The Holy Spirit and Salvation

The Holy Spirit and Salvation

(The work of the Holy Spirit in bringing lost people to Jesus)

During a Billy Graham crusade in London, England, a Russian official came to one of the services. He spoke no English. When Billy Graham gave the invitation this Russian official came forward to receive Christ as his savior. The trained Russian speaking counselor for Billy Graham asked him how, knowing no English, he had understood enough of the message to respond. The Russian said, "When I entered this place, I was overwhelmed with a longing for God. Tell me, how can I find Him?"

That is nothing less than the work of the Holy Spirit bringing lost men and women to Jesus Christ. Many think that the Holy Spirit does nothing in our lives until after we're saved. Yet, if it were not for the holy spirit working in our lives before we accepted Christ, we would have never accepted Christ.

What then is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of an unbeliever?

I.        HE BRINGS CONVICTION

Let me break this into 2 simple parts so that we all can understand it

          1.       He tells us of our sin

John 16:8-11… “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

The word "conviction" or "reprove" in KJV means to reveal, to bring to light, to expose.

2 Corinthians 4:4 says that the devil has blinded the spiritual eyes of an unbeliever. One of the primary things the devil does is to blind us about our sin. It's the Holy Spirit that opens our spiritual eyes, he brings to light our sin.

Notice vs8..."in regard to sin." Do you see that the word "sin" singular, one? What one sin does the Holy Spirit expose in our life as he leads us to salvation?  Is it your worst sin? Is it adultery, drunkenness, which one? The one sin is the sin of unbelief. (vs10) The Holy Spirit exposes our sin, the sin of unbelief.

But that’s not all the Holy Spirit does in the life of a lost person

          2.       He tells us what we need to do

See when the Holy Spirit brings conviction, he brings to light our sin of unbelief and summons us to repentance. He reveals to us our sin and then points us towards Jesus, towards repentance and faith.

What I mean by all that is this. That desire in your heart to be saved was put there by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a giant magnet that draws you to Christ. The desire in that Russian's heart to know God was put there by the Holy Spirit.

Let me illustrate that by my own salvation. I was going to church as a teenager where most of the youth group was lost or those that were saved didn't act like it. At that time in my life I knew I needed to get saved, I was under conviction. The Holy Spirit had exposed my sin of unbelief. One Sunday night, I went to my uncle's church where he was serving as youth minister. There I saw a group of young people that were alive in Christ, excited about Jesus. I wanted what they had, which was Jesus. Before that night I knew I needed to get saved, but now I wanted to get saved. That's how the Holy Spirit brings conviction. He exposes our sin and then points us towards the Savior.

I must warn you that you can resist the Holy Spirit. That desire in your heart will not always be there. The more you say no the more your heart hardens. Your heart can become so hard and calloused that it no longer desires to be saved. That is why the Bible says that "today is the day of salvation."

But not only does the Holy Spirit bring conviction but also,

II.      HE REGENERATES OUR SPIRIT

Consider several passages:

          1.       Our Problem

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins

We all, before meeting Jesus were dead in our sins. Spiritually dead, possessing no spiritual life, no connection with God.

          2.       Our Need

That’s why Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3 that he “must be born again.” We're spiritually dead and we need to be "born again"

          3.       Our Solution

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 word "renewing" means regeneration and it is actually a compound word that literally means "birth again" or as Jesus would say, "born again"

It is the Holy Spirit that cleanses and causes the new birth. It is the Holy Spirit that renews, regenerates that which is spiritually dead. A spiritually dead person does not need to walk an isle and rededicate their life nor do they need to reform and turn over a new leaf. A spiritually dead person needs to repent and allow the spirit of the living God to give them new birth! It is through the power of the Holy Spirit and only through the power of the Holy Spirit that makes the spiritually dead come alive.

What does the Holy Spirit do in bringing unbelievers to Christ? First, he convicts, then he regenerates, and next,

III.     HE SEALS OUR SALVATION

Ephesians 1:13 … “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

This one verse gives the entire process of salvation.  You heard the gospel, believed the gospel, and then were sealed by the Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit?  Think of how a seal was used in the bible.  In Jeremiah 32, we find Jeremiah buying a piece of property.  The deed was signed and then sealed, making Jeremiah the new owner of that property.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, his body was placed in a tomb and the opening covered with a rock.  A seal was placed over the rock.  The only way to get into the tomb was to break the seal.  Under Roman law, if you broke that seal it would cost you your life.

