Empowerment and Sanctification through the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, we delved into its profound implications and its relationship with sanctification. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is primarily about empowerment for witness and ministry, as evidenced by the transformation of the apostles, particularly Peter, who went from denying Christ to boldly proclaiming the gospel. This empowerment is not just historical but is evident in every revival and reformation throughout church history, where a once languishing church is revitalized with boldness and clarity.

We also examined the relationship between the baptism with the Holy Spirit and sanctification. While there is no direct connection, as the baptism is primarily about empowerment, there is an indirect relationship. The experience of being baptized with the Holy Spirit often leads to a deeper awareness of God's love, which in turn encourages a life of holiness. However, it is crucial to distinguish between the two to avoid confusion and misapplication. Sanctification is a continuous process, characterized by exhortations and appeals in the New Testament, urging believers to live out their faith actively.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit, while not synonymous with sanctification, serves as a powerful catalyst for it. It is like the sun and rain that cause a garden to flourish, stimulating growth and vigor in the believer's life. This indirect connection underscores the importance of examining the fruits of the Spirit in one's life as evidence of genuine spiritual experiences. The consistency of the Spirit's work in a believer's life is a testament to the authenticity of their experiences and gifts.

Key Takeaways:

- The baptism with the Holy Spirit is primarily about empowerment for witness and ministry, as seen in the transformation of the apostles and throughout church history. This empowerment is essential for bold and effective testimony. [14:56]

- There is no direct connection between the baptism with the Holy Spirit and sanctification. The baptism is about empowerment, while sanctification is a continuous process of growth in holiness, characterized by exhortations in the New Testament. [22:35]

- The baptism with the Holy Spirit indirectly encourages sanctification by deepening the believer's awareness of God's love, which naturally leads to a desire for holiness and a life that reflects God's character. [28:06]

- The experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is profoundly experiential, leading to a heightened sense of God's love and a temporary feeling of sinlessness. However, this does not equate to sinless perfection, as sanctification is an ongoing process. [30:21]

- The fruits of the Spirit serve as a test for the authenticity of spiritual experiences and gifts. Genuine experiences of the Holy Spirit should be accompanied by evidence of sanctification and the fruits of the Spirit in one's life. [40:12]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Theme
[00:30] - Purpose of the Baptism with the Spirit
[01:23] - Boldness and Assurance in Witness
[02:10] - Historical Evidence of Revival
[02:46] - Spiritual Gifts and Their Balance
[03:49] - Christ-Centeredness in Spiritual Gifts
[05:18] - Relationship to Other Works of the Spirit
[07:25] - Confusion with Sanctification
[10:01] - Misunderstandings and Extremes
[13:59] - No Direct Connection to Sanctification
[16:50] - Power for Witness and Ministry
[19:26] - Corinthian Church as a Case Study
[22:35] - Exhortations in Sanctification
[28:06] - Indirect Connection to Sanctification
[34:51] - Encouragement of Sanctification
[39:24] - Consistency in the Spirit's Work
[44:26] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Sanctification

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26, 33 - "John answered them saying, I baptized with water but there standeth one among you whom ye know not... upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
2. Acts 1:8 - "But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."
3. Ephesians 5:18 - "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:33, what is the distinguishing feature of the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit? How does this relate to the empowerment for ministry? [00:30]
2. In Acts 1:8, what is the primary purpose of receiving power from the Holy Spirit? How does this purpose manifest in the lives of the apostles? [14:56]
3. How does Ephesians 5:18 differentiate between being filled with wine and being filled with the Spirit? What does this imply about the nature of the Spirit's influence? [08:02]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transformation of Peter from denying Christ to boldly proclaiming the gospel illustrate the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? What does this suggest about the potential impact of the Spirit in a believer's life? [16:02]
2. The sermon suggests that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is not directly connected to sanctification but can indirectly encourage it. How might a deeper awareness of God's love, as experienced through the Spirit, lead to a desire for holiness? [28:06]
3. What role do the fruits of the Spirit play in validating the authenticity of spiritual experiences and gifts? How can believers assess their spiritual experiences in light of these fruits? [40:12]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered to share your faith. How did that experience compare to the empowerment described in Acts 1:8? What steps can you take to seek this empowerment more consistently? [14:56]
2. Consider the indirect relationship between the baptism with the Holy Spirit and sanctification. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's love in your daily life to encourage your own sanctification? [28:06]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between spiritual gifts and sanctification. How can you ensure that your pursuit of spiritual gifts does not overshadow your commitment to personal holiness? [11:21]
4. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific action can you take this week to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? [40:12]
5. The sermon warns against the danger of focusing solely on spiritual experiences without evidence of sanctification. How can you maintain a balanced focus on both spiritual experiences and personal growth in holiness? [12:22]
6. Reflect on the analogy of the garden used in the sermon. What "sunshine" and "rain" do you need in your spiritual life to stimulate growth and vigor? How can you seek these out in your daily walk with God? [36:57]
7. How can you apply the exhortations in Ephesians 5:18 and Philippians 2:12-13 to your life this week? What practical steps can you take to be filled with the Spirit and work out your salvation with fear and trembling? [22:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Empowerment for Witness and Ministry
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that empowers believers for witness and ministry. This empowerment is vividly illustrated in the life of the apostles, particularly Peter, who transitioned from denying Christ to boldly proclaiming the gospel. This transformation is not just a historical event but a recurring theme throughout church history, where periods of revival and reformation have been marked by a renewed boldness and clarity in the church's witness. The baptism with the Holy Spirit equips believers with the courage and conviction needed to share their faith effectively, making it an essential aspect of Christian life and ministry. [14:56]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel today, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment to share it with them?


