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1) Who is He? 2 The Spirit and Creation 3) The Spirit and Jesus 4) The Spirit and Salvation 5) The Spirit and the Christian i ) Assurance ii) The Fruit of the Spirit iii) Prayer and Guidance 6) The Spirit and Truth 7) The Spirit and the Church i ) Unity ii) Gifts iii) Worship
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1) Who is He? • 2 The Spirit and Creation • 3) The Spirit and Jesus • 4) The Spirit and Salvation • 5) The Spirit and the Christian • i) Assurance • ii) The Fruit of the Spirit • iii) Prayer and Guidance • 6) The Spirit and Truth • 7) The Spirit and the Church • i) Unity • ii) Gifts • iii) Worship • 8) Being Filled with the Spirit Autumn Series on the Holy Spirit
Who is He? The Holy Spirit
We think of him as an ‘it’ • We can’t visualise him • The limitations of language • We are divided over him • E.g. East and West (Great Schism – 1054 AD) • E.g. Conservatives and Charismatics • Because he is dynamic and creative, but we are so predictable, we think that everyone’s experience must be the same. It aint! • Consequently, we neglect him! The Problems We Have …
The importance of Identity Before you can understand someone you need to know their character True for Jesus, Who do men say that I am?’ and ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and true for Spirit too. Our source – not experience or hearsay but the Bible
The Holy Spirit Has: • Mind – 1 Cor 2:10-12 – The Holy Spirit searches, comprehends and reveals the things of God • Emotions - Ephesians 4:30-32 – The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Amplified, ‘do not offend or vex or sadden Him’,) or pleased. • Will – Acts 16:6-7 – The Holy Spirit leads believers to do some things and not others, he guides us according to his will. Note – Acts 5:3-4 The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Ananias and Sapphira) A Person
The Holy Spirit is Fully Divine • Job 33:4 – the Spirit is involved in creation • Matthew 12:28-30 – there can be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit A Divine Person
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Godhead: • Father • Son • Holy Spirit A divine Person of the Trinity
So the Bible tells us about his identity. But what’s he like? The names of the Spirit The symbols of the Spirit The Bible also gives us insights into his nature and personality. What is he like?
The Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33) • The Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28) • The Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) • The Spirit of Truth (John 16:13-14) • The Counsellor (John 16:5-7) • Which name do you warm to most and why? The Names of the Spirit
Water (John 7:37-39) Fire (Matthew 3:10-12) A Dove (Mark 1:9-11) Wind (John 3:6-8) Oil (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) The Symbols of the Spirit
Water; Fire; Dove; Wind; Oil In which of these ways have you clearly experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? In which of these ways especially, does your life still need the work of the Spirit? Pause for thought
Getting our facts right is important ….. But……. • There’s a real danger in correct theology but no experience. • The Holy Spirit is not just to be known ABOUT, He is to be KNOWN (1 Corinthians 8:1) • We need to do something in response to what we hear. (James 2:26) Application
Questions: • Do you know him and love him as you should? • Do you walk in step with him? • Do you experience him? • Do you want to know him more and love him more? • Are you committed to praying to this end? Application
What do you need to do to get to know the Holy Spirit better? Action