The Holy Spirit Series

INTRODUCTION

- What is the average Christian’s understanding of the Holy Spirit?

- I used to freak out when people called Him the Holy Ghost.

- I do not know about you, but ghosts do not give me a comfortable feeling.

- Is the Holy Spirit as well known or understood as the two other members of the Godhead (The Father and The Son)?

- Understanding the Holy Spirit is vital for us to grasp since we live in the age of the Holy Spirit.

- We could use some divine guidance on the subject because our Spiritual experiences will not suffice since we may have differing experiences not shared by others.

- We see this thought play out even in the Bible.

- We need to go to the Word to see what it tells us about this awesome part of the Godhead we have in our lives here today.

- According to data compiled by Professor Gareth Reese, the Holy Spirit is much more prominently mentioned in the Word of God than the average reader realizes: Someone has pointed out that in the 66 books of the Bible, He is mentioned in 47 of them, more than 250 times in the New Testament, more than 400 times in the entire Bible, and by more than 40 different names.

- (Gareth Reese, Acts Commentary- Special Study #3)

- When we do not understand the Holy Spirit, we cheat ourselves and others out of great blessings.

- Many people today have a concept of the Holy Spirit that revolves around supernatural gifts and outbursts.

- Until the Bible was completed, that aspect of the Spirit was active, but the Holy Spirit is much more than a show.

- Today, we will do a deep dive into the Holy Spirit.

- In our introduction, we will clarify that the Holy Spirit is a person, not an inanimate force because He possesses a mind, knowledge, affection, and will.

- We are told He can be grieved, resisted, blasphemed, and quenched.

- He is also a person because He acts like a person.

- He speaks, bears testimony, reveals truth, retrains, and has influence.

- The Spirit is part of the Godhead and is co-equal, co-eternal, omnipresent, and all-knowing.

SERMON

I. The history of the Holy Spirit.

- Because of time, I will not list all the references this morning, only some major ones.

- Before we look at the Acts passage, I would like to take you on a brief journey through the history of the Holy Spirit.

- The Holy Spirit was a part of the work of creation.

Genesis 1:1–2 NET 2nd ed.

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.

- The Spirit was hovering over the surface of the water.

- Passages like Job 33:4 and Genesis 2:7 suggest His part in creation.

Genesis 2:7 (NET 2nd ed.)

7 The LORD God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 33:4 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

- Many verses speak about how the Spirit is active in the providence of God.

- Providence is God’s everyday activity in His world.

- Men like Samson. Nehemiah, Joshua, David, and Solomon are a few examples.

- The Spirit would occasionally come upon God’s chosen servants and clothe them in power, wisdom, and courage to accomplish God’s purpose.

- Men like Gideon, Moses, and Samson. Nehemiah, Joshua, David, and Solomon are a few examples.

Judges 15:14 (NET 2nd ed.)

14 When he arrived in Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they approached him. But the LORD’s Spirit empowered him. The ropes around his arms were like flax dissolving in fire, and they melted away from his hands.

1 Samuel 10:10 (NET 2nd ed.)

10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a company of prophets was coming out to meet him. Then the spirit of God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied among them.

- There are many more.

- A few instances in the Old Testament also describe the Holy Spirit filling one of God’s servants, working from the inside out to equip them with a specific skill or attribute.

- This in-filling of the Spirit is more focused on ongoing callings.

- In the ministry of Jesus, the Spirit appeared at Jesus' baptism as a dove.

- Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit.

- The Spirit was involved in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.