THE ESSENTIALS The Holy Spirit Key Doctrines for Starting and Finishing Strong LESSON 3 Part 3 God s mind is revealed in Scripture, but we can see nothing without the spectacles of the Holy Spirit. THOMAS MANTON MAIN POINTS IN THIS LESSON: In this lesson, we will study two essential subjects: The Holy Spirit s Work and Benefit 1) How can we discern when the Spirit of God is working? 2) What does He provide for us in our walk with Christ?
Are the following statements true or false? (circle one) The Holy Spirit speaks to the believer in a still small voice. T F The Holy Spirit leads in new ways not revealed in Scripture. T F The Holy Spirit calls believers to serve in ministry. T F Be on the lookout for the answers to these questions as we study the Word of God. The Holy Spirit s Work A. Read John 16:13-14. What is the one overarching goal of the Holy Spirit? If you want to sum up what the Holy Spirit is about, He is about glorifying Christ. The Holy Spirit never puts Himself on display. His main goal is to make Christ known. Anytime there is an emphasis on the Spirit that supersedes the centrality and priority of Jesus Christ, it is not the Holy Spirit doing it. B. According to Colossians 1:18-20, why is the Holy Spirit s goal to glorify Christ? The Holy Spirit s Benefits The best company in the world cannot give you the benefits that the Holy Spirit gives to the child of God. Let s talk about a few of the Spirit s benefits. A. One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is revealed in one of His titles or names. According to John 16:7, one of His roles is Helper (Gk. paracletos ) one called alongside to help. Write down two areas where you need help in your life right now. Can the Holy Spirit help you in these areas?
B. According to John 14:25-26, what benefit would the Holy Spirit serve in the disciples lives after Jesus was gone? C. Read Romans 8:14-16. Consider the three benefits that the Holy Spirit brings to the believer s life: 1. (v.14) 2. (v.15) 3. (v.16) D. The key to experiencing these benefits is found in Romans 8:13. What is it? The Holy Spirit s Baptism The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a controversial subject in Christian circles today. We must remember that one of the devil s tactics is to take an important truth and make it confusing and controversial in order to scare us away from seeking the truth. Let s find the facts about this issue and obtain the truth that Jesus promises will make us free (John 8:32). A. Is there more than one baptism of the Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 4:4-5) B. What are we baptized into, according to these verses? 1. 1 Corinthians 12:13: 2. Galatians 3:27: 3. Romans 6:1-5: The key to understanding this issue involves two things: understanding the meaning of the word baptism, and making the distinction between the Spirit s baptism and His other ministries. First, the word baptism (Gk. baptizo ) means to dip or immerse. It was used to describe the process of dyeing cloth. If you wanted to change the look of a piece of cloth from one color to another, you baptized it. It describes a transformational act. When God wanted to describe the process of change that happens when the believer comes to Christ, this is the word He chose. So, when the Bible talks about the Spirit s baptism, it means the action that He takes in transforming us into a new environment and into a new identification with Jesus Christ. Here are some important distinctions to help us with this issue:
Baptism of the Spirit speaks of what the Spirit has done. It refers to our placement into another realm and relationship, a new family. It occurs at the moment of salvation and was completed at salvation. Filling of the Spirit speaks of what the Spirit controls and empowers. It refers to His enablement to help us live the victorious Christian life. It happens as we yield our lives in obedience to the Word of God and it is a continuous act of surrender. Indwelling of the Spirit speaks of where the Spirit resides. It refers to the Spirit taking up permanent residence in the life of the believer and it is also continuous throughout our lives on Earth. It is a permanent position of God s ownership of us. Illustrated: The baptism of the Spirit gives you access to the resources of spiritual life all the ingredients necessary to live for Christ. His other ministries enable you to grow in the spiritual life. It is not your obedience that qualifies you to receive the Spirit, it is your relationship with God through Christ that brought the Spirit to you at salvation. The Spirit wants to empower you to live by His power, not by your strength. The story is told about a little boy who was flying a kite. It was a windy day, and the kite kept going higher and higher. Finally, it got so high that it was out of sight. A man passed by and saw the little boy holding onto the string. The man could not see the kite, and he asked the boy, How do you even know you have a kite up there? The boy replied, Because I can feel it. Although we cannot see the Holy Spirit, we should be able to sense His work in our lives changing us into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit s Companionship We have already established that the Holy Spirit is a person. To receive His power, we must be rightly related to His person. So how do we do this? A. Put Christ first. Read John 16:13-14. The Spirit s passion is to glorify the Son, which means if you want to experience the Spirit s power, you need to prioritize what He prioritizes. B. Stay right with other believers. Read Ephesians 4:2-6. Divisiveness will hinder the Spirit s power in your life. Whenever there is spiritual disunity in your home or between you and someone else in the family of God, you are not seeking to preserve the unity of the Spirit. Once you do your part in preserving, He does His part in empowering. C. Deal with all unconfessed sin. Read Ephesians 4:25-32. When there is sin in our lives, it hurts the Holy Spirit. He is extremely sensitive to sin. Sins of the spirit, as well as sins of the flesh, grieve Him and in turn He grieves your spirit. This results in a lack of joy. But when you refuse to resist Him or grieve Him, the joy of the Lord [becomes] your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
D. Focus your mind in the realm of the Spirit. Read Romans 8:5-7. Remember, your mind is the key to your emotions, lifestyle, and attitude. If you want to live like Christ, you must discipline your mind to think how He thinks. Closing: Application questions: Being a Doer of the Word 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching [what is right], for reproof [what is not right], for correction [how to get right], for training in righteousness [how to stay right]; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1. What did I learn ( teaching )? 2. Where do I fall short ( reproof )? 3. What do I need to do about it ( correction )? 4. How can I make this a consistent part of my life ( training )?
Answer Key: Are the following statements true or false? F F T The Holy Spirit s Work A. to glorify Christ; lead us into the knowledge of Him B. because it is the Father s good pleasure for reconciliation and peace to come through Him The Holy Spirit s Benefits A. answers will vary B. teach them all things and remind them what Christ said C. 1. guidance 2. confidence 3. assurance D. living by the Spirit in obedience The Holy Spirit s Baptism A. no B. 1. one body 2. Christ 3. Christ s death and resurrection
Holy Habits Weekly Devotion This week s memory verse: Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. This week s holy habit: Obedience DAY 1 Read Psalm 96:1-9. Our purpose is to glorify the Father. What are some ways you can do this daily? DAY 2 Colossians 1:16, 18. Is there an area in your life where Christ does not have priority or any say? Search your heart, confess, and commit to making it right. DAY 3 Read Luke 22:41-42. Have you recently borrowed God s glory to magnify yourself? Recognize the One who gave you your abilities, repent, and give Him the proper glory that is due. DAY 4 Read Isaiah 63:10. Reflect on the triggers (people, things, acts, circumstances) that lead you astray or cause you to ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit. What can you do in those moments that would help you to not grieve Him? DAY 5 Read Deuteronomy 32:4. Reflect on the righteousness and perfection of God. What are some ways your obedience can illustrate His power to others?
February 24, 2017 The Church at South Mountain You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by The Church at South Mountain. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: The Church at South Mountain. Website: casm.org While all reasonable attempts have been taken to trace the literary and biblical sources used by the author, due to the nature of some of the original materials (old audio/radio or live preaching events), some have been impossible to locate. Any information regarding the origin of any unreferenced statements or quotations is welcomed and will be included in the next revision of the study.