Now Concerning the Spirit
Jeremy Bell
1 Cor. 12:1-3
January 20, 2019
Sermon Audio
Introduction
- We’re embarking on a series entitled The Spirit, the Gifts and the Church. This will be a concentrated study and exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14.
- We want to open wide our mouths, expectantly, so God can fill them with Himself, in every biblical way He intends, through the person and work of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 81:10).
1 Cor. 12:1-3 – Two Main Ideas
- The role and function of the Holy Spirit and the gifts are critical for us to understand (verse 1).
- The Holy Spirit is the active agent in salvation (verse 3).
The Broad Work of the Spirit
(This section draws/benefits from a sermon by Rick Gamache)
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” — John 16:7
1. The Holy Spirit’s main mission is to reveal and illuminate the person and work of Jesus Christ.
- “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” — John 14:26
- “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” — John 15:26
- “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” — John 16:14
- The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the worth and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and to open our eyes and our hearts to His beauty!
- If you are a believer, who was it that enabled you to understand your need for forgiveness? Who was it that brought that deep conviction that you needed forgiveness? Who was it that transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light? It’s the Holy Spirit.
- The work of the Holy Spirit is directly connected to the gospel. There is no greater miracle than when the Spirit opens our eyes to the gospel!
- The gospel is the central focus of scripture, the central focus of our lives. A focus on the gospel helps us to glorify Christ! It excites our worship, it moves our affections, and it motivates our obedience to Jesus.
- The gospel will be the central focus of this church. We never move on from the gospel. Who is at the center of the gospel? Jesus — His person and work.
2. The Holy Spirit has come to empower believers for witness and service.
- He gives us power for witness. We see this throughout the book of Acts.
- When Jesus was returning to heaven, and telling His disciples to wait, whom were they to wait for? The coming of the Holy Spirit.
- The effect was boldness in witness. The Spirit has come to empower not just those early disciples, but us today.
3. The Holy Spirit dwells inside each believer.
- [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. — John 14:16–17
- The Holy Spirit resides in us. Paul says that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the active, empowering presence of Christ in our lives, given to help us.
- The Holy Spirit is given to us to help us, strengthen us, empower us, equip us for all that God has for us.
4. The Holy Spirit’s active, empowering presence is broad, yet sometimes dynamic!
- God’s Spirit works in us in the ordinary.
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23
- The evidence of true Spirit work is when we act in a way that accords with the Spirit. These aren’t necessarily the most dynamic things, but God is glorified in us when we are actively living by the power of the Spirit — not yielding to the flesh but living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit’s work is sometimes dynamic!
- Miracles still do happen, by the power of the Spirit.
- People speak in tongues.
- People deliver prophetic words that encourage and build up the church.
- When the Spirit of God breaks through, and does His dynamic work, it’s a glorious thing.
Conclusion:
- Paul says to the Corinthian church that understanding the work of the Spirit, and the purpose and intent of the gifts of the Spirit is very important.
- At the outset of this series, together as God’s people let’s anticipate all that God has in store for us. He has more that He desires to do among us, in us, through us.
Questions For Discussion / Application:
- Re-read the text, 1 Cor. 12:1-3.
- What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- Why is it important that we seek to understand, from scripture, the role and function of the Holy Spirit?
- What questions do you have, going into this series, about the Holy Spirit’s person and work?
- Read John 14:26, 15:26, 16:14, 2 Cor 3:17-18. What do these passages teach us regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit?
- How does the work of the Holy Spirit connect/relate to the gospel?
- What are some of the “ordinary” ways the Spirit works in our lives?
- How have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your own life lately?
- What are some of the more “dramatic” ways that the Spirit of God moves? Would anyone have a testimony of how they have seen the Spirit move in a particularly powerful way?
- Consider taking time to pray for more of the Spirit’s power and presence in our lives.