Holy Spirit (2 sermons)

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6

 

The IMPORTANCE

1. Most Baptists neglect the Holy Spirit, and most Charismatics distort, pervert, and disobey Him.
2. We personally depend on Him for salvation (Tit 3:5), assurance (Rom 8:16), and fruit (Eph 5:8-10).
3. Our church depends on Him for life (Eph 2:22; Rev 2:5), fruit (Rom 14:17), and gifts (II Tim 1:14).

The IDENTITY

1. We believe in one God (I Cor 8:4-6; Deut 6:4).
2. Yet this singular God is three (I John 5:7 cp Gen 1:26-27; Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 3:16-17).
3. He is not any Spirit, for He is plainly named the Holy Spirit. He is holy with the holiness of God.

The HISTORY

1. He moved upon the waters at creation (Gen 1:2), and He prompts Christ’s coming (Rev 22:16-17).
2. He came temporarily upon OT men for specific reasons (Numbers 24:2; Judges 6:34; 11:29; 14:6,19; 15:14; I Samuel 10:6,10; 11:6; 19:23; I Chronicles 12:18; 15:1; II Chronicles 20:14; 24:20).
3. He came upon a very select few men permanently (I Samuel 16:13; Num 11:24-30; II Kings 2:9).

The REFORMATION

1. The woman of Samaria heard new and strange things from Jesus Christ about water (John 4:1-42).
2. Jesus gloriously prophesied of His ascension and the gift of the Holy Ghost as water (John 7:25-53).

The PROMISE

1. OT prophets prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:28-32; Zechariah 12:10).
2. John the Baptist also prophesied Jesus would give the Spirit (Mat 3:11; Mark 1:8; Lu 3:16; Jn 1:33).
3. Jesus promised this gift also (Luke 24:49; John 14:16-17,26-27; 15:26-27; 16:7; Acts 1:4-5,8).

The GIFT

1. The Holy Ghost is the great gift of Jesus Christ to His church (Acts 2:33).
2. Some think the gift of the Holy Ghost is subjective-genitive – the Spirit gives church membership.
3. We understand the gift of the Holy Ghost is objective-genitive – the Spirit is the gift given by God.

The CONDITION

1. The promise of the Holy Spirit is to believers upon their baptism (John 7:39; Acts 2:38; 10:44-48).
2. It is for the obedient, of which the first acts are repentance, faith, and baptism (Acts 5:32; Eph 1:13).
3. This promise of the Holy Ghost was to us Gentiles also according to Peter’s words (Acts 2:39).

The FULFILLMENT

1. The apostles gave the Holy Ghost at Samaria to confirm apostolic authority (Acts 8:14-19).
2. The churches from that time forward had the comforting ministry of the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:31).
3. To confirm Gentile conversions, God gave Cornelius the Spirit before baptism (Acts 10:44-48).

The MINISTRY

1. He witnesses to the identity and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ (I John 5:6-8 cp 5:1-12).
   1. The water is our Lord’s baptism, which proved Him the Son of God (John 1:29-36).
   2. The blood is our Lord’s crucifixion, which proved Him the Son of God (Matt 27:45-54).
   3. Baptism (Rom 6:4-5; I Pet 3:21) and the Lord’s Supper (I Cor 11:26) now bear witness.
2. The identity of the Holy Spirit and false spirits of lies is the identity of Jesus Christ (I Cor 12:3).
3. He shall testify not of Himself but of Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14; 15:26).
4. He is the seal of believers until heaven (II Cor 1:22; Ep 1:13-14; 4:30; Gal 4:6; Rom 8:16; I Jn 4:13).