"WHY WE NEED"

The Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION
  1. In this series we have briefly discussed why we need...
    1. God
    2. The Bible
    3. Jesus Christ
  2. Let's now turn our attention to why we need the Holy Spirit...
    1. The subject of much confusion and error
    2. Prompting some Christians to avoid the subject altogether

[Yet the Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the life of the Christian, and error should not discourage us from seeking truth. With that in mind, we need the Holy Spirit...]

  1. BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
    1. PROMISED BY JESUS...
      1. To all who believe in Him - Jn 7:37-39
      2. A special dispensation of the Spirit unlike any before; different from:
        1. The miraculous workings of the Spirit
        2. The normal influences through the Word
        -- Jesus promised the Spirit to all who believe
    2. PROMISED BY PETER...
      1. To all who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39
        1. The "gift" could be that which the Spirit gives (e.g., salvation)
        2. But I understand it to be the Spirit Himself (see "The Gift Of The Holy Spirit")
      2. To those who obey God - Ac 5:32
      -- Peter promised the Spirit to all who obey
    3. PROMISED BY PAUL...
      1. To those who become children of God - Ga 4:6; Ro 8:14-16
      2. Indeed, one cannot be Christ's unless they have the Spirit dwelling in them - Ro 8:9
      -- Paul proclaimed that those who are in Christ have the Spirit in them

    [The promise of the Spirit described above mostly relates to His indwelling and the accompanying blessings (which we will summarize shortly). We also need the Spirit...]

  2. BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
    1. CONVICTING THE WORLD...
      1. Of sin, righteousness, and judgment - Jn 16:7-11
      2. Done through the gospel of Christ
        1. The instrument designed to produce faith - Ro 10:17
        2. Which is God's power to save - Ro 1:16-17
        3. And determines who will be judged (condemned) - 2Th 1:7-9
        -- Through the Word, the Spirit convicts the world of sin
    2. REGENERATING THE SINNER...
      1. Saving those who respond through the washing of regeneration - Tit 3:4-6
        1. Being born again of water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5
        2. In which one's sins are washed away by the blood of Christ - Ac 22:16; Ep 1:7
      2. Causing them to be reborn, in conjunction with the Word - 1 Pe 1:22-23,25
      -- When one obeys the Word, the Spirit regenerates the sinner
    3. SANCTIFYING THE SAVED..
      1. A process that begins when washed and justified - 1Co 6:11
      2. A process that continues with the aid of the Word
        1. We are sanctified by God's Word - Jn 17:17
        2. Which is the sword of the Spirit - Ep 6:17
        -- When one abides in the Word, the Spirit sanctifies the believer (cf. Ro 15:16)

      [The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary for both salvation and sanctification. The need for the Spirit for the Christian is seen even further...]

  3. BECAUSE OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
    1. THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. Indwelling the Christian - Ro 8:9-11; cf. 1Co 6:19
      2. Enabling us to put to death the deeds of the body - Ro 8:12-13
      3. Strengthening us in the inner man - Ep 3:16,20; cf. Php 2:12-13
      -- The Spirit is the Father's instrument to empower the Christian
    2. THE SEAL OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. A seal marking us as belonging to God - Ep 1:13
      2. Looking forward to the day of our redemption - Ep 4:30
      -- The Spirit is the Father's identifier that we belong to Him
    3. THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. A guarantee or down payment of our inheritance - Ep 1:13-14
      2. Given in our hearts as a guarantee of our redemption- 2 Co 1:22; 5:5
      -- The Spirit is the Father's insurance that He will deliver as promised
    4. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. Developing graces of Christ-like conduct - Ga 5:22-26
      2. Engendering a deepening love for God as Father - Ga 4:6; Ro 8:15-16
      3. Filling us with hope - Ro 15:13
      -- The Spirit is the Father's instrument to bless the Christian
    5. THE INTERCESSION OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. Helping us in our weakness, even in our prayers - Ro 8:26
      2. Making intercession for with groanings that cannot be uttered - Ro 8:26-27
      -- The Spirit is the Father's interpreter to hear the Christian
CONCLUSION
  1. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Simply because...
    1. He was promised to us!
    2. He has much work to do in us!
    3. He is the source of wonderful blessings for us!
  2. We may not always understand how the Holy Spirit works...
    1. We must beware of false doctrines regarding Him
    2. Studying the truth concerning the Spirit is the best antidote to error
  3. But we must also beware of...
    1. Quenching the Spirit in our lives - 1Th 5:19
    2. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God - Ep 4:30
  4. Receive the Spirit initially through obedience to the gospel...
    1. Which involves faith, repentance and baptism - Ac 2:38; 5:32; Ep 1:13
    2. Whereby we become children of God, and thereby receive the Spirit in our hearts - Ga 4:6
  5. Be filled with the blessings of the Spirit by...
    1. Feeding on His Word (the things of the Spirit) - Ro 8:5-6; Ep 6:17
    2. Praying for God to strengthen you by His Spirit in the inner man - Ep 3:16,20
    3. Singing with melody in your hearts to the Lord - Ep 5:18-19

Do we truly appreciate the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians...?