The Character of the Holy Spirit Acts 19:1-3
Introduction: personality, nature, make-up, reputation
. Most important doctrine. Often misunderstood & least talked
. Involves a person that we can’t see, touch, taste or smell.
. Our culture: Is He real? Ghost? Imaginary? He is vital to us!!!
. Where’s the power? Romans 8:11
1. The Responses – attitudes about Him
A. Unaware – ignorance; unknowing, oblivious
. Romans 10:3; concerning God’s righteousness
. Romans 11:25; about the future of Israel
. 1 Corinthians 12:1; regarding spiritual gifts
. 1 Thessalonians 4:13; the destiny of believers
. Do you know Him? Have you heard? Sunk in?
B. Unconcerned / Unresponsive – indifference, unconcern
. No time for the Spirit / What do you mean?
. Too controversial!
C. Unreasonable - indulgence; excess, extremes
. Apathetic, jumping pews; weird stuff
. Don’t be robbed of the real meaning & joy; give to grow
2. The Reality – resources; attributes of
A. His existing person – not just an influence, a force
. He chooses – possess a will; decides, determines, motivate
1 Corinthians 12:7-9, 11
. He cares – possess emotion; desires, loves, compassionates
. Romans 15:30; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:30
. He comprehends – possess intellect; deliberates, thinks
Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:11-12
Matthew 4:1; Galatians 5:18
. He commands – Acts 16:6-7; did not permit
. He commissions – Acts 13:3; 20:28; appoints
. He communicates – speaks; Acts 13:2; 10:19; 8:29
B. His eternal power – He is God! Member of the Trinity.
. The actual – called God; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 2:21-22
. The association – with God & Christ; Ephesians 3:14-16
2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19
. The action – everything God does, He does. Matthew 1:20
. The attributes – all that God is
. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, love, wise
3. The Role / Relevance - advantages / value of; John 16:7-15
A. His presence – He permanently enters us
. John 14:16-18; 15:26a; 16:7
. Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-19
B. His provision – He powerfully equips us; Acts 1:8
. Galatians 5:16, 25; no frustration, failure or fatigue
. 2 Timothy 3:5 - having a form of godliness…
C. His pleasure – He personally encourages us
. John 14:16, 26; 15:26b; 16:8; Comforter - call alongside
. Romans 15:13; 1 Samuel 30:6
