The Great Adventure and Our Great Companion

Posted on Jan 19, 2020 by Daniel Kriss in Holy Spirit, Sermon Manuscripts, Theology |

SERIES TEXT: John 10:10 | READING TEXT: John 14:15-31

The Christian life was never designed to be a “walk in the park”. In fact, it is better understood as a “trek through the jungle.” The Bible never describes our Christian experience as a playground, but rather, a battleground.

Too many people have been lied to by preachers who promised that God would give them a life of abundance, health, and prosperity if they trusted Christ. This is simply not the case. The Bible uses the following words to describe the Christian life: war (Romans 7:23), warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4), wrestle (Ephesians 6:12), fight (1 Timothy 6:12), tribulation (John 16:33), and hardness (2 Timothy 2:3). This is a far cry from the peaceful, trouble-free “gospel message” peddled by prosperity preachers today.

Were we alone to fight in this raging battle, we would have good reason for discouragement and hopelessness. But this is not the case! When we were enlisted into this battle, we were also given the greatest of companions – God Himself, living within, the third person of the Godhead- the Holy Spirit.

There is one immutable reality – all humans will at one point or another fail us. Even those with the best intentions – our fellow Christians, pastors, and friends – will not always be there when we need them. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Our great companion in this great adventure is none other than God Himself. He will always be there because He lives within. This is a remarkable reality, and one that should fill us with hope, joy, and peace despite the terrain that lies before us.

In this message, we will consider three important aspects as it relates to our Great Companion:

  1. The Person of the Holy Spirit
  2. The Titles of the Holy Spirit
  3. The Works of the Holy Spirit
 
The subject before us must be addressed carefully, reverently and biblically. The study of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology) is one that has been severely assaulted and misrepresented today, and we must be ever so careful that we too do no“tamper with God’s Word” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
Join me as I preach a message entitled: “The Great Adventure & Our Great Companion.”

The Person of the Holy Spirit

Wikipedia defines a person as “a being that has certain capacities or attributes such as reason, morality, consciousness or self-consciousness, and being a part of a culturally established form of social relations such as kinship, ownership of property, or legal responsibility. The defining features of personhood and consequently what makes a person count as a person differ widely among cultures and contexts.”[1]

The Bible tells us that man was made in the image of God (“imago dei” – Genesis 1:27), and this is in reference to our mental, moral, and social characteristics. This includes, but is not limited to, creativity, rationale, and volition.

Many teach that the Holy Spirit is simply a force, an energy of sorts, which proceeds from the Father and the Son. However, a careful study of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible clearly indicates that He is not only a person, but actively involved in the affairs of mankind.

Consider the following realities about the Holy Spirit as taught in the Bible:

The Holy Spirit has Characteristics of Personhood:
  • Use of personal pronoun: John 14:16-17; John 15:26; Ephesians 1:13-14
  • Intelligence: Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 1:17
  • Emotion: Isaiah 63:10; Romans 15:30; Ephesians 4:30
  • Volition (will): 1 Corinthians 12:11; Acts 13:2
  • Communication: 1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 3:5
  • Speech: Acts 8:29; Acts 10:19; Revelation 22:17
 
The Holy Spirit is God by Virtue of Divine Reference:
  • Acts 5:3-5 “You have not lied to man but to God.”
 
The Holy Spirit is God by Virtue of His Divine Attributes:
  • Omnipresent: Psalm 139:7
  • Omniscient: Isaiah 40:13-14; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
  • Omnipotence: Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 15:19
  • Eternal: Hebrews 9:14
  • Good: Nehemiah 9:20; Psalm 143:10
  • Holy: Romans 1:4; Acts 15:28; 1 John 2:20
  • Grace: Hebrews 10:29
  • Glory: 1 Peter 4:14
  • Truth: John 16:13; 1 John 5:6
  • Wisdom: Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:17
  • Love: Romans 15:30; Galatians 5:22
 
The Holy Spirit is Distinguished among the Persons of the Godhead:
  • Distinguished from Jesus: John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, 14
  • Distinguished within the Trinity: Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 3:14, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20

The Titles of The Holy Spirit

The Bible uses many names and titles when referring to the Holy Spirit. Each of these denote a function or aspect of His ministry.

