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Why We Need The Holy Spirit – John 07:37-39
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Text: John 7:37-39
Introduction
1. In this series we have briefly discussed why we need
a. God
b. The Bible
c. Jesus Christ
2. Let’s now turn our attention to why we need the Holy Spirit
a. The subject of much confusion and error
b. Prompting some Christians to avoid the subject altogether
3. Yet the Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the life of the Christian, and error should not discourage us from seeking truth.
Body
I. BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. PROMISED BY JESUS
1. To all who believe in Him – John 7:37-39
2. A special dispensation of the Spirit unlike any before; different from:
a. The miraculous workings of the Spirit
b. The normal influences through the Word
3. Jesus promised the Spirit to all who believe
B. PROMISED BY PETER
1. To all who repent and are baptized – Acts 2:38-39
a. The “gift” could be that which the Spirit gives (e.g., salvation)
b. But I understand it to be the Spirit Himself
2. To those who obey God – Acts 5:32
3. Peter promised the Spirit to all who obey
C. PROMISED BY PAUL
1. To those who become children of God – Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:14-16
2. Indeed, one cannot be Christ’s unless they have the Spirit dwelling in them – Romans 8:9
3. Paul proclaimed that those who are in Christ have the Spirit in them
D. The promise of the Spirit described above mostly relates to His indwelling and the accompanying blessings (which we will summarize shortly).
II. BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. CONVICTING THE WORLD
1. Of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:7-11
2. Done through the gospel of Christ
a. The instrument designed to produce faith – Romans 10:17
b. Which is God’s power to save – Romans 1:16-17
c. And determines who will be judged (condemned) – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
3. Through the Word, the Spirit convicts the world of sin
B. REGENERATING THE SINNER
1. Saving those who respond through the washing of regeneration – Titus 3:4-6
a. Being born again of water and the Spirit – John 3:5
b. In which one’s sins are washed away by the blood of Christ – Acts 22:16; Ephesians 1:7
2. Causing them to be reborn, in conjunction with the Word – 1 Peter 1:22-23,25
3. When one obeys the Word, the Spirit regenerates the sinner
C. SANCTIFYING THE SAVED
1. A process that begins when washed and justified – 1 Corinthians 6:11
2. A process that continues with the aid of the Word
a. We are sanctified by God’s Word – John 17:17
b. Which is the sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6:17
3. When one abides in the Word, the Spirit sanctifies the believer – Romans 15:16
D. The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary for both salvation and sanctification.
III. BECAUSE OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT
1. Indwelling the Christian – Romans 8:9-11; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19
2. Enabling us to put to death the deeds of the body – Romans 8:12-13
3. Strengthening us in the inner man – Ephesians 3:16,20; cf. Philippians 2:12-13
4. The Spirit is the Father’s instrument to empower the Christian
B. THE SEAL OF THE SPIRIT
1. A seal marking us as belonging to God – Ephesians 1:13
2. Looking forward to the day of our redemption – Ephesians 4:30
3. The Spirit is the Father’s identifier that we belong to Him
C. THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT
1. A guarantee or down payment of our inheritance – Ephesians 1:13-14
2. Given in our hearts as a guarantee of our redemption- 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5
3. The Spirit is the Father’s insurance that He will deliver as promised
D. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
1. Developing graces of Christ-like conduct – Galatians 5:22-26
2. Engendering a deepening love for God as Father – Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:15-16
3. Filling us with hope – Romans 15:13
4. The Spirit is the Father’s instrument to bless the Christian
E. THE INTERCESSION OF THE SPIRIT
1. Helping us in our weakness, even in our prayers – Romans 8:26
2. Making intercession for with groanings that cannot be uttered – Romans 8:26-27
3. The Spirit is the Father’s interpreter to hear the Christian
Conclusion
1. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Simply because
a. He was promised to us!
b. He has much work to do in us!
c. He is the source of wonderful blessings for us!
