The Incarnate God

 

This is the manuscript of the second sermon in the series "Responding to the Living Word".  

John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Incarnation is the word we use to communicate the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. The word carnal is an English word for flesh, as in “carnal desires.” Carnivorous means a flesh-eating animal. Incarnation means the “enfleshment.” or becoming flesh.  God took on human flesh and revealed himself to us; he was incarnated among us.

An link for an audio recording of the sermon is at the end of the manuscript.

You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8epxyuv9_DVac8R5jR2yPQ/featured

Scripture Reading:

John 1:1‭-‬14 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Text: 

John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Introduction 

There was a young boy who was very excited about the fact that he would soon have a little sister. His mother was pregnant, and his parents had carefully told him how God was sending a little sister to their family for them to love and care for. When the great day arrived the baby had been born and was now home and and  had been safely settled in her crib, the brother stood close by and whispered, “Quick, little sister, tell me, before you forget, what does God look like?” 

John’s gospel is an attempt to put into words what God is like, but its success in showing God to us is not in the words of the book, but in the Word (capital W) made flesh.

John 14:8‭-‬9 NIV Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

So let's see today if we can really see God through Jesus Christ. 

A minister once said that the five most important words in all of the Bible are “And the Word became flesh.” Without the Word becoming flesh, there would be no life of Jesus, no Sermon on the Mount, no atoning death, no victory in resurrection. Without the incarnation, we would have no way to know God as He wants us to know Him. 

I. The meaning of the incarnation. 

Here is the definition of incarnation from Easton's Bible Dictionary 

that act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, and became man. Christ is both God and man. Human attributes and actions are predicated of him, and he of whom they are predicated is God. A Divine Person was united to a human nature. The union is personal; the two natures are not mixed or confounded, and it is perpetual.

Incarnation is the word we use to communicate the truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. The word carnal is an English word for flesh, as in “carnal desires.” Carnivorous means a flesh-eating animal. Incarnation means the “enfleshment.”, or becoming flesh.  God took on human flesh and revealed himself to us; he was incarnated among us.

Philippians 2:6‭-‬11 NIV  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This truth points to the greatest mystery of the Christian faith—Jesus, fully human and fully divine—held up for us to see, for us to attempt to comprehend, and finally for us to bow, in worship. 

The Christian reformer, John Calvin said that if Jesus is not God, he could not have saved us, and if he is not man, he could not have reached us. God has come to us in the flesh, not just in spirit, which we could not see or touch, but in a body of flesh.

1 John 1:1 NIV That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Matthew and Luke wrote that God became flesh through the willing obedience of the Virgin Mary. They told of Mary’s faith, of Joseph’s fears, of the angels’ songs, and of the shepherds’ worship. 

Through the Christmas story, the great and powerful truth rings out that as John 1:14 says 

John 1:‬14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The truth is this: It is not simply a little baby innocently snuggled to his mother’s breast in view here: it is the Lord God incarnate, God in the flesh, who calls us to believe and follow.  There is also a warning of the consequence of unbelief. 

John 3:18 NIV Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

II. The purpose of the incarnation. 

The reason for the incarnation was to bring life to all mankind.

John 1:4 NIV In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John gives the reason for writing his gospel at 

John 20:‬31 NIV But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

God’s purpose was to bring eternal life to us through the life of the Son, who is the Light of the World.  Through him, through Jesus, the light shines into every dark nook and cranny of our loneliness, brokenness, and emptiness.

John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Eternal life has two dimensions—length and depth. Eternal life with God is forever—that is the length of it. Eternal life with God is at this very moment, abundant, meaningful, filled with courage and joy— that's the depth of eternal life.  

Jesus, the incarnate God, has come with the purpose of delivering you from the darkness of death into the light of life. And it is not just existence, not simply breathing, not merely getting by it is life that is full now, of all that heaven promises to be.  It is an abundant life.

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

III. The church and the incarnation. 

The work of the church is previewed in the incarnation too. Since God sent His Son into the world to minister to us and redeem us, is our best clue as to what the church is to be doing?  We should be ministering to others?

