Understanding the Holy Spirit and the Church

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as a Personal Being

The Holy Spirit is not merely an impersonal force but a personal being who plays a crucial role in the life of believers. Recognizing the Spirit as a 'He' rather than an 'it' is essential for understanding His work in creation and the Christian life. The Spirit is involved in the regeneration and sanctification of believers, guiding them towards spiritual maturity. This personal relationship with the Holy Spirit allows believers to experience His presence and power in their daily lives, leading to the manifestation of the fruits of love, gentleness, and patience. [01:25]

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a more personal relationship with the Holy Spirit today, recognizing Him as a personal being rather than an impersonal force?

Day 2: The Paraclete's Empowering Presence

Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, a helper who stands alongside believers, providing strength and encouragement, especially in times of fear and trial. This role is vital as the Spirit empowers believers to act courageously, overcoming the paralysis of fear. The presence of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter is a reminder of the importance of encouragement within the Christian community, enabling believers to fulfill their mission despite challenges. [09:30]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's courage and strength to overcome fear today?

Day 3: The Church's Holiness Through the Spirit

The church is holy not because of the purity of its members but because it is instituted by Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Despite its imperfections, the church is a sacred institution, called to be a fellowship of sinners united in faith. This holiness is derived from the presence of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and empowers the church to fulfill its mission in the world. The church is a community where believers can grow together in faith and love, supported by the Spirit's indwelling power. [19:03]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the holiness and mission of your church community today, recognizing the Spirit's presence within it?

Day 4: The Universal Body of Christ

The term "catholic" in the Creed refers to the universality of the church, encompassing all believers across denominational and geographical boundaries. This universal body of Christ is a testament to the Spirit's work in uniting believers worldwide. Despite differences, the church is called to be a unified body, reflecting the diversity and unity of the Spirit's work. This universality challenges believers to embrace a broader perspective of the church, recognizing the Spirit's presence in diverse expressions of faith. [20:49]

"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the universality of the church in your daily life, fostering unity and understanding among believers from different backgrounds?

Day 5: The Communion of Saints

The communion of saints signifies the mystical union of all Christians, past and present, in Christ. This spiritual reality transcends time and space, uniting believers in a common bond through the Holy Spirit. The communion of saints is not merely a liturgical practice but a profound spiritual reality that connects all who are in Christ. This unity encourages believers to support and pray for one another, recognizing the shared journey of faith that transcends individual experiences. [26:22]

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the communion of saints today, supporting and encouraging fellow believers in their faith journey?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the Apostles' Creed, we delve into the profound confession of belief in the Holy Spirit and the church. The Creed, from its inception, has been a Trinitarian declaration, affirming the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a personal being, integral to creation and the Christian life. The Spirit's role is foundational, from the act of creation to the regeneration and sanctification of believers. The Spirit is the source of truth, inspiring the prophets and the Scriptures, and is essential in the believer's journey towards spiritual maturity, manifesting the fruits of love, gentleness, and patience.

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, a term that signifies a helper or advocate who stands alongside believers, providing strength and encouragement in times of trial. This understanding of the Spirit as a Comforter is crucial, as it emphasizes the Spirit's role in empowering believers to act courageously despite fear. The Spirit's presence is a reminder of the importance of encouragement within the Christian community, as fear can paralyze and hinder the church's mission.

The Creed also affirms belief in the holy catholic church, a universal body of believers united by the Spirit. Despite its imperfections, the church is holy because it is instituted by Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The church is a fellowship of sinners, called to participate in a community of faith. The term "catholic" here refers to the universality of the church, transcending denominational and geographical boundaries.

The concept of the communion of saints further emphasizes the unity of believers, both past and present. This mystical union in Christ connects all Christians, forming a bond that transcends time and space. The communion of saints is not merely a liturgical practice but a profound spiritual reality that unites all who are in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a personal being, not an impersonal force. Recognizing the Spirit as a 'He' rather than an 'it' is crucial for understanding His role in creation and the Christian life. The Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification is foundational, guiding believers towards spiritual maturity. [01:25]
2. The Paraclete's Role: Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, a helper who stands alongside believers. This role is vital in providing strength and encouragement, especially in times of fear and trial. The Spirit's presence empowers believers to act courageously, overcoming the paralysis of fear. [09:30]
3. The Holiness of the Church: The church is holy not because of the purity of its members but because it is instituted by Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Despite its imperfections, the church is a sacred institution, called to be a fellowship of sinners united in faith. [19:03]
4. The Universal Church: The term "catholic" in the Creed refers to the universality of the church, encompassing all believers across denominational and geographical boundaries. This universal body of Christ is a testament to the Spirit's work in uniting believers worldwide. [20:49]
5. The Communion of Saints: The communion of saints signifies the mystical union of all Christians, past and present, in Christ. This spiritual reality transcends time and space, uniting believers in a common bond through the Holy Spirit. [26:22]
** [26:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit and the Church
[00:53] - Trinitarian Foundation of the Creed
[01:25] - Personhood of the Holy Spirit
[02:33] - The Spirit's Role in Creation and Truth
[03:00] - Regeneration and Sanctification
[04:10] - The Spirit's Indwelling Power
[04:40] - The Paraclete: Our Advocate
[05:49] - Understanding the Paraclete
[08:20] - The Paraclete's Support in Trials
[10:03] - Encouragement and Courage
[12:51] - The Necessity of Courage
[14:07] - The Church as a Community
[16:11] - The Holiness of the Church
[20:49] - The Universal Church
[24:56] - The Communion of Saints
[27:19] - Conclusion and Next Session Preview

