Kaleo San Diego Church

Systematic Theology-Putting verses together to come up with a summary of a teaching of a particular topic or issue.

 

Biblical Theology-Where you look at Biblical authors and we view how they looked at and dealt with a particular theological or doctrinal issue.  This is what we are going to do tonight.

 

We need to understand that this issue of God the Holy Spirit is one that fits into a greater Doctrine or Teaching, which is the Trinity, meaning that the Bible clearly teaches that there is one God in three distinctive roles.

 

It has been well said by some that if you try to explain the Trinity you will lose your sanity.  

 

And if you deny the Trinity you lose your salvation.

 

We know that the Bible teaches that there is but one God who is a compound of three distinctive roles, not three different Gods as the Mormons and the rest of the heretical cults teach.  But one God in three.  He is, as we would say Triune.  Let’s quickly look at Romans 1:20.

 

If there God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all different facets of God they should be:

           

Eternal

            Omniscient- All knowing

            Omnipotent- All powerful

            Omnipresent- All places at all times

            Holy

            Ability to Create

            Sovereign

            Ability to Save

 

We see all three of these attributes in God the Father, God the Son, and as we will study tonight, God the Holy Spirit.

 

The word Trinity is not in the Bible.  Neither is the word Bible.

Today we will look specifically at God the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Gospel of John.

 

Why should we look at the Gospel of John and not the others? 

 

Simple, we know that what was taught in Matthew was for the Jews and its main purpose was to emphasize the words of Jesus.  What did he say?

 

We know what was written by Mark was for the Romans and its emphasis was the works of Jesus.  What did he do?

 

We know that Luke was written to the Greeks and its emphasis was the followers of Jesus.  Why did they follow Him?

 

But John was written to Christians to answer the question “Who was Jesus?”  And so it emphasized His deity and I think this Gospel does a great job in giving us a theological summary of how John explained who God the Holy Spirit is in 9 clear instances.

 

We are going to look at the 9 occurrences throughout this Gospel.  And with those 9 occurrence I will ask of you 9 questions as it relates to the Holy Spirit in your life. 

 

It must first be noted that the Holy Spirit being God is clearly stated in Scripture (Acts 5:3-4, 1 Cor. 3:16,) and shown by His attributes that include being all-powerful (Micah 3:8; see also Acts 1:8, Rom. 15:13,19), all-knowing (Isaiah 40:13-14; see also 1 Cor. 2:1), and all-present (Psalm 139:7). It must also be noted that the Holy Spirit has been given to every single Christian (Rom.8:9-16, Gal. 4:6, I Jn 3:24, I Jn 4:13) as an outpouring of His love for them. 

 

God The Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John 

The Spirit Reveals Jesus is God

1.  John 1:32-34  32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

The first mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by John the Baptizer when explaining that He was convinced Jesus was the Son of God because the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus when John Baptized Him ( Matt. 3).

Therefore, the Holy Spirit was present with Jesus through His life and it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal to all of God’s children that Jesus is the Son of God who has come to take away the sins of the world just as He did with John. 

So the first thing the Holy Spirit does in this Gospel is to reveal that Jesus is God!  Why is that important? 

Though we may live in a pluralistic society, where all claims to exclusivity and truth are looked at as intolerant or bigoted, Jesus thought being correct about His identity was so important that in John 8:24 He says “"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

This is obviously pretty important for Jesus to say such a thing.

The Spirit Gives Us Life 

2.  John 3:1-8 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly (I tell you the truth), I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly (I tell you the truth), I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

The second mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus when explaining to the great Jewish teacher Nicodemus that simply because a man is born and lives a good religious life is no assurance that he can inherit eternal life unless he has the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, no one can have their sins forgiven and be reconciled to God and made spiritually alive unless they have the Holy Spirit residing in them. Nicodemus wrongly assumed that the way to a relationship with God is by works from the flesh.  The Holy Spirit shows clearly here that salvation is not dependent upon the will of man, but the prompting of the Spirit of God, thus giving us salvation.

Q-Why is it so important that we acknowledge that it is not by our works we are saved?

The Spirit Speaks Through God’s Servants

3.  John 3:34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.

The third mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by the author the Apostle John when explaining the ministry of the prophet John the Baptizer.

This teaches us that his preaching ministry was the speaking of the very words of God because the Holy Spirit spoke through him.  Therefore, it is only possible for a man to accurately speak on God’s behalf if the Spirit of God is in him and speaks through Him with the truth and power of God.   The speaking of God’s truth must be spoken of by the Spirit of truth through the one that speaks on God’s behalf. 

Q-How then should we treat the reading of the Word of God in Church?

We are to Worship in Spirit and Truth

4.  John 4:23-24 23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

The fourth mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus when speaking with a sinful woman from the region of Samaria about how and where God is to be worshipped.

