Theme: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Like the Father and the Son, the Spirit is fully God and yet a distinct person. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, calls people to faith, accomplishes the new birth (regeneration), fills, empowers and guides believers, and provides spiritual gifts to enable the church to function effectively in the world.
Outline:
1. The Person of the Holy Spirit - Mark 1:9, Matthew 28:18-19, 2 Corinthians 13:14
A. Deity
Creator - Genesis 1:1-2, Job 33:4
Omnipresent - Psalm 139:7
Omniscient - 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
B. Personality
The Spirit speaks - Acts 10:19-20, Acts 13:2
The Spirit teaches - John 14:26
The Spirit can be lied to - Acts 5:3
The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses - Romans 8:26
2. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Filled and empowered God’s leaders - Judges 6:33-34, Exodus 31:1-3, Zechariah 4:6, 1 Samuel 16:13
Promises about the Spirit and the Messiah - Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1-2, Isaiah 42:11
Promises for an end-time outpouring of the Spirit - Isaiah 44:3-4, 32:5, Joel 2:28-29
3. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus
Characters in Luke’s narrative are filled with the Spirit and prophecy - Luke 1:41, 67-68, Anna and Simeon, John the Baptist. Luke 1:15.
Parallels with stories of Jesus and John:
- Partners, but Jesus greater
- John born of a barren woman (1:7), Jesus born of a virgin (1:27)
- John a prophet of the Most High, Jesus the Son of the Most High (1:31)
- John prepared the way of the Lord, Jesus is the Lord
- John filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:20)
Anointed by the Spirit at baptism - Luke 3:22, 4:1,14,18
Preaching, healing and exorcisms - Luke 4:18, Matthew 12:28, Acts 10:38
Raised from the dead by the Spirit - 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 8:11
Poured out the Spirit on His people - Acts 2:33
Evidence of His vindication as the Messiah
Confirmation of end times (Joel 2:28)
4. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church
The Spirit is the sign of the new age - Acts 1:8, 2:17-21
Jesus’ presence in His people - John 14:16, 16:7
A. Convicting the world of sin - John 16:7-11
B. Regeneration: the Baptism by the Spirit
New birth - John 3:5-6, Titus 3:5
Adoption into God’s family - Romans 8:14-16
Baptized by the Spirit of God - Mark 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 2:4, 4:8, Ephesians 5:18. Difference between being baptized by the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit (Romans 6:3-4). Real baptism - Spirit’s transformation, spiritual rebirth. Symbolic baptism - public confession of our salvation. Being baptized by the Spirit happens once. Indwelling presence - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, John 14:16-17
C. Filling and empowering - Acts 2:4. Day-by-day, moment-by-moment we give the Spirit control of our lives. Acts 4:31, Ephesians 5:18
D. Teaching and Guiding - Recalling and interpreting Jesus’ words. John 14:26
Giving believers the words to say at the right time - Mark 13:11
Discerning truth from error - 1 John 2:20, 27. Community filled with the Spirit, self filled with Spirit and scripture