Wednesday Bible Study

Sermon Notes:

1. Introduction: Who is the Holy Spirit?

   • He is not a force or impersonal being; He is God Almighty, the third person of the Trinity (John 14:16-17).
   • While we may have the most questions about Him, He is the person of the Trinity we experience most intimately because He dwells within us.

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation

   • Conviction: The Holy Spirit convicts the lost of sin and their need for salvation, and convicts believers of sins to confess (John 16:8-11).
   • Regeneration: He raises the spiritually dead to life, applying the saving work of Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).
   • True Conversion:
     • A profession of faith without conviction is not true salvation (parable of the soils, Matthew 13).
     • Conviction leads to genuine repentance and faith, not mere social advantage or emotional response.

3. The Teaching and Leading of the Holy Spirit

   • The Spirit teaches us and brings to remembrance God’s Word (John 14:26).
   • He guides us into all truth, aligning us with Jesus and glorifying Him (John 15:26; John 16:13-14).
   • Application: A Spirit-filled Christian will be deeply centered on Jesus.

4. The Word as the Spirit’s Primary Means of Leading

   • The Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture.
   • His leading aligns with God’s Word rightly understood and applied (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
   • Personal Application:
     • To be sensitive to the Spirit, immerse yourself in Scripture (meditate, memorize, and pray through the Word).
     • Pray in alignment with the Spirit’s will, which is the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

5. Discerning the Holy Spirit’s Leading

   • Test the spirits (1 John 4:1-3).
   • The Spirit does not operate in confusion or lead us through doubt:
     • Doubt signals “no” or “wait,” but never “yes.”
     • Decisions aligned with the Spirit bring clarity and peace.
   • The Spirit may lead miraculously or through the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).

6. Practical Examples of Spirit-Led Living

   • Sensitivity to the Spirit comes through prayer, the Word, and trusting God’s character.
   • Recognize His conviction in moments of temptation, decisions, or spiritual growth.

7. Encouragement for Believers

   • The Spirit’s guidance is not for “superstar Christians” but for all believers (Galatians 5:25).
   • Trust His timing, listen closely, and walk in obedience.

8. Conclusion: A Call to Respond

   • Trust the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation, teaching, and leading.
   • Pray for boldness to share the gospel and sensitivity to invite others to hear God’s Word.
   • “The Spirit’s role is to point us to Jesus; our role is to follow Him in trust and obedience.”

Closing Challenge:

• Be prayerful and intentional this week about inviting others to experience the gospel.
• Remember: The Spirit convicts, teaches, and leads – trust His guidance fully.