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Introduction

   

In the previous study about Jesus, we considered who he is and what he has done. Now we consider his activity today in the form of the work of the Holy Spirit, the “executive expression” of Jesus today.

1. The Person of the Holy Spirit

1.1 He is seen as a Person

Jn 14:26 /   Jn 14:17 /  Jn 15:26  /  Jn 16:7 /  Jn 16:13,14

•  Again and again Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “he” not “it”, i.e. “he” is a person, with personality and the characteristics of a person.

1.2 He is the Third PERSON of the Trinity

Mt 3:16,17  /  Mt 28:19  /  2 Cor 13:14

•  In each case there is clear reference to three members of the Godhead

1.3 He is ONE with the Father and the Son

Rom 8:9,10 / Gal 4:6 /  1 Pet 1:11

•  In each case the Spirit is identified with God or Christ; they are seen as one
•  Yet each is seen distinct and separate

 

   

2. The Work of the Spirit

2.1 He Draws to Jesus

Jn15:26 /  Jn 16:14 /  Jn 16:8,9

•  He brings understanding about Jesus and glorifies him
•  He convicts men and women of their need of a Saviour

2.2 He Dispenses Life

Tit 3:5 /  Jn 6:63  / 2 Cor 3:6 / 2 Cor 3:17 / Rom 8:14

•  He, himself, is the very source of life
•  That life brings a new freedom
•  That life guides us through life from then on

2.3 His Particular Work Paralleling Christ's

Gal 2:17 /   1 Cor 6:11

•  Jesus justifies us (makes us right) AND the Spirit justifies us (works it out)

Eph 2:14   /   Rom 14:17  

•  Jesus' death has brought our peace, the Spirit ministers peace to us

1 Cor 1:2  / Rom 15:16

•  We have been set apart to be holy “in Christ” and the Spirit works out holiness in us as an ongoing process

Eph 1:13 / Eph 4:30

•  We were sealed “in Christ” by the Holy Spirit

Gal 2:20 /   Rom 8:9

•  We are indwelt by Christ in the form of his Spirit

2.4 His Educating Work

Jn14:26

•  He teaches us all spiritual things

Rom 8:26

•  He teaches us what to pray

1 Pet 1:2 

•  He teaches us how to be obedient 

Mt 10:19,20

•  He teaches us what to say

1 Thess 1:6

•  He helps us understand with joy

Rom 8:14

•  He leads us through life 

Rom 8:16

•  He reassures us

2.5 He Equips for Service

Lk 24:49 /   Acts 1:8

•  When he comes to us he brings new power

1 Cor 12:7

•  He apportions gifts as he wills

Acts 20:28

•  He equips and appoints leaders

Acts 13:4 /   Acts 16:6,7

•  He guides us through life and ministry

Jude 20 / Eph 6:18  / Rom 8:26

•  He guides us in prayer

Mt 10:20 /   1 Pet 1:12 /  1 Cor 2:4  /  1 Thess 1:5

•  He helps us speak, preach and teach

Rom 15:19

•  He releases power through us for ministry

1 Pet 4:14

•  He reveals the glory of God in/on us

Gal 5:22,23

•  He brings the nature of Jesus out in us

2.6 He is our Hope for the Future

Rom 8:14 /   Rom 8:17

•  He enables us to live as children of God
•  If we are children of God then we have a promised inheritance

Eph 1:13 /   Eph 4:30

•  In the present, he is the “seal” or confirmation of our present salvation

Eph 1:14   /   2 Cor 5:5

•  Which means he brings hope for our future
•  He is a guarantee of our inheritance, the proof of what is to come

Rom 8:23

•  He is the first fruits of sample of what is to come in eternal life

Concluding Comments

Jesus, the Son, has come in the flesh, died on the cross for our sins and has earned our pardon.

Now he is seated at his Father's right hand in heaven, presiding over all history.

Jesus, in the form of his Holy Spirit, now lives in and through us on the earth to fulfil his Father's will, to bring the kingdom or reign of God on the earth through us.

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