What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit #3
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on the Holy SpiritINTRODUCTION:
A. In our last lesson on the Holy Spirit, we considered this third person of the Godhead from an Old Testament perspective
1. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit becomes more prominent
2. Here we have a richer, deeper, and a much fuller account of Him in personality and performance, in motive and mission, and in declaration and deed.
B. There are some 264 references to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament – three times the number in the Old Testament
1. The Holy Spirit is mentioned in 24 of the New Testament books
2. There are eight writers of the New Testament – and all eight make mention of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Holy Spirit is closely connected with Christ, the apostles, and those whom the apostles laid their hands on to receive the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.
4. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit’s activities were varied and eminently successful in organizing the early church, and in guiding and governing the apostolic orators in the world-wide mission of getting Christ into the hearts of the whole earth.
DISCUSSION:
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE GOSPEL RECORDS
1. There are four of these – Matthew, mark, Luke, and John
a. These books contain a total of 89 chapters
b. The Holy Spirit has in mind to produce an airtight case for the deity of Christ
2. There are about 60 references to the Holy Spirit in the Gospel accounts. John has the most with two dozen, and Mark with the least – 6.
a. The Holy Spirit is linked with the birth of Christ (Mt. 1:18, 20)
b. He is linked with Elizabeth and John the Baptizer. John was to be “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Lk. 1:15).
c. The Spirit came in dove-like fashion at the baptism of Jesus (Mt. 3:13-17).
d. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as He was led into the wilderness of temptation (Lk. 4:1).
e. John said that Jesus had the Spirit “without measure” (Jn. 3:34).
3. In Matthew 3:11 John spoke of three baptisms – one the Holy Spirit would administer, and two Jesus would administer.
4. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit enjoyed an eternal companionship.
a. During Jesus’ personal ministry, He and the Holy Spirit were the closest of companions
b. Jesus cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 12:28).
c. Jesus promptly took offense when the scribes and Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mt. 12:31).
d. Christ, Calvary and Holy Spirit are connected by the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 9:14).
e. The Holy Spirit also played a role in the resurrection of Christ (Rom. 8:11).
5. In our Lord’s ministry, and especially during the Upper Room Discourse in John 13-16, Jesus spoke of what the Holy Spirit would do through the apostles.
a. The apostles were promised inspiration of the Spirit … Matthew 10:19-20
b. The Holy Spirit was promised them as a Comforter (Jn. 14:26)
c. Possession of the Holy Spirit would be a guarantee that their message would be infallible correct.
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
1. There are 60 references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. Acts has more references to the Holy Spirit than any other book.
a. Strangely enough, a new breed of preachers has risen among us claiming greater and greater dependence upon the Holy Spirit and yet decry our emphasis no the book of Acts
b. Yet, it is the very New Testament book that has more to say about the Holy Spirit than any other book.
2. In Acts 1 the apostles were promised Holy Spirit baptism, at which time they were to begin their work in the Great Commission.
3. In Acts 2 the Spirit came upon the apostle in a baptismal measure – and not on the 120 as some erroneously contend.
a. At that time there were given the ability to speak in other languages which they had never learned
b. The Holy Spirit inspired their preaching.
c. There were 3,000 converts that days because of the powerful word of the Spirit working through the apostles
4. Throughout the book of Acts the Holy Spirit guided these men as they preached, as they established churches and as they built them up in the most holy faith.
a. The Holy Spirit commanded Philip to go and teach the eunuch (Acts 8:29ff)
b. The Holy Spirit gave Peter instruction to teach Cornelius (Acts 10)
c. The Spirit issued the directive for Barnabas and Paul to begin the first missionary journey (Acts 13:2)
d. The Holy Spirit guided the decisions made in the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:28).
e. The Holy Spirit overruled Paul travel plans (Acts 16:6-7)
5. Note Acts 8:14-17 and 19:1-7
a. Both these passages teach that it was by the laying of the apostles hands that the Holy Spirit was given.
b. Miracles were provisional – not permanent.
6. Acts with an allusion to the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:5)
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EPISTLES AND REVELATION
1. There are 132 references to the Holy Spirit in the Epistles and Revelation.
a. The epistles teach men how to work, worship, watch and wait – and the Holy Spirit is back of all these wonderful teachings
b. There is great deal given about the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
c. The Spirit is our helper and intercessor (Rom. 8:26-27)
d. We are led by the Spirit and are to walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16)
e. We are not to quench the Spirit, grieve the Spirit, or do despite to the Spirit (1 The. 5:19; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 10:29).
f. Great detail is also given to miraculous gifts given by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12-14)
2. In Revelation the completion and perfection of the Spirit is emphasized (Rev. 1:4)
a. Seven times John tells the churches of Asia to listen to what the Spirit says (Rev. 2-3)
b. The Spirit had a message relative to the dead saints (Rev. 14:13)
c. The Spirit and the Bride issued the last invitation in the Bible (Rev. 22:17).
CONCLUSION:
A. Important points:
1. The Holy Spirit is connected with facet of our Lord’s life here on earth
2. We today need to listen what the Spirit says, by heeding his words found in the New Testament
B. Invitation
*This sermon was prepared from The Bible Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by Robert R. Taylor Jr.