1. Equipped for the Christian Journey by the Holy Spirit Lesson Two

2. The Christian journey involves many challenges : Learning the truth God has revealed. Learning the truth God has revealed. Pleasing God with our life and serving Him Pleasing God with our life and serving Him with our abilities. with our abilities. Openly revealing that we are a Christian— Openly revealing that we are a Christian— sometimes in a hostile environment. sometimes in a hostile environment. Overcoming our weaknesses to temptation. Overcoming our weaknesses to temptation. Sharing the good news of salvation to those Sharing the good news of salvation to those who are happy to receive it, and those who who are happy to receive it, and those who are offended by it. are offended by it.

3. Amazingly, the instant we sincerely receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, by faith, the Holy Spirit equips us with everything we need to be victorious in all these areas and more. (See 2nd Peter 1:2, 3.) (See 2nd Peter 1:2, 3.) We need to learn what the Holy Spirit has done for us and appropriate these We need to learn what the Holy Spirit has done for us and appropriate these gifts by faith. gifts by faith.

4. The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Life to Our Human Spirit Before we are saved our human spirit is fully alive to all things physical and material but dead to God. Before we are saved our human spirit is fully alive to all things physical and material but dead to God. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 (Colossians 2:13) Ephesians 2:1 (Colossians 2:13)

5. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, by faith, we receive spiritual life. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:5, 6. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:5, 6. “Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24. “Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24.

6. Jesus described this giving of spiritual life as a spiritual birth by the Holy Spirit. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” John 3:5, 6. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” John 3:5, 6. “It is the Spirit who gives life...” “It is the Spirit who gives life...” John 6:63a.

7. The Holy Spirit Takes Up Residence In The New Believer. On the evening before His crucifixion one of the revelations Jesus gave His disciples was ‘”And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever---the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16, 17. ‘”And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever---the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16, 17.

8. The apostle Paul wrote the Christians in Rome, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Romans 8:9 (also 10, 11). “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Romans 8:9 (also 10, 11). Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1st Corinthians 3:16.(See also chapter 6:19, 20.). The true believer in Christ will never be alone. The Holy Spirit will always be present within.

9. The Holy Spirit... Bears witness that we are children of God, Bears witness that we are children of God, Romans 8:14, 17. Provides comfort in our anxiety and distress. Provides comfort in our anxiety and distress. John 14:16, 17 Teaches and guides us. Teaches and guides us. John 14:26.; 16:13; 1st Corinthians 2:9-16. Corrects our prayers to conform to the will and purpose of God. Romans 8:26, 27. Corrects our prayers to conform to the will and purpose of God. Romans 8:26, 27. Corrects our wrong decisions. Acts 16:7-10. Corrects our wrong decisions. Acts 16:7-10. Enables us to worship God properly. John 4:23, 24. Enables us to worship God properly. John 4:23, 24. Empowers us to live, serve and give witness of Christ. Acts 1:8; 2:4; 4:8; 31; Ephesians 5:18-20 Empowers us to live, serve and give witness of Christ. Acts 1:8; 2:4; 4:8; 31; Ephesians 5:18-20

10. The Holy Spirit Stamps a Seal on the New Believer Identifying Him or Her as the Property of God. “In Him (Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance...” Ephesians 2:13,14a. (See also Ephesians 4:30 and 2nd Corinthians 1:22).

11. The Greek word for “seal” denotes an emblem of ownership, security and preservation. The Greek word for “seal” denotes an emblem of ownership, security and preservation. The idea here is that the instant a lost sinner receives Jesus as Savior the Holy Spirit stamps him with a seal that denotes “This is the sole property of God.” This carries a powerful message of God’s provision and protection. It also carries a warning to the Satanic and demonic realm and anyone who dares to pry this believer away from God.

12. The Holy Spirit Baptizes The New Believer Into The Body of Christ “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1st Corinthians 12:13. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1st Corinthians 12:13. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. (See also Romans 6:3)

13. The epistles of Paul give a strong emphasis that the church is not only a physical assembly of believers, but also a spiritual organism. Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and all true believers make up His body: “...So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 6:5. “...So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 6:5.

14. Verses 6-8 point out that each believer is given one or more spiritual gifts to contribute to the health of the body. Other Scriptures that emphasize the same truth are 1st Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:7-16; 1st Peter 4:10. The local church is not only an assembly of physical believers, but each of these believers have a spiritual nature that composes the body of Christ. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:6. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:6.

15. The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Every New Believer The apostle Paul wrote the believers at Thessalonica, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2nd Thessalonians 2:13. “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2nd Thessalonians 2:13. (See also Romans 15:16 and 1st Peter 1:2. (See also Romans 15:16 and 1st Peter 1:2. The words, “holy”, “saint”, “sanctify”, and “sanctification”, all have the same root meaning, “set apart to God.” The Holy Spirit is the Agent Who sets new believers apart to God. The words, “holy”, “saint”, “sanctify”, and “sanctification”, all have the same root meaning, “set apart to God.” The Holy Spirit is the Agent Who sets new believers apart to God.

16. A study of sanctification reveals there are three aspects: Positional sanctification – The instant a lost sinner receives Jesus Christ as Savior he or she is placed into Christ and is totally covered with the righteousness of Christ. The instant a lost sinner receives Jesus Christ as Savior he or she is placed into Christ and is totally covered with the righteousness of Christ. See Romans 3:21, 22; 4:5-8; Philippians 3:7-9. See Romans 3:21, 22; 4:5-8; Philippians 3:7-9.

17. Progressive Sanctification – Progressive Sanctification – This is the process by which a believer becomes more and more set apart to God in love, devotion, service, and witness. This is the process by which a believer becomes more and more set apart to God in love, devotion, service, and witness. The apostle Paul was a powerful example. He wrote, The apostle Paul was a powerful example. He wrote, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14. (See also Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6). (See also Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6).

18. Perfect Sanctification – As noted by Paul above, none of us will reach this level during our Christian journey on earth. All the same we are encouraged to know that when Jesus returns and we are caught up to be with Him, by rapture or resurrection, we will be changed and enjoy perfect righteousness. Perfect Sanctification – As noted by Paul above, none of us will reach this level during our Christian journey on earth. All the same we are encouraged to know that when Jesus returns and we are caught up to be with Him, by rapture or resurrection, we will be changed and enjoy perfect righteousness. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23. (See also 1st Corinthians 15:51-57) (See also 1st Corinthians 15:51-57)

19. The apostle Paul gave us a beautiful description of the transformation that will take place with all believers when Jesus comes to take us home: The apostle Paul gave us a beautiful description of the transformation that will take place with all believers when Jesus comes to take us home: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to he working by which He is able to even to subdue all things to Himself.” – Philippians 3:20. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to he working by which He is able to even to subdue all things to Himself.” – Philippians 3:20.

20. In the meantime, we are to “walk in the Spirit”. We are informed in Romans 8:1 that... We are informed in Romans 8:1 that... “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Verse 4 adds that “The righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Verse 4 adds that “The righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit”

21. We are informed in Galatians 5:16 that even if we are tempted to sin, “ “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Verse 22 adds, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...”.

22. To “walk in the Spirit” means To “walk in the Spirit” means to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit Who resides within. There is great profit in doing so.