Jesus said it himself:

John 20:21 NIV Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Jesus did not remain cool and distant from our need; he entered the desperate situation of our world, of our lives. He is right there with us. Whenever missionaries go on behalf of a church to preach the gospel and minister to human and spiritual needs, they are following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, who came on a mission to redeem our world. Every time a church goes out to care for men and women, boys and girls who are sick or hungry, lonely or frightened, left out and ignored, lost without Christ, we continue the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the God who traveled from the security of heaven’s glory to the risk and threat of human existence to touch us at the places where we hurt.

When the church shares the good news that people do not have to die, but they can live, the message comes straight from the open tomb where the incarnate God left death defeated and the grave clothes behind him. 

Every time the church bows in worship, it knows that the transcendent God has come to earth, refusing to remain distant that he might by his presence bring us to a sense of intimacy with him. It was Jesus who taught us to call God “Father” and know His love for us as his children. 

Conclusion 

God has come to us in Jesus. We can never be the same again. He invites you to believe and to move from darkness to light, from dying to life, from aimless wandering to meaning and purpose. The journey may be long, but it begins with one decision and one step. Believe and live!

That is my message for us today. To those of us who are already believers and to those of you who have not made the decision for eternal life through Jesus Christ. Believe and live.  

To those who haven't made the decision to make Jesus the Lord of their lives you have no real future beyond this life.  But when you make Him Lord of your life you will have abundance in His presence for eternity. I invite you to do that today. 

As Romans 

Romans 10:9‭-‬10‭, ‬13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

You can do that by saying something like;

Dear Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, I repent of my sin. I turn to You. Father, I receive Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my Lord and Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose just for me. 

I believe that His Blood washes me and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. Father, in You, I am set free. Father, through the Blood of your Son, Jesus Christ my past is history and my future is bright. 

Father, In You, I am made new. Father, in You, I am complete. Father, in You, I am made whole. Father, in You, I am restored. Father, I surrender every area of my life to You now and forever. In Jesus Name. Amen.

I urge you to do that today, right now

Benediction 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. “The Lord  bless you and keep you; The Lord  make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

Sermon Audio

 

Your Helplessness without the Help of the Holy Spirit

This is the manuscript of the first sermon in the series "Responding to the Living Word".  

Much of the weakness and failure of God’s people today can be traced directly to the fact that we are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit.  Without the Holy Spirit’s help, you are helpless and the future is hopeless. 

• You are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit. 

• You cannot convert anybody to Christ without the Holy Spirit’s help. 

• You cannot develop a Christian personality or character without the Holy Spirit’s help. 

• You cannot understand the real truth of the Bible without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. 

• You cannot pray effectively without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. 

Never underestimate what God can do through you when you obey him in faith. Whatever he has called you to do, you can certainly accomplish in his strength.

You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel.   https://youtu.be/WqAul6Y0wXc 

Scripture Reading: 

Zechariah 4:1‭-‬10 NIV Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my Lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my Lord,” I replied. So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

Text:

Zechariah 4:6 NIV So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Introduction 

Who is this Zerubbabel guy?

Zerubbabel was a descendant of David. Who was born in Babylon during the exile of the Jews between 587 and 539 BC.  The prophet Haggai identifies Zerubbabel as the governor of Judah after the exile.

Haggai 2:‬20‭-‬22 NIV The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

Zerubbabel traveled to Judah after King Cyrus II allowed the Judean captives to return from exile to their homeland to rebuild the temple.

Ezra 1:1‭-‬4 NIV In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ ”

The words of our text were designed to encourage the heart of Zerubbabel, providing he would think God’s thoughts and walk in God’s ways. 

Zechariah 4:6 NIV So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

A great missionary to China and later to Korea said, “You cannot do God’s work without God’s power.” 

Some questions for us today.

• Have you been trying to do God’s work without God’s power? 

• Have you been trying to develop a Christian personality without the help of the Holy Spirit? 

• Have you been trying to Study the Bible without dependence on the Holy Spirit?  

• Have you been seeking to speak to those who do not know Jesus as Savior without a sincere dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit to make your efforts effective? 

