God's Solution for Change JANUARY 20

Series: The Holy Spirit Lesson John 14:15-17 C. T. Godwin 1/20/2019 “God’s Solution for Change” Change” The Holy Spirit 1) The Holy Spirit is an Eternal part of the Trinity. 2) The Spirit of God was an active part of history from the beginning. a) Rabbinic tradition holds that the Holy Spirit is the first sign of God’s redemptive promise in Genesis (Gen. 1:2) b) The Holy Spirit was even directly active in the lives of certain believers in the Old Testament. i) He enhanced the skill that individuals already possessed (Ex. 31:1-5) ii) He provided wisdom for the judges and rulers of Israel. iii) He was an inspiration for scripture the same way he was in the New Testament (Ezek. 2:1), c) However once the Holy Spirit was lost in the Old testament there was not a guarantee of recovery (Ps. 51:11) 3) The New Testament clarifies two different aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to believers. a) First it clarifies that once a person places their faith in Jesus for salvation they are sealed by the Spirit and can never lose their salvation (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 4:30) b) Second after the day of Pentecost each believer is filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). 4) The filling of the Holy Spirit is distinct from the sealing ministry of the Spirit in that it can be diminished or lost based on the degree of sin in a believer life. a) The believer is commanded not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). b) The believer is commanded to not quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19). c) Most importantly the believer is commanded to walk by means of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). 5) God the Father has provided a solution for believers to maintain maximum influence by the Holy Spirit in their lives (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 1:23). 6) By maintain the influence of the Spirit in their lives a believer enjoys three distinct benefits. a) He empowers believers (Matt. 10:19-20). b) Ensures proper worship (John 4:23-24) c) Helps us understand what is being taught (1 Cor. 2:10). This study of Scripture is from Christ Fellowship • 104 Chestnut Lane • Franklin TN 37064 www.christfellowship.com • 615.591.2597