The Father’s story and the Son’s love is not the end. By the grace of God found in Christ we can access the presence of God in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit fills us with God’s power (gifts), releases in us God’s character (fruit), and disperses us into God’s world as His tangible presence.
SERMON OUTLINE
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17)
The Nature of the Holy Spirit
- Powerful – ruach; pneuma
- Personal – parakletos
The Holy Spirit and the Old Testament
- Creating (Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 33:6)
- Strengthening (Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13)
- Inspiring (Exodus 31:1-3; Ezekiel 3:24)
Two Sendings: Jesus’ Incarnation and the Holy Spirit’s Impartation
- The Father giving Jesus (John 3:16-17)
- The Father giving the Spirit (John 14:16, 26)
- The reciprocity of the Triune God
The Holy Spirit and God’s People
- The Presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17; Ephesians 1:13-14)
- The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26)
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:4-8)
- The Mission of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:7-8; 2:1-12)
What This Does Not Mean
- Not that the Holy Spirit is less than God the Father or the Son (Subordinationism)
- Not that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force (Jehovah’s Witnesses)
- Not that the Holy Spirit experiences have authority over Scripture (Montanism)
- Not that the Holy Spirit is to be feared
Living Our Triune Faith
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you find most difficult to understand about the Holy Spirit?
- This weekend we conclude our series on understanding God as a Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will explore many different portions of Scripture related to God the Holy Spirit. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His word, and then continue the study.
- What do the following Old Testament passages tell us about the Holy Spirit?: Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 139:7; Nehemiah 9:30; Psalm 143:10; Job 33:4; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Psalm 104:30.
- Read Jesus words on the work of the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-21, 25-27 and 15:26-27, 7-15 aloud. What does Jesus say about who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does in this teaching?
- Jesus sends the gift of the Holy Spirit upon His followers at the time of the Pentecost festival. Read both Acts 1:4-9 and 2:1-21. What do we learn about the Holy Spirit from these verses?
- From the passages below, what do we learn about the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the believer?: Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 5:19-26; 1 John 2:19-27.
- What is one thing that God is speaking to you through this study? If you are on your own, write it down and pray about it. If you are in a small group, take time to discuss this with one another before praying together.
DIG DEEPER
- Read and reflect on the Nicene Creed and early Christian quotes on the Holy Spirit.
- Read a book to help you understand the Holy Spirit more, such as I Believe in the Holy Spirit by Michael Green, Forgotten God by Francis Chan or God’s Empowering Presence by Gordon Fee.