Much of the weakness and failure of God’s people today can be traced directly to the fact that we are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit. As I said during our last series, “Recognizing and Responding to the Indwelling Spirit”, without a proper response to the Holy Spirit, our lives will be unproductive and our service will be feeble. I also said when we accept Jesus Christ, we accept the gift of salvation, and the gift of forgiveness and we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in us and guide our steps.

I. Without the Holy Spirit’s help, you are helpless and the future is hopeless. 

A. Zerubbabel could not accomplish his purpose except by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

As governor of Judah, Zerubbabel was appointed as one of the initial leaders who supervised the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple.   After about fourteen months to get settled, after they returned to Judah, the Jewish people began to rebuild the temple in earnest. Well It wasn’t long before opposition arose from surrounding adversaries, and, eventually, the work was brought to a standstill by order of another king, King Artaxerxes.

Ezra 4:7 NIV And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel (these were some of the adversaries I mentioned before) the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.

I am not going to read the contents of the letter which are in verses 11-16  but I will read King Artaxerxes' response. 

Ezra 4:18‭-‬24 NIV The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests? As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. 

At the time that the work was stopped only the foundation of the temple had been completed.the Jews were granted permission to continue rebuilding. 

They were granted permission to continue rebuilding after a seventeen-year delay, under the next king of Persia, Darius.

You can read about how that all came about in Ezra chapters 5 and 6.

Within three and a half years after the second effort of rebuilding the temple began, the temple was completed in 516 BC.

In one of the prophet Zechariah’s visions, he receives words, that include our text, that surely encouraged Zerubbabel: 

Zechariah 4:6‭-‬9 NIV So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

B. No human power could enable Zerubbabel to accomplish his divine mission.  All of us will experience great failure and our lives will  be unfruitful if we attempt to do the work of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. 

II. Without the Holy Spirit’s help everything divine is impossible. 

Human effort alone cannot produce divine effects in our lives or the lives of others.  

A. The Holy Spirit's work is what causes the new birth.  

John 3:5‭-‬8 NIV Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

B. The Holy Spirit assures us that after our conversion and salvation we are in  God’s family. 

Romans 8:16‭-‬17 NIV The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Without this divine testimony, we have no assurance and no joy of salvation. 

C. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in all believers at the moment of salvation.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NIV Do 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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

The Holy Spirit then works in their hearts, minds, and wills. 

Ephesians 5:18‭-‬20 NIV Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

D. The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to bring about a renewal or transformation of our minds

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 NIV Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

E. The Holy Spirit works within each of us,  to reproduce the character of Christ. 

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Holy Spirit wants  us to be  an exhibit of what Christ can do in someone who will trust him.

Remember we are Christ's ambassadors. 

2 Corinthians 5:16‭-‬20 NIV So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

F. The Holy Spirit energizes believers for service and makes them strong for the struggle against evil.

Ephesians 6:10‭-‬18 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

G.  The Holy Spirit seeks to teach us the truth of God as it is revealed in and taught by Jesus Christ.

John 14:26 NIV But 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.

John 16:13‭-‬15 NIV But 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. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All 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.”

These truths prove that the Father God does not intend that we labor in human strength alone. It is not his will that we experience the despair of failure. He has provided the help of the Holy Spirit that we might not be helpless. 

III. How can the believer experience the help of the Holy Spirit? 

Why don't we see more evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit? 

A. First believers must believe that they have already received the Holy Spirit and respond with trust to his presence.

1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NIV Do 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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

B. Two we should ask for the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Luke 11:11‭-‬13 NIV  “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

C. Three, obedience to the  will of God is essential for the fullness of the power of the Spirit in somebody's life.

Obedience includes the humble and sincere acceptance of the authority and will of God. It’s not only conforming, but also demonstrating our devotion through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

According to Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Christian obedience means, “to hear God’s Word and act accordingly.”

Again, 

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 4:20‭-‬24 NIV That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Conclusion 

• You are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit. 

• You cannot convert anybody to Christ without the Holy Spirit’s help. 

• You cannot develop a Christian personality or character without the Holy Spirit’s help. 

