just going through the motions? Am I just a Christian by name? “
How can you know? Ask yourself questions like this:
“Does my life represent more of the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?
Do I practice habitual sin, or do I practice righteousness?
Am I living a life that represents Jesus, or am I living a life that is representative of the world?
I know those are tough questions, but if you want a true assessment of where you are at spiritually, they are necessary questions.
#2 - It takes a commitment to sanctification.
While the Holy Spirit’s job is to help you become more like Jesus, as we said earlier, you have to do your part. A part that requires you to be committed to living a life of holiness.
And please hear me, by saying that I’m not saying you have to live a perfect life. Nobody has the ability to d that.
What I’m saying though is, if you are born again, you are committed to living a life free of sin. A life that is leading you to become more and more and more like Jesus. A life that flees from sin and embraces righteousness. A life that desires to put the works of the flesh to death.
Which means, if you’re committed to sanctification, you have to be committed to purging sinful behavior and living from your life.
And the good news is, if you’re committed to that, the Holy Spirit will not only help you identify it, He’ll help you overcome it.
So, maybe a good place to start today, would be by asking the Holy Spirit to identify something in your life that needs to change. Something that isn’t making you more like Jesus. Something that is working against the sanctification process. Something that needs to go.
Maybe it’s an immoral relationship.
Maybe it’s a certain type of behavior.
Maybe it’s a relationship that is unhealthy.
Maybe it’s something you’re watching on tv.
Maybe it’s something you have downloaded on your phone.
Maybe it’s something you’ve been hiding from your spouse.
Maybe it’s lustful thoughts.
Maybe it’s a negative attitude.
Maybe it’s a tendency to gossip.
I don’t know what it is for you, but the Holy Spirit does. And if you’re willing to ask Him to identify it, not only will He point it out, but He’ll help you overcome it. And not only overcome it, but conquer it.
I don’t know about you, but I want that kind of help in the battles of my life. But for that to happen, we have to invite the Holy Spirit into the battle. We have to ask for His help.
Let’s Pray
