THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER

Speaking to a large audience, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by "sucking out a sin here and there," but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

D.L Moody said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled."

Ephesians 5:18 in the CJB and ISV version says – Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit —

We must continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit – why because as people we leak like a sieve and so, today, we discuss the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer

Let us pray!

The Holy Spirit in the Believer

John 16:7 – 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.

John 14:26 – 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.

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVICTION—John 16:8–11 – And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

A. He convicts people of sin—vv. 8, 9. Men are born in sin—Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. The Holy Spirit shows man he is a sinner and that he should turn to God’s goodness.

B. He convicts the world of sin—v. 9. The sin of the world is unbelief and rejection of Christ.

C. He offers deliverance from judgment—v. 10. Because Christ ascended into heaven and the Comforter came, righteousness is available for those who turn to God.

D. He convicts the person of sin—v. 11. Satan has already been judged.

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION

A. Pardon by Spirit—John 3:5-8 – Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.”

Being born of the water and the Spirit, is the only way to enter God’s kingdom. The water stands for refreshment and the Spirit provides redemption and regeneration.

B. Power of the Spirit—Titus 3:5. We had nothing to do with our salvation, other than accepting Christ. It is the Spirit that regenerates and makes man a new creature in Christ. Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Titus 3:5-7 – he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Jesus submitted to the power of the Holy Spirit – and we are to follow Christ’s example and submit to the Holy Spirit and allow His power to guide us and lead us

C. Practice of the Spirit—Ezekiel 36:26. God places within man a new spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26-28 – 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. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CLEANSING

A. Saved by the Savior—2 Corinthians 5:17 – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Notice the importance of “being in Christ.”

B. Secured by the Spirit—Romans 8:16. The Spirit gives evidence that we are the children of God.

Romans 8:13-17 – 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONTROLLING/LEADING

The Holy Spirit wants to lead God’s people, however He will not force Himself upon any man.

John 14:26 – 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.

A. Favor of the Spirit—1 John 4:13. We are assured that we are children of God by having His Spirit dwelling in us.

1 John 4:13 – By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

B. Fruit of the Spirit—Galatians 5:22, 23. The nine fruits come as the result of being filled with and living in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22, 23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

V. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN COMPLETION

A. Healing for the soul. Jesus spoke of man losing his soul (Mark 8:36). However, through faith, we can have our souls restored. David spoke of this in Psalm 23:3.

Mark 8:36-37 – For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?

Psalm 23:3 - He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

B. Healing for the body—Isaiah 53:5. Christ paid the price for our healing. He wants us to be healthy.

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

B. Healing for the mind. We keep our minds healthy by allowing the Holy Spirit to control them.

Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Isaiah reminded the Israelites that the Holy Spirit guided them, they rejected Him, but through forgiveness He again gave them rest.