SESSION TWO: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Salvation & Sanctification

I. Introduction:

A. Jesus told Nicodemus that “no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again….unless he is born of water and the Spirit…..Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases, you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit”. (John 3:3-8) (Note: Greek/Hebrew wind=spirit)

B. This passage describes the critical role of the Holy Spirit in the salvation process, a role which wasmore fully unpacked by Paul in his letters. This role flows directly from the sovereign Deity of the Holy Spirit, and we will examine that role today in the order of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification) as noted by Paul in Rom 8:29-30.

II. Key Passage – Romans 8:1-14 – the presiding work of the Spirit in Salvation – from a state of condemnation in our sin to our adoption as Sons of God. Here is a bit of the process:

1. Christ Jesus defeats condemnation and works through the Spirit (v1-2)

 

2. To set us free from the law of sin and death – salvation (v2) see also Romans 7:6

 

3. The sinful nature controlled us until we gained the ability to live life according to the Spirit (v 3-5)

 

4. The Spirit allows us to keep our minds on what He desires, to be full of life and peace (v 5-6)

 

5. The alternative is to be controlled by the sinful nature, hostile to and unable to please God (v 7-8)

 

6. The presence of the Spirit is the identification point of salvation and righteousness (v 9-10)

 

7. The Spirit will be the One responsible for our bodily resurrection (v 11)

 

8. The Spirit puts to death the misdeeds of the sinful nature (v 12-13)

 

9. Those led by the Spirit of God in daily life are adopted as the Sons of God (v 14)

III. We can also trace the process in further detail, to more clearly understand the work of the Spirit in each step, and to see how Paul understood our complete dependence on the Spirit.

1. The Spirit’s awareness of the deep purposes of God in eternity past (2 Thess 2:13)

 

2. The Spirit’s declaration of Who Jesus really is (Rom 1:4)

 

3. The Spirit’s authentication of the message through signs and miracles (Romans 15:18-19)

 

4. The Spirit’s revelation to us of God’s saving purposes (1 Cor 2:6-10)

 

5. The Spirit’s enabling of understanding God (1 Cor 2:10-16)

 

6. He enables faith: “no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3)

 

7. He enables understanding of the gospel (1 Thess 1:5, 2 Thess 2:13)

 

8. The Spirit’s role in freeing us from the Law:

A. Circumcision of our hearts by the Spirit (Rom 2:29)

B. The law kills but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 2:3-8)

C. The release from the law to serve the Spirit (Romans 7:6)

D. Receiving of the Spirit by faith, not works of the Law (Gal 3:2-5)

9. Justification by the Spirit (1 Cor 6:11)

IV. Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is absolutely indispensable in our salvation. As Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 2, we are dead to our sin and transgressions. We are unable to perceive our total depravity or to do anything about it until the Spirit performs the awakening, convicting and educating work in us that allows us to come to faith. Our utter dependence on the Holy Spirit should make us even more grateful for the brilliant unity in the Godhead, and for the wonderful gift each member of the Trinity has been responsible to give us.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in our Sanctification

I. Introduction:

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul tells us to live by the Spirit (5:16)……the KJV translates that verse “walk in the Spirit”. What does it mean to walk or live in the Spirit? Ladd wrote “Walking in the Spirit is walking in tension between the Spirit and the flesh. …The Christian will never be the person he or she wishes to be – free from temptation, struggle, tension. The old self is ever-present; only by a constant walking after the Spirit can the dominance of the flesh be broken.” (Theology of the N T , page 537).

II. Key Passage – Romans 8:12-25 – Continuing on from the first part of Chapter 8, which outlined the fundamentals of salvation, receiving of the Spirit, and the Spirit of sonship which accompanies our adoption into God’s family. This is the positional holiness (justification) we received at the moment of faith. The passage continues, exploring the nature of sonship, and how we might remain certain of our sonship despite challenges, trials, and how we to have hope in the midst of a groaning creation.

1. Becoming true sons of the Father (v 15) means that we are no longer slaves to fear, but rather we gain a new level of intimacy with Him, through the Spirit.

2. The testimony of the Spirit to our spirit is very clear in reminding us that we are God’s children (v16) which provides a level of assurance which is very uncommon compared to other religions.

3. We share in the sufferings of God and Jesus because we are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ. This happens so that we might also share in their glory (v17)…..and the glory vastly exceeds the sufferings in comparison (v 18). Discuss the need for a proper theology of trials.

4. The creation is groaning and awaiting renewal and release…..this is like the pain of child-birth….the same goes for our bodies, for which we eagerly await redemption(v 19-23)….. we eagerly await Christ’s return which is our hope --- patiently of course, in the Spirit! (v 24-25, see also Rom 15:13)

III. Application Assignment: Look back on your salvation experience. Share how the Holy Spirit may have prepared or changed your heart or your attitudes about the things of God. How does this affect your gratitude towards the Holy Spirit? How does this affect your trust in the Holy Spirit to do the same work in someone else's heart when you build relationships or share Jesus? Consider the following diagnostics on the process of your sanctification, and share your most recent experiences as you continue to grow.

A. Transformation of our minds (Rom 12:1-2) and lives (2 Cor 3:18) – look back one year, three years: what progress do you observe on your journey?

B. Cleansing and purification (1 Cor 6:11) – what is your approach & experience in cleansing?

C. Temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) – do you treat your body with respect?

D. Conscience (Romans 9:1) – do we have soft, teachable hearts? Are we open to being wrong?

E. Living in power (Eph 3:16) – do we experience power? Do we experience inordinate worry?

F. Freedom (2 Cor 3:17) – do we experience true freedom in our relationships, our conscience, and our choices of how to use our time, talent and treasures?

G. Do we experience more Fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22-23) Note: fruit is singular.