Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we begin our new series on the Spirit-Filled Life. It's a privilege to lay the groundwork for this series and explore the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We often hear phrases like "I felt the Spirit" or "I was led by the Spirit," but understanding who the Holy Spirit is can be challenging. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This concept can be difficult to grasp, but it's essential to our faith.
We see the Holy Spirit's presence from the very beginning of creation, hovering over the waters in Genesis. The Holy Spirit was also present at Jesus' baptism, descending like a dove while a voice from heaven declared Jesus as God's beloved Son. This shows the distinct yet unified nature of the Trinity.
In 1 Corinthians 2, we learn that the Holy Spirit reveals God's deep secrets to us. Just as no one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, no one can know God's thoughts except the Spirit of God. This is why the Holy Spirit is crucial for understanding God's will and wisdom.
We also discussed the different types of people in relation to the Holy Spirit: the natural man, the worldly believer, and the spiritual believer. The natural man finds spiritual truths foolish because they lack the Spirit. The worldly believer has accepted Christ but still lives according to worldly desires. The spiritual believer, however, is led by the Spirit and seeks to live a life that honors God.
The Holy Spirit has several ministries, including restraint, reproof, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sealing, and filling. These ministries help us come to Christ, live out our faith, and understand God's will. As we continue this series, we'll delve deeper into these aspects, especially the filling of the Holy Spirit, which Pastor John will cover next week.
I encourage you to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice as we worship and pray. Whether you're a natural man, a worldly believer, or a spiritual believer, there's always a next step in your spiritual journey. Let's open our hearts to what the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to us today.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Holy Spirit as a Person of the Trinity: Understanding the Holy Spirit as a distinct person within the Trinity is crucial. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but God Himself, actively involved in our lives. This understanding helps us relate to the Holy Spirit more personally and recognize His work in our lives. [29:10]
2. The Holy Spirit Reveals God's Deep Secrets: Just as no one can know a person's thoughts except their own spirit, no one can know God's thoughts except the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit reveals God's deep secrets to us, enabling us to understand His will and wisdom. This revelation is essential for our spiritual growth and discernment. [31:42]
3. Different Types of Believers: There are three types of people in relation to the Holy Spirit: the natural man, the worldly believer, and the spiritual believer. The natural man finds spiritual truths foolish, the worldly believer has accepted Christ but lives according to worldly desires, and the spiritual believer is led by the Spirit and seeks to honor God. Understanding these distinctions helps us identify where we are in our spiritual journey and what steps we need to take. [38:01]
4. The Ministries of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit has several ministries, including restraint, reproof, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sealing, and filling. These ministries help us come to Christ, live out our faith, and understand God's will. Recognizing these ministries can deepen our appreciation for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. [48:46]
5. Listening to the Holy Spirit: It's essential to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice in our lives. Whether through worship, prayer, or reading Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, guiding, convicting, and comforting us. Being attentive to His voice can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation. [55:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:58] - Introduction to the Spirit-Filled Life
[29:10] - Understanding the Trinity
[30:32] - The Holy Spirit at Jesus' Baptism
[31:42] - The Holy Spirit Reveals God's Secrets
[32:59] - Personal Example of Understanding
[34:16] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Ministry
[35:34] - Paul's Approach to Preaching
[36:46] - Different Types of Believers
[38:01] - Characteristics of the Natural Man
[39:22] - Characteristics of the Worldly Believer
[40:30] - Characteristics of the Spiritual Believer
[41:38] - The Holy Spirit's Guidance
[42:47] - Evaluating Spiritual Truths
[43:54] - Freedom in the Spirit
[45:02] - Two Moves You Can Make
[46:18] - The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Lives
[47:30] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[48:46] - Seven Ministries of the Holy Spirit
[55:40] - Listening to the Holy Spirit
[01:01:49] - Making Your Move
[01:02:58] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (NIV)
> "However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."
2. Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV)
> "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
3. Mark 1:9-11 (NIV)
> "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, what role does the Holy Spirit play in revealing God's thoughts to us?
