#6 - God's Gospel is applies by the power of the Holy Spirit

This morning we are going to continue in our series that we started back in the fall. We had originally planned to finish this series in the new year, but Covid Regulations made it difficult to complete the program will the follow up material.

I want to complete this series as I believe it is important to have a good grasp of what we hold to be true as an EFC church.

I know for many of you, this material is a refresher, but as we continue to look into God’s Word, we all need a refresher course in God’s Living and active Word of God.

Definition of a Disciple:

One who is Seeking to know God, while being transformed into the image of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the context of community

So as you can guess, this particular piece of our doctrinal statement has much to do with the understanding of a disciple as it relates to the Holy Spirit and how He applies to our lives.

So this morning we are going to look at two major parts of the Holy Spirit. I would like to take you through who we understand the Holy Spirit to be and secondly once we understand who He is we will have a better understanding of what He does in light of that understanding.

I would say that through out my life, the Holy Spirit and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through me has gone through much development.

It has gone through much development not because of the Changes in Him, no rather my understanding, teaching and applying Him and His role in my life and ministry.

I have been in discussions with many believers in whom I have great respect for and yet we sometime disagree with each of our own understanding as to the Holy Spirit and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the ministry within and without the church.

Let’s be honest with ourselves. This particular doctrine, that is the understanding of the Holy Spirit, unfortunately has divided the churches.

If this morning’s message has you sitting on a different understanding that what is presented, let’s continue the dialogue. Let’s continue to study the scriptures and even if we come to some different perspectives, we can continue to fellowship with one another.

We are the body of Christ, we are bond together by the Spirit at work within each of us and that very thing that bonds us together, shouldn’t be the thing that drives us apart.

Afterall,

God’s Spirit transforms His people to share His moral character and empowers them to fulfill His purposes.

With this in mind, let’s begin by Prayer

Prayer

Who is the Holy Spirit

The first part of the two part is who is the Holy Spirit?

I first want to begin with this statement

His is a part of the Triune God

He is a part of the Triune God.

He have the Father, who sent His Son, God incarnate to walk among us, came as a infant, ministered among us, died on a cross so that we can be restored to a right relationship with the Father. Christ rose again and encouraged the believers before He ascended to Heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father.

But,

Before He left, Jesus gave us a promise.

John 14:15–17 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

I often ponder about time travel. If time travel would ever be possible what time period would you like to launch back to?

I know I am not the only one that thinks about this.

There has been many popular shows deal with the concept of time travel and the experiences that would happen if we were able to do this.

I would like to travel back to the time to see Jesus walking with His disciples.

I would love to see their reactions as he sat on a hill and shared with them the sermon on the mount.

To see them respond with the various miracles performed.

To see the awestruck look on the faces of the people as they come face to face with God himself.

Folks, when we come to the realization of the Holy Spirit, there is no need for the time travel.

Look at the verse

The Helper will be with you forever.

He, that is the Holy Spirit, Lives within you.

When you are awestruck with the Words of God, it’s because of the the Holy Spirit

When you utter words of comfort to someone and wonder, how did I think of that, it’s because of the Holy Spirit.

When you have the faith and strength to deal with the battles and struggles of life, it’s because of the Holy Spirit working within you.

He is God

He was there at creation of the world.

He was there and active in bringing Christ into the world.

He was there at the baptism of Christ

He was there at the first Pentecost

He is here today. In our midst, indwelling us as followers of Christ.

Often associated with Power

When we often think of the Holy Spirit there is always a discussion around the subject of Power.

Tim the Tool man Taylor would have loved to have him around.

More power.

Frequently we read in the Old Testament and the power that is associated when the Spirit of God comes upon and individual.

Judges 14:6 ESV

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

1 Samuel 10:10 ESV

10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.

1 Samuel 11:6 ESV

6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.

1 Samuel 16:13 ESV

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

Many times in our lives we cry out to God to have the Spirit rush to us. To have the extraordinary power to accomplish the things we need.

When we read through the Bible we see the Spirit was active

In Creation Gen 1:2

In Revelation Ezek 2:2

Even in the empowering of Craftsmanship of the temple. The Spirit is active

The OT prophets also looked to an age where the anointing of the Spirit would be upon us and poured out on all of God’s Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:25–27 ESV

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

The Holy Spirit is not limited to the Old Testament we can also look towards the NT

The most common one is found in

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

He wasn’t just at Pentecost

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Romans 8:11 ESV

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.

