What’s Our Problem with the Holy Spirit?
- Weird Experiences (Lauren in Memphis)
- Pendulum Swing
- Guilt for Not Experiencing
"While no evangelical would deny the Holy Spirit’s existence, I’m willing to say that there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced his presence or action in their lives over the past year.” Francis Chan, Forgotten God.
A Beautiful girl trapped by a monster. What needs to happen?
Belle in a castle with a Beast and Gaston. What needs to happen?
Lenses
Spirit and the Trinity
Spirit and the Mission
Spirit and the Church
Spirit and the Individual
Spirit and the Trinity
- There is one God. (Deut. 6:4) “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
- The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are God (Col 1:15-20, Acts 5:3-4)
- The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are differentiated. (Luke 3:22)
-From Tim Chester, Delighting in the Trinity.
Spirit and the Mission
The Holy Spirit is the active agency of God’s mission in the World.
- Guides Israel
- Speaks through Prophets
- Empowers Samson and Saul
- Feared Lost by David
Isaiah 42:1 God will put the Spirit upon His Servant
Luke 3:22 Spirit descends upon Jesus
Acts 2 Spirit descends upon the Church
--- Therefore, the same agent that empowered and directed Jesus in his ministry is empowering and directing you in yours.
Joel 2:28-29 Spirit will one day come in fullness
Luke 1-2 Everyone prophesying about Jesus: Mary, Elizabeth, Zecchariah, Simeon, Ana,
Acts 2 Peter says Joel 2 is happening now
--- Therefore, you live in an age of history where the Holy Spirit is available in unmatched proportions.
Isaiah 61:1-2 - Spirit will come upon to preach
Luke 4 Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 and preaches
Acts 2 Peter receives the Spirit and preaches
--- Therefore, the Spirit empowers you to preach about Christ
“With striking frequency we are told that the main fruit of the Spirit is that he opens our mouths and encourages us to speak.” -Hendrikus Berkhof
Psalm 51 David was worried that the Spirit would leave him
John 14-16 Jesus promises to send the Spirit which will never leave
Acts 8-28 Wherever the church goes in Acts, Spirit goes with
---Therefore, you have confidence.
Spirit and the Church
The Mission of God has a Church.
The Church does not have a mission.
Spirit and the Individual
Regenerates (John 3)
Dwells within (John 14:17) 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.
Reminds of what Jesus said (John 14:26)
Empowers (Acts 2)
Directs and Guides (Acts)
Convicts (John 16:8)
Gives gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
“The Holy Spirit brings peace to our restless souls and restlessness to our pacified lives.” - Jurgen Moltmann