There Is One Spirit Series

There Is One Spirit

Ephesians 4:4

Introduction

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.”— Charles Spurgeon

The Holy Spirit is present in the first chapter of the Bible and plays a major role in all of the story of the Bible - and your life. Last week we looked at ‘one body’ — the Church. This week, we turn to the divine power behind that body: There is one Spirit.

When Jesus told the disciples that the Spirit would be sent to help them (John 14:18), he used the Greek term

“parakletos” - counselor, comforter, helper, friend, and advocate. Literally, “one called alongside.” I need all the help I can get! We are not able to make it without the help of the Holy Spirit - whether we recognize that or not!.

Dwight Moody was once asked why he urged Christians to be filled constantly with the Holy Spirit. “Well,” he said, “I need a continual infilling because I leak!” We tend to be weak on our own. The Enemy tends to tempt us in the weakest areas. The Spirit provides all the strength we need.

Paul’s message to the Ephesians contains one dozen truths about the Holy Spirit! Let us listen with our ears and hearts!

1. We are Marked by the Spirit

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…

When we hear and believe the truth of the Gospel, we are marked with a seal…. A guarantee. John Stott wrote, “A seal is a mark of ownership and authenticity.” He mentioned the idea that cattle are branded with a seal to indicate to whom they belong. That is external - but God’s seal is in the heart to mark them as his own. We belong to Jesus!

2. He is a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

Ephesians 1:17-18 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better….that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…”

The goal of this gift of wisdom and revelation is the personal knowledge of God. Satan has blinded the mind of unbelievers, but God’s light shines in our hearts. This is much more than bare knowledge of God, it is a personal knowledge of him in experience, which involves a two-way relationship.

3.He Provides Access to the Father

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

John Stott mentioned that access is the continuing relationship into which reconciliation leads. United together in Christ we all have access and by one Spirit come to the Father.

4. We are United by being a Dwelling Place for the Spirit

Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

We are, together, a temple where God lives by his Spirit. The Jerusalem temple was an exclusively Jewish edifice ... Gentiles were forbidden to enter. But now Gentiles are not only admitted; they are constituent parts of the temple of God. F. F. Bruce observed, "No privilege is bestowed on the people of God in which Gentiles do not enjoy an equal share." This solidarity is the emphasis - the Spirit unites all believers together!

5. He Reveals the Will and Word of God

Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

Paul calls this a “mystery” - the prophets knew some of the plan of God, but it was fully revealed in Christ. The mystery was that the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, Members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus (vs 6). The prophets were men who “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). All along God planned for his people to be united together.

6. He Strengthens us With Power

Ephesians 3:14,16-17a I kneel before the Father … I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Paul’s prayer is that they may be ‘fortified, braced, invigorated’, to know the strength of the Spirit’s inner reinforcement. (Stott)

7. He Unites Believers and Brings Peace

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.