• You cannot understand the real truth of the Bible without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. 

• You cannot pray effectively without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. 

Never underestimate what God can do through you when you obey him in faith. Whatever he has called you to do, you can certainly accomplish in his strength.

Philippians 4:12‭-‬13 NIV I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 

How do we live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”? This is a call to live like those who have believed the promises of the gospel. The gospel promises forgiveness and power. Those who conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel live as if those promises are true. They have the hope of eternal life and rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit to obey God. They are not trying to just live up to the gospel’s promises but seek to live them out in real life.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we accept we can’t do it all by ourselves, we are limited and don’t have the power on our on –so, Lord, we submit ourselves to you so that you can take control of everything. We know that with you Lord, we can go far in life, and we know that all will go well so we follow you today and for the rest of our lives, in Jesus name. Amen.

Sermon Audio

The Continuing Presence of the Holy Spirit

This is the manuscript of the fourth sermon in the Recognizing and "Responding to the Indwelling Spirit" series of sermons to start the year of 2022.   Without a proper response to the Holy Spirit, our lives will be unproductive, and our service will be feeble. 

As our Lord approached the end of his ministry, his disciples were horrified at the thought of their loneliness and helplessness if he should be taken from them.  To feel separated by distance or by death from someone who is very precious is one of life’s most painful experiences. It's even possible to experience painful loneliness in the midst of a crowd. 

The disciples were no different than anyone else when it came to the fear of death. Even though they had been with Jesus, and had witnessed His power over death, the fear of death was always with them, especially when He spoke of His own death. Every time that Jesus told His disciples He was going to die, they were uneasy, and they sometimes even tried to persuade Him to give up His destiny of death.

Jesus wanted to encourage them and to equip them for future ministry by his teachings and by his promise of another comforter, another counselor, another helper.   The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, in contrast to Jesus’ brief ministry of three short years, would come to as a continuing presence never to depart. This Comforter would not only be with them but would be in them.

You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/-hbFq6fXCR8

Scripture

John 14:15‭-‬21‭, ‬25‭-‬27 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymoIIre, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” “All this I have spoken while still with you. But 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Text: (Same as last week)

John 14:16 NIV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—

Introduction

For the first four Sundays of this year we have been talking about the Holy Spirit and how we recognize and respond to the Spirt which dwells in us. As I said at the beginning, without a proper response to the Holy Spirit, our lives will be unproductive, and our service will be feeble. 

As our Lord approached the end of his ministry, his disciples were horrified at the thought of their loneliness and helplessness if he should be taken from them.  To feel separated by distance or by death from someone who is very precious is one of life’s most painful experiences. It's even possible to experience painful loneliness in the midst of a crowd. 

The disciples were no different than anyone else when it came to the fear of death. Even though they had been with Jesus, and had witnessed His power over death, the fear of death was always with them, especially when He spoke of His own death. Every time that Jesus told His disciples He was going to die, they were uneasy, and they sometimes even tried to persuade Him to give up His destiny of death.

Listen to what Peter said;

Matthew 16:21‭-‬23 NIV From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Imagine for a moment how you would have felt, if you were one of the disciples, hearing from Jesus that He was about to die, and that they would not be able to come to Him to be with Him.  

Jesus wanted to encourage them and to equip them for future ministry by his teachings and by his promise of another comforter, another counselor, another helper.   The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, in contrast to Jesus’ brief ministry of three short years, would come to as a continuing presence never to depart. This Comforter would not only be with them but would be in them.

John 14:16‭-‬17 NIV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Jesus the Savior, the visible manifestation of the invisible God, was limited during his earthly ministry to being at one place at one time, that’s why He said,

John 16:7 NIV But 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.

The Revised Standard Version translates this statement, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I go not away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus told them that the Father would give to them another counselor of exactly the same kind as he was, but who would be different in that he would “be with them for ever”, because He would be in them.

If Jesus had to get from point A to point B, He walked there like anyone else. Jesus got tired like we do. Jesus got sleepy like we do. And Jesus got hungry like we do.

