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Unit 1
Who Is The
Holy Spirit
He Is A Person
• As we begin this study, the 1st question that needs to be answered is "Who is the Holy Spirit?"
The Bible teaches clearly that the Holy Spirit is a person. Jesus, himself never referred to the Holy Spirit as ‘It"
but rather as "He".
• Here is scriptural evidence that
shows that "He" has the attributes and characteristics of a person. "He" has intellect, emotion, will, and his actions are
that of a person.
He Speaks: He that hath an ear, let him here what the spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 2:7)
• And while they were ministering
to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
(Acts 13:2)
He Intercedes: "And in the same way the spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to
pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Rom. 8:26)
He Testifies: But when the comforter is come, whom I will send you from the Father, even the Spirit
of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. (John 15:26)
He Leads: Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts
8:29)
• For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom. 8:14)
He Commands: Now when they had gone throughout Phryg-i-a and the region of Ga-la-tia, and were forbidden of the Holy
Ghost to preach the word in Asia. After they were come to My-si-a, they tried to go into Bi-thyn-ia; but the Spirit suffered them not.
(Acts 16:6-7)
He Guides: When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth; For he will not speak on his own authority,
but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (Jn. 16:13
RSV)
He Appoints: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
He Can Be Lied To: But Peter said An-a-ni-as, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?
(Acts 5:3)
He Can Be Insulted: How much severer punishment he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of
God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of Grace.
(Heb. 10:29 NASB)
He Can Be Blasphemed: Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:
but the blasphemy against The Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this
world or the world to come. (Matt. 12:31-32)
He Can Be Grieved: And grieve not The Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(Ep. 4:30)
II. He Is
God
• Throughout the scriptures it is also very clear that "He" is God. The Bible lists a number
of characteristics that can be attributed only to God.
He Is Eternal: How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without blemish
to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb. 9:14)
He Is All Powerful: The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the highest will overshadow you." (Luke 1:35)
He Is Omnipresent: Where can I go from thy spirit? Or where can I flee from thy presence? (Psa. 139:7)
He is All-Knowing: But God has revealed them to us through his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things,
yes, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so,
no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
(1 Cor. 2:10-11)
The Holy Spirit is Called God: But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit,
and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold,
was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but
to God. (Acts 5:3-4)
• Clearly the Bible gives ample evidence that "He" is God. No one else could meet these qualifications.
The Origin Of The Holy Spirit
• At what point did the Holy Spirit begin to exist? Was it after the creation, the birth of Christ, at
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) or did He always exist?
Gen. 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth. The earth was without form, and
void; and darkness was on the face of the
face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was
hovering over the face of the waters.
• The first words recorded in the scriptures
tell us of the existence of The Spirit at the creation. Since He was there at the beginning of time, He had to be a part of
eternity with God.
• The Hebrew word for God (VI) is "Elohim"
which means Gods plural. Since the Bible is clear that there is but one (1) God (Isa. 45:5-6), what does this mean? This
simply means that the "Trinity" God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit was present and responsible for creation.
(Jn. 1:1-3)
Unit 2
The Conviction
of The Holy Spirit
• Understanding the purpose and the work of the Holy Spirit is vitally important to spiritual growth.
Trying to live the Christian life with no knowledge of the Spirit is like trying to repair an engine with no idea of how an
internal combustion engine works.
• God is a Spirit. (Jn. 4:24), We are a spirit made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) and the battle we must fight as a Christian is in the
Spirit Realm (Ep. 6:12). Therefore it is easy to see why so many people struggle and fall by the wayside
when they try to live a Christian life with no working knowledge of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit has one purpose in this
world and that is to glorify Jesus Christ. This is his goal in every work. He does nothing to bring glory to himself or to
any other person or organization. If the Holy Spirit is involved in a work the end result, if carried out the way He directs,
is Jesus Christ is glorified. Let’s look at the work of the Holy Spirit concerning conviction using primarily Jn. 16:8-11
as a text.
Conviction Of The Lost
Jn. 16:8 NLT And when he comes, he will convince the world of it’s sin, and of God’s
righteousness, and of the coming judgement.
II Cor. 4:3-4 NLT If the good news we preach is veiled
from anyone, it is a sign that they are
perishing. Satan, the god of this evil
world, has blinded the minds of those
who don’t believe, so they are unable
to see the glorious lights of the good
news that is shining upon them. They
don’t understand the message we
preach about the glory of Christ, who
is the exact likeness of God.
• The lost are unaware of the situation
they are in. They are walking around one heart-beat from hell, having a big time, and don’t recognize the danger they
face. They are like the young boy at Disneyland. He was enjoying Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and all the rides until he looked around
and realized he was separated from his parents. Disneyland then turned into Disney disaster, the fun was over.
Jn. 16:9 NLT The worlds sin is unbelief in me.
• It is the job of the Holy Spirit to
get the attention of the lost and make them aware of their condition and why they are lost. The lost do not really understand
what God expects of them or what God requires for entrance into Heaven. They intend to go, but their hopes are based upon
keeping the 10 Commandments, going to church etc. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to convince the sinner that
there is no such thing as a "Good Sinner" or "Bad Sinner". They are lost not because they cuss, smoke, drink, lie or steal
but because they have not believed on Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Conviction Of The Saint
II Sam. 12:1-13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
• The convicting work of the Holy Spirit is not limited to sinners. He is also active in the life of Christians
convicting them of sin. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to make us aware of each time we sin and to make us feel
uncomfortable with our sin. If you can sin without feeling uncomfortable or guilty you have good reason to question whether
or not you are saved.
• Conviction is to the spirit man what
pain is to the physical man. Pain is an indication that you have a problem in your body. Conviction indicates that there is
a problem between you and God. David was unaware of the awfulness of the sin he had committed until the Holy Spirit revealed
it to him thru the prophet Nathan. Many times he uses another person to make us aware of our sin. (Jn. 3:1-10, Acts 2:14-40)
I Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all
unrighteousness.