Indweller of Believers: Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 6:19

At the moment of conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the believer. His presence is the distinguishing characteristic of one who has been born again. Furthermore, He produces life, fruit, spiritual gifts, illumination, guidance, change, conviction, and discernment.

Comforter/Counsellor/Advocate: John 14:16, 26; John 15:26

These three titles are all translated from the Greek word, parakletos, which speaks of one who comes along side, comforts, consoles, and stands in the place of. The Greek word carries both an affectionate tone and a legal function.

Deposit/Seal/Earnest: 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14

These terms are often used in connection with purchasing property, whereby the would-be-landowner would pay a deposit or down payment to secure the sale. In the spiritual context, the Holy Spirit is God’s claim on us as His very own, and He is the evidence and promise of our future inheritance.

Intercessor: Romans 8:26

When the Christian does not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit who lives within, prays on behalf of the believer. This is the Spirit’s ministry of intercession, and it is one of the most comforting and encouraging aspects of His presence.

Guide: John 16:13

Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit arrived, He would guide His people into all the truth. The unregenerate cannot understand or discern the truth (1 Corinthians 2:14), but the Holy Spirit living within the Christian brings light and spiritual perception through the pages of God’s Word.

Author of Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible has a divine author and His name is the Holy Spirit. He was the One who moved the writers of all 66 books in the Bible to record exactly what He breathed into their hearts and minds. Like a ship that is moved through the water by the wind in the sails, so the biblical writers were borne along by the Spirit’s impulses.

Teacher: John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13

The Holy Spirit is the Christian’s teacher. He reveals to us the deep things of God in the pages of the Bible. He also brings truth to our minds when it is needed most.

Witness: Romans 8:16; Hebrews 2:4; Hebrews 10:15

The Spirit is called “witness” because He confirms that we are indeed the children of God. Sometimes preachers overstep the mark by assuring “new converts” of their entrance into the Kingdom of God, whereas this is the job of the Holy Spirit. The true believer does not need any external verification that He is a child of God because the Spirit lives within, and He brings this internal assurance.

Spirit of Life: Romans 8:2

This title speaks of the Spirit’s work in regeneration. He produces and imparts spiritual life to those who are dead in sin. Furthermore, once a person is made alive, the Spirit continues to be involved in the life by means of sanctification. What the Spirit brings to life, He sustains, and sanctifies until eternal life is finally realised in all its fullness.

Other Titles:
  • Eternal Spirit: Hebrews 9:14
  • Good Spirit: Nehemiah 9:20
  • Power of the Highest: Luke 1:35
  • Spirit of the Lord God: Isaiah 61:1
  • Spirit of the Father: Matthew 10:20
  • Spirit of Christ: Romans 8:9
  • Spirit of the Son: Galatians 4:6
  • Spirit of Grace: Zechariah 12:10
  • Spirit of Adoption: Romans 8:15
  • Spirit of Wisdom: Ephesians 1:17
  • Spirit of Truth: John 14:17
  • Spirit of Holiness: Romans 1:4
  • Spirit of Revelation: Ephesians 1:17
  • Spirit of Glory: 1 Peter 4:14
  • Seven Spirits of God: Revelation1:4