A seal was used in Bible times as proof of ownership and to provide security.  The Holy Spirit operates in the same fashion.  The Holy Spirit living in your life is proof that you belong to God.  With the blood of Christ he has bought you.  He now owns you.  The Holy Spirit living in your life also provides protection and security.  It is impossible for you to ever lose your salvation because no one has the power to break God’s seal.

IV.     HE GUARANTEES OUR SALVATION

Ephesians 1:14… “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory”

The Holy Spirit in your life is God's down payment on your salvation.  The word guarantee or deposit is an interesting word.  In Paul’s day it meant engagement ring.  A fitting illustration, don't you think?  Christ is the Bridegroom and His church is the Bride.  We know he will come and claim His bride because he has given us his Spirit as the engagement ring.

It also means earnest, as in earnest money, like a down payment on a house. When you want to put an offer in on a house you are asked for some earnest money. It proves you are serious about your offer. What happens if you back out on your offer and no longer want to buy the house? You lose your down payment, your earnest money.

It’s the same way with salvation. If the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life is God’s earnest money, what would happen if God were to back out on your salvation? If you were to lose your salvation then God would lose His down payment, He would lose the Holy Spirit.

Wait a minute, the Holy Spirit is God, God can’t lose God. Exactly! The presence of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of salvation!

GETTING THE BIBLE INTO YOUR LIFE

GETTING THE BIBLE INTO YOUR LIFE

In a small Arkansas town, there was an elderly lady who lived near the school.  This lady had a beautiful assortment of flowers in her front yard.  There was a group of high school boys who drove around in an old Chevy pickup.  Occasionally, just for meanness' sake, they would back their truck up into this elderly widow's flowerbed and destroy many beautiful flowers with their mud and snow tires.  We called it "peeling out" in those days.  They were "peeling" flowers for fun.  Well, everyone in town knew that this widow had a semiautomatic pistol which her husband had left her.  She would always come out on her porch and wave the pistol at the old truck.  This was not a deterrent because everyone also knew that she did not know how to use the pistol.  Some of the officials from the sheriff's office took her one day to the city dump and taught her how to load and fire her pistol.  No one knew this but her and her helpers. She patiently waited for a few weeks.  Late one evening, here they came in the old black truck.  Just as they were driving across the sidewalk into the yard, she pumped three .45-caliber slugs into the tailgate of the truck.  Needless to say, she never had a problem with a truck in her flowerbed again.  She had the weapon all the time; but because she had not learned to use it, she was repeatedly plagued.  When the “enemies” learned that she knew how to use what she possessed, she was freed from the problem.

That sounds a lot like us today.  We have in our possession the powerful word of God, the Bible and yet we don't know how to use it.  With the powerful word of God, we have the weapon needed to defeat Satan and be spiritually victorious, yet we don't know how to use it.

The Bible is an amazing book.  That book you hold in your hand this evening is indeed an amazing book.  It has one author and yet it has 40 people from every walk of life who were involved in the writing of the Bible.  Shepherds, kings, fishermen, and farmers.  It has 66 books in it and yet it is one book.  It was written by these 40 authors over a period of 1600 years on 2 continents in 3 different languages.  Yet, it is still just one Book.  It is a book which has one main teaching and it is a book which has one central personality, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We need to learn how to use our Bible the way Jesus used the Bible. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus whipped the devil by using just the book of Deuteronomy!

In Psalm 119:17-20, you find what we should all do with God’s Word.

VS 17 – Live your Bible

VS 18 – Learn your Bible

VS 20 – Love your Bible

You do those things and your life will be revolutionized! You’ll become more and more like Jesus!

But how do we, as God’s children “get” the Bible into our lives? How can we properly apply it to our daily life?

Here are six things to do with your Bible that will help get the Bible into your life.

1.       HEAR IT

Hear the word as much as possible. Here it on Sunday’s, on the radio or the internet. Expose yourself to the teaching of God’s word.

2.       READ IT

Just read it. Read the Bible more than your read magazines, newspapers and your email.

3.       STUDY IT

What’s the difference between reading it and studying it? When you read it, you just hold the Bible in your hand, but when you are studying it, you usually have a pen, a highlighter and a separate sheet of paper where you write down insights and locate verses that connect other verses together—you go a little bit deeper when you study God’s word.