Sermon Clips

"The Holy Ghost is a person not merely an impersonal force or a power. The Holy Ghost is a 'He' not an 'it.' And for some reason the language that we use in the church often betrays an understanding of the Holy Spirit as if He were in fact an impersonal force. And the role of the Spirit is vital in our Christian life." [00:01:25]

"The Christian life begins with the quickening of God the Holy Spirit where it is the function of the Spirit to change the disposition of our hearts to cause us to come alive to the things of God. So that the very beginning of the Christian life, what we call regeneration, is effected by the power of the Holy Ghost." [00:03:07]

"Jesus calls the Spirit by His supreme title in the New Testament, the 'Paraclete.' And, if I asked my theological students, I'll say who is the Paraclete in the New Testament? That, title. A hundred students out of a hundred will answer the same, 'Well, the Paraclete is the Holy Spirit,' and I say 'Well, you're right, partially.'" [00:05:01]

"So, that the paraclete is somebody who is called to stand alongside of somebody, to stand beside him. In the ancient world a paraclete was first of all -- I mean it was the title that was given to a defense attorney. And usually the kind of defense attorney that a family -- it was involved with on permanent retainer basis." [00:08:28]

"He's saying that I Am going to send another Paraclete to stand beside you when? In the midst of the battle, in the midst of the struggle, in the midst of the crisis in fact the reason why the King James used the term comforter was that when the King James Version was written, the language of English at that time was much more closely tied to its Latin roots then it is today." [00:09:45]

"And so Jesus promises the Holy Ghost as our ally to stand with us and I might add to encourage us. Now, that's a point that I sort of tend to beat the drum on, because in the New Testament I see, I read at least in there an emphasis -- almost preoccupation at times -- on the importance of encouragement within the Christian community." [00:11:02]

"And again the exhortations of the epistles to encourage one another. Now, I've talked about this with my son many times and I say, OK, now look, what is the one indispensable prerequisite, the one ingredient that is absolutely necessary for courage to be present? The sine qua non, without which courage can't be there." [00:12:28]

"And so Jesus said 'First of all, I'm going to send you the Holy Ghost who will come to stand with you, to encourage you, to give you strength, and in addition to that I want you to encourage one another.' Now, this gets, leads us naturally to the next point of the creed, that as soon as we talk about the Holy Spirit Who converts, sanctifies, convicts, bestows gifts and so on -- individuals, when the Spirit works in the individual's life, He always puts him and guides him to a community, to a group." [00:13:42]

"The church is the only institution I know of that requires you to be sinful to get in. OK, I mean the church is designed to be a special fellowship organized for the benefit of sinners. Right? That's why the church exists. It is a fellowship of sinners, and I always say facetiously if you ever find a perfect church don't join it, you'll ruin it." [00:18:32]

"So the church exists because it is called out by Christ, it is instituted by Christ, it is ordained by Christ, it is gifted by Christ, it is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and we receive the benefit of the holiness of the church. In other words, whatever holiness we get, we get because of the same powers that are pulling the church together in the first place, by the Holy Spirit and by Jesus Christ." [00:19:25]

"And now that provoked in church history, particularly with the Protestant Reformation, a concept of understanding this universal church of believers and an appeal went back to Augustine's work, and Augustine's distinction between the visible and the invisible church, an important distinction, but also a dangerous one." [00:22:22]

"But the communion of the saints means that there is a fellowship, a brotherhood, a binding together by the Holy Spirit of all Christians in the world. All Christians who are part of the invisible church share a common bond and share a common spirit, and are linked together. I mean, if we are Christians we are in Christ, and Christ is in us." [00:25:25]

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