• The purpose of the Holy Spirits conviction
in a Christians life is to keep him/her in fellowship with God. Sin destroys our fellowship with God (Isa. 59:1-2) He convicts
us of our sin that we might draw closer to the Lord and please him. Remember the goal of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus.
When you are in close fellowship with God you will glorify Jesus.
• The Greek word "confess" means to say
the same thing, to agree. If we are going to be in fellowship with God we are going to have to say the same thing about our
sin that the Holy Spirit says. We must treat it like he treats it. We can see clearly, therefore, that confession is much
more than a half-hearted "I’m sorry I sinned".
Conviction Of Righteousness
Jn. 16:10 AMP About
righteousness (uprightness of heart
and right standing with God), because I
go to my Father and you will no longer
see me.
• Jesus came to reveal a new standard
of righteousness, He revealed to the people of his day what God required of a person to be in "Right Standing " with him.
Since Jesus is no longer here to reveal to us that standard, it is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to convince us of
the fact that Jesus is the "Standard of Righteousness"! He is the only one who has ever perfectly measured up to the standard
of holiness that God demands.
II Cor. 5:21 AMP For
our sake he made Christ (virtually)
to be sin Who Knew No Sin, so that
in and through him we might become
(endued with, viewed as being in, and
examples of) the righteousness of God
(what we ought to be, approved and
acceptable and in right relationship
with him, by his goodness).
• The Holy Spirit must convince us that
Christ is the only standard of righteousness that satisfies God’s demand, that we could never be good enough on our
own, but that we must receive the righteousness of Christ in order to go to Heaven. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit we
would never be convinced that God allows nothing in Heaven that does not measure up to the standard of perfection that Christ
established.
Conviction Of Judgement
Jn. 16:11 AMP About
judgement, because the ruler (evil
genius, prince) of this world (Satan) is
judged and condemned and sentenced
already is passed upon him.
• People don’t want to talk about
judgement. They want to stick their head in the sand and ignore death and judgement (Heb. 9:27). It is the responsibility
of the Holy Spirit to convince the world of the reality of judgement. If Satan did not get away with sin and was kicked out
of Heaven (Lu. 10:18), so will everyone who follows Satan be judged and denied Heaven.
Matt. 25:41 Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
• It is the responsibility of the Holy
Spirit to make us aware of the reality of hell. That it was not prepared for us but for the devil and his angels. He helps
us to understand that hell is a choice that we must make when we choose sin and reject Jesus. He may shake us up, scare us
in order to get the point across (Acts 9:1-9).
Unit 3
The Guidance
of The Holy Spirit
• As a Christian we are on a journey. We begin at point A
Salvation (Rom. 10:9-10) and know according to
scripture that we are going to end up at point
Z
glorification (Rom. 8:29-30).
But the journey from
point A to point Z can be confusing and complicated
because we have no knowledge of what is going
to take
place between the starting point and the finishing
point.
Don’t be fooled, the Christian life is
not a simple way
for the sincere person. It is difficult because
of the
many decisions we must make and the fact that
we are
so limited in our ability to see what is ahead
of us and
what is best for us in the long run. Many times
we feel
like we are groping in the dark without a clue
as to
which way to go. There are several ways people
try to
find direction for their life:
1.) Jud. 6:36-40 Fleece method
2.) Horoscopes
3.) Physics Hotlines
4.) Listing the Pros and Cons
But God has a plan in place to get us from point
A to point Z.
• Every sincere Christian wants to find
and walk in the will of God, to know that he is guiding us in the decisions we make. Lets look at the role of the Holy Spirit
in the life of a believer as he guides us into the perfect will of God.
He Indwells
1 Cor. 6:19 AMP Do you
not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, whom you have received
(as a gift) from God? You are not your own.
• We have an "Internal Guidance System".
At the point of salvation the spirit dwells within us. He is always available to give us direction thru life’s complicated
issues. The role of the spirit is to lead us into the will of God.
He Understands The Will Of God
Rom. 12:2 AMP Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its
external, superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its
new attitude), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing
which is good and acceptable and perfect (in his sight for you).
• The goal of the Holy Spirits guidance
is to help us discover and do the will of God. He has a perfect understanding of the will of God for your life. Let us look
at three different levels or types of God’s will.
Sovereign Will
Duet. 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but these things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words
of the law.
Rom. 11:33 How
unsearchable are his judgements and his ways past finding out?
Eph. 1:11 In whom
also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after
the counsel of his own will.
Sovereign – God does what he wants and asks no one.
• People have been searching thru the
ages to know the will of God. This level of God’s will is very mysterious because it is not clearly revealed in the
scriptures. Paul says it is past finding out. We do not always understand why God allows certain events to take place and
it often leaves us asking "Why" with no answer. As God he does not have to explain all his actions to us, just as a parent
does not have to explain every decision they make to their children. When we don’t understand what is going on, ultimately
we must trust the sovereign will of God, that he knows what is best.
Mk. 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven,
neither the Son, but the father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
• The time of Christ’s return is
a good example of God’s sovereign will. He chose not to reveal to us in the Bible when Christ will return. He basically
says it is none of our business, that our responsibility is to be prepared whenever it happens.
Moral Will
1 Thes. 5:18: In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1.God also has a moral will, which He clearly
revealed to us. God’s moral will is the scriptures. In the scriptures he gives us details of his will that he wants
us to know. We may guess about God’s sovereign will but there is no guessing about his moral will, because it is written
down.
2.In the scriptures God very clearly gives us
guidelines by which we are to live. The Ten Commandments are a good example. In an article entitled "Message From God" was
one that said, what part of "Thou Shalt Not" didn’t you understand? Another one said "The Ten Commandments
Are Not Multiple Choice". Keeping the moral will of God is not optional for the person who wants to find and walk in the
perfect will of God.
Individual Will
Psa. 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
Isa. 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in
it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.
