The Holy Spirit: Grace, Creation, and Cultural Influence

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, we delve into the profound implications of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2. This pivotal moment in Christian history marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of Joel. However, this event raises questions about the Holy Spirit's activity before Pentecost, as numerous scriptural references indicate His presence and work throughout history.

The Holy Spirit's involvement begins at creation, as described in Genesis, where the Spirit of God moved upon the waters. The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in the creation and sustenance of the world, working alongside the Father and the Son. This divine collaboration continues as the Holy Spirit maintains creation, ensuring its ongoing existence and vitality.

A significant aspect of the Holy Spirit's work is what we term "common grace." This refers to the general blessings and moral influences imparted to all humanity, regardless of their spiritual state. Common grace manifests in various ways, such as the light of conscience, the establishment of governments, and the development of culture. These are not saving influences but serve to restrain sin and promote order and righteousness in society.

The Holy Spirit's influence extends to the moral and cultural realms, where He inspires art, science, and literature. These cultural achievements, while not redemptive, are gifts from God that enhance human life and reflect His glory. However, the danger lies in humanity's tendency to glorify the creators rather than the Creator.

Common grace also delays the execution of judgment, allowing humanity time for repentance. The Holy Spirit strives with men, restraining sin and maintaining a general sense of morality and religion. This divine patience and restraint are evident in the continued existence of the world despite sin.

As we continue to explore the Holy Spirit's activity before Pentecost, we recognize His pervasive influence throughout history. This understanding deepens our appreciation for God's gracious dealings with humanity and His ongoing work in the world.

Key Takeaways:

- The Holy Spirit's involvement in creation underscores the collaborative work of the Trinity. From the beginning, the Spirit has been active in shaping and sustaining the world, highlighting the divine orchestration of life and existence. [02:44]

- Common grace is a profound expression of God's generosity, providing general blessings and moral influences to all humanity. This grace restrains sin, maintains order, and promotes righteousness, reflecting God's desire for a well-ordered world. [05:05]

- The cultural achievements of humanity, such as art and literature, are manifestations of the Holy Spirit's influence. These gifts, while not redemptive, enhance human life and reflect God's glory, reminding us to honor the Creator above the creation. [10:34]

- The Holy Spirit's restraint of sin and delay of judgment demonstrate God's patience and desire for repentance. This divine forbearance allows humanity time to turn to God, emphasizing His mercy and long-suffering nature. [15:10]

- The pervasive influence of the Holy Spirit in the moral and cultural realms highlights the interconnectedness of God's work in the world. Even those outside the faith experience the Spirit's influence, pointing to a divine order that transcends human understanding. [20:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- [00:25] - The Implications of Peter's Sermon
- [00:58] - The Holy Spirit Before Pentecost
- [01:46] - Method of Approach
- [02:27] - The Holy Spirit in Creation
- [03:32] - Sustaining Creation
- [04:51] - Understanding Common Grace
- [06:30] - The Light of Conscience
- [08:09] - Governments and Laws
- [09:25] - Public Opinion and Culture
- [13:24] - The Holy Spirit's Restraint of Sin
- [15:10] - Delaying Judgment
- [17:01] - The Striving of the Holy Spirit
- [21:40] - Common Blessings
- [23:30] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:1-4
2. Genesis 1:2
3. Psalm 104:29-30

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Acts 2, what significant event marked the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and how did Peter explain this event to the people? [00:58]

2. In Genesis 1:2, how is the Holy Spirit described in relation to the creation of the world? What role does the Spirit play in this process? [02:27]

3. Psalm 104:29-30 speaks about the Holy Spirit's role in sustaining creation. What does this passage reveal about the Spirit's ongoing work in the world? [04:06]

4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "common grace," and what are some examples given of its manifestations in the world? [05:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fulfill the prophecy of Joel, and what implications does this have for the early church and believers today? [00:58]

2. The sermon mentions the Holy Spirit's involvement in creation and sustaining the world. How does this understanding of the Spirit's work deepen our appreciation for the Trinity's collaborative role in creation? [02:44]

3. In what ways does the concept of common grace challenge the notion that God is only concerned with the spiritual realm? How does this influence our understanding of God's interaction with the world? [06:01]

4. The sermon highlights the Holy Spirit's influence on culture, art, and science. How should believers respond to cultural achievements, and what dangers exist in glorifying the creation over the Creator? [10:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the Holy Spirit's influence in your life, either through creation or common grace. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's presence in the world? [02:44]

2. The sermon discusses the Holy Spirit's role in restraining sin and delaying judgment. How can this understanding of divine patience encourage you to seek repentance and transformation in your own life? [15:10]

3. Consider the cultural achievements you admire, such as art or literature. How can you appreciate these gifts while ensuring that your praise and adoration are directed towards God, the ultimate Creator? [12:20]

4. In what ways can you recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit's influence in the moral and cultural realms of your community? How can you contribute to promoting righteousness and order in society? [20:11]

5. The sermon emphasizes the interconnectedness of God's work in the world. How can you be more aware of the Holy Spirit's activity in your daily life, and how might this awareness impact your interactions with others? [20:11]

6. How can you actively participate in God's work of common grace by promoting justice, peace, and morality in your community? What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's desire for a well-ordered world? [05:05]

7. Reflect on the idea that the Holy Spirit strives with humanity, offering time for repentance. How can you use this understanding to encourage others in their spiritual journey and offer grace and patience in your relationships? [15:10]

Devotional

Day 1: The Trinity's Collaborative Work in Creation
The Holy Spirit's involvement in creation highlights the collaborative work of the Trinity. From the beginning, the Spirit has been active in shaping and sustaining the world, emphasizing the divine orchestration of life and existence. The Spirit of God moved upon the waters, playing a crucial role in the creation and sustenance of the world, working alongside the Father and the Son. This divine collaboration continues as the Holy Spirit maintains creation, ensuring its ongoing existence and vitality. Understanding this collaborative work deepens our appreciation for the interconnectedness of the Trinity and the divine orchestration of life. [02:44]

Genesis 1:2-3 (ESV): "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

Reflection: How can you recognize and appreciate the collaborative work of the Trinity in your daily life, especially in the natural world around you?