Jesus could have done whatever He wanted, yet He put himself under the restraints of human frailty. The Bible tells us that God “sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we have. 

Romans 8:3 NLT The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

From our perspective who live on this side of Calvary, the Resurrection, and the day of Pentecost, we can understand better what the disciples found impossible to understand.

They didn’t understand until something remarkable happened. 

Acts 2:1‭-‬4 NIV When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Later on, that same day Peter, when speaking to the crowd said,

Acts 2:14‭-‬21 NIV ... “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

I. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every believer. 

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit did not indwell people as he does on this side of Pentecost. Before Jesus' death, bural, resurrection, and return to heaven  the Holy Spirit would come on chosen individuals for a limited period of time to equip them and to empower them for some unique task. 

Exodus 31:2‭-‬6 NIV “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

The indwelling in the Old Testament was selective and temporary. The Spirit “came upon” Old Testament people like Joshua

Numbers 27:18 NIV So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.

Like David,

1 Samuel 16:12‭-‬13 NIV So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

He even came upon Saul,  the first king of Israel. 

1 Samuel 10:10 NIV When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.

Throughout the book of Judges, we see the Spirit “coming upon” the various judges whom God raised up to deliver Israel from their oppressors. The Holy Spirit came upon these individuals for specific tasks. 

The  coming upon of the Holy Spirit a sign of God’s favor upon that individual (in the case of David), and if God’s favor left an individual, the Spirit would depart as in Saul’s case 

1 Samuel 16:14 NIV Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.

In the Old Testament the Spirit “coming upon” an individual didn’t always indicate that person’s spiritual condition (e.g., Saul, Samson, and many of the judges).  After Jesus' resurrection and ascension the Spirit only indwells believers and that indwelling is permanent.There is a marked difference in the way the Spirit came on individuals before Pentecost and the manner in which he comes to indwell each believer following Pentecost.

Take a look at;

John 7:37‭-‬39 NIV On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

John 14:16‭-‬17 NIV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

 A. The gift of the Holy Spirit comes by God’s grace. 

We do not earn the privilege of having the Holy Spirit abide within us.  The gift of the Holy Spirit comes to us through faith. It's by faith we receive Christ, and by faith we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 3:1‭-‬5 NIV You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 

II. The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of the resurrected Christ within each believer. 

John 14:18 NIV I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

In this specific passage our Lord was not referring to his glorious return at the end of the age. He was referring to his return in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost following his ascension to the Father. 

Acts of the Apostles 1:4‭-‬5 NLT Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When Jesus gave the Great Commission He said,

Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We experience the presence of the living, triumphant Lord in and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has come to abide within the heart of each believer. 

Galatians 2:20 NIV I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul, who wrote Galatians, experienced the presence of the living Christ through the abiding Spirit who had come to dwell within him and within the heart of every believer.

III. The Holy Spirit abides within us to teach us God’s truth. 

He is the Spirit of truth who came to teach us all of the things that God wants us to understand.

John 14:25‭-‬26 NIV “All this I have spoken while still with you. But 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’s mission is to guide us into all of the truth of God.

John 16:12‭-‬15 NIV “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak of his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All 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.”

John 4:23‭-‬24 NIV Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures to teach us God’s truth, the church to help us understand the truth, and other believers to lead us into the truth. 

IV. As I said last week The Holy Spirit creates conflict with the old nature of each believer. 

The Holy Spirit creates a civil war between himself and the flesh of each believer.

Galatians 5:16‭-‬17 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

The Holy Spirit fills us with a holy discontent until we let the living Christ reign supreme within our hearts. 

A. The Holy Spirit comes to fill us and to give us victory over evil 

Ephesians 6:10‭-‬12 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 5:18‭-‬20 NIV Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. The Holy Spirit produces within us the fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Conclusion 

God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit as the abiding presence of Jesus Christ. Let each of us recognize and rejoice in this precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us respond to the tender words, gentle impulses, and loving leadings of the Holy Spirit. Let us trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and enable us to do all that God wants us to do. 

