Who is Holy Spirit?

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Introduction: The third person of the Trinity is Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit is not an impersonal “it” but Holy Spirit is a person.  Holy Spirit has been eternally united with the loving presence and Holiness of God for eternity.  Holy Spirit is the invisible presence of God in the midst of His people on earth.  Holy Spirit is not bound by a body like Jesus.  Holy Spirit brings the presence of God everywhere and anywhere God wishes.  The scriptures equate His presence with the presence of Jesus Himself.

Holy Spirit leads us to embrace Christ.  One of the Holy Spirit’s main roles in our lives is to be the invisible presence that points us to Jesus.  God’s Spirit partners with God’s word and takes the initiative in our lives and shows us our sin and misery.  He enables us to embrace Christ and become children of God.  He indwells us, the very presence of God is united with us as we become God’s children by grace through faith. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith says that “Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.”

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-15)

Questions:

How does Holy Spirit enable us to embrace the gospel of Jesus and more truths?

What does God’s Spirit do in our lives?

Holy Spirit indwells those who believe in Him.  We are told that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, as He dwelt in Jesus Christ, and that He is a deposit from God that guarantees that we will be with God for eternity.  His presence is real and He changes us to become more like Christ.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Questions:

What do you think it means that Holy Spirit dwells in us?

What are the joys of this?  What may be the challenges?

Holy Spirit comes alongside us and fights for us.  Jesus promises that he will send an advocate to us. In a world filled with challenges and troubles, Jesus promises that He will not leave us alone.  In a world where evil can be overwhelming in moments and so subtle, we don’t realize we are being led astray by others, Holy Spirit helps us see and conquer evil.  As evil would seek to lead us away from God and his plans, Holy Spirit will show us the path of God amidst the challenges that surround us.  He speaks to us as Christ promised.

“The Advocate, Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14;26) 

 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”  (John 14:15-17)

“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” John 10:3-4

Questions:

Why would we need someone to reveal truth to us and fight for us?

How does Holy Spirit help us battle evil?

How do you think Holy Spirit reveals truth (speaks) to us?

Holy Spirit reminds us that we are children of God. One of the main roles Holy Spirit plays in the lives of God’s children is to remind them that they are no longer orphans, alone in the world.  But, instead, they have been redeemed by His Spirit and set free to live for God.  We now belong to God and His family, the human soul’s lifelong struggle finds a home with God and God’s people.  The scriptures say that Holy Spirit works with our Spirit and “Cries out Abba, Father.”

After we become a part of God’s family, Holy Spirit binds the family of God together on earth. God’s Spirit dwells in His people and we are brothers and sisters under the headship and authority of God Himself. The church of Jesus is the place where Holy Spirit overflows one to the other.  The church is intended to be our spiritual family, some have even said our truest family.  

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] 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.” Romans 8:14-16

 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15

Questions:

Have you had a moment in your life where God reminded you that you belong to Him?

Why do you think we need these reminders?

How is a church like a family?

Holy Spirit makes us more like Christ.  As we learn to walk with the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives, we take on the very character of God.  Each of us starts our journey full of sin and stain, Christ removes that and takes our shame away.  Yet, we still struggle and don’t end ups walking on God’s path for our lives.  Our ultimate goal is to become more like Christ every day, so that His character may become our character.

We are told that this new journey with Holy Spirit is a partnership.  As we work Holy Spirit works, and as Holy Spirit works we work.  We grow to become more like Jesus by depending on Holy Spirit’s guidance and power.  Holy Spirit changes us and we start to exhibit the very character of our Lord.  He reveals to us where we miss the mark and drives us to repent and change, and then His Spirit restores us and renews and strengthens us to change.  To become more like Jesus, we do not change ourselves, but by partnering with God in us.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Questions:

How do you think God changes us through Holy Spirit?

Have you seen someone who is being changed by God’s Spirit?  What does it look like?

How has your character been impacted by God?