The Works of the Holy Spirit

Hopefully by now you have a new appreciation of who the Holy Spirit is. Now we shall consider what He does, and this should bring you to a deeper place of worship as you come to terms with His activities in the life of the believer, and the world.
  • The Spirit Convicts the World of Guilt: John 16:8–11
  • The Spirit Glorifies Christ: John 16:14
  • The Spirit Guides into Truth: John 16:13
  • The Spirit Intercedes: Romans 8:26–27
  • The Spirit Regenerates: John 3:3–5
  • The Spirit Restrains Evil: Genesis 6:3, 5
  • The Spirit Commissions: Acts 11:12; Acts 13:2, 4; Acts 20:28
  • The Spirit Encourages: Acts 9:31
  • The Spirit Gives Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:7–11
  • The Spirit Leads: Matthew 4:1; Acts 8:29; Acts 16:6–7; Romans 8:14
  • The Spirit Strengthens: Acts 9:31; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 3:16
  • The Spirit Teaches: Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Hebrew 9:8
  • The Spirit Anoints: Acts 10:38; 1 John 2:20, 27
  • The Spirit Calls: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14
  • The Spirit Contends: Genesis 6:3
  • The Spirit Counsels: John 14:16–17; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7
  • The Spirit Creates: Genesis 1:2–3; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 40:12–14
  • The Spirit Empowers: Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Matthew 12:28; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:19; Ephesians 3:16
  • The Spirit Fills: Exodus 31:3; Acts 2:1–4; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52; Ephesians 5:18
  • The Spirit Illumines: John 14:26
  • The Spirit Indwells: Genesis 41:38; Numbers 27:18; Daniel 4:8; John 14:17; Romans 8:9, 11;
    1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 3:24
  • The Spirit Inspires: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
  • The Spirit Intercedes: Romans 8:26–27
  • The Spirit Reveals: Luke 2:26; John 14:26; John 16:12–15; Acts 21:11; 1 Corinthians 2:9–13
  • The Spirit Sanctifies: Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2
  • The Spirit Seals: 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 4:30
  • The Spirit Testifies: John 15:26; Acts 5:30–32; Romans 8:16; Hebrews 10:15–17
  • The Spirit Confirms: Romans 8:16
  • The Spirit Guarantees our Future: 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5
  • The Spirit Transforms: 2 Corinthians 3:18
  • The Spirit Produces Fruit: Galatians 5:22-23
  • The Spirit Pours Love into our Hearts: Romans 5:5
  • The Spirit Gives Joy: 1 Thessalonians 1:6
  • The Spirit Comforts: Acts 9:31
  • The Spirit Assists in Worship: Philippians 3:3
  • The Spirit Assures: Romans 8:16
  • The Spirit Baptizes Believers: John 1:33; 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • The Spirit Blesses Believers: Galatians 5:22–23; Galatians 6:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:6
  • The Spirit Controls Believers’ Minds: Romans 8:5–6
  • The Spirit Fights Sin in the Believer’s Life: Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:17
  • The Spirit Frees Believers: Romans 8:2
  • The Spirit Gives Believers Access to the Father: Ephesians 2:18
  • The Spirit Has Fellowship with Believers: 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1

Application:

How blessed are we who have been born of the Spirit!

I close this message with a Puritan prayer entitled, Spiritus Sanctus (The Holy Spirit).[2]

O HOLY SPIRIT,

As the sun is full of light,
        the ocean full of water,
      Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.
Vain are all divine purposes of love
  and the redemption wrought by Jesus
  except thou work within,
    regenerating by thy power,
    giving me eyes to see Jesus,
    showing me the realities of the unseen world.

Give me thyself without measure,
  as an unimpaired fountain,
  as inexhaustible riches.
I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness,
  imperfect vision, languid service,
  prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.
Suffer me not to grieve or resist thee.

Come as power, to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me thine;
Come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding;
Come as love, that I may adore the Father, and love him as my all;
Come as joy, to dwell in me, move in me, animate me;
Come as light,  illuminating the Scripture, moulding me in its laws;
Come as sanctifier, body, soul and spirit wholly thine;
Come as helper, with strength to bless and keep, directing my every step;
Come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.
Magnify to me thy glory by being magnified in me,
  and make me redolent of thy fragrance.

 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person

[2] Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision, (USA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2019), 28

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