Holy Spirit

  • John 16:12-15

    The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

    In chapter 15, Jesus tells us there are going to be difficulties for His followers. These difficulties come from the world outside the church and from within it. One would think this would be the best time for Jesus to be by our side. However, He also tells His disciples that He will be going away -- and that it is to their advantage that He goes away.

  • John 16:4-11

    What God Says about the Holy Spirit.

    Last week, we talked about how the world of unbelievers will hate Jesus' followers, because the world hated Jesus. Jesus told His disciples this to prepare them for what was to come.

  • John 14:18-31

    Our Provisions from Jesus.

    Jesus tells His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled, for in His Father’s house are many rooms (John 14:1-2). This statement assumes that we are not yet home. Jesus continues, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him" (John 14:23). Though we are not now at that place Jesus is preparing for us, He wants us to be confident and assured that we are not left to trouble, distress, fear, and worry because the Godhead has made a home in each of us.

  • John 14:1-17

    A Faith Consistently Lived and Conscientiously Kept.

    In John 14, all the disciples except Judas are in the upper room with Jesus. These men have been following Jesus for three years and have seen His power firsthand, evidencing that He is the Son of God. Jesus has told them that He is going away, and they cannot follow at this time. Understanding their emotions, Jesus tells them repeatedly to let not their hearts be troubled (John 14:1, 27; 16:6).

  • John 1:19-34

    John the Baptist.

    John the Baptist was the first prophet to speak God's word for hundreds of years. This providential delay in revelation heightened anticipation among the Jews for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist broke the silence with a powerful, influential, successful voice, because God determined it to be so. He preached a message of repentance and led a simple life.

  • 1 Peter 4:7-11

    Public and Personal Display of Spiritual Gifts

    Peter says it is exciting to look up, for the end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7)! Christians in crisis spend more time in prayer. When we are in a difficult time, 1 Peter 4:7-11 says we must find our way by God’s grace to do these things:

  • 1 Peter 4:10-11

    Each To Serve Faithfully.

    There are two things common to all of us of faith: Jesus Christ and daily struggle. If you are in Christ, you struggle in the most unique and difficult ways. This is the reality of following Jesus. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, we see that a common Christ and a common struggle causes us to embrace a common encouragement in all of its varied and wonderful forms.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

    Explanation & Application of Coming Glorious Realities.

    Paul had unescapable recurring threats to his physical life. How did he not become distracted? 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 gives an explanation and application of why he so looked forward to coming glory. There are several glorious realities that await us.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

    Our Freedom to Be Bold in Spiritual Growth.

    2 Corinthians 3:17-18 teach us about the power, boldness, and freedom we have in Christ to grow in Christ-likeness.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

    How the Holy Spirit Bolsters Healthy Christian Relationships.

    A lack of healthy Christian relationships grieves the Holy Spirit. When He is grieved, He won't do much with us to reach lost people. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us 4 specific ways the Holy Spirit bolsters our activity inside and outside of the local church.

  • Ephesians 4:4-5

    The Beauty of the Body of Christ.

    God places us in each of our specific contexts for an eternal purpose (1 Corinthians 12:18, Matthew 28:19-20).

  • Ephesians 4:3

    Understanding the Nature and Practice of Spiritual Togetherness.

    Unity in Christ's body is maintained by more than individual behavior and relationships. It is maintained by having a unified mission.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

    Two Are Better Than One.

    Solomon's examination of the apparent anomalies and contradictions that confront our lives every day continues in Ecclesiastes 4. Walter Kaiser describes the progression of thought from chapter 3 to chapter 4 as follows:

  • Romans 8:26-27

    Embracing Our Omnipotent Support in Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

    A desire to do God's will is another assurance for a child of God.

  • Romans 8:26

    Embracing Our Omnipotent Support in Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

    Romans 8:26 is another often-quoted verse from this chapter. Remember that its truth must be understood in the context of the spiritual security and assurance of the believer.

  • Romans 8:17

    The Spirit of Adoption, Part 2.

    At his death in 1902, Cecil Rhodes left 6 million pounds to Oxford University to establish the Rhodes scholarships. As great as a material inheritance can be, Christians value a spiritual heritage more than any earthly treasures (Colossians 3:1-2). The Holy Spirit ensures countless resources for the believer as a result of our adoption.

  • Romans 8:14-16

    The Spirit of Adoption.

    Romans 8:14-17 describes how God comes to our aid in our greatest time of spiritual need. These verses come in the midst of a passage describing the activities of the Godhead, specifically in keeping the believer eternally secure. The Holy Spirit's activities of giving life and now of adoption give great solace, comfort, and peace in times of personal loss. At every time, we are being kept safe by God.

  • Romans 8:1-4

    No Condemnation: Our Eternal Standing in Christ.

    Christian parents often tell their children, "There is nothing you can do to change my love for you." How much greater is God's infinite love! There is nothing we can do to change God's love for us. God the Father keeps us eternally secure in Jesus Christ, omnipotently held by the Holy Spirit. These truths provide hope for us throughout this earthly journey regardless of our circumstances.

  • Romans 8

    The Safest Place in the World.

    Our human fascination with the science of preservation, mummification, and time travel fiction reveal a deep desire to live beyond our earthly lifespan. Yet no human will ever be able to preserve life for eternity. Romans 8 teaches us how God preserves eternal life for His people.

  • Romans 6:1-10

    Our Power Over Sin, Part 2.

    Romans 6-7 tells believers how we daily become more like God. God's grace allows us to understand and apply God's Word. We can reflect God's character in our lives only to the extent that we know His Word.