Holy Spirit
- Jul 22, 2024
- 6 min read
INTRODUCTION :
Last week we talked about the old self and the new self. If you guys remember the old self was BEFORE the NEW self. The new self is a direct result of someone having a relationship with Jesus, or as we like to say trusting Jesus for their salvation.
There is really no way to be the New Self without the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is at work in me at all times, whether I am at the grocery store, or on the tractor, here at church, hanging out with family or friends and it goes on and on. But how do I know the Holy Spirit is with me all the time?
Remember what Jesus said in John 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Jesus clearly states that the Helper or Counselor will be sent to believers and He will dwell within all who believe. Simply put, having the Holy Spirit identifies you as a Christian.
If the Spirit of God aka The Holy Spirit really lives inside me, how do I know?
Turn to Galatians Chapter 5, we are going to be bouncing around today in verses 13-26
Let's start by looking at Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Note that fruit is singular, not plural. The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit, that is, Christlikeness. We will see evidence of the fruit when we model authentic Christlikeness in our lives.
Now let me backup a little here to Gal 5:19-21 which says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul talks about the works of the flesh which are plural. The difference between works and fruit is that flesh produces works and the spirit produces fruit.
The result of works comes as soon as the works is completed, it is instantaneous, which can be the temptation. We’ve all heard of “instant gratification”...
Fruit is a result of a seed that must grow and be cultivated through a process.
So, what are we producing? Works of the flesh or Fruit of the Spirit?
If our lives are not showing the Fruit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, then we are resisting in some way the work of the Holy Spirit and we need to go back to the list in v19-21 to evaluate what we need to confess and repent from to get back on track with the Lord.
Once we turn away from these things, we can then walk in the Spirit.
Backing up, again, in Gal 5:16-18 it says But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The works of the flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit are opposite of each other.
If we are walking by the Spirit, we will not gratify the flesh
Side Note…. A non-believer does not have the Holy Spirit living inside them. Therefore, living to gratify the flesh will be all they can do. Expecting something different would be futile and foolish. Believing in and receiving Jesus is the only way to also receive the Holy Spirit.
Going a little deeper here…While all who believe receive the Spirit, not all are filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit must be allowed to work. We can stifle His power through our sin and rebellion against God’s Word. Whenever we reject His guidance or influence, we are causing the Spirit to be grieved.
A couple illustrations for you guys…
Think of a new born baby - born into a family. They already have been given their new identity through no power or choice of their own - they are born into it. As they grow, they learn from their parents what that identity is, how to live in it and how to best represent that. They learn from being close to their parents, from listening, from imitating them. They don’t really do anything on their own to grow faster - they just grow in physical and mental capabilities.
The same is true of us, we are babies when we start to follow Jesus. Our entire life is a slow growing spiritual journey. We are to become like children and just soak up all the love and wisdom our Father gives to us, to grow and mature and look more like our Heavenly Father.
Another illustration is that of a balloon. Think of the Spirit as air inside a balloon (which is inside of us). As we allow it room to expand, the Spirit fills that balloon with air to expand more and more until it completely fills us and pushes out anything that is in the way.
Eph 5:18 also speaks to the flesh vs the Spirit and the filling we just illustrated.. It says And do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Remember from last week and our intro today.. Old Self vs New Self.
Gal 5:24-26 reminds us we have a New Self available through the work of the Holy Spirit.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
The new self is available through Jesus and His work on the cross. Our flesh was spiritually crucified with His.
Living by and keeping in step with the Spirit is key
Warning… do not become conceited, provoking or envying of one another
CONCLUSION:
As we wrap up, let's look at one more passage that connects fruit with the vine.
You have heard this verse before but let me read what John 15:1-5 says
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Here we see
We can't just magically create fruit. It has to come from within - just as fruit on the vine can only be created, sustained and brought to fullness by staying connected to the vine.
We don’t cultivate the actual fruit, we must stay attached to the Vine (Jesus) and allow him through the work of the Spirit to produce fruit.
We know sin blocks the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as evidenced by the fleshly desires. We also know we are prone to blind spots based on our study of the blind leading the blind a couple weeks ago. So, Here is a thought - if you are not seeing regular evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit. Maybe, just maybe, if we were to ask the Lord what might be blocking the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives He might just answer us…
Personal Challenge- Read through Psalm 139 and pray the last two verses 23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Thoughts/Questions To Consider:
Any initial thoughts, questions or ideas stand out to you?
What concepts of the Holy Spirit are hardest for you to understand? The easiest?
Is there anything keeping you from the personal challenge Jerry gave us? Let’s read Psa 139:23-24 in a few other versions of the bible.
Today’s Scriptures:
John 14:15-17
Galatians 5:13-26
John 15:1-5
Psalm 139:23-24