July 6, 2008

What We Believe
About the Holy Spirit's Work in the World, the Church and the Believer, pt. 2
Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Review

Who is the Holy Spirit?
A central work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God.

John 7: 38 - 39 "Rivers of living water"

"A simile that suggests that people would be aware of a presence that would somehow be perceptible..."
-Gruden
B. The Holy Spirit Reveals

1. Revelation to Prophets and Apostles
2 Peter 1: 20 - 21 (Apostles are like Old Testament Prophets)

2. He gives evidence of God's presence.
Romans 8: 16
Galatians 4: 6
2 Corinthians 1: 22
2 Corinthians 5: 5

C. He Guides and Directs God's People

He empowers and makes Himself known through...
Israel corrected for following common sense, rather than...
Isaiah 30: 1

"The degree of certainty we have with regard to God's will in a situation is directly proportional to the degree of clarity we have as to how the Word of God applies to the situation."

1 Chronicles 28: 12
The plans were put in his mind by the Spirit.

Examples and instruction:
Acts 15: 28
Acts 16: 6 - 7
Romans 8: 5,9,14,16
Galatians 5: 16 - 18,25
We all have a responsibility for the presence of God to be made known in the church.
D. He Provides a Godlike Atmosphere when He Manifests His Presence

Holy Spirit convicts, people respond.
Romans 5: 5 The love that He pours out in our hearts.

Godlike attributes the Holy Spirit produces in the body:

He will guide us into all truth.
John 16: 13

He illuminates His word.
1 Corinthians 2: 10 - 14

He brings unity
Acts 2: 44 - 47
2 Corinthians 13: 14
Philippians 2: 1 - 2
Ephesians 4: 3
1 Corinthians 12: 13

Desires of the flesh as opposed to the Spirit
Galatians 5: 18 - 25
E. The Holy Spirit sometimes Gives Stronger or Weaker Evidence of the Presence of God and His Blessing According to our Response to Him.

John 3: 34
The Holy Spirit was given to Him without measure.

1 Samuel 16: 14
Ephesians 2: 13 - 14
The Holy Spirit would be grieved and depart from him.

Ephesians 4: 30
1 Thessalonians 5: 19
We can grieve the Spirit, and we can quench the Spirit.

F. Conclusion

It is not a building or a mission trip that will manifest the presence of God among us.