• The third level or type of God’s
will is his specific will. God’s moral (general) will is the same for each of us, but his specific will varies in each
of our lives. God has a specific and very detailed plan for each of us. The Bible does not reveal God’s individual will
for our life, foe example:
1.) Where we should live
2.) Who we should marry
3.) What job we should accept
4.) The church we should attend
Jn. 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water. (But this he spake of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the Holy Ghost
was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
• Jesus, prior to his crucifixion, spoke
of a time when the Holy spirit would fill us and we would have a continual source of power directly from God that would reveal
to us the will of God in every decision that we have to make.
He Enlightens
I Cor. 2:9-10 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things
which God has prepared for them that love him. But God has revealed them to us through his spirit. For the spirit searches
all things, yes, the deep things of God.
• The Holy Spirit searches the "Depth’s"
of God and reveals to us things that our eyes can not see, he reveals solutions that the ears have never heard. When we can’t
reason our way out of a situation, he gives us answers that have not entered into our heart, something we would not have thought
of because he knows perfectly the will of God. Who would have thought of:
1.) Jos. 6:1-6 Marching around the walls of
Jericho.
2.) Jud. 7:19-22 Smashing a pitcher to defeat
the enemy.
3.) I Kings 18:21-40 Starting a fire with water
4.) Matt. 17:24-27 Finding tax money in a fishes
mouth.
• These are but a few examples of how
the Holy Spirit provided answers to people in trouble, who would never have thought of doing this as a solution to the problems
they were in.
He Guides
Jn. 16:13 R.S.V. When
the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever
he hears he will speak, and will declare to you the things that are to come.
• Jesus said that the spirits role is
to guide the believer into light (understanding) of The Word (Truth). Without the Holy Spirit the Bible is no more than a
history book or a collection of poetry. With his help the Bible comes alive, full of meaning, with answers to life’s
problems.
• The Holy Spirit guides us thru the word.
He does not come up with independent ideas. He does not speak on his own. He is telling you what God wants. He will never
lead you in a way that contradicts the Scriptures or the principles they teach. This is why it is so important that we surround
ourselves with the word of God so that we can recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you are not building up and feeding
your soul with the word, then you have no way to hear the Spirits voice. Notice what these people were doing when the Spirit
spoke to them and gave them direction.
1.) Acts 10:9-33 Peter went upon the housetop
to pray.
2.) Acts 13:1-4 As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted.
Unit 4
1. Experiencing The Baptism Of The Spirit
The Spirit’s Baptism
• The Baptism of the Spirit is one of the most confusing and controversial subjects in the Bible. Like
water baptism, fallen from grace or eternal security, the issue of the Baptism of the Spirit will never be settled and agreed
upon this side of the grave. However none of these are issues we have to agree on. We should respect the different views that
others may have and try diligently to learn from each other. Our goal is to be as scripturally accurate as possible. Realizing
that we too will fall short in our understanding of this controversial subject.
I Cor. 12:13 For
by one spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all
made to drink into one spirit.
- A. The Meaning of Baptism
Baptizo – To immerse or to dip.
• This word was used to describe the process
of dying cloth. When the cloth came out of the dye you had a different-looking piece of cloth because it had been dipped or
immersed into a colored dye. This process of immersion, this baptism of the cloth was not just an act, it was a transformation
because the cloth took on a new color.
• The Baptism of the Spirit is a one time act that takes place at the point of our conversion. At this
point you receive the spirit. You need the baptism of the Holy Ghost to get you into the family. It is our initiation into
the Body of Christ, much like water baptism is our initiation into the local church. It gives us access to all the spiritual
resources needed to live for Christ. This signifies that a transformation has taken place.
Truth: This baptism places you into the body and into a
relationship with Christ. It gives us the spirit
but by
itself does not guarantee results.
The Results of Baptism
Let’s review briefly what this Baptism
does for us.
It gives us:
1.) Jn. 7:37-39 A new Life
2.) Rom. 6:1-5 A new Identity
3.) I Cor. 12:12 A new Unity (one body)
4.) I Cor. 12:1-11 A new Ability (Spiritual
Gift)
5.) II. Cor. 5:17 A new Nature
Who Does The Baptism
Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto (because of) repentance, but he that cometh after
me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
• John says that Jesus Christ is the one
that does the baptizing. The Holy Spirit is the means by which this baptism takes place (Col. 2:10-12). This is the baptism,
in my opinion, that is essential for entrance into Heaven.
Baptism and Speaking in Tongues
• What is the outward visible proof (sign) that the Baptism of the Spirit has taken place? One view is
that speaking in tongues is the indispensable proof that the baptism has taken place. In this view, using scriptures from
(Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; 19:1-6) the Baptism of the Spirit is an act
separate from salvation, sometimes called a "2nd Blessing" or a "2nd Work of Grace".
• There are some problems with this
interpretation.
Let us look briefly atsome:
1.Not all Christians speak in tongues.
If speaking intongues is necessary to prove the spirits power and fellowship in a believers life, we have a problem. Why?
Because it is possible to identify many believers from the beginning of the church till now who are used powerfully by the
Spirit who never spoke in tongues.
2.No where does the scripture teach that
speaking intongues is a necessary sign of the Spirit’s baptism or that there has to be a time between conversion and
Spirit baptism.
The Significance of Tongues in Acts
• Let us try to understand the connection between the Spirit’s baptism and speaking
in tongues in the book of Acts by using some Old Testament scriptures.
Nu. 11:16-29 Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the
Lord would put his spirit upon them.
Joel 2:28 And it shall
come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.
• The Day of Pentecost was the fulfillment
of Moses’ prayer and Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16). This happened initially in Jerusalem
and only to Jewish believers. The rest of the book of Acts deals with spreading of the fulfillment of that promise from Jerusalem
to Judea to Samaria and ultimately to the Gentile world. So what is the significance of tongues? It became
the outward, visible sign that the Holy Spirit had descended as promised. With this in mind, let us look at some of the scriptures
in Acts where tongues are recorded and see what was taking place.
1.) Acts 2:1-4 Jews (Pentecost)
2.) Acts 8:14-17 Samaritans (Pentecost)
3.) Acts 10: 44-48 Gentiles (Pentecost)
• We can see in these scriptures that
each time the church expanded to include another race of people, they had their own "Pentecost" and tongues was a part of
their experience. This was to be proof of God’s accepting those people. Would Peter have accepted Cornelius had he not
seen and heard him speak in tongues?
