"I Believe In The Holy Spirit Of God" Series

"I Believe" Series

Message: "I Believe in the Holy Spirit of God"

Text-John 16:7-14

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient

for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the

Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of

sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and

ye see me no more;

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is

judged.

I have many things yet to say unto you, but ye

cannot bear them now.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he

will guide you into all truth: for he shall not

speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak: and he will shew you things

to come.

He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you."

(Jesus)-KJV

Introduction-

This is a message in a series entitled-"I Be-

lieve." Other messages in this series will include

"I Believe In One & Only One True & Living God."

"I Believe In Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

"I Believe In A Personal Devil."

"I Believe In The Inspired Word of God."

"I Believe In Salvation by Grace Through Faith."

"I Believe In the Second Coming of Christ..." etc.

When I was a student at New Orleans Baptist Theo-

logical Seminary, I majored in theology. I have

always been interested in what people believe, and

why they believe as they do. Beliefs are important,

but we need to be sure that our beliefs are ground-

ed in the truths of the Word of God. One of the

most controversial beliefs that Christians hold is

our view of the Holy Spirit of God. Differences

in interpretation of Scripture have divided denomi-

nations, and believers from each other, and much

harm has resulted in disputes over the gifts of

the Spriit, such as speaking in tongues. In this

message, I do not seek to argue anything, but what

I desire to do is affirm my belief in the person

of the Holy Spirit, and cry out for Him to fill me,

and all Christians everywhere, whatever that might

entail, because the Holy Spirit is indispensible

to the living of the Christian life. All believers

should desire to be "Spirit-filled."

I. First, Let’s think about THE PERSON OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT.

I know that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not just

and impersonal force, because He deals with me as

a person. He does what only a person could do.

1st Corinthians 12:13 says-"For by one Spirit are

we all baptized into one body...and all have been

made to drink into one Spirit."

Romans 8:9 also says-"If any man have not the Spirit

of Christ, he is none of his."

Some Scriptures that reveal the Person of the

Holy Spirit are:

1st Cor. 2:10-11-"The things of God knoweth no

man, but the Spirit of God."

Eph. 4:30-As a person, the Holy Spririt can be

grieved by our sinful lives, and disobedience to

God.

1st Cor. 12:11-The Spirit divides spiritual gifts

as He wills. An impersonal force cannot will

anything, only a person can do that.

II.Secondly, THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS VITALLY INVOLVED

IN THE INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE.

Now, I don’t know what view of inspiration you

hold, but I do know that the Bible teaches that

what is recorded in the Word of God is trustworthy,

and without error.

Holy men of God spake(and recorded)as they were

moved by the Holy Spirit.

2nd Tim. 3:16-"All scripture is given by inspir-

ation of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for

reproof, for correction, for instruction in right-

eousness..."

He also helps us to understand the Word of God,

opening up its truths to us by illumination.

III.Thirdly, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALSO VITALLY INVOLVED

AS A PARTICIPANT IN OUR SALVATION EXPERIENCE.

John 3:6-"That which is born of the flesh is

flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is

spirit."

We would never repent, or be convicted of sin, or

want to be saved, were it not for the work of the

Holy Spirit.

He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

He points to the Saviour, and helps us put our

trust in Him. No man can come to God unless the

Spirit of God draws him, and as many as are led

by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.

IV.Fourthly, IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO PRODUCES

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE.

Gal. 5:22-"But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, meekness, temperance; against such there

is no law."