Living in Harmony with the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: Grieving the Spirit Through Our Actions

Our actions have a profound impact on the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. When we engage in behaviors that contradict His sanctifying work, such as lying, holding grudges, stealing, and corrupting talk, we grieve the Spirit. These actions oppose the experience of being loved by Christ, which should be our supreme treasure. The Holy Spirit is grieved because these behaviors hinder His work of sanctification and disrupt the unity and love that should characterize the body of believers. Understanding this calls us to a higher standard of living, where our actions reflect the love of Christ and align with the Spirit's work. [03:05]

Ephesians 4:29-30 (ESV): "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

Reflection: Consider a recent action or word that may have grieved the Holy Spirit. How can you seek forgiveness and align your behavior with the Spirit's sanctifying work today?

Day 2: The Active Process of the Spirit's Sealing

The sealing of the Holy Spirit is not merely a passive mark but an active process of sanctification. This involves the Spirit's work in keeping us holy, which is essential for seeing the Lord. The Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ's love and holiness. Our cooperation with His work is crucial in this process, as it allows us to experience the fullness of life in Christ. The Spirit's sealing is a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ, and it calls us to live in a way that honors this divine promise. [05:16]

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the Spirit's sanctifying work in your life today? What steps can you take to honor the Spirit's seal?

Day 3: Comprehending the Vastness of Christ's Love

The Holy Spirit strengthens us to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love, which is crucial for our sanctification. Without this understanding, we cannot fully experience the transformative power of Christ's love in our lives. The Spirit's role is to help us grasp this love, which in turn transforms our actions and aligns us with His work. This comprehension is a key aspect of the Spirit's work, as it enables us to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and builds up the body of believers. [07:11]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "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 deepen your understanding of Christ's love today? What practical steps can you take to let this love transform your actions?

Day 4: Building Up and Maintaining Unity

Building up the body of believers and maintaining unity are central to the Spirit's work. Actions that harm others or disrupt unity grieve the Spirit because they oppose His purpose of creating a loving, unified community. Our actions should contribute to the building up and unity of the church, reflecting the love and unity that Christ desires for His followers. By aligning our actions with the Spirit's work, we honor Him and strengthen the body of believers. [09:22]

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one action you can take today to build up and maintain unity within your community of believers? How can you contribute to a loving and unified church?

Day 5: Avoiding Sins That Grieve the Spirit

The sins of lying, holding grudges, stealing, and corrupting talk grieve the Holy Spirit because they contradict His work of sanctification. These actions oppose the experience of Christ's love and the Spirit's work in building up and unifying the body of believers. By avoiding these sins and embracing actions that align with the Spirit's work, we honor the Spirit and experience the fullness of life in Christ. This calls us to a higher standard of living, where our actions reflect the love and unity that Christ desires for His followers. [11:37]

James 1:26-27 (ESV): "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: Identify a specific sin that you struggle with that may grieve the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take today to overcome this sin and align your actions with the Spirit's work?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Ephesians 4:30-32, we delve into the profound relationship between our actions and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. The Holy Spirit, though divine, can be grieved by our actions, particularly those that contradict His sanctifying work. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption, a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ. This sealing is not a passive mark but an active process of sanctification, where the Spirit works to keep us holy. The Spirit's role is to strengthen us to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love, to build us up as a community, and to maintain unity among believers.

The sins mentioned in the preceding verses—lying, holding grudges, stealing, and corrupting talk—grieve the Holy Spirit because they oppose His work. These actions contradict the experience of being loved by Christ, which should be our supreme treasure. When we truly grasp the depth of Christ's love, it transforms our behavior, leading us away from actions that harm others and towards those that build up and unify. The Spirit's sanctifying work is evident in our lives when we live in a way that reflects Christ's love, builds up the body of believers, and maintains unity.

Understanding the Holy Spirit's role in our lives calls us to a higher standard of living. We are urged to avoid actions that grieve Him and instead embrace those that align with His work of sanctification. By doing so, we not only honor the Spirit but also experience the fullness of life in Christ, marked by love, unity, and holiness.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit is grieved by actions that contradict His sanctifying work in our lives. Our behavior should reflect the love of Christ, which the Spirit helps us to comprehend and experience. When we truly grasp this love, it transforms our actions and aligns us with the Spirit's work. [03:05]
2. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is an active process of sanctification, not a passive mark. It involves the Spirit's work in keeping us holy, which is essential for seeing the Lord. This holiness is achieved through the Spirit's empowerment and our cooperation with His work. [05:16]
3. The Spirit strengthens us to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love, which is crucial for our sanctification. Without this understanding, we cannot fully experience the transformative power of Christ's love in our lives. This comprehension is a key aspect of the Spirit's work. [07:11]
4. Building up the body of believers and maintaining unity are central to the Spirit's work. Actions that harm others or disrupt unity grieve the Spirit because they oppose His purpose of creating a loving, unified community. Our actions should contribute to the building up and unity of the church. [09:22]
5. The sins of lying, holding grudges, stealing, and corrupting talk grieve the Holy Spirit because they contradict His work of sanctification. These actions oppose the experience of Christ's love and the Spirit's work in building up and unifying the body of believers. [11:37]
** [11:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Ephesians 4:30-32
[00:33] - The Personhood of the Holy Spirit
[00:57] - Understanding Grieving the Holy Spirit
[01:43] - Context of Grieving the Spirit
[02:39] - The Spirit's Sealing Work
[03:19] - Guarantee of Our Inheritance
[04:16] - The Spirit's Role in Holiness
[05:45] - Sanctification by the Spirit
[06:29] - Strengthened by the Spirit
[07:11] - Comprehending Christ's Love
[08:12] - Building Up the Body
[09:00] - Unity of the Spirit
[10:05] - Sins That Grieve the Spirit
[11:23] - Contradicting the Spirit's Work
[12:06] - Conclusion and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ephesians 4:30-32