There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit that has been at work from creation to today and that is powerful

He is also Personal

What we also need to recognize is that He is also Personal.

When John wrote out his gospel book specifically Chapters 14-16 we see the evidence of Jesus’ words and the purpose, power and person of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells His disciples that there is one of a promise that a counselor will come

The greek word used here is parakletos (par- rack- le- tos)

This is more than just a counselor. It is someone who walks beside you, guides you. Is and advocate to you

The definition of an advocate is:

a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

I have been watching the TV show Monk. Its about a detective that has an ability to solve crimes, yet this character is in need of an advocate.

They walk beside and help him, and as the story develops, is much more than an assistant.

The difference between this show and that of the Holy Spirit is that the Holy Spirit is God.

God is advocating for you

God knows you and wants the best for you

The Spirit is personal.

He can be grieved

Ephesians 4:30 ESV

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

He can act with a will or purpose

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

He can show His affection and care for us.

Acts 15:28 ESV

28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:

One of our favorite movies is the Kid. In the story a man is visited by his younger self only to find out his childhood dreams of what it would be like as an older person is wrong.

The favourite scene is when the two first meet and the younger is asking the older.

But what do I do

If it wasn’t for copyright issues, I would have played you a clip as the expression is pricesless.

The man grew up to be an image consultant.

What’s that? I consult people on their image.

To the boy, he was disappointed. All his hopes and dreams were dashed in that moment as all the things he expected were not true.

But what does the Holy Spirit Do

Glorifies Jesus Christ

The Holy Spirit’s job is much more than an image consultant.

The Holy Spirit’s work is to Glorify Christ

He Glorifies Christ in Evangelism, Conversion, and discipleship.

John 16:6–7 ESV

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

The Holy Spirit has come to bring glory to Christ. To work within us and through us to bring Glory and Honor to God.

In Evangelism

The first is to bring Glory to God through evangelism.

Can I read a quote from the book Gospel Truths

Jesus came to his people preaching, teaching and performing miracles, but He was ultimately rejected and delivered to the Romans to be crucified. After His resurrection, He called his followers to continue his mission to the world.

But one might ask well ask, what chance of success could they possibly have? If their Messiah had been rejected, why should people believe them when they declared that he had actually died not as a Sinner, but as a sacrifice for sin which God validated by raising him from the dead?

If people didn't believe in Jesus when he walked among them in the flesh, why should they believe in him now when he was nowhere to be seen?

But people did believe. In fact, the first public preaching of the gospel, Peter spoke to the same crowd in Jerusalem who had once cried, “crucify him!” and he proclaimed the very last thing they wanted to hear

Acts 2:36 ESV

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

One might receive expected the mob to Lynch Peter there on the spot, but Luke tells us,

Acts 2:37 ESV

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

when the people heard this they were cut to the heart and about 3000 people responded that day

Why did they respond? It was the work of the Holy Spirit that cut them to the heart so that they could respond to the Gospel.

The Gospel of Christ, The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ in Evangelism

Convicts the world of its guilt

We also believe that the Holy Spirit is able to glory Christ by convicting the world of its guilt.

John 16:8 ESV

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

This is a difficult discussion in the world today. Today’s world we are taught to glorify

self-expressive behavior,

self-fulfillment,

tolerance and diversity of all sorts, and a disdain form moral authority and accountability.

When we draw people to the truth found in scripture, it is the role of the Holy Spirit to convict.

Some church’s self righteously convict others of sin, but we are reminded that the role of conviction comes through the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches us that

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

we are all sinners saved by Grace.

We need to turn to Christ who will free us from the bondage of Sin that so easily entangles the world.

The Holy Spirit is in the world convicting them of their sin based on the truth of God..

In this way, Christ is glorified, for He will be revealed as the saviour of the world.

In Conversion

Christ is glorified by the Holy Spirit in conversion.

John 3:5–8 ESV

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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit has an active role when we are converted to become born again, born of the Spirit.

Regenerates the Believer

This new life is described as regeneration. The Holy Spirit is a part of the regeneration of our lives.

Its the very essence of conversion.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV

9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

We have been turned away from our evil ways and turn to serve a living God. A true living God.

