PP0718 DATE
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE
LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN!
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (KJV)
INTRODUCTION: Some Baptists are afraid of the Holy Ghost. We are afraid He may lead us to do something that would embarrass us. We want to control Him instead of allowing him to control us. We want to have the benefits of the Holy Spirit without having the responsibility that will be given through Him.
No one can live for God without the Holy Spirit. Our Christian walk and the daily life must be guided by the Holy Spirit. 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)
What is that Light? That Light is Word of God that the Holy Spirit uses to guide our way.
He, the Holy Spirit, has some very definite methods that He uses in each believer. The response, of the Christian, to each of these ways will determine the happiness that that believer has. If you are not happy and enjoying your Christian life – you will know why after the message tonight.
I. HE WILL ABIDE WITH A BELIEVER FOREVER.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)
A. This Is Speaking Of The Indwelling Spirit. Ro 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)
1. He indwells the believer at the time of salvation.
2. He never departs the believer after this time.
3. He daily interacts with the believer in guiding our way.
B. He Brings Life To The Spirit Of The Believer. Ro 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (KJV)
Every unsaved person is spiritually dead. 1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (KJV)
When the Spirit entered these Corinthians they became alive in God – Paul told them before the entering of the Spirit that they were dead spiritually.
C. There Is A Difference In The Indwelling Spirit And The Fullness Of The Spirit.
Every Christian has the indwelling Spirit. The indwelling is not the same as the fullness, or being filled with the Holy Spirit.
1. The indwelling Spirit guides and leads the Christian. He will provide light for each step that we take each day, if we will allow Him to do so. That’s what 1John 1:7 is saying to us. 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)
2. The fullness is given so that we may be witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. The fullness of the Spirit is the great secret of joyfulness in our own heart, victory over sin, power in prayer, and effective service.
3. Steps for the Fullness of the Spirit.
a. We must put away every known sin. No one can practice sin and be filled with the spirit of God.
b. There must be absolute surrender of our lives to God. You must say to God, “Here I am, use me to thy fullest.”
c. There must be a definite asking. Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (KJV)
d. There must be the exercise of faith. A person must want the fullness. Once you have done the first three steps then begin acting in faith that you are filled with the spirit. Most Christians want to see a miracle appear before them and then they will accept that they are filled. You won’t enlarge in size and become a muscular giant – you will look the same as before. Move out on faith. Take Him at His promise.
God promises He will fill you. Once you ask and confess your sins God fills you – you must then begin in faith moving out in faith - you must assume the fullness has been done and you begin working in that fullness. You will not move mountains at the beginning, but as you exercise faith and begin acting in faith you will begin to see the fullness at work in your life.
Most people wait expecting to hear the sound of the rushing mighty wind, and the appearance of the cloven tongues of fire as evidence of His fullness. That won’t happen. Neither will the place you are standing be shaken, rather you will begin speaking the word of God in boldness. I didn’t say that you would speak in some unknown tongue, and neither does the Bible say that.
Ac 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (KJV)
e. There must be a commitment to Holy Living. God will not use anyone that is not trying to live holy. God will not use a Christian to his fullest that is not doing his best to live a holy life. Holiness in the Christian’s life is not by choice, but by demand. 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV) That’s not an optional command.
If a Christian intentionally does things that would prevent him from being holy then that person will not have the power of God in his life.
II. HE WILL TESTIFY OF CHRIST.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (KJV)
A. He Never Magnifies Himself. The modern Charismatic movement always presents the Holy Spirit as glorifying Himself, or the individual person, but the Bible tells us different. Jesus said, “…he shall testify of me.” If the person is not testifying of Jesus Christ, then there has been no filling of the Spirit.
B. He Witnesses Of Christ. God fills a Christian with the Holy Spirit so each one will be witnesses of the Gospel of Christ. He never fills us so people will look at us and say, “What a great work he is doing for God”. It is always, “What a great God is He.” Nebuchadnezzar saw the works of God through the lives of the three Hebrew young man and the life of Daniel in the lion’s den and gave glory to God as a result. That is what He wants from us, and that is one purpose of the Holy Spirit. He never magnifies Himself, but always God and God the Son.
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (KJV) The sole purpose of the filling of the Spirit is that each believer be a witness for Jesus Christ. If the individual does not begin to witness for Christ, after the filling, then there was no filling. Only empty hope and effort.
God never gives His Spirit to anyone so they can have glory for themselves. If the fullness that you say you possess does not give you courage and boldness to witness and testify of what Jesus Christ has done for you, then you had a false filling. You probably won’t possess all boldness the first time you attempt to witness for God, but as you grow in faith, exercising that faith in His fullness then you will begin to see the evidence of that fullness. As you use the fullness and power for Christ you will see yourself growing in that same fullness.
What was the outward appearance that Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and the others saw in Peter and John that caused them to know they were spirit filled Christians? What did they see? They saw the boldness of Peter and John. This boldness was all the evidence that they needed to be convinced that these two men were truly spirit filled men.
III. HE WILL CONVICT OF SIN. Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (KJV)
All sin is contrary to God’s nature. When a Christian sins God reacts to that sin in disapproval. The Holy Spirit convicts the person sinning and if confession is made fellowship is restored – if not then God will start the process of judgment to that person. Listen to me closely – Sin causes the wheels of God’s judgment to turn toward you – those wheels of judgment may turn slowly – but they do turn.
