WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.419 Good morning, everyone. If you've just joined us for the first time here at St. Paul's, 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:12.839 this is our third week into launching our strategic plan for the next five years, Follow 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:18.780 25. We're particularly concerned in this series of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:29.980 what it means to follow Jesus in all of life and for all of life. And I should let you 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:34.039 know. You've probably received it in the notifications throughout the email through 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:39.960 the course this week. We lost one of our dear sisters this week, Betty Shearman, who hasn't 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:45.539 been amongst us the last couple of years because of age issues and needing special care, passed 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:54.280 away on Wednesday. She was 99. Someone who followed Jesus, much loved amongst us, someone who trusted 00:00:54.280 --> 00:01:03.920 in Jesus and particularly was committed to a very committed devotional life that saw her express 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:10.819 the living relationship with Jesus right to the end and in such a way that had an impact 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:16.680 upon several generations. So at some point in the near future, all details are yet to be 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:22.299 finalised. We will have a Thanksgiving service for Betty here in the next, probably in the next 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:28.640 couple of weeks, but keep your eye out and we'll bring that to you. As we launched in 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:34.039 this series, the first thing we discovered was that being a Christian means that you are 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:38.920 in fact a follower of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour of all. A Christian is a disciple. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:44.599 They're a follower of Jesus who learns from him, who submits to his teaching and becomes like 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:50.759 him in all of life. And we saw last week that the foundation, sorry, before that, a couple 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:57.560 weeks ago. The foundation of this relationship is the gospel. It is the good news that Jesus 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:03.740 himself has absorbed God's punishment for our sin in us choosing to walk a different path 00:02:03.740 --> 00:02:10.000 in life, determining our own journey, rejecting God, our creator. And Jesus went to the cross. 00:02:10.200 --> 00:02:17.080 He died our death. He paid our debt. He turned God's anger away from us and has set us free 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:24.520 to live a new life, the life that we were created for in the beginning. And that is in fact to live 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:32.300 in obedience to our God who loves us infinitely and created us. So Christian discipleship is a 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:36.920 lifelong journey of following Jesus and impacts every aspect of your life. It's not just something 00:02:36.920 --> 00:02:43.380 that you leave for Sundays. It changes your entire worldview of all things. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:49.280 So if we're going to follow well, and if we're going to keep following until this journey's 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:56.120 end, God has given us resources for that. We need to take up those resources. And then last 00:02:56.120 --> 00:03:00.979 week we looked at the Bible and prayer. Today we're focusing on the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:06.960 And I've got two things really to say, and that is, first of all, who is the Holy Spirit? And secondly, 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:11.039 what does it mean to live with the Holy Spirit? So if you've got the St. Paul's app open, 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:17.680 that'd be great. If not, create your own app with paper and pen, and you can take some notes as we 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:24.719 go through. So first of all, who is the Holy Spirit? We've touched on this on at least two 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:30.479 occasions already in this series. We're going to do it again today. There's one aspect of the Bible's 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:35.739 teaching. I mean, in fact, there's many aspects of Bible teaching which are difficult. It shouldn't 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:42.000 surprise us because God is so huge and magnificent, bigger and greater than any of our minds could 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:46.379 fully comprehend. So he has to be bigger than us. Otherwise, he's no more than us, and that makes 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:52.379 him a pretty weak God. One of the difficult things, one of the challenging areas is the doctrine of the 00:03:52.379 --> 00:04:00.820 Trinity. We sang about it this morning. The Trinity calls us to believe that there is one and only one 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:11.900 God. To know the one true God is, however, to know him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and 00:04:11.900 --> 00:04:21.740 Holy Spirit, each is fully God, always and forever. So the Trinity functions kind of like an orchestra, 00:04:22.719 --> 00:04:28.680 where you have a multitude of different instruments and coming together at the right time in a rich 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:34.120 harmony that any individual instrument wouldn't be able to do by itself. That is, the diversity 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:41.480 of an orchestra is more beautiful sound than if the whole orchestra was just made up of cymbals. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:50.699 It's just a clanging noise. Each person of the Trinity does its own distinctive work. They work in 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:57.759 harmony with each other as each person fulfills the work, the overall work that is right and good for 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:05.579 that member of the Trinity to do. And yet all three persons of the Trinity are committed to the one 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:13.779 work of God. They contribute to the one work of God. And so the Holy Spirit is equally God, 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:21.980 that is equally God, same as God the Father and God the Son is God. That's the first point. The Holy Spirit 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:33.000 is not some lesser thing than God. For example, in Acts chapter 5, Peter rebukes Ananias for lying to 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:40.379 the Holy Spirit about the land that he had sold. And then Peter says, you have not lied to men, 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:47.200 but to God. So when he lied to the Holy Spirit, he is lying to God. We also note the Holy Spirit are 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:51.899 certain qualities that are only true of God in the Bible, such as living forever and eternally, 00:05:52.019 --> 00:05:57.579 according to Hebrews 9, and being everywhere, according to Psalm 139, and having all knowledge 00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:05.939 in 1 Corinthians 2.10. He's also declared to be equal with the Father and the Son in Matthew 28 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:13.599 and 2 Corinthians 13. So that's the first thing. I want to be clear. The Holy Spirit is equally God, 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:23.040 as the Father and Son is equally God. But secondly, the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. The Holy 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:31.439 Spirit is a divine person, as the Father and Son are divine persons. So in John 14, just read out to us, 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:40.140 verse 16, Jesus calls him another counselor. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:48.459 another counselor, another advocate to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. So when Jesus calls 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:56.959 him another advocate or comforter or counselor, he treats him as a person, not as a force. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:09.279 When he calls him another, he means another like me. The Holy Spirit is an advocate. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:18.099 Like Jesus is. He is a person. We also know the Holy Spirit is a person because he shows the 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:23.879 qualities of true personhood, a genuine personhood. For example, Holy Spirit can be lied to, 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:30.779 as we just read in Acts 5, insulted according to Hebrews 10. And there are two things you cannot do 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:38.620 to the electricity that's making your refrigerator work. You can't insult electricity, a force. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:46.500 The Holy Spirit also has personal qualities, like a mind, according to 1 Corinthians 2, emotions, 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:50.779 according to Ephesians 4, and a will, according to 1 Corinthians 12. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:08:00.339 But possibly the most important aspect, the most important aspect of the personhood of the Holy Spirit 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:12.439 is that 94 times in the New Testament, he is called holy. He has the character of holiness, 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:19.239 which along with having emotions and will can only ever be true of someone with personhood. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:31.460 And so the Holy Spirit is person and divine, divine person. And so when you add the second truth about the Holy Spirit, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:40.299 the first bit becomes even more precious. It will make an enormous difference in your life. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:51.859 If you believe that you are being led, changed, transformed by a person who is in their very essence, 00:08:52.620 --> 00:09:00.839 the personal God of love and not an impersonal force. It makes a world of difference as you live the Christian life day by day. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:08.120 The person who leads and purifies is no one less than God, the Holy Spirit. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:16.879 This is a personal relationship of love. This is not a force connecting you to God. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:24.399 So there's a lot more that can be said about the Holy Spirit and masses of books have been written on this. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:29.799 But I want to jump to what does it mean for us to live with the Holy Spirit. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:37.320 Now for too many Christians, the Holy Spirit has either faded into the background somewhere 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:40.399 to be almost non-existent in their life, 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:47.500 or he's been brought to the forefront in such a way that he dominates the Trinity and all things about God. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:51.759 Either ends of the spectrum are deficient. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:57.699 For too many of us, the Holy Spirit doesn't factor enough in our discipleship. 00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:03.299 So therefore, what does it mean to live with the Holy Spirit? 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:11.379 In the John reading, we see something very significant about our relationship with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:19.279 John chapters 14 to 17 are known as the farewell discourse. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:27.379 As Jesus is here farewelling his disciples, he's about to depart back to the Father via the cross. 00:10:27.719 --> 00:10:30.479 And he's going to die and he's going to leave his disciples. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:32.960 And they are distraught by this news. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:33.940 They are confused. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.980 It was uncertain times. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.580 Their world is falling apart. 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:42.120 We thought that Jesus was the one who would ascend the throne in Jerusalem 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:47.420 and make all things right that are wrong and beat up the Romans and all that kind of stuff. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:52.800 And so Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them, 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:55.740 Yes, I am departing. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:11:02.059 And I am departing to prepare an eternal place for them in the Father's house. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.079 It is fantastic news. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.339 Fantastic news. 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:10.620 That some rooms are getting ready, 00:11:11.459 --> 00:11:15.879 but it would feel so distant and unknown for them. 00:11:17.479 --> 00:11:19.319 What about now? 00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:22.660 What about now? 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:25.980 Are we going to be left abandoned in the meantime? 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:31.420 And that's when Jesus says, 00:11:31.540 --> 00:11:34.500 I will send a permanent resident. 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.280 Chapter 14, verse 16. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.000 Jesus tells him, 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:43.180 I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to be with you forever. 00:11:44.540 --> 00:11:46.000 One who will never depart. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.400 The spirit of truth. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:51.439 So Jesus says to his grieving disciples, 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:55.600 I am going to the Father and I will send you another advocate. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:58.199 Another, meaning one of the same kind. 00:11:58.579 --> 00:12:00.139 Another, in verse 16, 00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:02.319 is going to be with them forever 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:05.459 and he will not depart as Jesus must depart. 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:11.639 Now this is exactly what the grieving disciples need in this moment. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:15.100 When they're feeling abandoned. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.000 Or is it? 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.019 Is it really? 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:25.460 Is this really a comfort to these disciples? 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:30.560 Now, not that we actually can at the moment, 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:33.800 but imagine if Nat and I were about to go on a long trip. 00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:37.500 And we didn't know, 00:12:37.660 --> 00:12:38.480 it was a one-way ticket, 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:40.540 we didn't know exactly when we'd be coming back. 00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:42.820 And we sat down our three girls 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:44.080 and said to them, 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.360 we're going away on a trip, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:48.100 not sure when we're going to come back, 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:48.960 but it's okay. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:51.320 We've organised for an uncle 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:52.960 who you've never met, 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:53.980 ever, 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:56.680 to come and look after you in the meantime. 00:12:56.679 --> 00:13:00.639 Oh, that's the comfort we needed. 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.839 We haven't gotten over the first bit. 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:14.899 But I think verse 23 reveals the staggering implications of verse 16. 