I Believe in the Holy Spirit

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I Believe in the Holy Spirit

1. Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a divine person

The Holy Spirit is not a thing or a force to be used. He is a person. Scripture refers to Him using personal pronouns and describes His actions in relational, intentional terms. Jesus said, "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). If the Spirit is a force, then He is something to control. But if He is a divine person, He is to be worshiped and obeyed.

The Holy Spirit is God

He is not only personal, He is fully God. He is the third member of the Trinity. Jesus spoke of baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Peter likewise speaks of the sanctifying work of the Spirit in line with the Father and the Son (1 Peter 1:2). He is equal in essence, fully divine, and fully active.

The Holy Spirit empowers

Jesus said before ascending, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8). Paul echoes this in Ephesians 3:16, praying that believers would be strengthened with power through the Spirit. This power is available to all believers today—not something mysterious or rare, but ongoing and present.

2. What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

He acts to glorify Jesus

Jesus said the Spirit would glorify Him (John 16:14) and testify about Him (John 15:26). The Spirit’s role is never separate from the work of Jesus. He draws attention to Jesus and helps us see His beauty, grace, and truth.

He acts to lead to salvation

• He convicts

Jesus said, "When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). This conviction leads to repentance and salvation.

• He regenerates

We cannot transform ourselves. Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful and beyond cure. Salvation requires regeneration—being born again—and that is the work of the Spirit (Titus 3:5).

• He unites

The Spirit baptizes believers into union with Christ and makes them part of God's family (1 Corinthians 12:13). This isn’t referring to water baptism but the Spirit enveloping the believer with His presence and power.

He acts to produce growth

• He indwells

Romans 8:9 says, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." The Spirit takes up residence in believers, empowering them to live out the character of God.

• He illuminates

1 Corinthians 2:12 says, "We have received... the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." Without the Spirit, spiritual truths appear foolish. With the Spirit, they come alive.

• He guides

Galatians 5:16 urges us to walk by the Spirit so we won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. He leads us through Scripture, prayer, inner promptings, and godly counsel—but always in alignment with God’s Word.

• He equips

Spiritual gifts are given by the Spirit for the building up of the body (1 Corinthians 12:11). Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 outline about 20 such gifts, and every believer receives at least one.

• He empowers

Romans 8:1–2 says, "Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." The Spirit provides the power to defeat sin and live a new life.

3. So What?

Submit to the Spirit’s leading

We often resist the Spirit’s direction because we prefer comfort and control. But a Spirit-filled life is one of faith, adventure, and transformation. Pray, read the Word, and ask the Spirit to show you where He is leading—and then follow.

Live by the Spirit’s power

Don’t operate only within your own resources. If your plans don’t require the power of God, then they don’t reflect the realm in which God operates. Let the Spirit’s power be the engine behind your growth, service, and mission.

SERMON DETAILS

Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: I Believe
Sermon Title: I Believe in the Holy Spirit
Date: Jun 8, 2025

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• John 16:13

• John 14:16–17

• Matthew 28:19

• 1 Peter 1:2

• Acts 1:8

• Ephesians 3:16

• John 16:7

• John 16:14

• John 15:26

• John 16:8

• Jeremiah 17:9

• Titus 3:5

• Acts 1:5

• 1 Corinthians 12:13

• Romans 8:9

• 1 Corinthians 2:12

• 1 Corinthians 2:14

• Galatians 5:16

• Acts 20:22

• 1 Corinthians 12:11

• Romans 8:1–2

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