1. Lesson 16

2. Why is the work of the Holy Spirit so important for us?

3. Since Christ died for all people, why don’t all people benefit from what he did? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The gospel message: some believe

4. Since Christ died for all people, why don’t all people benefit from what he did? Luke 14:15-24 The gospel message: some believe

5. Luke 14:15-24 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ”‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

6. Since Christ died for all people, why don’t all people benefit from what he did? Luke 14:15-24 some refuse to believe The gospel message: some believe

7. Key Point #1 Some people don’t receive the benefits of what Christ did for them because they refuse to believe in him.

8. Why doesn’t everyone just naturally believe in Jesus? Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins… spiritually dead

9. Why doesn’t everyone just naturally believe in Jesus? Acts 26:17-18 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ spiritually blind

10. Why doesn’t everyone just naturally believe in Jesus? Romans 8:6-7 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. enemies of God

11. Key Point #2 No one can just naturally believe in Jesus because all of us by nature are spiritually dead, blind, and enemies of God.

12. How does our spiritual blindness keep us from believing? Matthew 13:14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’ doesn’t understand the gospel

13. How does our spiritual blindness keep us from believing? 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. thinks the gospel is foolishness

14. How does our spiritual blindness keep us from believing? John 15:16 [Jesus said,] “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

15. Key Point #3 Our spiritual blindness makes it impossible for us, by our own thinking or choosing, to believe in Jesus, because what he tells us seems like foolishness.

16. How did we come to believe and so receive the benefits of what Jesus did for us? 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

17. How did we come to believe and so receive the benefits of what Jesus did for us? Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. only when God sends the gift of the Holy Spirit into our hearts

18. Key Point #4 It is only by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit that we believe in Jesus and so receive the benefits of what he did for us.

19. Discuss: Some people claim that in order to be Christians, they had to make a “decision for Christ.” Give several reasons why it is not appropriate to say that we made a decision for Christ.

20. Which of these three things do you consider the most important and why: God created you; Christ redeemed you; or the Holy Spirit brought you to faith?

21. Lesson 16 The Holy Spirit’s work is necessary because if he had not worked faith in me, I would have rejected Jesus and all he did for me.

22. Vocabulary… “faith” Knowledge, acceptance, and trust in Jesus as Savior