2. In Genesis 1:1-2, where do we first see the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible, and what was He doing?
3. What significant event involving the Holy Spirit is described in Mark 1:9-11, and what does it reveal about the Trinity? [30:32]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity, rather than an impersonal force, change the way we relate to Him? [29:10]
2. What does it mean that the Holy Spirit reveals "God's deep secrets" to us, and how does this impact our spiritual growth? [31:42]
3. How can recognizing the different types of believers (natural man, worldly believer, spiritual believer) help us in our own spiritual journey and in ministering to others? [38:01]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do you see Him as a person of the Trinity actively involved in your life, or more as an impersonal force? How can you deepen your personal relationship with Him this week? [29:10]
2. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit revealing something to you. How did it impact your understanding of God's will and wisdom? How can you create more opportunities to listen to the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [31:42]
3. Identify which type of believer you currently are: natural man, worldly believer, or spiritual believer. What steps can you take to move towards being a spiritual believer who is led by the Holy Spirit? [38:01]
4. The Holy Spirit has several ministries, including restraint, reproof, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sealing, and filling. Which of these ministries do you feel most and least aware of in your life? How can you become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's work in these areas? [48:46]
5. During worship or prayer, have you ever felt the Holy Spirit speaking to you? What did He reveal, and how did you respond? How can you be more attentive to His voice in future times of worship and prayer? [55:40]
6. The sermon mentioned that the Holy Spirit helps us live out our faith. What is one specific area of your life where you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and power? How will you seek His help this week? [54:16]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit's leading? Share a practical way you can support someone in their spiritual journey this week. [01:01:49]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit as a Person of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a distinct person within the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This understanding is crucial for our faith as it helps us relate to the Holy Spirit more personally and recognize His active involvement in our lives. From the very beginning of creation, the Holy Spirit was present, hovering over the waters in Genesis. The Holy Spirit was also present at Jesus' baptism, descending like a dove while a voice from heaven declared Jesus as God's beloved Son. This shows the distinct yet unified nature of the Trinity. Understanding the Holy Spirit as a person within the Trinity allows us to engage with Him more deeply and recognize His work in our daily lives. [29:10]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a more personal relationship with the Holy Spirit today? What steps can you take to acknowledge His presence and work in your life?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit Reveals God's Deep Secrets
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in revealing God's deep secrets to us. Just as no one can know a person's thoughts except their own spirit, no one can know God's thoughts except the Spirit of God. This revelation is essential for our spiritual growth and discernment. The Holy Spirit enables us to understand God's will and wisdom, which are otherwise beyond our comprehension. By being attentive to the Holy Spirit, we can gain insights into God's plans and purposes for our lives, leading to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Him. [31:42]
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (ESV): "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's revelations in your life? How can you create space for the Holy Spirit to speak to you today?
Day 3: Different Types of Believers
There are three types of people in relation to the Holy Spirit: the natural man, the worldly believer, and the spiritual believer. The natural man finds spiritual truths foolish because they lack the Spirit. The worldly believer has accepted Christ but still lives according to worldly desires. The spiritual believer, however, is led by the Spirit and seeks to live a life that honors God. Understanding these distinctions helps us identify where we are in our spiritual journey and what steps we need to take to grow closer to God. By striving to be spiritual believers, we can live a life that is more aligned with God's will and purpose. [38:01]
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV): "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are you more like the natural man, the worldly believer, or the spiritual believer? What changes can you make to become more led by the Spirit?
Day 4: The Ministries of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has several ministries, including restraint, reproof, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sealing, and filling. These ministries help us come to Christ, live out our faith, and understand God's will. Recognizing these ministries can deepen our appreciation for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. For instance, the Holy Spirit restrains us from sin, reproves us when we go astray, regenerates us to new life in Christ, indwells us as believers, baptizes us into the body of Christ, seals us for the day of redemption, and fills us with His presence and power. Each of these ministries plays a vital role in our spiritual journey and growth. [48:46]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: Which ministry of the Holy Spirit do you feel most active in your life right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work more fully in other areas of your life?