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:30-32
- Hebrews 12:14
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13

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Observation Questions:

What specific actions does Paul mention in Ephesians 4:30-32 that grieve the Holy Spirit? How do these actions relate to the Spirit's work in our lives? [00:33]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of being "sealed" by the Holy Spirit, and how does this relate to our behavior as believers? [03:19]
How does the Holy Spirit strengthen us to comprehend the love of Christ, and why is this understanding crucial for our sanctification? [07:11]
What are the three main roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer as discussed in the sermon? How do these roles contribute to the unity of the church? [08:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding the Holy Spirit's role in sanctification change a believer's perspective on personal holiness and community life? [05:16]
In what ways do the sins of lying, holding grudges, stealing, and corrupting talk contradict the experience of being loved by Christ? How does this contradiction affect the unity of the church? [11:37]
Why is it important for believers to comprehend the vastness of Christ's love, and how does this comprehension impact their daily actions and interactions with others? [07:11]
How does the concept of being "sealed for the day of redemption" provide assurance to believers, and what responsibilities does it entail in terms of living a holy life? [03:19]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where your actions might have grieved the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take to align your behavior more closely with the Spirit's sanctifying work? [00:33]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you actively cooperate with His work of sanctification this week, especially in areas where you struggle with sin? [05:16]
Identify a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. What practical steps can you take to build up and maintain unity, reflecting the Spirit's work in the church? [09:00]
How can you deepen your understanding and experience of Christ's love? What specific practices or disciplines can help you grow in this area? [07:11]
Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit strengthening you. How can you seek His strength in your current challenges, and what difference might it make in your life? [06:29]
Reflect on the concept of being "sealed" by the Holy Spirit. How does this assurance of your inheritance in Christ influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [03:19]
Choose one of the sins mentioned in Ephesians 4:30-32 that you struggle with. What is one specific action you can take this week to overcome it and align with the Spirit's work? [11:37]

Sermon Clips

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [00:29:40]

The sealing here is the guarantee by the Spirit that we're going to make it. We can make it to the end where they're going to be no dropouts for those who are sealed by the Spirit. Now the question is, how does he do that? And the biblical answer is he's the Holy Spirit. [00:39:40]

He seals, guarantees by keeping, that is, by keeping us holy because he is holy. In other words, he keeps us for the day of redemption for our inheritance by keeping us holy because Hebrews 12:14 says strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which we will not see the Lord. [00:44:40]

If the Holy Spirit doesn't preserve us in real holiness we won't ever see the Lord. There is a holiness without which we will not see the Lord. He's keeping, his guaranteeing, his sealing, it's not like him snapping his finger and saying it doesn't matter what you do. [00:50:08]

Through the sanctification by the Spirit. So if he had just said through the Holy Spirit it would have sounded like Ephesians but now he says more specifically, how are we kept and saved and sealed for that last inheritance? It is through the sanctification of the Spirit. [00:58:48]

Paul is praying, bows his knees, and prays to the Father from whom the whole family in heaven on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit. All right, we need to be strengthened now for what? [01:03:20]

The Holy Spirit is the strengthener in his prayer for what? So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and that you being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints the breadth and length and height and depth. [01:07:36]

And to know the love of Christ it's the strength to know the love of Christ. This is it, this is the key to sanctification. Only by the Spirit do we have strength to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ for us. [01:11:24]

Many people are not truly born again because they don't have any sense of the breadth and length and height and depth of being loved by Christ. It doesn't make them happy in the morning, it doesn't make them happy at night, it doesn't touch them at noon. [01:14:48]

The Holy Spirit is committed not only to revealing to us and causing us to experience the love of Christ but to be built up together. Building up is the work of the Spirit and there's a third way he sanctifies us, namely by creating unity, the unity of the Spirit. [01:21:52]

The Spirit gives us a sense of the love of Christ, the Spirit builds us up and enables us to build each other up, builds up the body and the Spirit gives unity. Now, what is it about the sins that were mentioned just before verse 30? [01:26:40]

Why do these four lying to each other, holding grudges against each other, stealing from each other and speaking down rather than building up each other grieve the Holy Spirit? Because all of them contradict the sense of being loved by Christ. [01:31:20]

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Living in Harmony with the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: Grieving the Spirit Through Our Actions

Day 2: The Active Process of the Spirit's Sealing

Day 3: Comprehending the Vastness of Christ's Love

Day 4: Building Up and Maintaining Unity

Day 5: Avoiding Sins That Grieve the Spirit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living in Harmony with the Holy Spirit

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