• In conclusion, what is the outward proof
of The Spirit Baptism?
• Our daily confession (Rom. 10:9-10) and the proclaiming of the person and the work of Christ. this may be done in tongues, but most likely it
will be in a known language. (Matt. 5:16)
The Significance Of Tongues Today
• Is tongues relevant for today’s church? Opinions vary on this question. The ultra conservative
say tongues are no longer a part of the New Testament Christian experience today. The wild-eyed charismatic seems to think
that tongues is the most important thing we can do as a Christian. As is most often the case neither of these views are scripturally
accurate.
Two Basic Functions of Tongues
1 Cor. 12:10 Gift
of the Spirit used for public exhortation. This is not something
everyone will experience. The Holy Ghost will choose to whom this gift goes. (1 Cor. 12:11)
Jude 20 Prayer Language used for
personal edification. This category of tongues is available for every Born-again believer. Calvary purchased this right for us.
Should I Want To Speak In Tongues? If So, Why?
Mk. 16:17-18 Jesus says speaking in tongues is something that a believer should.
Acts 2:1-4 Tongues is clearly a New Testament experience. We are New Testament Christians.
What Is The Benefit Of Tongues?
Jude 20 Builds up faith
1 Cor. 14:15; Ep. 5:18-19 Enhances private worship
Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:14; Ep.
6:18 A means by which the Holy Spirit intercedes thru us.
Unit 5
Experiencing
The Filling Of The Spirit
• As in Unit IV we are now entering another controversial and confusing area of scripture. But this should
not keep us from seeking the truth. One of the reasons there is so much controversy is many people use the terms "Baptism
of the Spirit" and "Filled with the Spirit" as one and the same thing. These are not the same. They are two separate events.
Understanding the terminology used in connection with the spirit will help us to realize that many times we disagree on this
subject, we are saying the same thing, just using different terms.
The Spirits Enabling
Jn. 14:16 NKJ And
I will pray the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he may abide with you forever.
• God in his wisdom, knew that we could
not live the Christian life without divine help. Jesus himself said (Jn. 15:5) "Without me you can do nothing," God’s
response to that need for help was to send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to be our helper. It is the job of the Holy
Spirit to enable us to be and to do what God wants us to be and do.
• There can be no effective ministry or
life that pleases the Lord by mere human effort. In fact a life that is lived and ministry that is performed merely thru human
effort makes God sick (Isa. 64:6).
• Have you discovered in your Christian
life that no matter how many times we say to ourselves, "I’m going to do it this time" we find that we really are unable to be or to do what God wants?
If you have discovered your spiritual insufficiency, then you are a good candidate for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. If
you have not, then you are a good candidate for spiritual disaster.
Word Study
Helper – (Paraclete) One called alongside to help
• In different versions of the Bible this
word is also translated comforter (KJ) counselor (RSV) counselor, helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener,
and stand-by (AMP)
Another – (Allos) Another of the same kind.
• Jesus here was telling his disciples
He was sending one besides himself and in addition to himself, but one just like him. He will do in my absence what I would
do if I were physically present with you. The Holy Spirit will be all to you that I was to you. You are not getting any
less of me. In fact you are getting exactly what I would give if I were here.
An Interesting Truth
Jn. 16:7 RSV Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if
I do not go away, the counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
• Do you realize that if Jesus Christ
were on earth today, in a physical body, we would actually be worse off as his people? Phil. 2:5-8 tells us that Jesus
laid aside his Godly powers and walked the earth as a man. This means he had the same physical limitations as us. He could
only be in one place at one time. In order for Jesus to meet the needs of all Saints, He had to leave so that he could send
the Holy Spirit, who is not limited to time and space.
What It Means To Be Spirit-Filled
Ep. 5:18 And be not
drunk with wine wherein excess, but be filled with the Spirit.
• To be Spirit filled is to be controlled
or dominated by the Spirit’s presence and power. When you are filled in the New Testament sense, it means that someone
or something has taken over command in your life. It is interesting that we often say someone is "Under the influence" of
alcohol. To be spirit filled is to be under the influence of the Spirit. What alcohol is to the body negatively, the Holy
Spirit is to the body positively. He makes you walk and talk in ways you wouldn’t normally do. You can not be Spirit-filled,
and do your own thing.
Word Study
Filled- (Plerousthe) This word is used throughout the New Testament.
Lu. 4:28 Were filled
with wrath.
Acts 13:45 Were
filled with envy.
• Notice in these two examples what it
meant to be filled. The people of Nazareth (Lu. 4:28) were controlled by their anger and they tried
to kill Jesus.
The Jews in Antioch
(Acts 13:45) were so jealous at the success of Paul and Barnabas that they began to verbally attack and blaspheme
them. Now ordinarily, no good Jew would commit blasphemy. But their anger took over and made them do what they would not ordinarily
do.
Truths About Being Spirit-Filled
• Let’s look at four truths about being Spirit-filled, using a portion of Ep. 5:18
Be ye filled with the Spirit.
God’s Command
• The 1st thing we need to see is that this is not a suggestion. God is not saying, "If you want
to, it would be nice if you were filled with the Spirit." This is a command that must be either obeyed or disobeyed.
For Every Believer
• The command is plural in the Greek text. This means it applies to every believer.
The Spirit’s fullness is not reserved for an elite group of Christians. Every Christian has been baptized by the Spirit
into the body of Christ, and every believer is indwelt by the Spirit. But not every Christian is filled with the Spirit. If
we were, a command to be filled would be needless.
God Does It
• A 3rd important observation we need to notice is that we are to "Be Filled", not fill
ourselves. Someone else provides the action. We are the object of that action. God does the filling. We can resist the
filling, but can not fill ourselves.
