Transformed by the Power of the Spirit (Experiencing Salvation)
Introduction: Video “Living with Power”
Review: The three participants in transformation: God, You, and other believers
God’s part in transformation is through the work of the Holy Spirit
Scriptures: John 16:7-15
The Holy Spirit is Our Agent of Salvation
I. The Holy Spirit’s Work of Convincing
Convince defined: to bring to belief, consent, or course of action, to persuade
A. The battle for the minds
1. The battle for truth against falsehood and error
2. Satan effectively deceives, blinds and hardens hearts from seeing the truth
(2 Corinthians 4:4) through false religions, philosophies of men (Colossians2:8)
3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (16:13)
The Holy Spirit works in the minds and hearts of people to reveal the truth
B. The Spirit works to convince us of the reality of God’s existence
1. Through the evidence of creation (Romans 1:19-20)
2. Through man’s conscience (Romans 2:14-15)
3. Through miracles (Acts 14:3)
C. The Spirit works to convince us of the truth about Jesus Christ (John 15:26)
1. To believe the true gospel
2. To believe Jesus is the Truth
II. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Convicting
Conviction defined: an awakened realization of our sin, error and wrong
Difference between convincing and conviction: convincing is in the mind, conviction is in the heart. Illustration of speed limit signs and seeing a patrol car parked ahead
A. To convict of sin (16:9)
1. God has given all humans a conscience which gives us warnings when we do something wrong. However, our conscience can be desensitized through sin and deception. Postmodernism: prominent philosophy of our day, no absolutes=no sin
2. The Holy Spirit revives the conscience
B. To convict of righteousness (16:10)
That Christ is risen and is the Son of God
C. To convict of judgment (16:11)
That Satan will be judged and all those who follow him
III. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Confession
Confession defined: to admit or acknowledge something to be true, not just to think or feel it but to express it.
A. Acknowledgment of our sins (1 John 1:9)
B. Acknowledgment of Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3)
IV. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Spiritual Conception
A. Spiritual conception, the Holy Spirit implants the seed of God’s Word (1 Peter 1:23)
From the indwelling of the Holy Spirit a new spiritual life is conceived in us
B. Being “Born Again”
1. First birth was a physical birth, 2. Second birth is our spiritual birth
Have You Allowed the Holy Spirit to be Your Agent of Salvation?
