This sermon explores the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual life, emphasizing our dependence on Him for conviction, regeneration, and empowerment.
Good morning, beloved family. It's a joy to gather with you today, to join our hearts in worship and our minds in reflection on the Word of God. Today, we stand on the threshold of a profound exploration into the very heart of our faith. We will be considering the person and work of the Holy Spirit, that divine and mysterious third person of the Holy Trinity.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." How true those words ring in our ears today. We are completely dependent on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual life. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sin, leads us to Christ, regenerates our hearts, and empowers us for service. Without the Holy Spirit, we are indeed like ships without wind, adrift on the sea of life.
Our text for today is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 7. It reads, "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
In these words, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. He is going away, he tells them, but they should not be dismayed. For his going away will make way for the coming of another, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit.
Overview. Today, we will focus on three main points: the holiness of the Holy Spirit, the handiwork of the Holy Spirit, and our heartfelt connection with the Holy Spirit. As we unpack these truths, may our hearts be stirred to a deeper love and appreciation for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Advocate. This term, in the original Greek, is "Parakletos," which can be translated as "one who is called alongside." This suggests a close, intimate relationship. The Holy Spirit is not a distant, impersonal force, but a personal being who comes alongside us in our spiritual journey. He is our counselor, our comforter, our helper. He is with us in our struggles, our doubts, our fears. He is there to guide us, to strengthen us, to encourage us.
But there is another aspect of the Holy Spirit's character that is often overlooked. He is not only our Advocate, He is also holy. This is not just a title or a descriptor. It is His very nature. He is the Holy Spirit. Holiness is not something He does, it is who He is. And because He is holy, He calls us to be holy.
Holiness, in its simplest form, is about being set apart. It is about being different from the world around us. It is about reflecting the character of God in our thoughts, our words, our actions.
The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, shares in the divine nature of God. He is holy because God is holy. And when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we too are called to be holy. We are called to be set apart.
But how can we, as flawed and sinful human beings, ever hope to be holy? The answer lies in the work of the Holy Spirit. He is not just our Advocate, He is also our Sanctifier. He is the one who works in us to make us holy. He convicts us of our sin, leads us to repentance, and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God.
The Holy Spirit does not coerce or manipulate. Instead, He gently leads us, guiding us into all truth, reminding us of Jesus' teachings, and helping us to apply them in our daily lives. He gives us the desire to be holy and the power to live out that desire.
The Holy Spirit also equips us for service. He gives us spiritual gifts, unique abilities that enable us to serve God and others in a way that brings glory to God and builds up the body of Christ. These gifts are not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. They are not a sign of our own worth or ability, but a testament to the grace and power of God at work in us.
Finally, the Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation. He bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. He gives us the assurance that we belong to God, that we are loved by God, and that we are secure in God. This assurance is not based on our feelings or circumstances, but on the unchanging truth of God's Word.
The handiwork of the Holy Spirit is evident in the transformation of the human heart ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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