Though we don’t experience the same phenomenal scene as the apostles did that Pentecost Day, we do receive the same power of the Holy Spirit when we confess Christ as our Savior. The power in us is greater than anything this world can throw at us. It doesn’t make us invincible, or shelter us from storms, but it does ensure we never have to lose hope. We can choose to cling to the joy and peace Christ died to grant us, and live our lives to the fullest on earth, to bring glory to God.

Prayer To Be Led By The Holy Spirit

Heavenly Father, how I thank You for salvation, which You have given to us as a free gift of grace by faith in the Lord Jesus. Thank You also, that Your Holy Spirit has made us alive in Him and placed us into the family of God and the body of Christ.

Thank You, that He has set His seal of ownership on us and taken up residence within our hearts, to empower us in our spiritual walk, as He transforms us into a likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Jesus name 

If you have not yet received Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit is prompting you to open the door of your life for the entrance of him who can forgive your sins and give you the gift of eternal life. Open the door today.

Romans 10:9‭-‬10‭, ‬13 NLT If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Sermon Audio

 

The Holy Spirit and Our Great Salvation

This is the manuscript of the third sermon in the Recognizing and "Responding to the Indwelling Spirit" series of sermons to start the year of 2022.   Without a proper response to the Holy Spirit, our lives will be unproductive and our service will be feeble. We closed out 2021 with the series “Come Let Us Adore Him” and in the last message of 2021 we said the real spirit of Christmas starts when we accept the best gift of all, the gift who was born in a manger, the Son of God. When we accept Jesus Christ, we accept the gift of salvation, the gift of forgiveness. But that is not all. We also receive the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in us and guide our steps.

Many people think of salvation only in terms of forgiveness for the guilt of sin and the removal of the penalty of sin. But this is to fall far short of the great salvation Jesus Christ came to provide. He came not only to save us from the penalty of sin but also to save us from the power and the practice of sin.

God wants us to be living, powerful demonstrations of what Jesus Christ can do in the lives of those who trust him as Savior and Lord. Remember God is interested in saving us from the power and the practices of sin. To accomplish this great purpose, he has given us the precious, personal gift of his Holy Spirit as an indwelling presence.

You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/QW-W0JzPQ14

Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:12‭-‬20 NIV “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do 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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Text: 

1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NIV Do 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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Introduction 

Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of his people.

Matthew 1:21 NIV She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world.

John 1:29 NIV The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Paul declared that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures”.

1 Corinthians 15:3‭-‬8 NIV For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

And Peter emphasized the substitutionary nature of the death of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:18 NIV For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Many people think of salvation only in terms of forgiveness for the guilt of sin and the removal of the penalty of sin.   But this is to fall far short of the great salvation Jesus Christ came to provide. He came not only to save us from the penalty of sin but also to save us from the power and the practice of sin. 

God wants us to be living, powerful demonstrations of what Jesus Christ can do in the lives of those who trust him as Savior and Lord. Remember God is interested in saving us from the power and the practices of sin. To accomplish this great purpose, he has given us the precious, personal gift of his Holy Spirit as an indwelling presence. 

In the Scripture passage for today, we have heard the instructions that God sent through the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth, which declare that we are to honor or glorify God in our bodies. 

As our text says

1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NIV Do 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; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

What Paul was saying is that we are to reveal the graciousness of God in our bodies. He was demanding that we demonstrate the presence of God in our bodies. He was inviting us to introduce God to others by our very being, our very lives. Last week we talked about making a positive response to the gift of the Holy Spirit.   Making a positive response is part of the great salvation God wants us to experience through faith in Jesus Christ.  

The Father God, through the apostle Paul, called on the people in the church of Corinth to be the place where God dwelled so that the other people of that pagan city could be saved. To live a life of immorality was to defile and to degrade the temple—the residence, the meeting place where people could experience the very presence of God. 

Because it is through the Holy Spirit that the people of God experience the presence of God in their lives. 

I. The Holy Spirit came to continue the work of Christ. 

As a consequence the Holy Spirit never calls attention to himself.  

The Holy Spirit is always pointing to Jesus Christ.

John 16:12‭-‬15 NIV “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But 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. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All 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.”

