LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE

– (1 Corinthians 2:10, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23)
   The Holy Spirit enlightens the Christian’s mind
   (which says our thoughts and desires should be changed).

– (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
   The Holy Spirit indwells the believer’s body.
   Note:
       This should cause us to be more careful
       about what we eat, drink, look at, hear, and read.
       Paul disciplined his body for fear of God’s disapproval
       (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Other works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers:

– (Acts 9:31) He comforts, strengthens, and encourages us.

– (John 16:13) He guides us.

– (Romans 15:15-16) He sanctifies us.

– (1 Corinthians 2:13) He tells His servants what to preach.

– (Acts 13:2) He directs missionaries where to go.

– (Romans 8:26) He helps us in our infirmities.

– (Acts 16:6-7) He tells believers where they are not to go.

– Throughout history the work of the Holy Spirit among men:
   (Judges 14:19)
   In the Old Testament, He “came upon” selected individuals,
   and remained for a season.

   (John 14:15-20)
   In the Gospels, He “dwelled with” the disciples in the person of Christ.

   (1 Corinthians 6:19)
   From the second chapter of Acts onward,
   the Holy Spirit is referred to as being “in” the people of God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BIBLE

– (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
All scripture is inspired (God breathed) by God.
    – (2 Peter 1:21)
      The Holy Spirit inspired the men who wrote the Bible.
      Even though each book of the Bible was written during
      a particular time, it was also looking into the distant future.
      Consequently some writers
      wrote about future events without really knowing.
      Example:
          The 53rd Chapter of Isaiah detailed
          the suffering of Christ more than 700 years before it took place.

– (2 Samuel 23:1-2)
   The Spirit spoke through David (he wrote many of the Psalms).

– (Jeremiah 31:33-34) The Spirit spoke to the prophet Jeremiah.

– (Ezekiel 3:24) The Spirit spoke to Ezekiel.

– (Acts 3:11-26) The Spirit spoke through Peter.

– The Book of Hebrews quotes from:
       – The Law (Hebrews 9:6-8)
       – The prophets (Hebrews 10:15-17)
       – The Psalms (Hebrews 3:7-10)
       Note:
           In each case, the authorship is attributed to the Holy Spirit.

– (John 14:26)
   Jesus assured the disciples in advance that
   the Holy Spirit would inspire the writers of the New Testament
   (refers to the four Gospels, Matthew-John).
   (John 16:13)
       – The books from Acts to Jude, the Book of Revelation,
         and many other passages throughout the New Testament
         were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
         Note:
              It is awesome when we realize that the same Holy Spirit
              who inspired the writers of the Bible, is the same One
              living in us (and inspiring us to be a witness to others
              for Jesus Christ and what He has done for us).

              None of us should ever make the comment,
              “I am not capable of serving the Lord in some capacity”.
              God’s Word (which does not lie) has told us that every
              one of us has received at least one spiritual gift to be
              used in service for our Lord and Savior.

              He did not give us our special gift to collect dust;
              He gave it to us to be used in whatever way He directs us to use it
              (failure to use it indicates an attitude of slothfulness and laziness).
              Each of us has a responsibility to discover God’s gift to us (and for us),
              and to use it with confidence, passion, and a desire to please Him.