Day 5: Listening to the Holy Spirit
It's essential to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice in our lives. Whether through worship, prayer, or reading Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, guiding, convicting, and comforting us. Being attentive to His voice can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation. The Holy Spirit's guidance helps us navigate life's challenges and make decisions that align with God's will. By cultivating a habit of listening to the Holy Spirit, we can experience a deeper connection with God and a more fulfilling spiritual journey. [55:40]
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: How can you create a quiet space in your daily routine to listen to the Holy Spirit? What specific steps can you take to be more receptive to His guidance and direction?
Quotes
1. "But we talk about the Holy Spirit, and sometimes when we come into church, people say, I felt the Spirit. Like, I came in, and I felt the Spirit here. Or I felt led by the Spirit. And we hear these things like that very often. And I think it's really important that we and if you don't know who the Holy Spirit is, you might be a little bit confused by that. Because the Holy Spirit isn't like this force. It isn't like this thing out there. But rather, he's a persons of God." [27:58] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the Holy Spirit knows God's thoughts because he is God. And so he can reveal the secret things of God that no one else would know except for God, because he is, he is God. And I have an example of this. I have three kids, and my youngest. I don't know how many of you had kids that struggled to speak, and had speech and things. It's pretty common." [31:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So when Paul went out and ministered, he ministered plainly so that people could understand by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by his eloquent words. And I'm going to tell you, you're not going to understand the Holy Spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit, by anything eloquent I say, because I'm not eloquent, for one. And two, it wouldn't matter if I was, because that's not how God is going to reveal his spirit to you." [34:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So when he went out and he preached, he forgot about everything else. There's so many deep, the Holy Spirit reveals that deep truth, but he's like, that's not important for those people to know. The important thing for those people to know is the plain thing that Jesus died for their sins and that he paid the penalty so that we can have relationship with Christ and we can go with God and we can go into the kingdom of God with him in eternity." [35:34] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So now we have our last person, which is our worldly believer. So this person is still a believer, but they're a worldly believer. So we're going to go through our three classifications of men. So we have our natural man, worldly believer, and the spiritual believer. So let's, what do they look like? What does a natural man look like?" [38:01] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And then there's the spiritual believer and the spiritual believer isn't perfect. That's why I didn't pick out certain sins for the worldly believer because we all struggle at times. But the spiritual believer is, is looking for what the spirit wants in their life and is following that. It's like they're coming to church. They're looking to, um, to honor God with their lives. And they're asking for the Holy spirit to speak into their lives and they're listening to his voice." [40:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the spirit control your mind leads to life and peace for the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. I mean, that's the truth. It's like the, when we have the sinful nature, when we were in that natural man state, we're directly opposite to what God wants for us in our lives. And we're controlled by that. The whole, it has a hold on us." [41:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so when we're looking at the scripture, the Holy spirit will illuminate that for us. And it will show us what he's talking about there, because we might not understand with our human knowledge, but with our knowledge from the Holy spirit, we can understand what it means. We can evaluate those things. Did you ever get into a situation where somebody told you something that you're like, that doesn't sound like God, because I've been in situations where like, like I might not know the scripture on that, but that doesn't sound right." [42:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So you can be one of those three things. And everybody in this room is one of those men. And I said, I'm going to walk that out. And I said, I'm going to walk that out. Same men in a neutral way, men and women, obviously. So you're either a natural man or you're a believer and you're either a worldly believer or a spiritual believer. So the two moves you can make is you can go from a natural man to a worldly believer or spiritual believer, just being a believer." [45:02] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So this is the change that happens. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was with them. Like he says, he was with them. They knew who the Holy Spirit was because he was around. But he wasn't in people. He was with them. He was with them. He was with them. And with the change that the fundamental change that was going to happen when Jesus went to heaven was that the Holy Spirit's role changed." [46:18] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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