"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."
All real Christ-likeness is a product of His work
in our hearts. We cannot live right without the
power of the Spirit in our lives.
Philippians 2:13-"For it is God which worketh in
you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
V. Fifthly, THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO PRAY.
We cannot pray as we should and must, without the
help of the Holy Spirit. None of us know how to
pray as we should, but the Spirit of God makes
intercession for us, with groanings which cannot
be uttered. See Romans 8:26.
VI. Sixthly, THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES ASSURANCE TO BE-
LIEVERS.
We cannot have assurace apart from the inward work
of the Spirit of God. He testifies with our spirit,
that we are the sons of God.
1st John 4:13-"Hereby know we that we dwell in
him, and he in us, because he that given us of
his Spirit."
He assures us that we belong to God, that our home
is in Heaven, and that God hears our prayers.
VII.Sevently, THE HOLY SPIRIT COMFORTS BELIEVERS IN
TIMES OF SORROW.
I don’t know how people face the loss of loved ones
without the ministry of the Spirit of God in their
lives.
He can give comfort and joy unspeakable and full of
glory for those who are discouraged, and experienc-
ing great sorrow.
In the Scriptures, we are all encouraged and ad-
monisheed to be filled with the Spirit at all times.
We must have the Spirit of God, because we cannot
pray effectively, we cannot witness successfully,
we cannot serve acceptably, we cannot do anything
of any value to the kingdom of God apart from the
help of the Spirit of God.
Conclusion-I have only scratched the surface in
this message about the person and work of the Holy
Spirit. But, my main desire is that we all believe
in Him, and seek his infilling.
Invitation-Are you filled with the Spirit of God?
Let Christ come into your heart, and He has prom-
ised that He will give you the Holy Spirit, to
lead you, guide you, teach you, and keep you.
Come to Christ now.
