This sermon explores the power of the Holy Spirit, the encouragement from Jesus, and the promise of faith as depicted in John 20:19-23, aiming to help believers grow closer to God and experience His presence.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into an incredible passage from the book of John, where we'll explore The Power of the Holy Spirit, The Encouragement of Jesus, and The Promise of Faith. As we embark on this journey, let's remember the words of the well-respected Christian author, A.W. Tozer, who once said, "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the church is famishing for want of His presence."
We want, and we need Jesus. We need the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our churches. With that in mind, let's open with a word of prayer:
"The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the church is famishing for want of His presence." - A.W. Tozer
Read John 20:19-23
The Power of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the New Testament and a foundational aspect of the Christian faith. In this passage from John, we see Jesus breathing on His disciples and telling them to receive the Holy Spirit. This act of Jesus breathing on them is symbolic of the same life-giving breath that God gave to Adam in Genesis 2:7. We can experience fullness of life and faith through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The role of the Spirit in the lives of believers is multifaceted and transformative.
Firstly, the Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry and service. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit provides the necessary power and boldness for believers to share the Gospel and serve others in the name of Jesus. This power is not limited to the original disciples but is available to all who believe in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth. In John 16:13, Jesus says, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth." The Holy Spirit helps us to understand God's Word and apply it to our lives. He reveals the deep things of God and illuminates our minds to grasp the truths of Scripture. This guidance is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as it enables us to discern God's will and make wise decisions in our daily lives.
The Holy Spirit also produces spiritual fruit in the lives of believers. In Galatians 5:22-23, we read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These qualities are not produced by human effort but are the result of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives. As we yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform us, we begin to exhibit these Christ-like characteristics, which ultimately bring glory to God.
Fourthly, the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers in prayer. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." The Holy Spirit helps us to pray effectively, even when we do not know what to pray for or how to express our deepest needs and desires. He intercedes on our behalf, ensuring that our prayers align with God's will.
Fifthly, the Holy Spirit serves as a seal and guarantee of our salvation ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium
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