The Jesus Way Session 3 – Welcome the Holy Spirit

Introduction Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit after the resurrection “I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised.” Luke 24:49 They waited in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit came in power (Acts 2) Jesus lives within each of his followers by means of the Holy Spirit

Jesus teaches about the Spirit before his death (1) On the night before he died: –He told the disciples not to be sad because he would come back –When the Spirit comes, this will be Jesus coming back –The Holy Spirit is ‘another’ helper; (ie like Jesus)

Jesus teaches about the Spirit before his death (2) The Spirit reveals God’s truth He convicts people of their sin He is a person, not an impersonal force He can be in many places at one time He is an unseen reality that unbelievers cannot see, know or understand Jesus lives in believers by the Holy Spirit

The apostles teach on the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is... –a person –the power of God –the presence of God

“Is it really true? Or is it picture language?” People in the ‘world’ will not understand the Holy Spirit But believers can sense his reality Our spirits become alive through the Spirit An unseen spiritual reality

“Is the Spirit for every believer?” Yes! ‘The Holy Spirit dwells within each believer from the moment that person first believes in Jesus – and he never leaves!’ If we put our trust in Jesus, from that moment the Spirit dwells in us Despite our feelings, we must not doubt this

“What about spiritual gifts?” The Spirit only present if ‘miraculous’ gifts? Paul tells us to seek spiritual gifts: –No believer is without some spiritual gift –The Spirit gives as he chooses to each person –Gifts are given for the good of all –No individual possesses all the gifts –Believers’ gifts complement each other

What does it mean in practice? Yes! Ask God for more of the Spirit Yes! Seek spiritual gifts Be wary of those drawing attention to their gifts Don’t doubt the Holy Spirit is already within you If we are asking God for ‘more’ of the Spirit: –we are not asking for him to come for the first time –but for the Spirit, who is already present, to reveal more of his presence

Learning from the Spirit The Holy Spirit wants to: –point us towards Jesus –nurture our relationship with God as ‘Father’ –help us pray –enable us to live like Jesus

Summary of sessions 1-3 God is now with us: –because of the resurrection, Jesus is alive today and able to meet with us God is for us: –because of Jesus’ cross we can now be forgiven ‘friends’ with God God is also in us: –because the Holy Spirit is given to every believer God with us... God for us... God in us

Building-block 3 in following Jesus his way: Welcome His Spirit – Jesus Lives in You!