4.       MEDITATE ON IT

That means think about it. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the way of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

 Let the word of God saturate your mind and your heart.

5.       MEMORIZE IT

Why should you memorize the Bible? So you can brag about how many scriptures you can quote? No. The Bible says in Psalms 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The more of the word you hide in your heart, the less likely you are going to be to sin, because the Word will be there ready and prepared.

6.       QUOTE IT

Of course you can’t quote it if you haven’t memorized it; you can’t memorize it unless you meditate on it; you can’t meditate on it unless you study it; you can’t study it unless you read it.

If you want to become skillful in God’s Word and have the Word of God change your life, try doing those six things.

Prayer for Revival

PRAYING FOR REVIVAL

“REVIVE US AGAIN”

PSALM 85:1-7

Psalm 85 is a prayer for revival.  The writer of this Psalm looked back and he knew what God had done in the past.  He began to look to the future and the possibility of God sending revival.  Revival, a real revival, a God sent revival!

I don't know of a greater need before us today.  As a country, as a community, as a church, our greatest need is revival. 

As I look at our nation I see only three possibilities.

·       Number one, the judgment of God. 

Twenty years ago, people were saying that our nation today is ripe for judgment. Today, I believe we are experiencing that judgment. A verse that you need to remember says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God."  Our nation is forgetting God.

·       A second possibility is that Jesus may return. 

There are the return of our Lord may be very near and our prayer ought to be the same as John in Revelation 22:20  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." 

·       Still a third possibility is for America to experience a great revival. 

We need a sweeping, cleansing, purifying revival to move across our land.  Our cry should be the same of the Psalmist, "Will you not revive us again?"

I don't know whether or not revival will come to our nation.  But I do know if churches today want to experience revival then they can. 

What is revival?  I asked the church staff for their answers and here is what they said,

Wes – revival occurs when we collide with God’s glory. We die to sin and self and begin living passionately for the Lord.

Elisha - revival is the reigniting of your passion to live every moment for the cause of Christ.

Jonathan – revival is a period of time in which Christians have a renewed conviction of sin, a renewed awe of the holiness of God, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience.

Angela – an awakening of our souls, a time of repentance of sin and the renewing of our faith.

Mine - it's you getting right with God.  As a Christian, it's returning God in repentance and commitment.   

Charles Finney, said one time, “Revival is a new beginning of obedience to God.”

I believe that from time to time God's people need a new experience with Him -- a new experience of His glory. Keep in mind that revival is something that can only happen to God's people. Revival is not something that can take place with lost people for revival is living again. It is a rekindling of fires that have burned low. It is something that can only happen among God's people. So revival is a new experience of the presence of God among His people.

A biblical definition of revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I. Source of Revival

The writer recognized that the true source of revival was God.  In these six verses we find him saying, "You showed favor; you forgave and covered their sins; you set aside your wrath, O God restore us again,"  and then the question is asked, "Will you revive us again?" 

The prophet Habakkuk prayed, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years."  Listen to the breaking heart of Isaiah, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence."

See revival is something God does; you can't work up a revival.  We can do the physical preparation for revival but we can't bring revival.  We plan a series of meetings, invite a preacher and song leader but that's not revival.  We can organize and publicize but we cannot bring revival.  If real revival comes, it is something God does.

As you and I consider the seriousness of our day, our prayer ought to be "Will You send revival, Oh Lord?"  

Our country is in serious trouble. Do you know where our hope is? It’s not in the government.  It’s not in the military.  It’s not with the economy.  Where is our hope?  Our hope is not with the politicians.  We don’t need to give our hopes to either one.  Our only hope is in God!  

Where is the problem in America?  It may not be where you think it is. It is right here in this room.  “Wilt thou not revive us again.” God’s people. Revival must come from God for only He can solve the serious trouble we are in today.

II. Opportunity of Revival

"Will you not revive us again?"  The emphasis is upon the word "us."  Though it is God and God alone who sends revival, there is some personal responsibility.  God wants to work in your life.  God wants to speak to your heart. 

That's the neat thing about God.  If you are the only one in the church who needs revival, you can get revived.  Likewise, if you are the only one in the church who desires revival, you can get revived.  And don't think that every person has to get right with God before God send revival.  But if just a few people will get right with God, then God will move in.  If you today will say "O let the revival start in my life today," then revival will come.