Regeneration bring a new life to us of those who choose to accept this free gift of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the active part in drawing us to Christ through regeneration.

Baptized into union with Christ

The second part of our conversion is the phrase, “One with Christ.”

or as stated “in Christ”

The Gospel truth states it this way

only as we are “in Christ” are we chosen, called, regenerated, justified, sanctified, redeemed, assured of resurrection and given every spiritual blessing

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Union with Christ can also be understood as solidarity.

As David became King, those who followed him also received the blessings of him being in control of the nation of Israel.

When we are in Union with Christ, the Spirit enables us to share in those same blessings received with Christ.

Adoption Process

The greatest part of the conversion process is that we are called heirs.

We have the right to be come children of the God most High.

John 1:12–13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Spirit that dwells within us make this possible by glorifying Christ in Conversion

Glorifies Christ in the Discipleship Process

The last part of what the Spirit does in the life of the believer is in the discipleship process.

This brings us right back to our definition of a disciple.

Seeking to know God, while being transformed into the image of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in the context of community.

Let me emphasis this clearly.

Folks it’s not a once and done thing.

Discipleship is a lifelong process.

If you are sitting back with your feet up relieved and accepted the work of Christ in your life. You have been regenerated and called an heir and you feel that your work is done, the Spirit in you is crying out to let you know of so much more.

As Christ’s disciples, the Spirit’s work in us takes on five roles.

He indwells us, illuminates the Word for our understanding, giving us guidance and leading (Counselor) Equipping us for good things, and as stated so clearly, Empowers the the disciple for Christ-like living and sacrifice.

Indwells the Disciple

If you ever wondered if someone is a believer, you must for look for signs of the Spirit indwelling within them.

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

You may try as hard as you can, but if you truly are a follower of Christ, the Spirit Dwells within you.

Indwelling of the Spirit is for all those who confess Jesus as Lord. The indwelling is different from what has been termed as the filling of the Spirit. Filling is something described in Eph

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

It’s not that the power has run out and you need to replenish the source, rather its asking for that supernatural power.

God can sovereignly fill a believer for a certain circumstance.

Filling is also is a growing submission to God resulting in a heart desiring to worship the Lord in thanksgiving and love to others.

These characters are described in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Illuminates the Disciple

The Spirit’s work in the believer is manifested in the ilumination of God’s Word. He works in our lives so that we understand God’s truth for our lives.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Have you grown in your faith over the years as you have applied the truths from Scripture that has been illuminated by the Spirit in your life.

Guides the Disciple

Guides the disciple is the part of the counselor.

Have you ever sought out counsel from someone? A direction in your life

Do we come before God, asking the Spirit to guide us and direct our lives.

Do we listen to Him speak to us and give us direction.

Think for a moment, in what ways has the Spirit guided you this past week.

Equips the Disciple

The fourth but not exhaustive part is the equipping of the believer or disciple.

Do you know he equips you for service in the context of community?

The Spirit has the pleasure to hand out spiritual gifts to the believers to build up the body and to Glorify Christ.

The concept of Spiritual Gifts and equipping of the church is an entire discussion alone.

For some of you, the thought hasn’t crossed your mind of a spiritual gift given to you. I would love to sit down with you sometime and further explore this with anyone who would like to know more.

Empowers the Disciple for Christ-Like Living and Sacrifice

The last one I will discuss this morning is the empowerment we are given by the Spirit to carry out our walk with Christ.

To be like Christ, requires the strength from the Spirit.

To serve like Christ requires the Spirit with-in us

To live like Christ requires that the Spirit dwells within us.

John 16:14 ESV

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Jesus was talking about the Spirit that was coming for the believers and has come for us.

JI Packer a great theologian described the work of the Spirit like this

As the spirits floodlight ministry. Like the floodlights that illuminate the Washington Monument at night, displaying its beauty to the best possible way, so the spirit throws his light on Jesus,

allowing us to see his glory,

to hear his word,

to go to him and receive life,

and to taste his his gift of joy and peace.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, God’s Gospel is applied through the work of the Holy Spirit.

He is there for you and me, He is there to bring us to be like Christ, To work out the life of Christ in our lives and to show the grace of God to others around us.

Take a moment today to reflect on the greatness of the Spirit and what the comforter has and will continue to do in our lives.

Amen

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