Keep It Up
• This command is in the present tense. In the Greek, this means it is to be a continuous process. An
accurate way of translating this phrase is "Be filled with the Spirit and keep on being filled." In other words don’t
get filled today and expect the filling to last a lifetime. The truth is we "Leak". Why? Because we live in a world which
is dominated by sin. A world full of people who try to get our attention off the Spirit. Each time we talk, act, or become
involved in the ways of the world we lose some of our filling.
Truth: 1 Baptism – Many fillings
How To Be Filled
• This is a very important part of our study. Without trying to help you understand how to be filled we
have wasted a lot of time during this study. There are several different views on how to be filled. The Bible does not give
us a clear cut method or formula on how to be filled that the Christian world can agree upon. So no matter what view we may
accept there will be some that disagree. So let us enter into this part of our study with an open mind and a prayer in our
heart that God would (Ep. 1:18) enlighten our understanding. Here are some conditions that are very important we
meet if we are going to be filled with the spirit.
Understanding
• In order to be filled, there are certain truths we must understand from God’s word. In other words
we must build a foundation
upon which we can receive the filling.
Heb. 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God.
• We must realize that everything we receive
from God, including the filling, is by faith.One of the major reasons many Christians are not filled is because of (Hos. 4:6)
a lack of knowledge. The cure for this, (Rom. 10:17) hearing the word. What are some of the truths
we must understand in order to receive?
Ep. 5:18 It is available,
and for me
Ep. 5:18 We are commanded
to be filled
Song of Sol. 2:15 Deal with
sin
• One of the reasons why many people receive
the filling thru the laying on of hands, is because they are surrounded by people who have faith and this causes the faith
of the person who wants to receive to increase. I realize that some people receive the filling at the point of conversion
and others receive with very little knowledge, because of their intense hunger for God. This is what makes the Bible so interesting,
exciting and at the same time, controversial. God is sovereign and every time we get a formula or method worked out, He does
it a different way. But the basic way of God is that we receive by 1st building a foundation of faith.
Submission
• The 2nd step in being filled is submission. By this I mean that we renounce our own
way and seek God’s way. The essence of sin is self-will, placing ourselves at the center of our lives instead of Christ.
The way to be filled is to place Christ at the center of our lives
instead of self.
Make Worship a Life Style
• Now that we have looked at the basic conditions that need to be met in order to be filled with the Spirit,
we are ready to look at the 3rd step and discern what God’s plan is for us to "Be Filled and continue to be Filled",
if God wants us to be filled, in fact commands us to be filled. There must be in the scriptures a means to be filled, even
if we can not agree on what it is. Lets look at Ep. 5:18-21 as not only the command to be filled, but also the means to be
filled.
Ep. 5:18-21 NKJV And be not drunk with wine, in which Is dissipation; but be
filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting
to one another in fear of God.
• How many times have you left church
on "Cloud Nine"? Why doesn’t this happen on Monday morning or Tuesday morning, but it does on Sunday morning? Because
on Sunday morning we are in a holy environment worshipping God, being inspired by the anointed singing and being filled with
the word of God. We pour out our hearts to God and are filled with the sense of his presence. Then we leave church and lose
that sense of the presence of God. What I am suggesting, is that in order to" Be filled and continue to be Filled", we need to make our worship a lifestyle. We need to learn to do on Monday
thru Saturday what we do on Sunday morning. The question that must be decided is this, is (verse 19-21) the result of being
filled with the Spirit, or is it the means to be filled with the Spirit. There is a difference of opinion in the Christian
world concerning this question. We are going to consider these scriptures as the means of being filled. If you do not agree
with this view, that is fine. This is an issue we do not have to agree upon.
Speaking One To Another
• The 1st thing Paul mentions is that we should communicate with one another. As Christians, when
we are together, we should talk about the goodness of the Lord, about the work of the Spirit in and thru us. The trouble is
we fill our hearts and minds with so many things that when we gather together, all we have to talk about is sports, weather,
the latest gossip, etc. Paul says our communication with one another should consist in Psalms (word of God), spiritual songs
(having to do with our testimony, our experience with the Spirit).
Making Melody In Your Heart
• The 2nd thing we need to do, is communicate with the Lord by making melody in our
hearts. Sing praises unto God, and keep Jesus as focus of our lives. If our heart is on the U.K. Wildcats, you become a wildcat
fan, if your heart is on Jesus, you become a Jesus fan.
Giving Thanks Always
• The 3rd thing is to give thanks for everything. This means talking to God from a point
of gratitude, not grumbling. A person that spends all their time
grumbling will not be filled with the Spirit.
Submitting To One Another
• When worship becomes a way of life, serving one another will be no problem. Servant hood reflects the
Spirit of Christ.
Why Aren’t We Filled
Jn. 7:37 If any man
thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
• There is no reason for us not to be
filled with the Spirit. Yet many of us live a great part of our life without the filling that God has promised. Why? Let us
consider an alcoholic for a moment. Alcoholics don’t just talk or dream about drinking. They drink long and deep because
they are thirsty. They have developed an overpowering thirst that they will sacrifice most anything to quench.
The problem is, we
have not developed a thirst for God. We are not yet tired of trying to live the Christian life with a maximum of our power
and a minimum of Holy Ghost power. We say "I know I need to spend time with God everyday." Next year we say "I haven’t
gotten around to it yet, but I know it is important". The truth is we are not going "To be filled and continue To be Filled"
until we have developed a thirst for God and, like the alcoholic, we are willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary in
order to have that thirst satisfied. Maybe we ought to ask God to place in us a thirst for him that will not be satisfied
with nothingless.
• In conclusion, being Spirit-filled is not about formulas or methods. It is not some mysterious thing
that we cannot get hold of. Neither is it without cost. It is a lifestyle that is Christ centered, one that is hungry for
the presence of the Spirit.
Unit 6
The Fruit
of The Spirit
• In this portion of our study using Gal. 5:16-26, we are going to look at the qualities that are produced
by the Spirit in a person’s life, who is filled and controlled. We will also look at the characteristics that are produced
thru a life that is dominated by the flesh.
The Flesh
Gal. 5:16 This I say
then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• Throughout the scriptures Paul talks
about the "Flesh". What was he talking about? The flesh is our "Sinful Human Nature" in all it’s sin and weakness; it
was all that man is without God and without Christ.
