|
 |
As we met for worship yesterday, Pastor Rob spoke to us about the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of God within us that changes us into the new creation God desires. To understand the work of the Spirit, we must understand that God is triune. He is three in one. Jesus took on flesh to show the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit and came to seal that love and live in the hearts of all who would believe. Even before Christ was crucified, He spoke of the Holy Spirit yet to come. Read John 16:5-16. Why did Jesus tell his disciples it would be to their good for Him to leave?
According to these verses, what is the role of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus testifies here that the Holy Spirit would not speak of His own desires, but would only reveal the truth of the Father. We should have joy and confidence that the indwelling spirit of God bears the truth of God the Father in our lives. Pray today that you would be able to recognize and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
|
|
|
Yesterday,our reading in the Gospel of John revealed that Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit's coming. Jesus was certain to make good on this promise. After Jesus' resurrection, He met with His disciples and spoke once again about the Holy Spirit. Read John 20:21-22 and Acts 1:1-8. How did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit according to these passages?
What were the disciples to do after receiving the Spirit?
As followers of Christ, we are recipients of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God has been breathed into us and we have been sent out in His name. How do you sense the Holy Spirit's work in your life?
Thank God today for sending the Spirit to live in you. Ask God to help you be consistently obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.
|
|
|
Thus far, we have seen that the Spirit of God works within us and we work as a result of the indwelling Spirit. Even so, it is easy to question whether or not the Holy Spirit is truly at work and indwelling. How do we know we are living Spirit lives? I have heard it illustrated like this. An apple tree will only produce apples. A cherry tree will only bear cherries. A tree's fruit will always reveal its identity. If we want to know if the Holy Spirit is at work in us, we should look at our fruit. Read Galatians 5:16-26. Describe the fruit of your life born from your sinful nature.
What is Paul's warning for those who live by the sinful nature?
In contrast, describe the fruit of your life born from the Spirit.
In verse 25, we are encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit." Pray today that your life would bear fruit that identifies you as a Spirit-filled follower of Christ.
|
|
|
Winning the battle over the sinful nature and bearing the fruit of the Spirit only happens as we pursue the Spirit's transforming power in our lives. The Apostle Paul encourages us in this respect with his words in Romans 12:2. Read this verse now. What is Paul's challenge to us in this verse?
We are not called to act like the world, but rather to act like God in the midst of the world. How does Paul suggest we pursue this transformation?
Paul's words in Philippians 4:8-9 flesh out his exhortation. Read these verses now. How do we change our minds?
If we desire to live transformed lives by the Spirit, we must set our minds on things above. Pray today that your thoughts would be centered on the things of God. Ask God to transform you by the renewing of your mind.
|
|
|
We have seen this week that God desires to transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, we live by and through the indwelling Spirit of God. Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Take some time today to write these verses down.
Memorize these verses as a reminder of the Holy Spirit's transforming power.
Our sermon series continues this Sunday. Dr. Chris Mitchell will lead us to consider God's heart for the local church. Pray for Chris as he prepares, and pray that your heart would resonate with a passion for God's church.
|