All too often we may seek the forgiveness for sin, but do not want the humiliation of the openness of our sin. Naaman, in the O.T. was an example of this same thing. Elisha told him to go to Jordan and to dip seven times in the water. He was willing to do anything but that. It would require him stripping himself of all pride, and his leprosy would be exposed and seen by all. The Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin requires each of us to strip ourselves of pride and to expose, confess, our sin to God then we like Naaman will be made whole of our sin. Why is that so hard? Because we want to keep our sin private. We don’t want people to know that we are such a bad sinner. That’s why people won’t walk the aisle and confess sin in a church service. They don’t want others to think they are sinners. Hey, we know you are. We even know the degree of your sin. You are a terrible sinner. All of us are. Just admit it and make it right with God and serve Him. Everyday I confess my sin as I commit it and ask God to forgive me and let me start all over again. This church will not become what we must until more of the membership becomes willing to go and dip in the Jordan before all to see.
I’ve told you the story of the king that was missing a few links in his chain. His bread box wasn’t full. The porch light was on, but no one was at home. Some of critics came to him one day and told him they had made him a new robe to wear in the parade the next day. They assured him that the new robe was invisible to his eye, but as he passed in front of the reviewing stand the people would cheer and honor him, as they saw his new robe. The day of the parade came and the critics came to the king to help him get dressed. What the king didn’t know that he was going to go in front of all the people with nothing on at all. As the king was marching before the people in all of his pride and glamour, a little girl standing by and saw the king pass by and said, “Oh, mommy look, the king is naked.” The king in his humiliation ran and hid.
That’s the way it is with most Christians. Did you know that most people can tell when sin in controlling your life. Most can see right through your transparent robe. Many try to prance before the parade stand and display self-righteousness, and holy piety not knowing that they are spiritually naked for all to see. When a person is living a holy godly life it is easy to see. There are visible qualities that holiness and godly living bring to the person. One who is not living holy and godly will not have those qualities. The sad thing is, just like that king, they don’t know they are displaying themselves spiritually naked. You give me fifteen minutes with a person that is filled with the Spirit of God and one that is faking it and I can tell the difference in a very short time.
The way we deal with sin is to confess it – which means that we agree with God concerning our sin. Tell God He’s right about your sin, because He is. Confess it and start living in victory over that sin. If you do it again, confess again, and begin anew all over again. I would rather be in the process of confessing my sin than to be ignoring it.
IV. HE WILL GUIDE IN ALL TRUTH. Joh 16:13 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. (KJV)
“All truth” refers to Christ being truth – or referring to His person. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
It also refers to His word. Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (KJV)
Once in each chapter 14, 15, and 16 Jesus refers to “The Comforter” as the “Spirit of truth”. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13. What the “Spirit of truth” means is: When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin we accept it as truth, and then deal with in a Bible manner, which is to confess it.
Pilate asked the question “What is truth?” Joh 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (KJV)
Pilate was standing face to face with “Truth” and didn’t recognize Him.
V. HE WILL BRING THE WORDS OF CHRIST TO THE CHRISTIAN’S MEMORY.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV)
This is part of the “guiding in all truth” – The word of God is our life – God breathed upon the Holy Scriptures – He breathed upon Adam and he became a living soul. The breath of God brings life.
A. Salvation Comes From The Word Of God. 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (KJV)
B. Victory In The Christian Life Comes From The Word Of God. Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)
This verse tells us that we have eternal life in Him, but also that our life on the earth will be abundant. The abundant life will include victory for the Christian.
The reason there are so many causalities in Christians today is seen in John 14:26 - Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV) There is nothing in the heart of that believer for the Holy Spirit to help you with. He will guide you in truth that comes from the Word of God. That’s why I keep hammering away about reading the Bible through over and over again. When you have read it through 10 or 15 times you will begin to see the visible working of the Holy Spirit in your life. I have heard those who use the excuse saying, “I don’t grasp it when I read it, so why read it at all?” – They say, “It is like trying to catch water in a strainer.” You may not catch water in a strainer, but the water will keep the strainer clean. That same principle is true with the Word of God. You may not retain much, but you are keeping the strainer clean.
VI. HE WILL EMPOWER THE BELIEVER FOR WITNESSING
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (KJV)
From this time on in Acts we see the N.T. Christians going wide open with the gospel. Look at Acts 17:6 - Ac 17:6 “…These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (KJV)
Ac 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (KJV)
What made this possible? They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Ac 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (KJV)
There are 300 plus Baptist churches in the OKC area. Surely that many witnesses could get the word of God to all of OKC. Why hasn’t that happened? Because it is not a priority with most. In most cases it is being attempted absent of the fullness of the Spirit of God.
VII. HE WILL COMFORT BELIEVERS
Joh 16:7 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. (KJV)
The comforting presence of the Lord Jesus is experienced in the Comforter. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)
The word “Comforter” in the Greek is “paraklete” – it means “along side of” - or “staying by our side”.
Even though the comforting presence of the Lord Jesus departed at the ascension – He sent “Another Comforter” – “Just like Him” to continue in His absence. That “Comforter” is ever present in the Holy Spirit.
Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (KJV)
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (KJV)
May no Baptist ever be fearful of the Holy Ghost – He is your best friend. He wants to be involved in your every thought and deed during each day.
He indwells you if you are saved.
He teaches you – leads you – and guides you if you allow Him to.
He covets to fill you with His power.
INVITATION