The Flesh Can’t Be Changed
Gal. 5:17 NLT The
old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires
that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices
are never free from this conflict.
• The presence of the Holy Spirit in your
life does not mean your flesh (sinful human nature) no longer desires to sin. It will desire to sin until it is laid in the
grave. It is impossible to change or reform the flesh. All we can do is deny it the right to control our life. Let’s
look briefly at the works of the flesh divided into three categories.
1.) Moral Sins
The 1st category has to do with morality.
In the R.S.V., adultery is translated immorality. This word comes from the Greek word "Porneic" , from which we get
our word pornography. You are definitely living in the flesh if you are seeking to satisfy your sexual desires with another
person outside the bond of marriage or by feeding yourself with illegitimate sexual material.
2.) Religious Sins
Idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery). Idolatry
is worshipping other gods.
3.) Social Sins
Paul’s final and longest category
is social sins: how you relate to others. These are the sins which most of us are likely to commit. Not many Christians are
going to get high on drugs, but how many of us are guilty of "Outburst of Anger" (wrath). This is only one example.
Truths About Fruit
Fruit Is Visible
• The 1st truth about fruit is that it is always visible. Have you ever had a tree that
produced invisible fruit? So don’t try to tell me that you are walking in the Spirit or that you are "Filled with the
Spirit" when there is nothing evident in your life but the works of the flesh. (Matt. 7:16, 20)
Fruit Is Recognizable
• The 2nd truth you need to know is that fruit always reflects the character of the tree or vine
that is bearing it. Apple trees produce apples, etc.. The fruit that comes from a life controlled by the Holy Spirit will
reflect the character of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 7:16)
Fruit Is For Others
• The 3rd truth is that fruit is always born for the benefit of others. Fruit is always
meant for someone else’s enjoyment. You never see fruit chewing on itself. The Holy Spirit wants to control us so that
our families and friends can take a bite out of our lives and see the goodness of the Lord. Notice the deeds of the flesh
are always selfish. But the Spirit’s fruit is always God-centered and other-directed.
Spiritual Fruit
Gal. 5:22-23 But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law.
• The fruit of the Spirit is divided
into three categories:
1.) Love, Joy, Peace: Deal with our relationship
to God.
2.) Patience, Kindness, Goodness: Deal
with our relationship with man.
3.) Faith, Meekness, Temperance: Deal with
our inward relationship.
Love: Godly love is the ability to seek the highest good for another regardless of that persons response,
even for those who seek the worse for us.
Joy: Joy is inner stability regardless of external circumstances. It has nothing to do with happiness. Joy is the
overflow of the life of God within you.
Peace: The ability to stay calm in the midst of a storm. This comes as a result of knowing that God is in control
regardless of how it looks. Also because we can trust his word.
Long Suffering: Patience is the quality that allows us to be "Long- fused" instead of short-tempered. It removes a vengeful
spirit toward those who have wronged us.
Gentleness: Is thinking of ways you can help others, not ways you can hurt them.
Goodness: Doing deeds that benefit others, not deeds that destroy.
Faith: Trustworthy or reliable. The ability to be consistent, not there one day and gone the next.
Temperance: Self-control is the ability to say no to the wrong and yes to the right, no matter how tempting the
wrong is.
• How many of these Fruits of the Spirit are a part of your life? Unlike the Gifts of the Spirit which
no one person possesses all, God expects all nine Fruits of the Spirit to be a part of your life.
How Fruit Grows
Psa. 1:1-6 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord; and
in his law doth he meditate day and night.
• How does the Holy Spirit produce the
fruit in us? Here in Psa. 1 the bearing of spiritual fruit is clearly related to the place the word of God has in our life.
Notice it just don’t say read, but to meditate on it. There can be no lasting fruit in our life without the word having
its proper place in our life.
Jn. 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the
vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I
am the vine, ye are the branches. He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth
forth much fruit. For without me, ye can do
nothing.
• To produce lasting fruit, it is clear
that we must abide (dwell) in Christ. The secret to abiding is obedience. Sin (disobedience) destroys the Fruit of the Spirit.
There is no shortcut when it comes to having the Fruit of the Spirit in our life. It will take a strong commitment on our
part.
Unit 7
Spiritual
Gifts
• The Spiritual Gifts are another area of great controversy in the body of Christ. Churches have split
over issues such as which of the Spirit’s gifts are for the body today and which, if any, have ceased. Libraries are
filled with books written in an attempt to make sense of the Gifts of the Spirit. Our goal here is to search the scriptures
and find as many truths as we can about the gifts, that are clearly revealed.
• Let’s begin by defining Spiritual
Gifts.
Spiritual Gifts: A special ability given by the Holy
Spirit to the true believers, to be used to
minister to others and to build up the Body
of Christ.
Natural Talent vs Spiritual Gift
• Trying to distinguish between what is a natural talent and what is a spiritual gift is not always easy.
All of us have natural talents, things we do well before we were saved. This thing you did well before being saved is not
a spiritual gift. Yet this natural talent may be involved in you spiritual gift.
Example: A person
may have a talent for teaching. The ability to organize, and explain material in a way that people can understand. But when
the Spiritual Gift of teaching is operating in you, people receive more than just facts for the mind to store. Your heart
is stirred and moved to follow Christ.
Example: A person
may have the ability to show mercy and make other people feel better. But the Spiritual Gift of mercy can so minister to you
that your weakness and distress, you are transformed by the Holy Spirit, and you keep on in spite of the circumstances.
Conclusion: The difference in Spiritual Gifts
and Natural talents, is in the results that they produce. The proper use of Spiritual Gifts often produce results far beyond
anything human ability can account for.
Spiritual
Maturity vs Spiritual Gifts
• One of the negative things that is often produced as a result of the gifts operating in a persons life
is "Spiritual Pride"! I’m more mature, more spiritual than you. In some cases Spiritual Gifts and spiritual maturity
go together. In this case it will not produce spiritual pride. But there is no guarantee that Spiritual Gifts mean a person
is spiritually mature. In fact a person can be spiritually immature and still have the gifts operate in their life. Let’s
look briefly at the church in Corinth.
