BIG IDEA:
The Holy Spirit is the empowering presence in the life of the believer.The Apostles Creed concludes stating:I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen. This final part of the Apostles Creed draws together the empowering purpose of the Holy Spirit in the church along with the universal nature of our mission as Christians.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve the church through spiritual gifts:1.
The Holy Spirit is the source of gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
- We live in a hierarchy world where it is all about who is the best, who is at the top and who is the most talented. That dynamic does not exist in the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts not us.
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The Holy Spirit empowers us for service with these gifts. - Spiritual gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit to serve the Body of Christ effectively.
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The Holy Spirit unifies the church within diversity. Read Romans 12:4-8.
- While we all have different spiritual gifts, they compliment each other! The gifts differ creating diversity within the body of Christ, however because we need each other, the gifts result in unity. Diversity is important. We are not meant to look the same.
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The Holy Spirit builds and edifies: - Spiritual gifts are given to us to build up and edify the church. We are encouraged to use these gifts to strengthen one another, disciple new believers and promote unity within the Body of Christ.
5.
The Holy Spirit also gives us the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’. - In addition to spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit produces in the believer the “fruit of the Spirit”. Galatians 5:22-23 says 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit produces in us these qualities that enable us to serve one another.
Discussion questions:• What are your spiritual gifts and how did you come to discover them?
• Is there an area is church life where you are using your spiritual gifts?
The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve the world. Read Acts 1:8:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”This is an incredible statement that Jesus makes before his ascension into heaven. It highlights the scope and purpose of Christian service. When Jesus says this statement to His disciples, Jerusalem is the local community that they are in. and then Judea and Samaria is the wider region where they are and then He concludes saying “to the ends of the earth”. When the Holy Spirit comes upon the believer, there is no geographical limits to what can be achieved. We need this reminder as often we can put limits on God and the influence we can have in this world. However, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, there is no limitation.
Discussion questions:• When Jesus says “to the ends of the earth” in Acts 1:8. What does this mean to you?
• How has the Holy Spirit empowered you to serve others?
The Holy Spirit facilitates us to have a deeper relationship with God. Read John 16:5-8:
5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment”.The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and leads us to repentance. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ and also guides and gives direction.
Discussion questions:• How has the Holy Spirit played a role in deepening your relationship with God?
• What does it look like to be led by the Holy Spirit in our everyday?
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