Introduction

In this message, we will explore the identity of the Holy Spirit and our relationship with Him.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

When we talk about God the Father, we can understand the concept of a Father. When we talk about God the Son, we can understand a Son. But what happens when we say God the Holy Spirit? People can understand something they see or know, but we can't physically see the Spirit. However, the Holy Spirit is God. He is not an object, but a person of the Godhead, and He dwells within every believer. The Holy Spirit continues the work of Jesus today, just as Jesus did 2000 years ago.

The Ministry of Jesus and the Role of the Holy Spirit

Jesus' ministry on earth was to teach the things of the Father. He explained the law, showed people their sin, and brought comfort to those who believed. The role of the Holy Spirit in us is to remind us of the words of Christ. He actively carries out the work of Christ and was sent by Christ to live within believers. He resides inside us, cleansing and empowering us when we allow Him to fill every part of our lives. In this challenging world, the Holy Spirit helps us stand firm in our faith and keeps us grounded.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit dwells within every believer at all times. Experiencing intense emotions or outward displays of physical reactions is not necessary to be filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit enters our lives and establishes a new relationship between us and God. He acts as a seal of our salvation, marking us as belonging to God. Through Jesus, He becomes our direct line to the Father. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us towards righteousness. He teaches us to obey the Lord and trust Him to direct our steps and carry our burdens. By relying on the Spirit, we learn to depend less on human wisdom, strength, or our own abilities.

The Spirit's Role in Revealing Truth

The Spirit understands that seeking truth in the visible world is futile. Instead, He leads us to seek God's Word. He teaches us to see beyond the surface and reveals blind spots in our hearts that are not fully surrendered to God. The Holy Spirit helps us to know God, making us wise and revealing His ways to us. Without the Spirit, we cannot comprehend the things of God. We need spiritual "eyes" in our hearts to see and understand God's mind. As we desire to know Him more, the Spirit reveals more to us.

Thinking Like God

One of the most significant roles of the Holy Spirit is helping us think like God. When we allow His Spirit to influence our thoughts, remarkable things happen. Our priorities change. Before Christ, we were focused on ourselves, our desires, and what we thought was best. But now, we belong to God. We have been bought with a price and are no longer our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us to go beyond our natural abilities and grants us wisdom as we listen to Him. By immersing ourselves in God and focusing on His thoughts, we can accomplish powerful things in this world.

The Spirit's Assistance in Prayer

The Spirit also assists us in prayer. He guides us in what to pray for and how to pray. When we are committed to prayer, the Spirit helps us intercede for others and brings God's power into their lives. Additionally, the Holy Spirit seeks to bring greater joy to the Lord through every believer. He gives spiritual gifts to individuals for the purpose of glorifying God. Our motivation for receiving the Holy Spirit should not be solely for receiving a gift but rather to become everything that God wants us to be and not miss out on His blessings. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's purpose for our lives, as He has called each of us and given us hope.

Our Identity in Christ

Lastly, the Holy Spirit reminds us of our identity in Christ. We are God's children, friends of Christ, united with the Lord, bought with a price, members of the body of Christ, saints set apart for God, established, anointed, and sealed by God. We are citizens of Heaven, salt and light in the world, assured that all things work together for our good, temples of God, seated with Him in heavenly realms, redeemed and forgiven, personal witnesses of Christ, able to approach God with freedom and confidence, inseparable from the love of God, capable of doing all things through Christ, branches of the true vine, and complete in Christ.

Conclusion

In summary, we belong to God!

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