As Luke began writing the Acts of the Apostles, he said that he had dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach in the book of Luke which he wrote earlier. 

Acts 1:1‭-‬5 NIV In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Acts of the Apostles would be more correctly thought of as “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit continues to do today what Jesus began to do and teach.

II. The Holy Spirit convinced each of us of our need for salvation from sin.

John 16:8‭-‬11 NIV When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

III. The Holy Spirit brought about the new birth when we responded to the gospel by faith.

You’ll remember Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.

John 3:4‭-‬8 NIV “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

In his letter to Titus Paul wrote. 

Titus 3:5‭-‬7 NIV he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

This same precious Spirit—who brought about conviction of sin and conversion from sin and the miracle of the new birth—wants to lead us in a way of life that will demonstrate to the world that we are the people of God.

Titus 2:11‭-‬14 NIV For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Because we are the people of God we are special. 

1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

He has also made us ambassadors and the Holy Spirit enables us to be those ambassadors.

2 Corinthians 5:18‭-‬20 NIV All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

IV. The Holy Spirit causes conflict between our old nature and our new nature.

Once we are in Christ we are a new creation. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Yes we are a new creation but there is still some residue of the old fleshly nature there that's why Paul in his letter to the Galatians wrote;

Galatians 5:16‭-‬17 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

And in that same letter to Titus Paul wrote 

Titus 2:11‭-‬14 NIV For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

New believers often experience a great deal of inner tension as they struggle with the presence of some of the old self in them. 

Some are quite disappointed to find that a life of faith is not a life of comfort and relief from tension. 

There is always going to be conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. 

Romans 8:5‭-‬8 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

V. The indwelling Spirit is God’s seal of ownership. 

The Holy Spirit is also God’s guarantee of our final and ultimate salvation from death and the grave. 

Ephesians 1:13‭-‬14 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Paul affirmed this divine seal of ownership in his letter to the Ephesians.

He also declared that the gift of God’s Holy Spirit is his guarantee that he will give us the ultimate and complete victory over death and the grave.

Romans 8:9‭-‬11 NIV You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

VI. The Holy Spirit has been given to us so that with our cooperation he can produce the fruit that will indicate that we are indeed children of God.

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1. Agreement with the Holy Spirit is necessary if you want to live the life that God wants for you. 

The first step in agreeing with the Holy Spirit is receiving salvation, a born–again experience. The Lord loves you. If you confess to Him your sins—realizing that you are lost, that only Jesus can help—and invite Him into your heart He,saves you.

Romans 10:9‭-‬10 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

B. Not only do we have to agree we also must have continuous cooperation with the Holy Spirit if we are to experience God’s full salvation for us. 

Ephesians 4:22‭-‬24 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

We must choose to let go of old ways of acting.

Here's Ephesians 4:22 from the Message Bible  “Everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!”

Next we must change the way we think. 

Ephesians 4:23 CEV Let the Spirit change your way of thinking

The Bible says we are “transformed” by the renewing of our minds.

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

That transformation makes it possible for us to glorify God, which is, to make him known to others.

Ephesians 5:15‭-‬20 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Living the Christian life is something much more than lifting ourselves by our own bootstraps. It is a life of joyful cooperation as the Holy Spirit works within us. When we recognize him and cooperate with him, it is possible for us to glorify God in our bodies today.

Conclusion 

Remember what I said last week.  We are always in danger of making a negative response to the Holy Spirit.  But we have the joyous privilege of making a proper response which begins by establishing a relation to Jesus Christ in salvation. Trust him as Savior. Listen to him and obey him as your Lord. Trust in the abiding presence and power of the Holy Spirit to help you become all that God wants you to be.

That is what  happens when you do what it says in 

Romans 10:9‭-‬10 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

I invite all of you who have not done that to do it today, right now.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for saving us through the sacrifice of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to instruct, guide, teach and comfort us.  Thank You, H¹oly Spirit, for empowering us to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ and being God’s guarantee for the inheritance He promised.  Because of You, this guarantee includes that we have been purchased to be His own people. 

In Jesus' name