Day 2: Common Grace as God's Generosity
Common grace is a profound expression of God's generosity, providing general blessings and moral influences to all humanity. This grace restrains sin, maintains order, and promotes righteousness, reflecting God's desire for a well-ordered world. Common grace manifests in various ways, such as the light of conscience, the establishment of governments, and the development of culture. These are not saving influences but serve to restrain sin and promote order and righteousness in society. Recognizing common grace helps us see God's hand in the everyday structures and systems that maintain societal order. [05:05]

Matthew 5:45 (ESV): "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's common grace in your life, and how can you express gratitude for these blessings today?


Day 3: Cultural Achievements as Reflections of God's Glory
The cultural achievements of humanity, such as art and literature, are manifestations of the Holy Spirit's influence. These gifts, while not redemptive, enhance human life and reflect God's glory, reminding us to honor the Creator above the creation. The Holy Spirit's influence extends to the moral and cultural realms, where He inspires art, science, and literature. However, the danger lies in humanity's tendency to glorify the creators rather than the Creator. By recognizing the Spirit's role in these achievements, we can appreciate them as reflections of God's creativity and glory. [10:34]

Exodus 31:2-5 (ESV): "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze."

Reflection: How can you use your own talents and skills to reflect God's glory, and how can you honor the Creator in the cultural achievements you admire?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Restraint and Divine Patience
The Holy Spirit's restraint of sin and delay of judgment demonstrate God's patience and desire for repentance. This divine forbearance allows humanity time to turn to God, emphasizing His mercy and long-suffering nature. Common grace also delays the execution of judgment, allowing humanity time for repentance. The Holy Spirit strives with men, restraining sin and maintaining a general sense of morality and religion. This divine patience and restraint are evident in the continued existence of the world despite sin. [15:10]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you sense God's patience and restraint? How can you respond to His mercy with repentance and gratitude today?


Day 5: The Pervasive Influence of the Holy Spirit
The pervasive influence of the Holy Spirit in the moral and cultural realms highlights the interconnectedness of God's work in the world. Even those outside the faith experience the Spirit's influence, pointing to a divine order that transcends human understanding. As we continue to explore the Holy Spirit's activity before Pentecost, we recognize His pervasive influence throughout history. This understanding deepens our appreciation for God's gracious dealings with humanity and His ongoing work in the world. [20:11]

Psalm 104:30 (ESV): "When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's influence in your surroundings, and how can you join in His work in your community today?

Quotes


The Holy Spirit has been active from the commencement in sustaining and maintaining the universe. [00:04:32]

Common Grace is the term applied to those general blessings which God imparts to all men indiscriminately as he pleases. That's common Grace: general blessings which God gives or imparts to all men indiscriminately, not only his own people but all men according to his own will. [00:05:02]

The Holy Spirit has been operative in this world from the very commencement, and he has had his influence and his effect upon men who are not saved and who have gone to perdition. While they were in this life and in this world, they came under these general operations, non-saving operations of the Holy Spirit. [00:06:08]

There is a light that lighteth every man. It's a kind of natural light, as we call it, natural understanding, the light that is in conscience. Every man has a conscience, and there is that light of conscience in every person that is born into this world. [00:06:39]

The powers that be are ordained of God, says Paul in Romans 13:1. It is God who's ordained all these. He divided up the bounds of the nations. He decided that they must have rulers and governors and magistrates, and that the magistrate should not bear the sword in vain. [00:07:58]

Culture as such is a good thing. It's not saving; it's not redemptive, but culture is a good thing. It improves people; it makes them live better lives. It doesn't save them, but it has an effect upon them. Now, where does culture come from? [00:10:28]

All these gifts that men have and which they manifest in these various ways come from God. And that is why the true Christian, as he looks out not only upon nature and creation but even as he looks at the culture of mankind, discovers a reason for glorifying and for praising God. [00:11:50]

The execution of the sentence of judgment upon men in sin was postponed and delayed. Haven't you sometimes asked yourself that question: why was it that God didn't immediately punish sin by bringing men in the world to an end in the Garden of Eden? [00:14:35]

God decided in his own inscrutable and eternal will not to do so. But the question is, how can the world go on existing at all in sin? The answer is it is kept existing by this power that the Spirit puts into it. It is the Spirit that keeps the world going. [00:15:01]

The Holy Spirit strives with men. Take that statement in Genesis 6:3. This doesn't exhaust the meaning of that statement, but it at any rate does mean that God there announced that there was a time coming when instead of keeping men alive and going in this way in spite of sin, he'd stop doing so. [00:16:06]

God through the Holy Spirit restrains the worst and the foulest manifestations of sin. But there are times when he gives them up to them. Are you and I, I wonder, living in such an age? You take, for instance, this century and compare it with last century. [00:18:12]

There is a general sense of morality and right and even of religion in the world apart from a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all know many people, do we not, who are religious but who are not Christian. [00:20:00]

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Transcript
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