Text: Romans 8:14.
Delivered on: August 3, 2008. Streetsboro.
Introduction.
Romans 8:14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
This morning I want us to take some time to consider what it means to be led by the Spirit.
In the religious world today, the topic of the Holy Spirit is one of the most controversial.
There is some agreement.
No one would deny that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian.
No one would deny that the Holy Spirit leads the Christian today.
The controversy comes in with this:
How does the Holy Spirit lead the Christian today?
How does the Holy Spirit dwell in the Christian? (What is the gift of the Holy Spirit?)
Body.
HOW DOES THE SPIRIT LEAD THE CHRISTIAN TODAY?
There have only ever been three ways in which the Holy Spirit has led man.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:1-8. The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Acts 8:17-19. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Through the Word which the Spirit gave.
John 14:26. 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.
John 15:26. “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.
John 16:13-14. 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.
Acts 2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1 Corinthians 2:11-13. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Today, He does not lead through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
That was promised only to the disciples.
Look at the pronouns in Acts 1:1-9.
Today, He does not lead us by the laying on of the apostles’ hands. We have no apostles today.
Therefore, today, He leads us, directs us, influences us by means of the WORD.
This does not mean that God is not active in the world today!
We believe in the providence of God. He is active.
He answers prayer.
Perhaps the Spirit is involved in these things. Perhaps not. We don’t know how these things work.
But without a doubt, in the conviction and conversion of a sinner, the Holy Spirit only works through the word.
The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Illustration.
A man uses an axe to chop wood.
The energy is inherent in the man, but that energy is transmitted through the axe to the wood.
The axe is the means by which the energy from the man is transmitted and applied to the wood.
Similarly, the Holy Spirit operates on human hearts through the means of His sword, the word of God.
There is no direct impact between the man and the wood. There is no direct impact between the Holy Spirit and the human heart.
The influence is by means of the Word.
What does the Holy Spirit do for us?
The Holy Spirit strengthens the Christian. Ephesians 3:16. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
The Holy Spirit sanctifies. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
The Holy Spirit saves. Titus 3:5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit justifies. 1 Timothy 3:16. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
The Holy Spirit witnesses to us. Hebrews 10:15. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us…
The Holy Spirit prompts us to love God. Romans 5:5. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The Holy Spirit leads us as God’s sons. Romans 8:14-16. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
How does the Holy Spirit do these things?
He strengthens us through the Word.
By providing the armor of God which includes the Sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:10-11. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Acts 20:32. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
He sanctifies us by the Truth. John 17:17. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
He saves with the implanted word. James 1:21. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
He justifies by faith which comes from hearing the word of God.
Romans 5:1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 10:17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
He witnesses to us through the Scriptures which testify of Christ. John 5:39. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
He causes us to love God by presenting God to us as a lovable being. John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
He leads us by providing a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Psalm 119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The question is not; “Does the Holy Spirit dwell in us?” but, “How does the Holy Spirit dwell in us?”
Let me say before I go on that I do not consider this to be a fellowship issue.
How the Spirit leads us is a fellowship issue. How the Spirit dwells in us is not.
Though, as with any Biblical topic, it is worthy of our thought and discussion if for no other reason than because so many false doctrines can spring from misunderstanding about the Holy Spirit.
I take the position that the Holy Spirit dwells in us only through the verbally inspired Word. Here is why.
The Godhead dwells in us and we dwell in the Godhead.
The Father dwells in us. 2 Corinthians 6:16. And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “ I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
We dwell in the Father. 1 John 4:15. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
The Son dwells in us. Colossians 1:27. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We dwell in the Son. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
The Spirit dwells in us. Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
We walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
If we take the passages that say the Spirit dwells in us to mean it is a literal, bodily indwelling then we logically have to believe that we literally, bodily indwell the Godhead.
Consider this:
Six times the Spirit is said to be in us.
Sixteen times Christ is said to be in us.
Eight times the Father is said to be in us.
Yet all the emphasis is placed on the Holy Spirit.
A Divine commentary.
Ephesians 5:18-19. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Fill” = to pervade with an influence, to influence fully, to possess fully.
This verb is in the present imperative. It means to keep on being filled.
It is not a one time experience after baptism.
How does this happen?
Look at the Divine commentary.
Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
This tells us how we are filled with the Spirit.
We are filled with the Spirit when we let the word of Christ dwell in us!
Notice then that the Word dwells in us too.
And we dwell in it. John 8:31. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
The Father and Son come into our hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17-19. that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
The Spirit comes into our heart by faith. Galatians 3:2. This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Faith comes by the word of God. Romans 10:17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
WHAT IS THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
There are three popular views as to what this gift is:
Choice # 1. That it is the gift of salvation given by the Spirit.
Choice # 2. That it is the Holy Spirit Himself.
Choice # 3. That it is those miraculous abilities which the Holy Spirit imparted.
Two passages in the New Testament identify what this gift is.
Acts 10:44-48. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
They received the gift of the Holy Spirit before they were saved (v.47).
Therefore, the gift of the Holy Spirit is not salvation.
Verse 46 points out that they knew they had received this gift because they had miraculous abilities. Notice the word “For.”
Some might insist that the miraculous gifts were just a result of the real gift which was the Holy Spirit Himself.
To answer that, let us notice the second passage.
Acts 8:12-17. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
These Samaritans were saved people. (v.12).
But these saved people had not yet received the Holy Spirit (v.16).
They received the Holy Spirit when the Apostles laid their hands on them (v.17).
The context shows us that their receiving the Holy Spirit was synonymous with them receiving miraculous abilities imparted by the Spirit.
Some might say that they had received a non-miraculous or ordinary measure of the Holy Spirit and then received the miraculous measure with the laying on of the apostles’ hands.
If they had received a ‘non-miraculous’ measure of the Spirit then they had received the Holy Spirit! Verse 16 says He had not fallen on them!
So, Acts 10 eliminates Choice # 1 and Acts 8 eliminates Choice # 2. Therefore, the gift of the Holy Spirit is the miraculous abilities imparted by the Holy Spirit.
Another important passage. Acts 19:1-6. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Paul’s question in verse 2 is basically, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you were saved.”
Paul was assuming that they were saved individuals. He finds out later that they are not.
If the Holy Spirit comes upon an individual as a result of baptism, why did Paul ask this question?
He could of just asked, “Are you saved?”
But the fact that they were saved (supposedly) did not indicate to Paul that they had the Holy Spirit.
Notice again that they received the Holy Spirit after Paul laid his hands on them, not when they were baptized. (v.6).
Conclusion.
The Spirit leads us today.
The Spirit communicates with us.
The Spirit dwells within us.
He does all of these things through the inspired Word.
Much of this material came from an outline created by Jim Farley.
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