January 13, 2008

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

What do you think of when you think of the Holy Spirit? Friend? Guide? Energy Source? The role of the Holy Spirit is to guide, lead, and empower you to live the Christian life. He prompts you and influences you to do things I would never think to do on your own. Your role is to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.

Has there ever been a time when you've been aware of the Holy Spirit's presence? If so, describe your experience. Share what you know about the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers.
Here are some word pictures of the Holy Spirit:
Like a wind blowing among us (John 3:8)
Like fire...(Acts 2:1-4
He gushes up from within a believer like a spring of water (John 7:37-39)
He is pure and sacred (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Wind, water, fire- all images of something powerful, uncontrollable, and beautiful. When we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. He promises to change our character, produce fruit in our life, and give us new strength when we rely on him.

Scripture Galatians 5:16-25 (please look it up and read)

How is a list of do's and don'ts helpful for living by the Spirit?

When you consider your life, do you face the kind of conflict described in this passage? If so, what is your conflict like? If not, why do you think you're not experiencing the tension between the two forces?

What do you think the last sentence is verse 21 means? Look closely at the text. What's the difference between sometimes doing these things and habitually doing these things?

What are one or two fruit's of the Spirit with which you best identify?

How can you live by the Holy Spirit as the last verse urges us to do? How would you follow the Holy Spirit's leading?

God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), so when we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, eventually he'll give us opportunities to share our faith with others. Describe the last time you felt the Holy Spirit leading you (prompting) to have a spiritual conversation with an unbeliever. What happened? Did you take the opportunity or pass it up?

Our lives are a continual struggle between living by the Spirit and living according to our old nature. "Your choices are never free from this conflict." Galatians 5:17 As long as we have the desire to live God's way while we're in this imperfect world, we're going to face difficult battles. Living according to the Holy Spirit isn't simply a matter of the will, of strengthening our resolve. We can't just choose to live a perfect life on our own. A spiritual force is at work in us- our old nature. But we can defeat it along with its unhealthy passions and desires. We have the hope of salvation and the help of the Holy Spirit!