Day 2: Distinction Between Baptism and Sanctification
While the baptism with the Holy Spirit is primarily about empowerment, sanctification is a continuous process of growth in holiness. The New Testament is filled with exhortations urging believers to actively live out their faith, highlighting the ongoing nature of sanctification. It is crucial to distinguish between these two experiences to avoid confusion and misapplication. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not directly connected to sanctification, but it can serve as a catalyst for it by deepening one's awareness of God's love and encouraging a life of holiness. [22:35]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to actively pursue holiness, and how can you take a step towards that today?


Day 3: Indirect Encouragement of Sanctification
The baptism with the Holy Spirit indirectly encourages sanctification by deepening the believer's awareness of God's love. This heightened awareness naturally leads to a desire for holiness and a life that reflects God's character. While the baptism is not synonymous with sanctification, it acts like the sun and rain that cause a garden to flourish, stimulating growth and vigor in the believer's life. This indirect connection underscores the importance of examining the fruits of the Spirit in one's life as evidence of genuine spiritual experiences. [28:06]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's love in your daily life, and what impact might this have on your pursuit of holiness?


Day 4: Experiential Nature of the Baptism
The experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is profoundly experiential, leading to a heightened sense of God's love and a temporary feeling of sinlessness. However, this does not equate to sinless perfection, as sanctification is an ongoing process. This experience serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence and love, encouraging believers to continue striving for holiness. It is important to recognize that while the baptism provides a glimpse of spiritual fullness, the journey of sanctification requires continual effort and reliance on God's grace. [30:21]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you felt a profound sense of God's presence. How can you carry that awareness into your daily walk with Christ?


Day 5: Fruits of the Spirit as Evidence
The fruits of the Spirit serve as a test for the authenticity of spiritual experiences and gifts. Genuine experiences of the Holy Spirit should be accompanied by evidence of sanctification and the fruits of the Spirit in one's life. This consistency in the Spirit's work is a testament to the authenticity of a believer's experiences and gifts. It is essential to regularly examine one's life for these fruits, as they are indicators of spiritual health and growth. [40:12]

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

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now, and what practical steps can you take to cultivate it?

Quotes


The baptism with the spirit in other words manifests itself in various ways and we've been looking at that we see how it gave the apostles themselves immediately boldness of utterance the loss of the fear of men Clarity of thought and of understanding and so on and I've summed it all up by saying that what the baptism of the spirit therefore rarely does is to give us a great Assurance an absolute certainty with regard to these things which we believe. [00:58:16]

The primary purpose and object of the baptism with the Holy Ghost is not sanctification but it is as I have been saying something that is concerned primarily and essentially with power, power in witness, power in testimony this of course is stated quite plainly and explicitly as we saw many weeks ago by our blessed Lord himself here he is talking about this very matter he says but you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. [00:854:639]

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is a primarily and essentially a baptism with power it gives us this great certainty and assur, and there is a kind of must about it and an ability and the power to do it in the way that we have indicated very well here's the first thing I'm therefore arguing you see under this heading that there is no direct connection between the baptism with the Holy Ghost and sanctification. [01:131:0]

The very experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit must affect and have an influence Upon Our sanctification how well it's something like this isn't it when a man is baptized with the Holy Ghost what rarely happens to him is what Paul talks about in Romans 55 the love of God is shed abroad in his heart, now that's the term of the Apostle and the translation is quite a good one the love of God is shared abroad in his heart it's poured out in great profusion his heart is flooded with a realization of the love of God. [01:1708:159]

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is essentially experimental that's where those people who say that it happens to everybody at regeneration seem to me not only to be denying the New Testament but to be definitely quenching the spirit regeneration is unconscious non-experimental cut the baptism with the early ghost is essentially experimental look at the second chapter of Acts FC is saying that that's non-experimental but that is what some have taught because they've been afraid of the excesses of Pentecostalism. [01:1818:88]

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is the greatest possible encouragement of sanctification there is nothing that so promotes sanctification as the baptism with the spirit it isn't sanctification itself but it encourages it it promotes it may I be allowed to use an illustration which I believe I used in this connection oh about 10 years ago go I think when we were dealing with Ephesians 1:13 in connection with the sealing of the spirit. [01:2098:16]

The fruits of the Spirit serve as a test for the authenticity of spiritual experiences and gifts. Genuine experiences of the Holy Spirit should be accompanied by evidence of sanctification and the fruits of the Spirit in one's life. There is a consistency about the work of the spirit there may be times when you may get the very thing described in the first epistle to the Corinthians we've got to be clear about this. [01:2402:68]

The moment a men is Born Again The Seed of Divine Life is In him we are made says Peter partakers of the divine nature John says the seed remaineth in him however poor the Christian may be the seed is there the Christian can't go on living a life of sin he doesn't abide in sin why well the seed abides in him the life is there but it's like that Garden you are almost doubtful as to whether there's anything there at all but it is there the life is in the seed and there is growth though almost imperceptible. [01:2260:92]

The baptism with the Holy Spirit, while not synonymous with sanctification, serves as a powerful catalyst for it. It is like the sun and rain that cause a garden to flourish, stimulating growth and vigor in the believer's life. This indirect connection underscores the importance of examining the fruits of the Spirit in one's life as evidence of genuine spiritual experiences. [01:2224:599]

The experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is profoundly experiential, leading to a heightened sense of God's love and a temporary feeling of sinlessness. However, this does not equate to sinless perfection, as sanctification is an ongoing process. [01:1818:88]

The baptism with the Holy Spirit indirectly encourages sanctification by deepening the believer's awareness of God's love, which naturally leads to a desire for holiness and a life that reflects God's character. [01:1708:159]

The consistency of the Spirit's work in a believer's life is a testament to the authenticity of their experiences and gifts. [01:2402:68]

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Transcript
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