The Holy Spirit--The Resource for Victory in Honor

Dr. Steve Viars December 31, 1999

The Holy Spirit--The Resource for Victory in Honoring Christ

God’s plan that Christ be honored in the church today is to be accomplished by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit when he said in John 16:14, “He shall glorify me. . .” The “Acts of the Apostles” is actually a book telling of glorifying ministry of the Holy Spirit through believers. Unfortunately, there is much confusion concerning the Holy Spirit’s ministry. Below list several controversial issues concerning the Holy Spirit about which you have heard or have questions.

Every believer must be growing in the knowledge of the One who abides in the believer’s heart and subsequently seeking to cooperate with the His goal of honoring Jesus Christ. There is only one place to learn of Him. He is found through the book He inspired men to write--the Bible. In fact, the Bible is actually called “the Sword of the Spirit” in Eph. 6:17. In this lesson you will learn more about precisely who the Holy Spirit is, what He does and how through Him you may have victory in the task of glorifying God.


I. The Identity of the Holy Spirit


The Holy Spirit is a PERSON of the GODHEAD. (He is neither an"it" nor a "gift.") He is ALL-WISE, ALL-POWERFUL, ALL-PRESENT, and ETERNAL as God the Father and God the Son are. Read the following verses and describe what they say about the Holy Spirit as a Person of the triune God.
A. Rom. 8:27
B. I Cor. 2:11
C. Acts 1:8
D. Eph. 4:30
E. Acts 7:51
F. Acts 5:3
G. How is the Holy Spirit different from a fictitious, mystical “force” portrayed in movies like “Star Wars”?


(Copyright)
2 – Provision for Victory

II. The Works or Ministry of the Holy Spirit


A. What does Gen. 1:1, 2 tell you of an original work of the Holy Spirit?

B. What does II Pet. 1:21 say about the way men wrote the Scriptures?

C. In Jn. 16:7, 8 what did Jesus say the Spirit would do?

Read the following verses and describe the ways in which the Spirit "reproves" of sin in the world.
1. Acts 2:37

2. Heb. 4:12

3. What happened when Adam and Eve were convicted of their sin in Gen. 3:8, 9?


D. Who made it possible for us to be born a second time according to Jn. 3:3-5?

How were we saved according to Titus 3:5, 6?

What do the following verses tell us about the sealing of the Holy Spirit?
1. Eph. 1:13

2. Eph. 4:30

As you have learned, the Holy Spirit regenerates and seals believers. How do these doctrines encourage you?


Provision for Victory – 3

E. Why does Paul liken our bodies to a temple in I Cor. 3:16,17?


F. Read Rom. 8:26-29. How does He help us in prayer (vs. 26,27)?


What is His prayer that is according to God's will (v. 29)?


G. Read Rom. 12:4-9 and list the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit to different believers that are still in use today.


Read Jn. 14:16-20. What did Jesus foretell concerning the Spirit (v. 17)?


NOTE: The ministry of the Holy Spirit today is neither as it was in the Old Testament nor during the transition period between the Old and New Testaments.
1. In the O.T. all believers were not indwelled and sealed. He moved upon certain ones for special tasks. Read the following passages and note how God gave them power in order to accomplish His will.
a. Judg. 14:5,6, 19

b. I Sam. 16:12-14, 18:12-15 _________________________________________________

1. The transition period encompassed the time between the O.T. and the N.T.
a. What did Jesus promise in Acts 1:4,5?

b. God delayed sending the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost. According to Acts 2:4-9, what happened at this time?


4 – Provision for Victory

Note that in Acts 8:14-17 a new group receives the gospel but does not receive the Holy Spirit until the apostles come from Jerusalem. God is a God of unity and order. What nationality is this new group of believers?

In Acts 19:1-6, from what city are these gentiles who are to be included?

1. What tells you that there can be no delay in receiving the Holy Spirit under the New Testament or the Church age?
a. Eph. 1:12, 13

a. Rom. 8:9

b. I Cor. 12:13

c. How do these truths help clear up some of the confusion existing today?

III. Our Cooperation with the Holy Spirit Today


A. According to Jn. 16:14, what is the overall goal or purpose of the Holy Spirit?


B. What does the Spirit of God use to illumine and guide us (I Cor. 2:9-14)?


C. How are we able to grow in righteousness as believers (Rom. 8:13)?

Provision for Victory – 5


What does God promise us when we are tempted (I Cor. 10:13)?


D. What is the increasing, growing result of the Holy Spirit's work through the Word in the life of the believer (Gal. 5:22, 23)?


E. Read Acts 1:8 and note how God makes it possible for us to witness for Christ.


F. God desires that we be controlled by the Holy Spirit by being obedient to His Word.Note what the following verses say about this.
1. Gal. 5:16-24

2. Eph. 5:18

3. How will one know if an individual is “filled” with the Spirit (read Eph. 5:19-6:9)

At any moment in the believer's life, whether he is a babe or has grown spiritually for twenty years, he may be spiritual (controlled by the Holy Spirit) one minute and carnal (controlled by the flesh) the next.
To be Spirit-controlled again, we must ask for the forgiveness of God and of others and acknowledge the presence and right of the Spirit to lead us in obedience to His Word. One so important should be lovingly obeyed!

Dr. Steve Viars

Roles

Senior Pastor - Faith Church

Director - Faith Legacy Foundation

Bio

B.S.: Pre-Seminary & Bible, Baptist Bible College (Now Clarks Summit University)
M.Div.: Grace Theological Seminary
D.Min.: Biblical Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary

Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. Pastor Viars leads and equips Faith Church as Senior Pastor with a focus on preaching and teaching God’s Word and using his organizational skills in guiding the implementation of the Faith Church mission and vision. He oversees the staff, deacons, and all Faith Church ministries. Dr. Viars serves on the boards of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, Biblical Counseling Coalition, Vision of Hope, and the Faith Community Development Corporation. Steve is the author, co-author, or contributor to six books and numerous booklets. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren.

Read Steve Viars’ Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church.

View Pastor Viars' Salvation Testimony Video

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