"The Gift Of The Spirit"
1 John 3:18-24
INTRO. Jesus, Our Savior just prior to His betrayal and eventual crucifixion, made a promise to His disciples and to us. The promise found in John 14:16-18 says "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
I'd like to title the message, "The Gift Of The Spirit." I hope you noticed the words of Jesus in John 14:18 where we read, ". .I will come to you!" At the moment of salvation, Christ through the Holy Spirit, takes up residence inside all believers. In Romans 8:16 the Scripture says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Again the Scripture declares in Colossians 1:27, "Christ in you, the HOPE of glory." We are COMPLETE and have our being through the Holy Spirit that has been given unto us! HE IS EVERYTHING TO US!
He is our teacher, teaching us the wisdom of God's spiritual treasures. He is our guide, leading us in the paths of righteousness. He is our sustainer and supplier, strengthening us in the inner man and supplying our needs. PRAISE GOD, that He didn't leave us comfortless, but gave us the Spirit of Truth! Can you imagine trying to live the Christian life without the Spirit of God? Tim Downs said,
“Watches, cars and Christians can all looked chromed and shiny. But watches don’t tick, cars don’t go and Christians don’t make a
difference without insides. For a Christian, that’s the Holy Spirit”
(Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 89).
The Spirit of God permanently resides in all born-again believers. But what is needed today is a "great out pouring" of God's Spirit on us, His people! If this could take place, then and only then, could we experience revival in our land! Let us look at the gift of the Spirit tonight and what He means to believers and to the world.
THE SPIRIT: 1
(1) REGENERATES-THE CHANGE BY WHICH THE GOD’S LOVE IS
IMPLANTED IN OUR HEARTS
John 3:3-8
Romans 5:5
1 Corinthians 6:10-11
*NO one is saved apart from the work of the Holy Spirit!
(2) REVIVES-A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
Acts 1:8
*We MUST be continually filled so we can carry out God's Work!
*Example--Acts 4:8-10, 19-20
Psalm 85:6
(3) RENEWS-A TRANSFORMATION PROCESS
Titus 3:5-7
*This is a daily process that will see continue until we Christ face-to-face!
1 JOHN 3:2—Renewing & conforming us to the image of Christ!
Romans 12:1-2
(4) REPROVES
John 16:7-13
* “Reprove”—Greek means “To convince or convict."
HE REPROVES (Convinces and Convicts) OF:
A. Sin (John 14:22-26).
B. Righteousness (Romans 5:12-19).
C. Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
His----
(5) REMOVAL
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
*Think of the sinfulness of mankind now, but imagine the abundance of
sin, when the Spirit is taken out!
CLOSING: THANK GOD FOR HIS HOLY SPIRIT! I pray each one here tonight
has the Holy Spirit living in your heart! If not, please come, as
God's Holy Spirit speaks and pleads with you.
Christian, Are you walking in the Spirit? Do you need a fresh
filling of the Holy Spirit? I do daily, so do you! Will you come and
pray that God Will fill each one of us with His Spirit in an
abundant and mighty way, that we might offer pleasing sacrifices
to God?