As we continue our series “Taste & See” (Our exploration of the person, purpose, and presence of the Holy Spirit), we will examine our need to rely upon and be taught by The Spirit. Too often we neglect to see & savor the word and work of God the Spirit. As we launch out of Psalm 34 this morning, I believe it provides a beautiful picture of the Goodness of God’s presence in David’s life. We, too, can Taste & See the goodness of the active presence of the Spirit in our lives as we move to have what I call a teachable reliance on the Spirit.
1 Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. —Psalm 34
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. —John 14:26
The believer’s call to rely on the Holy Spirit
1. Our need to rely on the Word of the Spirit
a. Revealing Spiritual Truth
i. 2 Timothy 3:1616 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, —2 Timothy 3:16
ii. 2 Peter 1:20-21
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. —2 Peter 1:20-21
b. Remembering Spiritual Truth (John 14:26)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. —John 14:26
The believer can know how to
c. Comforting, correcting, and convicting
i. John 14:1616 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, —John 14:16
ii. John 16:13
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. —John 16:13
iii. John 16:8
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: —John 16:8
As the Spirit teaches, He
2. Our need to rely on the Work of the Spirit
a. His Permanent help
i. To fight off sin (Romans 8:11-14)11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. —Romans 8:11-14
ii. In our weakness and prayers (Romans 8:26-27)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. —Romans 8:26-27
Sometimes, the sin we take on becomes such a part of us that it requires this same kind of
to free us. The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us , and this can be . —Francis Chan
- b. His Person & Deity
i. Parakletos: “One called alongside to help” comforter, helper, counselor, exhorter, intercessor, encourager, and advocate
ii. Relationship with an almighty God (John 16:7)
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. —John 16:7
The
3. Obstacles to relying upon & being taught by the Spirit
a. Pride
i. John 16:13-1413 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. —John 16:13-14
ii. James 4:6
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —James 4:6
Why would we need to experience the Comforter if our lives are
? —Francis Chan
- b. Pace (Psalm 46:10)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” —Psalm 46:10
Don’t mistake
In the craziness of our world, it takes tremendous effort to find a quiet place. It takes
c. Passion
i. Romans 1:22, 26, 2822 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, … 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; … 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. —Romans 1:22, 26, 28
ii. Galatians 5:17
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. —Galations 5:17
I also believe that the Spirit is more obviously active in places where people are
for Him, before Him, and by their pursuit of (like we are). —Francis Chan
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.
How is the Holy Spirit being in us better than having Jesus on earth with us?
In what way has the Holy Spirit helped you in your Christian life? Did he comfort, counsel, or convict you?
What are some areas of your life that you are relying more on your strength rather than the power of the Holy Spirit? What changes do you need to make?