Apostles’ Creed 6: I Believe in the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13-14; John 16:13-15; Acts 1:4-5, 8 Pr Chris Kam | 23/24 May 2020 ============================= Aldersgate Sunday (24th May 1738) – John Wesley – “I felt my heart strangely warmed.” Overview of the Holy Spirit in Biblical history. (Numbers 11:29)  But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Joel 2:28-29) 28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” (Acts 1:4-5) 4 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. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 2:4) “…as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 4:13) … they were unschooled, ordinary men … (Ephesians 1:13-14) 13 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, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit is God’s Presence in us, actively and powerfully working in our lives today. 1. The Holy Spirit is a ______________ i. In the ______________ (Romans 8:27) And 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. ii. In the ______________ (Ephesians 4:30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Luke 10:21) At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit … iii. In the ______________ (1 Corinthians 12:11) All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 2. The Holy Spirit is ______________ (Matthew 28:19) 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 … Nicene Creed - “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.” 3. The Holy Spirit is ______________ at work today. (John 16:7) 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. He is active in a. Divine ______________ (Job 33:4) The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. b. Divine ______________ (1 Corinthians 2:10) … these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. c. Divine ______________ What are the implications for us who are followers of Christ who had sent His Spirit? There are three: 1. Keep surrendering daily to the Spirit’s control. 2. Keep obeying. 3. Keep in step. (Galatians 5:25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Application Questions: ====================== 1. How do you view God the Holy Spirit? Are there certain beliefs about Him that you feel need to be changed/renewed? Is there an over- or under- emphasis of certain aspects? (Remember, belief affects behaviour) 2. Do you recognise the Holy Spirit’s significant role in your spiritual journey? If yes, share with your CG, how so. 3. Describe your understanding of what a Spirit-filled life looks like? Discuss this in view of surrender, obedience and keeping in step, from the last three points about implications. How can the CG help you or keep you accountable to enable you to lead a Spirit-filled life? (E.g. one could be struggling to surrender a particular sinful habit, or facing a certain struggle like anxiety, difficulty in trusting God particularly during this pandemic.)