The Holy Spirit is a Person
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TITLE: The Holy Spirit is a Person
SUBJECT: Godhead
PROPOSITION: The Holy Spirit is a person because 1) is God 2) is a Unique Person, 3) has a Unique Role.
OBJECTIVE: Each listener should be able to describe the Holy Spirit by the scriptures.
AIM: I want to educate each listener on what the Bible teaches regarding the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: John 14:25, 26 “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
2. About the Text:
1) Jesus is speaking to his disciples regarding his departure.
2) He assures them that the Father will send the Holy Ghost/Spirit in Jesus’ name.
3) Verse 26 mentions the three persons of the Godhead–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. How can we learn about the Holy Spirit?
1) The Holy Spirit is misunderstood in the religious world today.
2) By reading the revealed will of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-13).
3) That is to say, the Bible – 2 Peter 1:21 – “spoke moved by the Holy Spirit.”
4. Who the Holy Spirit is NOT.
1) “WHO is the Holy Spirit?” is the correct question.
2) The Holy Spirit is not some mystical force (like Star Wars).
3) The Holy Spirit is not some personal experience better felt than told.
4) The Holy Spirit is not your feelings.
5. Who the Holy Spirit IS.
1) The Holy Spirit is a person with personal characteristics.
2) The Holy Spirit is referred to in the New Testament with masculine gender pronouns.
3) The Holy Spirit is not an “IT.”
6. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Holy Spirit is a person because …
I. He Displays Individuality.
1) He speaks. Matthew 10:20; Acts 8:29; Acts 10:19; Acts 13:2.
2) He acts. Acts 8:39 – Took Philip so that the Eunuch saw him no more.
3) He leads. Matthew 4:1 – Led Jesus to be tempted of Satan.
4) He calls. Acts 13:2 – Called Paul and Barnabas unto a specific work.
5) He guides. John 16:13; Acts 11:12 – Guided the Apostles into all truth. Guided Peter to the house of Cornelius.
6) He forbids. Acts 16:6 – Forbade Paul and company to go into Asia.
7) Makes decisions. Acts 15:28 – Seemed good to us AND the Holy Spirit.
8) Can take a unique form. Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22 – bodily shape of a dove.
9) He knows. 1 Corinthians 2:11 – Knows the mind of God.
II. He is Distinct.
1) Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:21– To the son. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
2) Luke 11:13, John 14:26 — To the Father
3) Ephesians 4:4-6 (the ones); Matthew 28:19 (baptize into the name of); John 14:26 (Father, Son, HS); Mark 1:10, 11 (in Jesus baptism) — All instances in which the three are distinguished from each other.
III. He Communicates by Inspiration.
1) Of all the members of the Godhead, he alone is responsible for inspiration.
2) Inspired Craftsmen (Exodus 31:3-5).
3) He inspired the Old Testament prophets – 2 Samuel 23:2, 2 Peter 1:21 “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
4) He inspired the New Testament writers – 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 “All scripture….”
5) He inspired Jesus Christ – Luke 4:17-21.
6) He leaves those scriptures for us to study today.
CONCLUSION:
1. The Holy Spirit is a person because…
1) He is God.
2) He is a unique person.
3) He has a unique role.
2. Invitation