But it's not automatic; to have revival God's people have to meet the conditions of revival.  There are certain steps laid out in the Bible and they are best put together in 2 Chronicles 7:14

1.  Humble Yourself

This first condition is certainly not an easy one to meet.  It's not easy to admit to ourselves and to God that we are not where we ought to be with Him.  Was there ever a time when you were more committed than you are not?  Was there ever a time when you loved Christ more than you do now?  If so, you need a revival.  So humble yourself, come before God and admit you are not where you ought to be.

         

2. Pray

Revival never comes without prayer.  The reason churches are not revived and people are not revived is the lack of prayer. Now you can see why all the emphases I am putting on prayer.

3.  Seek God's face

That is, you need to become interested in God again.  That takes laying aside your desires, your plans, and your entertainment so that you can seek God.

4. Repent

Revival is turning away from things that displease God.  Repentance is usually a result of praying.  As you pray, God brings to your mind things in your life that ought not to be there. Things like …  bitterness, resentment, habits, anger, secret sins, public sins.  As God brings these to your attention, you confess and repent of these sins. But keep in mind,  you must be willing for God to work you over if revival is to ever come to your life.

Everyone says they want revival.  We want to feel the presence of God; we want to see our building full and people getting saved.  But there will never be revival, a mighty movement of God until you meet these four conditions. 

But if you are willing to meet God's conditions for revival, then pay particular attention to the result.  "That your people may rejoice in you."  When revival comes to a church, then that church becomes a happy church full of love and joy. 

The fellowship so sweet, the singing is from the heart and there is hunger for the Word of God. When revival comes .. the work of God that once trickled will become like an overflowing river.

Your assignment, create your own definition of revival, find scripture to match it and then begin praying for it.

Will your prayer today be, "Oh Lord, will you revive us again and let it begin with me!"

Praying for your church staff

Praying for your staff

Exodus 17:8-13

 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”  So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

The future promises great things for our church and if we begin to consistently and specifically pray for the church staff, our church would take off and never look back. Here’s the one thing I want you to learn, I want you to learn to pray for your staff.  The greatest thing you can do for your pastor, ministerial staff and your church as a whole is to learn how to pray for your staff. 

I absolutely cannot emphasize enough the importance of praying for the church staff. Please understand the attack Satan puts on ministers.

A great illustration of someone praying for their leader is found in Exodus 17:8-13.   Aaron and Hur serve as an example of supporting their spiritual leader.  As Moses needed their physical support, ministers need your prayer support.

Looking at this passage we see that there are several reasons to pray for you pastor/church leader. Aaron and Hur serve as our example.

1.       Godly leaders come under attack (vs 8)

The story opens with Moses and the children of Israel under attack by Amalek and the Amalekites. I’ve learned this in the ministry … that Godly leaders, Godly movements and churches doing the will of God come under attack.

Satan watches for just the "right time" to attack Christian leaders. Usually he attacks after victory or when the leader is tired.

In this story both had happened.

               1.     After a victory

In vs 1 we see the need for water and then in vs 6 we find God working a miracle by providing water from a rock. So after the miracle, the victory, in vs 8 we see that Israel was attacked. What happens many times after great spiritual victories? The enemy attacks.

              2.      When the leader is tired

Think about the things that would make a pastor tired? Look at what Moses as a leader had to put up with? Back in vs 1 we find that the people had been complaining for the lack of water. Then in vs 2-3 people began to complain and grumble, in fact in vs 4 Moses thought they were going to kill him. I am sure Moses was tired … physically, emotionally and perhaps even spiritually. Then the attack came. When did Amalek attack, when did the enemy attack? It was after a tough time.

Many times the attack comes after a great victory. Godly leaders come under attack.

2.       Godly men cannot win the battle alone (vs 9)

Pastors cannot do what needs to be done by themselves. It's a team effort. I need you and you need me. The church is described as a body.

We also need God's help. What kind of church would we be if we didn't have God's help? I heard a long time ago someone saying, "You don't need God's help to grow a church." The more I pastor the more I realize that's true. But we do need God's help to become the church that glorifies God!

Moses had Joshua, Aaron and Hur. He needed their help and would not have succeeded without their help. Your staff needs an Aaron, a Joshua, in our lives, because leaders often come under attack and we can’t win the battle all by ourselves.

