Most evangelicals have an uneasy relationship with the Holy Spirit. They know, of course, that he is part of the Trinity, and that he is somehow essential in the sanctification process. Yet many relate to him in the same way they relate to their gall bladder: while glad he’s in there, they are not quite sure how to engage with him.' 1
That quote got me thinking—what is our relationship with the Holy Spirit like? What should it be like? And how might knowing more about him from the Bible transform our understanding, our experience, and our expectations of God’s Holy Spirit?
With that in mind, we’re about to begin a 10-week sermon series on the Holy Spirit. Yes, 10 weeks! God’s word will be our guide, but we won’t be working through a single book of the Bible verse by verse as we often do. Instead, we’ll explore what the whole Bible has to show us about the Holy Spirit—who he is, what he is like, what he does, and what it means for him to dwell in us, both individually and as a church.
Why this series? Because the Holy Spirit is a glorious topic to study—yet he is not a topic at all, but a person. To think about, read about, and come to know the Holy Spirit is not simply to examine a concept or dissect a doctrine, but to encounter God himself. And there is no more important or wonderful subject to immerse ourselves in than God.
There are other reasons this series matters:
We live in a world hungry for spirituality. As followers of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are spiritual people. We have answers to the questions people are asking. We can introduce them to the Spirit of truth, who leads people from confusion to clarity in Christ.
There is confusion within the church. Many churches and denominations have been defined—sometimes divided—by their understanding of the Holy Spirit. This has often led to hurt, suspicion, or mistrust. It's important that we think clearly and biblically.
The Spirit can feel obscure. While he is not obscure in reality, he can seem distant or hard to grasp. We know how to relate to a Father or a Son—but a Spirit? What even is a spirit? It’s less tangible, which is why it’s worth taking the time to think carefully about him.
The Spirit is vital to life in Christ. Our adoption as God’s children, our faith, our growth, our obedience, our service, our witness, our perseverance—every part of our life in Christ depends on the work of the Holy Spirit. A wholehearted life of following Jesus is lived from beginning to end by the power of the Spirit.
My prayer is that this series will not just inform our minds but shape our hearts. As we open God's Word, may the Spirit work in us and through us for God’s glory and the growth of his Kingdom here in our city.
Grace & peace,
Andrew
1 J. D. Greer - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference_media/time-another-conversation-holy-spirit/?queryID=e34afcfedf08e5444084be8028fadd67