Jesus taught her that the Spirit is God and that without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to worship God. Therefore, worship of God is a spiritual activity that is possible only for those who have the Holy Spirit.  

If we are to worship Him, we need the Holy Spirit to lead us.  It’s not a church activity on Sunday, it’s how we as believers live.  In constant, continual worship of our Holy almighty God in Spirit. 

In the Old Testament God built an Ark where the Spirit would dwell, we also know that God

Q-Are you coming into this sanctuary to worship God in Spirit and truth?

The Spirit is Given to Everyone Who Believes

5.  John 7:37-39a 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The fifth mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus who promises that all who believe in Him would receive the Spirit.  John further explains the timing of the giving of the Spirit, saying it would only be possible following the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Therefore, Christians are in a particularly kind relationship with the Holy Spirit following the resurrection of Jesus and can only receive the Spirit because of His work on their behalf to obtain their salvation. 

Let’s read Eph. chapter 1:1-13.  We today stand in a privileged relationship with God.  You and I, as believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of almighty God.  Once Jesus died, rose again and ascended back to the father and was glorified, each believer is given the Spirit of God upon belief in Jesus Christ.  Let’s turn to John 17:12-13

Q-Why is this seal such a comfort to us in this life?

The Spirit Will Bring Instruction, Comfort, and Truth

6. John 14:15-16 and 25,26 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— and verses 25-26 25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present 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 things that I said to you.

The sixth mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus who promises that He and the Father will give the Spirit to those who love Him for unending instruction, comfort, and leading into truth.  But, Jesus also says that non-Christians will not understand the Spirit because His work is unseen as He lives with and in God’s children only John 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Therefore, every Christian has been given the Holy Spirit who lives in them forever as God’s presence with them for their life and ministry.

The same Spirit that dwells in us is the same Spirit that led the prophets and apostles as the Scriptures were penned.

Q-Why is it so important that God is the one that leads us into all truth?

The Spirit Will Lead Us Into Testifying For Jesus

7.  John 15:26-27 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 "And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

The seventh mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus who promised to send the Holy Spirit from God the Father to empower His people to boldly testify and witness about His life and ministry. Therefore, the Holy Spirit brings to memory the life and ministry of Jesus so that Christians can boldly tell others about Jesus.

Q-Has God, by His Spirit prompted you to speak on His behalf?

The Spirit Glorifies Jesus and Convicts of Sin

8.  John 16:5-16 5 "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' 6 "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 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 depart, I will send Him to you. 8 "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. 16 "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

The eighth mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus who explains the work of the Holy Spirit as beginning after His death, resurrection, and ascension and including comforting, leading, teaching the truth, and revealing Jesus. 

Jesus is clear that the primary ministry of the Spirit for Christians is to glorify Jesus and therefore any teaching or ministry that emphasizes the person and work of the Spirit over the person and work of Jesus is failing to teach about the Spirit as Jesus instructed.

Jesus is also clear that the primary ministry of the Spirit for non-Christians is to convict them of their sin so that they experience convicting guilt and be aware of the righteousness of God and unrighteousness of themselves and Satan who has already been condemned and whom they will join unless they too repent and believe in Jesus (John 16:8-11).

Therefore, a Christian knows the Holy Spirit is working in their life if they are continually more in love with Jesus as He is continually revealed to them in greater measure.

Likewise, a non-Christian knows the Holy Spirit is working in their life if they are convicted of their sin and recognize that they stand condemned as enemies of God without repentance of sin and belief in Jesus.

This point is important for Christians to remember because conviction of sin is the work of the Spirit which should cause us to speak truthfully to people and then pray for God’s work in changing their heart rather than thinking we can replace the Spirit and reshape the human heart.  

There is no neutrality with Jesus.  Let’s read Matthew 12:30.  You are either for Him or against Him, you either gather with Him or you scatter.  There is no neutrality with God.  There may be with you that hear this message.  However, we only see two kinds of people in the Bible.  For Him or against Him.

Q-Which are you?

Jesus Gives the Spirit to Send Us

9. John 20:21-22   21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

The ninth and final mention of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is by Jesus following His resurrection when sending His disciples into the world on His behalf to continue the work He had begun. Breathing on them, Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit so that His ministry would continue by His work in and through them by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, every Christian needs Jesus to blow the Holy Spirit upon them as they sent into the world as missionaries to continue what He began until He comes again.  Where did the Holy Spirit come from?  From Jesus.  The Holy Spirit gives the Spirit to man.  A preacher can’t.  A teacher can’t.  Jesus can. 

Q-Have you come to Him in Godly repentance so that Jesus can breathe into you the Spirit of the Living God?

 

Let’s Pray

 

Communion and tithe. 

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