3.       Godly men are able to inspire people (vs 9-10)

Pastors and ministers are high visible people. When the pastor is successful then everyone is inspired to be successful. Opposite is true. When the leader fails, everyone fails. Moses climbed to the top of the hill in order that ... for two reasons

1.    He could see the people: insight (Overview of the battle)

One of the major tasks of a Pastor is to be able to see the big picture, that’s insight.

2.    The people could see him: inspiration 

The people saw Moses, he was with them, he was part of them, and he inspired them. Moses could have done his job in the tent, but he couldn’t see the big picture and he couldn’t inspire the people

The number 1 motivation principle: People do what people see!

As you pray for your staff, pray that we can see the big picture so that we can give insight and inspire others.

4.       Godly leaders influence the lives of their people (vs 11)

Leadership is really influence. A leader is responsible for three things ...

                     1.     Pray for his people

I do many things as a pastor.  Sometimes I am a counselor, a teacher, a preacher, an administrator and so on. But I realize I can only do 2 things that can influence everyone in the church. (1) Preach and (2) Pray. Pray for my prayer life and pray for the prayer life of your staff. If prayer is one of the greatest things you can do for your staff, then prayer is one of the greatest things your staff can do for you.

            2.     Model Commitment

This is what Arron and Her are doing. They are showing the Israelites the importance of calling on God.

     3.        Lead them to victory

When you pray you know where the victory comes from. That’s why I want prayer to be at the very center of everything we do here at FBC Howe. As our church grows, we ought to grow on our knees.

5.       Godly leaders are human (vs 12a)

Moses was very human, his hands got heavy. Moses wanted to keep his arms stretched toward heaven, but he couldn't. Preachers and ministers are very human.  Sometimes people tend to think that the pastor cannot sin or does not sin. So remember, your staff is human, pray for us.

6.       Godly leaders plus prayer equals victory ( vs 12-13)

This is the only way the pastor/leader will have victory and the only way the church will have victory. If you do not pray for your staff there will be no victory… in your life or in the church.

Notice, nowhere in these verses do we see Moses asking for help. They just did it. Don't wait to be asked to do something and don't wait to start praying for your staff.

As the saying goes, the future is as bright as the promises of God. Our future is bright and God promises to answer prayer. All I need now is your help. Can I count on you?  

Counting FT and PT staff, we have five on our staff. I’ve asked each for five requests. I’m asking you to pray for these five things every week. You can pray one for each of us each day, or one staff member a day. Just pray.

Pray for these

ROGER

1.    True humility

The opposite of humility is pride and the Bible says that pride goes before a fall. To me true humility is a total dependence upon God.

2. Divine guidance

I don’t want any agenda bur God’s agenda, no plans but God’s plans.

3.    Strength

I’m easily fatigued and worn out, both physically, mentally and spiritually.

4.    A burning desire for God and His word

5.    The be a Godly husband/father

WES

1.    That I would relentlessly pursue holiness.

2.       That I would lead a ministry that truly exists to make disciples.

3.       That I would seek God's wisdom in leading a ministry that challenges and empowers others to share the Gospel without fear.

4.       That I would love Elisha and my kids the way that Jesus loves the church.

5.       That I would be obsessed with the glory of the Lord and unhindered by the opinions of man

JONATHAN

1.      Pray to guard my family from the enemy and that I will lead my family in a lifestyle of obedience to God. 

2.      Pray that I would be obedient to God's leadership of His church.

3.      Pray that I would not fall into the temptation to please man versus pleasing God.

4.      Pray for our forthcoming baby, that he would continue to be healthy, for a smooth pregnancy, and a smooth delivery.

5.      Pray that I would not worry about tomorrow, but that I would continually trust in Matthew 6:26.

 

ANGELA

1.       That God will give me the ability to equip children to be passionate followers of Christ as they come to know Him as their personal savior, making their faith their own.

2.       Wisdom and Discernment: on how to move the children's ministry forward and to learn from past mistakes

3.       Endurance and Patience:  to wait on The Lord when I have to go through various trials

4.       My family: Protection of our minds, bodies, and emotions from any kind of evil or harm.

5.       Continuous growing of our faith:  From God's Word being planted in my family's hearts so that our faith will grow daily and direct our lives.

ELISHA

1.       Continued passion/excitement 

2.       Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and courage to follow through with action

3.       Tendency towards discouragement

4.       Protection against enemy attack

5.       A humble spirit