The Holy Spirit's Work In The Life Of A Christian

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.