THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PT 1

We know that our faith is not born of our righteousness and neither is it out of our works. Megan Kruger writes about the difference between spiritual fruit and self-righteous works at The Gospel Coalition. She writes, “The work of the Spirit always overflows in worship. When we find ourselves living lives of obedience, showing forth joy and patience, kindness and love, our hearts abound with thanksgiving. We rejoice, not in our own righteousness, but in the work of the Spirit within us. There is no judgment for others because we recognize all our works are simply a gift born within us. We do not look down on others who are struggling; we just keep inviting them to Jesus.”

As we seek to live out our faith with good works, we must take care to evaluate our motives behind those works and ask for the Spirit’s help in maintaining purity of heart.

The Holy Spirit wants to work in the hearts and lives of men and women. He can do more for us in a few moments than we can do for ourselves in our lifetime. He wants to fill us, empower us, guide us, and work through us. RC Sproul reminds us that while the Father sent Jesus to do everything we needed done to be saved, unless it is applied in our life – it is useless –

The way we know how to apply it in our life is the work of the Holy Spirit

Let Us Pray!

The Work of the Holy Spirit Pt 1

Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1–4

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.”

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

I. PURGING POWER—John 16:8 – And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment

A. He purges from sin. This is salvation. v9 – concerning sin, because they do not believe in me

James 4:17 says that anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins – how are we to know what good is and good we are to do – we have to listen to the Holy Spirit

Psalm 51:10-12 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

v17 goes on to say – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

B. He purges from unrighteousness. This is holiness. v11 – concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

So He sanctifies us – sets us apart, declared righteous, purifies, makes us holy –

1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

C. He purges from judgment. This is assurance. v12 – concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

His purging regenerates us – 3:5 says “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Isaiah 63:14 – who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

After purging us and regenerating us – He confirms us 2 Corinthians 1:22 – “He set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

And because His Spirit is in our heart, He has Praying Power

II. PRAYING POWER—Romans 8:26-27 –

A. He helps us in our weakness. He gives spiritual strength.

v26 – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

B. He prays through us. This is intercession.

v27 – And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Ezekiel 36:27 – “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ephesians 5:18-19 – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

III. PARDONING POWER—Romans 8:16

A. He convicts—Acts 2:37. God planned our salvation. Jesus paid for our salvation. The Holy Spirit brings our salvation.

ACTS 2:37 – 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?”

B. He cleanses—Acts 2:38. Note Peter’s words: “for the remission of sins.”

ACTS 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, cleanses us – 1 Corinthians 12:13 – “We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

IV. PREACHING POWER

A. Power to witness—Acts 1:8. This power was promised to the disciples to help them do God’s work. The disciples were helpless without this power.

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.”

John 14:26 – “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Samuel 23:2 – “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.

Isaiah 59:21 – “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

2 Peter 1:20-21 – knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

B. Power to work—Acts 4:31. They were given power to speak the Word of God.

ACTS 4:12 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

ACTS 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

How is the Holy Spirit convicting you? What is He calling you to do?

We are all helpless without the Holy Spirit – are you allowing Him to move in you? Do in you His work?

Are you digesting “truth” that the world is feeding you or will you only allow the source of TRUTH to feed you?

Are you allowing His words to be on your tongues? Will you allow His thoughts to occupy your mind?

Will you let His boldness overwhelm you and use you for His purpose?

Let Us Pray