“When the Spirit Comes” Pastor Joe Alain, August 2, 2020
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11 Series: This Is Church!
Introduction: Waiting is difficult for most of us and the disciples were no different. Jesus’ message to the disciples was “the kingdom is coming, but you’ll have to wait a little longer.” That message along with what would take place when the promise was fulfilled is the content of Acts 1:1-11.
Prologue (1:1-2)
*Who is Theophilus?
*Luke’s “former book” The Gospels were and remain primarily evangelistic in nature, to show what Jesus did and taught.
*“Jesus began” (1:1). His work did not cease when he left this earth, it continues through the lives of his Spirit-indwelled people, the church.
Instructions in Preparation for Pentecost (1:3-5)
*The significance of 40 days.
*The occasion when Jesus gave the command to wait (Lk. 24:49).
*The link between John’s prophetic words and the soon-to-be-fulfilled “promise.”
Christ’s Legacy: The Call to Witness (1:6-8)
All that “Jesus began to do and to teach” (1:1) prior to his ascension back to heaven, will now continue through his Holy Spirit-empowered church (1:8)! The remainder of the book is the unfolding of this Acts 1:8 pattern.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God.
1. References to the Holy Spirit are interchangeable with God
(Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16-17).
2. The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes or qualities.
*Ever-present, Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10).
*All-powerful, Omnipotent (Lk. 1:35).
*All-knowing, Omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10-11).
*Eternal (Heb. 9:14).
*Equal with God (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
*Creates (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30; Job 33:4).
What the Holy Spirit Does
1. Enables a person to become a believer
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.]” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3, 5
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:9,16
2. Guides the believer
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
3. Energizes the believer
(Worship) 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
(Work) For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13
(Witness) Acts 1:8 A witness . . . (1) Recalls an event from personal experience, (2) They do not hold back evidence, and (3) They tell the truth as accurately as possible.
How Is the Holy Spirit Received? The Holy Spirit is the promised gift of God that is received upon repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-39).
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