Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is directly involved in our salvation. He calls us to Christ and continues to empower us to reflect His glory on this earth.
God the Holy Spirit
5-1 The eternal Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance and equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son… He is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, moves them to repentance, and regenerates5 them by His grace, enabling them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith.
5-2 The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers, baptizing them into one body, of which Christ is the head. He, the divine Comforter, Intercessor, and Advocate, empowers the believer for service.
The Holy Spirit ____________________ Us ______________________
2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV) — 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:2 (ESV) — 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
The same God, who spoke the earth and all of creation into existence by the Spirit, speaks into our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–5 (ESV) — 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction…
The Holy Spirit ______________________ Us __________________________
2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
In Christ, we are freed from the law but compelled by the Spirit.
Elutheria: to be free from ____________________ ____________________
Colossians 2:20–23 (ESV) — 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Our obedience to Christ is not something we must do, it is something we want to do.
Hebrews 10:23–25 (ESV) — 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Questions to Consider
Why should we have confidence when we preach the gospel to our friends and neighbors?
What the difference between being constrained and being compelled? Can you see this in your everyday life? In what ways?
What does it look to be compelled by the Spirit in your service to Christ?
