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SESSION ONE: Who is the Holy Spirit, and how can we better relate to Him?

Introduction and Goals – We know that there is much more to the Christian journey than the “sinner’s prayer” and the salvation decision. We are to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, learning to “obey all that He commanded” (Matt 28:18-20). We are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We are to “work out” our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). We are promised an abundant life (John 10:10) here on earth, not just in heaven. However, if we are honest, we do not always experience that abundant life!

Paul tells us that the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Cor 4:20), and Acts 1:8 tells us that we will receive power. The Greek word used for power is a root of the English word “dynamite”. So we are to have “dynamite” power in our ministry and in our lives!!!! But often, we do not experience this power in our lives - in our witness to others, in our growth, in increasing freedom from sin, in a lifestyle that attracts others to Christ with the “aroma” of Christ. So how do we take hold of this power?

The answer is the greatest secret of Christianity…..living the Spirit-Filled life…..a life that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, a life that is lived in the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

This study will explore the Holy Spirit and His ministry with three goals: 1) to help us grasp the privileges, power, filling and gifts of the Holy Spirit; 2) to learn how to depend more fully on the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with Jesus; and 3) to help us strengthen the Body of Christ in our families, our small group, and our own churches by relying more on His power!! (and less on our own efforts!!)

I. Introduction:

Biblical names for the Holy Spirit tell us a lot about Him. The objective for this section is to develop a deeper understanding of the third person of the Trinity, and then to assess our relationship with the Holy Spirit, so that we might find the next opportunity for growth in our walk with God.

1. Names of the Holy Spirit that show He is a separate person:

A. The Spirit who is from God (1 Cor 2:12)

B. The Lord (2 Cor 3:18)

C. The Spirit (Gal 3:14)

 

2. Names denoting relationships in the God head

A. Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9)

B. Spirit of God (Rom 8:14)

C. The Spirit of His Son (Gal 4:6)

D. The Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil1:19)

E. God’s Spirit (1 Cor 3:16)

F. The Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor 3:17)

 

3. Names denoting character qualities

A. The Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) – Holy

B. The Spirit of the Living God (2 Cor 3:3) – Living, active

II. Activities of the Holy Spirit

A. Speaker of truth (Paul in Acts 28:25)

B. Teacher of truth and wisdom (1 Cor 2)

C. Facilitating fellowship (1 Cor 12:13, 2 Cor 13:3)

D. Helping the Body function (1 Cor 12:3)

E. Facilitating Body experiences (Rom 8:14, Gal 3:14)

F. Facilitating righteousness (Gal 5:5)

G. Declaring Jesus as the Son of God (Rom 1:4)

H. Power of miracles and signs (Rom 15:18)

I. Reveals truth (1 Cor 2:6-10)

J. Spirit of Holiness (Rom 1:4)

K. Spirit of Life (Rom 8:2)

L. Spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15)

III. Deity of the Holy Spirit

1. Access to and equality with God

A. Intimate access to God – (Eph 2:18, 1 Thess 4:8, 2 Cor 3:17)

B. Equal mention with God the Father and Jesus the Son (2 Cor 13:14)

C. Interchangeable nature and unity (Eph 4:4-6)

2. Possession of the knowledge of God

A. Knowledge of the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:4-6)

B. Knowledge of the thoughts of God (1 Cor 2:10-11)

C. Giver of authoritative Scripture (1 Tim 4:1)

3. Able to play a role in redemption – giver of righteousness (Gal 5:5)

4. Sovereign in His activities – gives the gifts “as He determines” (1 Cor 12:11)

IV. Conclusion

From a brief examination of His names and activities, we can conclude He performs five major roles to achieve the goals of the Trinity and the redemption of mankind, roles which only God can perform:

1. The Holy Spirit enables the salvation of individual believers.

 

2. The Holy Spirit enables the sanctification of believers.

 

3. The Holy Spirit enables the work and life of the Church - the Body of Christ.

4. The Holy Spirit fills believers who are in the will of God.

 

5. The Holy Spirit dispenses spiritual gifts to every believer.

Application: Compared with the Father and Jesus, how would you assess your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit? Do you experience the presence of the Spirit in prayer and worship? How? Please pray quietly and search your heart for the areas where you may want to grow deeper in your relationship with the Spirit. Ask Jesus to send His Spirit in power and to transform you as you pray, worship and study!