2. We may not always understand how the Holy Spirit works
a. We must beware of false doctrines regarding Him
b. Studying the truth concerning the Spirit is the best antidote to error
3. But we must also beware of
a. Quenching the Spirit in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
b. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God – Ephesians 4:30
4. Receive the Spirit initially through obedience to the gospel
a. Which involves faith, repentance and baptism – Acts 2:38; 5:32; Ep1:13
b. Whereby we become children of God, and thereby receive the Spirit in our hearts – Galatians 4:6
5. Be filled with the blessings of the Spirit by…
a. Feeding on His Word (the things of the Spirit) – Romans 8:5-6; Ephesians 6:17
b. Praying for God to strengthen you by His Spirit in the inner man – Ephesians 3:16,20
c. Singing with melody in your hearts to the Lord – Ephesians 5:18-19
6. Do we truly appreciate the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Why We Need Jesus Christ
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Introduction
1. Previous lessons have discussed why we need God and the Bible
a. God is our Creator, Redeemer and Provider
b. The Bible is our guide to salvation, and source of great comfort
2. In this study, we will review why need Jesus Christ
a. As our Mediator
b. As our Mentor
Body
I. HE IS OUR MEDIATOR
A. WHO RECONCILES US TO GOD
1. There is but one mediator between God and man – 1 Timothy 2:5
2. God sent Christ to reconcile sinful man back to Him – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
3. This God did by offering Christ as the propitiation for our sins – 1 John 4:9-10
4. We now have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins – Ephesians 1:7
5. Thus Jesus is the only way to God – John 14:6; cf. 14:21-23
— We need Jesus, for He is the only way a sinner can be reconciled to God
B. WHO INTERCEDES FOR US TO GOD
1. Now at God’s right hand, Jesus makes intercession for us – Romans 8:34
2. He serves as our “Advocate” with the Father – 1 John 2:1
3. By coming to earth, He has become our perfect High Priest – Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-15
4. He enables us to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and help – Hebrews 4:16
5. He now “always lives” to intercede on our behalf – Hebrews 7:25
— We need Jesus, for He is the only way a sinful Christian can remain in fellowship with God – 1 John 1:6-10
C. As we walk with God with Jesus as our Mediator, we also need Jesus because:
II. HE IS OUR MENTOR
A. WHO OFFERS US A BETTER LIFE
1. A more abundant life – John 10:10b
2. Peace that surpasses understanding – John 14:27; 16:23; Philippians 4:6-7
3. Love that passes knowledge – John 15:9; Ephesians 3:19
4. Joy that is inexpressible – John 15:11; 1 Peter 1:8
5. Hope that sustains in the face of death – John 11:25; Revelation 14:13
— We need Jesus, for He provides the way to a truly better life
B. WHO GUIDES US BY WORD AND DEED
1. His words provide a solid foundation upon which to build our lives
a. Such as those spoken in His sermon on the mount – Matthew 7:24-27
b. Such as those later revealed through His apostles – John 16:2-13
2. His example provides both direction and inspiration
a. The example of His humility and service – Philippians 2:3-8; e.g., Romans 15:1-3
b. The example of His perseverance – Hebrews 12:1-3
c. The example of His suffering – 1 Peter 2:21-25
— We need Jesus, for by word and deed He will guide us to life eternal
Conclusion
1. As we go through this life
a. We need to be in fellowship with God
b. We need guidance to make the most of this life and prepare for the one to come
2. That is why we need Jesus Christ
a. As Mediator He will maintain our relationship with God
b. As Mentor He will guide us through this life and on to life eternal
3. Certainly there are many other reasons why we need Jesus. But let these two remind us of why we cannot risk going through life and facing eternity without Jesus Christ…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Why We Need God
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Introduction
1. When we first come into this world, we are extremely dependent on others
a. We need parents or other providers to feed and clean up after ourselves
b. Even as small children, we sense our need for parental care and protection
2. As we get older, it is common to believe that we no longer need anyone or anything
a. Starting in adolescence, where many think they no longer need their parents
b. Often continuing throughout adulthood, where many think they can take care of themselves
3. Mankind is not as self-sufficient as many would like to believe
a. We are extremely dependent on many things despite our denials
b. Which I intend to illustrate in this series of lessons of why we need God, Jesus, The Bible and the Holy Spirit
4. Assuming that one believes in God, let’s begin with three simple yet significant reasons why we need God in our lives.
Body
I. HE IS OUR CREATOR
A. GOD IS THE CREATOR
1. Of the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3
2. Of mankind, both male and female – Genesis 1:27; 5:2
3. Even in the womb, God has a role in giving us life – Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5
4. He made us, not we ourselves – cf. Psalm 100:3
B. GOD AS OUR CREATOR
1. Knows us better than we ourselves
2. Even as the manufacturer knows his product better than anyone else
3. Knows our weaknesses and our strengths
4. Is the best source to find the answers to such questions as:
a. Where did I come from?
b. Why am I here?
c. Where am I going?
d. How should I live?
5. We need God because as our Creator He is the only reliable “tech support” to help us make sense and use of our lives!
II. HE IS OUR REDEEMER
A. GOD IS THE REDEEMER
1. Unfortunately, all have made a mess of their lives – Romans 3:23
2. Some more than others, but all are in need of major correction – Romans 3:9
3. But God offers Himself as our Redeemer – Psalm 34:22
B. GOD AS OUR REDEEMER
1. Makes it possible for us to start anew – cf. Psalm 103:1-5
2. This He did by sending His Son, Jesus – Galatians 4:4-5; Titus 2:11-14
3. He offered His Son’s blood to redeem from our sins – 1 Peter 1:17-19
C. We need God because as our Redeemer we have the opportunity to be forgiven of sins and to start our lives anew!
III. HE IS OUR PROVIDER
A. GOD IS THE PROVIDER
1. Of physical life itself – Acts 17:28; cf. Psalm 66:8-9
2. Of that which sustains our physical life – Acts 14:17; Matthew 5:45
3. Of spiritual strength that we need – Ephesians 3:16,20; 6:10
B. GOD AS OUR PROVIDER
1. Has promised to meet our physical needs – Matthew 6:25-32
2. If we will put Him and His righteousness first in our lives – Matthew 6:33-34
3. Has promised to meet our spiritual needs – Philippians 2:12-13
4. If we will put on His armor – Ephesians 6:11-18
Conclusion
1. More things could be said to illustrate our need for God, but for now let these suffice
a. God is our Creator
b. God is our Redeemer
c. God is our Provider
2. Those who reject any need for God
a. Go through life with no true knowledge of self or purpose in life
b. Have no way to atone for or to truly correct the many mistakes they make
c. Have lives devoid of the fullness of God’s providential care
3. How much better to confess our need for God, and look to Him
a. For wisdom and guidance in making the best of our time here on earth
b. For forgiveness and renewal when we mess up our lives through sin
c. For providential care and spiritual strength to live the truly “abundant life”
4. Yes, dear friends and brethren, that is why we need God…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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