1 Cor. 1:7 R.S.V. So that you are not lacking in any
Spiritual Gift.
• The Church of Corinth
had all the gifts operating in it. There was no lack of gifts.
1 Cor. 3:1 And I brethern, could not speak unto you as
unto Spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as
unto
babes in Christ.
• The Corinthians were not only gifted, but they were fleshly, unspiritual and worldly in their thinking.
In almost every chapter of 1 Cor. It seems as if Paul was dealing with a different crisis or sin that was in the church, right
alone side the gifts. These gifted people were so spiritually immature, that Paul said he had to treat them like a baby
with a bottle. In fact the reason he spent so much time on the gifts in Cor. (chapters 12 & 14) is because they had
made such a mess in the area of Spiritual Gifts. These two chapters were instructions on, how to fix the mess they had made.
Purpose Of Spiritual Gifts
1 Cor. 12:7 NLT A Spiritual Gift is given to each of us as
a means of helping the entire body.
1 Peter 4:10 G.N. Each
one of you, as a good manager of
God’s different gifts, must use for
the
good of others, the Spiritual Gift he has
received from God.
• The Spiritual Gifts have gotten a bad
name among many Christians, because of their abuse and misuse in other parts of the body. However just because some have abused
the gifts, does not mean that we should ignore or reject them. If we do this, it is like going to the extreme and throwing
out the baby with the bath water. The Bible clearly reveals some pratical purpose for the gifts.
Equip The Saints
Ep. 4:11-12 And he gave some apostles; and some
prophets; and some evangelist; and some
pastors and teachers; for the equipping of
the
saints, for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the Body of Christ.
• The Bible is clear that we have a job
to do when we become Christians (Matt. 28:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:20; Gal.1:15; Ep. 2:10; Ep. 4:1; 2 Tim. 1:9).
The Spiritual gifts are tools or abilities that are given to enable us to do the work that we have been called into. These
gifts are given to all, regardless of ability or education or location. No matter who you are, you can contribute to the growth
of the Church.
Edify The Saints
Ep. 4:12 For the
edifying of the Body of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10 GN Each
one of you, as a good manager of
God’s different gifts, must use for
the
good of others, the Spiritual gifts he has
received from God.
• These gifts are not to make us feel
good or to promote our personal agenda. They are to be used for the "Common Good" of everyone in the body, to encourage the
Saints and minister to their needs. If you are not using or at least trying to discover your Spiritual gift, or you are a
"Selfish Christian" not willing to use your gift for the common good of all, you can not walk in the blessings that God has
already given us in Christ. Also the body suffers because your gift is not being used.
Unite The Saints
Ep. 4:3-7 NLT Always keep yourselves united in the
Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together
with peace. We are all one body, we have
all been called to the same glorious future.
There is only one Lord, one faith, one
baptism, and there is only one God and
Father, who is over us all, and in us all
and living thru us all. However he has
given each of us a special gift according to
the generosity of Christ.
• Paul, prior to the listing of Spiritual
Gifts (Ep. 4:11), talks about unity of the body. This theme is plain to see in his writings (1 Cor.
12:8-27) 12:8-9 The same Spirit;
12:13 One Spirit; 12:12-13, 20 One Body; 12:25
No division in the Body; 12:27 You are Christ’s Body. Another purpose of the gifts is to unite us into one
body, so that we may operate effectively.
Spiritual Stewardship
1 Pet. 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even
so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. If
any man speak, let him speak as the oracles
of God; if any man minister, let him do it as
of the ability which God giveth; that God in
all things may be glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen.
• Peter says we are to be good stewards
(managers) of the gifts. One day as we stand before Christ, we will have to answer for the way we used or did not use the
gifts. If we have not been good stewards, we will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:13-15)
Discovering Your Spiritual Gift
- • A natural question that would arise out of this study would be "How can I discover
my Spiritual gifts"?
- • Spiritual gifts are to
be discovered primarily thru service. We have a whole generations of Christians who sit, soak, and sour every week waiting
for God to reveal to them their gifts before they get busy serving. Spiritual gifts are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit
as he ministers to the body. So if there is no ministry, there is no manifestations of the gifts.
Gifted For Service
• Ex. 3-4 The call of Moses is a clear example. Moses did not feel he had the necessary gifts or ability
to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage (4:1-13). God’s response was to let him know that the task would be accomplished
by God’s power (Ex. 4:14-17). But Moses would not experience the power until he obeyed God and went before
Pharaoh.
• Ex. 31:1-6; 35:30-35 The call of Bezael
and Oholiab shows clearly that their Spiritual giftedness came when they were given a specific task to perform. This is a
principle that is clearly established thru the scriptures. The call of Israel’s
judges (Jud. 3:9-10). The call of the Church (Disciples) (Matt. 28:19-20).
Recognizing Our (Call) Area Of Service
Phil. 2:12-13 AMP Therefore my dear loved ones, as you
have always obeyed (my suggestions)
so now not only (with the enthusiasm
you would show) in my presence, but much
more because I am absent, work out
(cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully
complete your own salvation with reverence
and awe and trembling. (Not in your own
strength) for it is God who is all the while
effectually at work in you [energizing and
creating in you the power and desire], both
to will and to work for his good pleasure and
satisfaction and delight.
• How do we know what area of service
we are to be involved in? As we walk with God, and submit ourselves to him day by day, and seek his will, he will place his
desire for our life in us. The Spirit will stir our heart toward fulfilling a certain area of need. This is what happened
in the building of the tabernacle. The people wanted to be involved because their hearts were stirred (Ex. 35:21-22, 26,29).
Truth: When you are in the right area of service, it will be a joy to serve.
Ex. 36:1-2 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every
wise hearted man in whom the Lord put
wisdom and understanding to know how to
work all manners of works for the service of
the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord
has commanded.
