The radical transformation that we

I. Two problems

• A. We undervalue the role Holy Spirit; therefore, we try and change ourselves and others in our own strength and power
• B. We overexpand the role of the Holy Spirit when we try to seek experiences or attention over following Jesus
  

II. Three truths

• A. He empowers the Church to accomplish our mission – Acts 1:4,8; 2:4

  4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; … 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:4,8
  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. —Acts 2:4

  1. The principle of wait
  2. The example of ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Father’s power

• B. He empowers us to be transformed personally and corporately – Ephesians 3:16-19; 5:15-21; Galatians 5:16-25

  1. The Spirit allows Christ to be at home in your hearts - Ephesians 3:17

     16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:16-19

  2. The Spirit allows us to be filled with the fullness of God - Ephesians 3:19

  3. The Spirit enables us to live victoriously over our flesh - Galatians 5:16-25

     16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. —Galatians 5:16-25

  4. The Spirit enables rich spiritual body life - Ephesians 5:15-21

     15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. —Ephesians 5:15-21

The Holy Spirit transforms us

• C. He empowers us to know His truth and guard it – John 14:16-17, 25-26; 16:7, 13-15; I John 2:18-27

  1. The Spirit indwells us permanently - John 14:16-17

     16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. —John 14:16-17

  2. The Spirit teaches and guides us in God’s truth - John 14:25-26; 16:7, 13-15

     25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 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 14:25-26
     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. … 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. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. —John 16:7, 13-15

  3. The Spirit equips us to contend for the Faith - I John 2:20-21

     20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. —I John 2:20-21

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Have you experienced either of the two problems identified concerning the role of the Holy Spirit? What was the impact?

4. Which of the three truths identified do you feel are most lacking in the church today? How can we address it?