Cultivate
INTRODUCTION
- Last week we went through the Gospel—we are saved by grace through faith.
- Acts 2:38 describes a repentant faith, forgiveness of sins, and how we are justified (declared righteous); it’s The Great Exchange.
- Now, we want to talk about the gift of the in dwelling Holy Spirit of God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit: sanctification.
Matthew 28:18–20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you, and surely I am with you even to the end of the age.
Acts 2:38–39 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY?
- The person of the Holy Spirit—He—has feelings, a personality, and a purpose. (See Ephesians 4:29-30)
- One God in three persons (See Genesis 1:26, which uses Elohim, both a singular and plural noun).
- In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit was present at creation. (Genesis 1:2)
- He works within God’s appointed leaders, like David. (Psalms 51:10)
- God’s Holy Spirit worked in the writing of scripture. (See 2 Peter 1:20-21)
As believers, we now have the Holy Spirit within us, as promised in the Old Testament. (Ezekiel 11:19-21)
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
The fulfillment of that promise: the Holy Spirit lives in us. (See also John 3:3-6 and Ephesians 1:13)
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
JESUS (GOD, THE SON), AND GOD, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT:
- The Holy Spirit would both remind the disciples of what Jesus taught them and also teach the disciples more.
- The Holy Spirit illuminates us through the Word of God and helps us apply the Bible.
He will teach us through both the Word of God and the people of God.
John 14:25–26 25All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit brings attention and glory to Jesus.
John 16:12–15 12I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.
The Holy Spirit is our advocate (parakletos ).
o One who walks beside us.
o One who helps us.
o The Spirit of truth who convicts us. o Testifies about Jesus, the solution.
John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
John 16:7–8 7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
The Holy Spirit intercedes with the Father on our behalf.
• He reveals God’s heart to us, and through Christ, speaks to the Father for us.
Romans 8:26–27 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
The Holy Spirit strengthens us so we produce spiritual results, or fruit.
John 15:1–8 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4[Abide] Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
CONNECTING TO LAST WEEK, THE GOSPEL AND FAITH:
Colossians 1:22-23 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23if you continue in your faith [an abiding/remaining faith], established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Romans 8:1-6; Galatians 5:13-26
Icebreaker: Share about having a garden, growing something or harvesting something.
- How was the sermon impactful to you?
- Read Romans 8:1-6 and Galatians 5:13-18, or choose a passage from the sermon. What do the passages say about
the Holy Spirit and His relationship to us?
- What are ways to remind yourself of what Jesus did for you? A) How do you help your family and friends remember
what Jesus did and who we are because of Him? B) How does God’s redemptive gift influence how you see others
and your daily activities?
- In what ways do you seek to have the Holy Spirit help you walk through life and direct your understanding in life?
- Where is the battle front between your flesh/old nature and your new nature with the Holy Spirit?
- What is your next step for your spiritual growth? A) What relationships and activities will that impact or involve?
(You could read Ephesians 4:29-32 for ideas!)
Resources: Consider going through Experiencing God this summer!
Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 2: Love
This week, read Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 2:3-11 As you read, ask yourself these questions:
- What is the passage saying about God, mankind, and how the world works?
- What do I learn about myself from this passage?
- What response does this require of me in my thinking, believing, and doing?