• The call of God includes the abilities
needed to do the job. Most of the time we, like Moses, (Ex. 3:11) feel like we are not capable of
doing the job we are ask to do. Our abilities or lack thereof is never the determining factor in whether or not we can accomplish
the task. The call of God is accomplished by the ability of God.
Truth: When we are in the right area of service, we will
exhibit skill in that area. In other words we
will be
good at whatever we do.
Neh. 1:11 O Lord,
I beseech thee, let now thine ear be
attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and
grant
him mercy (favor) in the sight of man.
• God granted Nehemiah favor in the eyes
of the King, who had the authority and means to help him fulfill his call. People may doubt or question whether or not you
are doing what God wants. But if God has called you, he will grant you favor in the eyes of people in leadership positions,
if that is needed. He also will provide the evidence (signs and wonders) necessary to validate your calling (1 Kings 18:36-37).
Truth: When we are in the right area of service, God will
prove to the people that you are his servant.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man
speak, let him speak as of the
oracles of God; If any man minister, let him
do it as of the ability which God giveth; That
God in all things may be glorified thru Jesus
Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for
ever and ever.
• In Ex. 40:34-38 after the completing
of the tabernacle as God had directed, the glory of God filled that place.
Truth: When we are in the right area of service, being led
by the Spirit, God’s glory will be manifested
thru
the carrying out of our call.
Unit 8
The Spirits Restraint
II Thes. 2:4-8 NLT He will exhalt himself and defy every
god there is, and tear down every
object of adoration and worship. He
will position himself in the temple of
God, claiming that he himself is God.
Don’t you remember that I told you
this when I was with you? And you
know what is holding (restraining)
him back, for he can be revealed only
when his time comes, for the
lawlessness is already at work
secretly, and it will remain secret
until the one who is holding it back
steps out of the way. Then the man of
lawlessness will be revealed.
Restraining Sin
• Restraining sin is another ministry that the Holy Spirit performs on behalf of us. The only reason worldwide
sin isn’t as bad as it could be is because of the Spirit’s restraint. The only reason you and I are not as bad
as we could be, is because of the Spirit’s restraining ministry.
• We know from else where in the scripture
(Rev. 13:1-10) that the lawless one, the man of sin (2 Th. 2:3 KJV) is the Antichrist. Satan would love to turn him loose
in the world now. Satan would love to see sin have it’s maximum expression. But the "Restrainer" is holding him back.
A Wrong View Of Life
• We often look at life backwards. If we get sick we say, "Lord, why am I sick?" It is a natural response.
But a more accurate response would be "Lord, as sinful as I am, why did you allow me to stay healthy for so long?"
Or if we are robbed we say, "That’s not
fair Lord. I don’t deserve to be robbed." But the amazing thing, is that God has allowed us to live so long in such
a sinful world without getting robbed. This holds true for all other tragedy and painful circumstances that come upon us because
we live in a sinful world.
The job of the Holy Spirit is to prevent Satan
from doing all that he wants to do it. Let’s look at some of the ways he restrains sin in this world.
1.) The 1st way the Spirit restrains sin
is by direct intervention. He will intervene in a circumstance and say to Satan, "No you can’t do that." (Job 1:12).
2.) A second means of restraint the Spirit
uses is godly leaders (Ex. 32; Nu. 14).
3.) The family is another means. God expects
the family to lay down guidelines for children to keep them from doing everything they want to do.
4.) A 4th way is thru our conscience: Our
internal Restraining mechanism
5.) A 5th means is through the Church.
6.) A 6th mechanism of the Spirit’s
restraint is the Bible.
7.) The 7th and final means the Holy Spirit
uses is to government. Government is the God-ordained mechanism for the management of society and the maintaining of peace
and order. (Rom. 13:1-7)
The Danger
Of Resisting
Matt. 13:9 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9)
• As a free moral agent, it is possible
to resist the Holy Spirit, to tune out his voice. It is also possible to say "No" to the Holy Spirit enough times that he
will take you at your word, and your next "No’ becomes your final "No". That is why the Bible repeatedly warns us to
hear the Spirit.
Rom. 1:18-32 (verse 18) For the wrath of God is revealed
from Heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold
(suppress) the truth in unrighteousness.
Verse 18 is the key verse in this passage. These
people have the truth but they hold it down. God is trying to speak, but they are saying "I don’t want to listen." They
don’t do it accidentally, but it is a willful act. When the "Spirit of Truth" (Jn. 14:17) is suppressed, the dam of
sin breaks wide open in your life and there is nothing to keep you from going "Hog-wild", you will then do things that you
would never have believed possible. Look at the results:
Rom. 1:24 NLT So God
let them go ahead and do
whatever shameful things their heart
desired. As a result they did vile and
degrading thing with each others bodies.
Rom. 1:26 NLT That
is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires.
Rom. 1:28 NLT He abandoned
them to their evil (depraved) minds and let them do the things that never should be done.
Paul says God gave these people over to sin
in 3 basic ways. Each way is a step towards destruction.
1.) Rom. 1:24 He gave them over to follow their
lust, to do their own thing, to be their
own God.
2.) Rom. 1:26 "Degrading Passions".
Here Paul mentions
specifically the
sin of Homo-sexuality.
3.) Rom. 1:28 "A Depraved Mind".
Here you lose your
ability to know
right from wrong. In
Rom. 1:32 Paul
tells us how to know
when a person
has reached that point.
When a
person wants to legalize
depravity,
he has a depraved mind.
Reaping The Results
People can resist and refuse the restraining
of the Holy Spirit only so long.
Gen. 6:1-13 (verse 3) My spirit shall not always strive
with man forever; yet his days shall be an
120 years.
The word strive here means to shield or
protect. God is saying "I am not going to keep
on protecting mankind forever. You have 120
years to get this mess straight. You are either
going to take me seriously or pay the price.
Jesus said in Matt. 24:36-39 that people of
Noah’s day were so intent on their sin
that
they never knew what was happening until the
water began slapping around their ankles.
They had lost their minds spiritually. They
had gone mad.
Another good example of Reaping the Results
is Acts 5:1-11. | 