00:13:16.359 --> 00:13:17.659 If anyone loves me, 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:21.839 he will obey my teaching, 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:24.819 my father will love him, 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:28.060 and we will come to him 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:29.780 and make our home with him. 00:13:32.020 --> 00:13:34.180 Now, let me just unpack this a little bit 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:35.420 and get a bit technical for you. 00:13:35.640 --> 00:13:36.980 This is very, very important. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:40.580 Notice the word home in verse 23. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:45.320 It is a very rare word 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:47.640 in the original language in the New Testament. 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.360 In fact, 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:53.680 it is used in only one other place 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:55.959 in the entire New Testament. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.799 One other place. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.819 And it's in chapter 14, verse 2, 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:04.199 where it is translated rooms. 00:14:06.099 --> 00:14:07.239 In verse 2, 00:14:07.359 --> 00:14:09.559 Jesus says that by going to the cross, 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:11.259 he is preparing a room, 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.739 a dwelling place, 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.659 an eternal dwelling place 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:17.639 in the perfection of relationship with the Father, 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.319 with God forever. 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:22.280 But in verse 23, 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:25.400 Jesus says that by going to the cross, 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:28.480 I'm not just preparing a room 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.800 with the Father in the future, 00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:35.340 but I'm going to prepare in us. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.220 He is going to prepare in us 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.420 a home, 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:39.840 a dwelling place, 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.420 a room for his Father 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:43.940 to dwell with us. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:47.380 The departure of Jesus 00:14:47.380 --> 00:14:48.420 to his Father 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.620 via the cross 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.360 is going to prepare two things, 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:52.040 a room for us 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:53.080 with the Father and the Son 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.960 and the Spirit 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.040 in heaven forever, 00:14:55.260 --> 00:14:56.280 and a room for the Father 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:56.760 and Jesus 00:14:56.760 --> 00:14:57.500 with the Spirit 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.780 with us 00:14:58.780 --> 00:15:00.240 now on earth. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.980 What a promise. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.760 Not just a place for us 00:15:05.760 --> 00:15:06.780 we've got at some point 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:07.400 in the future. 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.120 That is, 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:08.640 the promises 00:15:08.640 --> 00:15:09.940 of the Christian faith 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.180 is not just pie in the sky 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.000 when you die, 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:13.239 but it's now. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.019 For God's presence 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.539 with us 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.339 now. 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.099 The coming of the Spirit 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:22.479 doesn't replace 00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:23.559 the presence of Jesus. 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.219 It guarantees 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:27.120 the presence of Jesus 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.620 with us 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.399 now. 00:15:30.739 --> 00:15:31.759 The Holy Spirit 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.000 unites us with Christ 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.579 and the Father. 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:35.719 Jesus is not distant. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.839 He has not abandoned 00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:37.599 his disciples. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:40.279 I think Jesus 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.279 is actually saying 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.600 to his bewildered 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.120 disciples 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.940 in this moment, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.440 guys, 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.700 you've got to understand 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.759 it will be better 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.200 for you 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.920 when I depart. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.519 My presence 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.320 will be 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.340 stronger. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.460 Jesus promised 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.259 not just to 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.560 leave us as orphans 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.379 to do our best 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.259 to survive, 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.120 to pull up our socks 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.000 and work really hard 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.980 on this journey 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.019 of discipleship 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.720 just to, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.740 he has not left us 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.779 to our own devices. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.039 The promise 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.240 to his first disciples 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.259 extends to us. 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.500 He added eternal 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.259 words of comfort 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.980 in saying 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.779 that the Spirit 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.419 will come 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.679 not just dwelling 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.799 with us, 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.019 not just walking 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.200 beside us, 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.899 but dwelling 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.659 in the disciples 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.379 of Jesus. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.659 The intimacy 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.600 of the disciple 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.080 of Jesus 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.940 and the Holy Spirit 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:35.640 is captured 00:16:35.640 --> 00:16:36.620 in the word 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.740 abiding. 00:16:38.660 --> 00:16:39.240 Abiding. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.380 The Holy Spirit, 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.800 the third member 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.720 of the Trinity, 00:16:44.380 --> 00:16:45.440 abides 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.500 in you 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.440 and me 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:50.240 in his church 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.980 in all 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.780 who belong 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.760 to Jesus Christ 00:16:53.760 --> 00:16:54.440 by faith. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.980 The Holy Spirit, 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.740 his abiding 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.360 restores 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.180 all hope 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.540 and secures 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.120 us 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.139 on the 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.419 sure 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:03.980 foundation 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.519 of faith 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.420 in uncertain 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.920 times 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.460 as we 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.160 trust 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:07.960 in the 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.339 promises 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.140 of God 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.880 in Jesus. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.799 So the Holy Spirit 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.380 explains 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:19.859 how the church 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.559 survives 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.279 and how the gospel 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.420 continues to spread 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.279 to the ends 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.859 of the earth 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.960 even when all 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.859 else is collapsing 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.359 around. 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.059 The Holy Spirit 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.539 abiding 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.259 in us 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.659 explains 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.440 how the 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.839 disciple 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.299 of the Lord 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:32.659 Jesus 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.819 can hear 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:35.059 the words 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:36.019 of the Bible, 00:17:36.159 --> 00:17:36.700 can hear 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.579 the gospel 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:39.359 not as the 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.420 words of merely 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.559 a human philosopher, 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.079 not just the 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.920 opinions of 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.859 other human 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.359 beings, 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.779 but as the 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.779 word of God 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.980 revealing truth 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.000 and reality. 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.700 The Holy Spirit 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.619 is the difference 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.619 from darkness 00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:55.279 to light. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.839 The Holy Spirit 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.700 is the difference 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.860 between you 00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.759 reading this 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.380 as being 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.559 black ink 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.500 on white paper 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.200 and it being 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:04.019 the very word 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.580 of God. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.360 The creator 00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:06.840 of the universe 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:08.059 speaking to you. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.600 The Holy Spirit 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.620 abiding in us 00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.100 is the reason 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.480 why the 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.400 disciples of Jesus 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.519 have life 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.019 in the face 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.620 of death. 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:19.140 The Spirit 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.019 does not flee 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.400 when we are 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.720 struggling with sin. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.100 His presence 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:25.319 does not hinge 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.619 upon our 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.480 obedience 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.099 and our 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.700 effort. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.939 His abiding 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:31.079 in the Christian 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.879 rests upon 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.599 the infinite 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.220 grace 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.299 and the love 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.700 of God 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.460 out for us. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.059 So then, 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.519 how do we 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:45.980 get the 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.980 experience, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.000 how do we 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.480 get to 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.099 experience 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.539 this presence 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.079 of the Holy 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.720 Spirit right 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.139 now? 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.200 especially 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.340 when we 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.540 at times 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:55.920 may not 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.480 feel like 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.700 it? 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.340 And crucial 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:58.840 to this, 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.259 last week 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.660 we talked 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:00.960 about 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.420 absolutely 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.000 essential 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.900 for the 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.240 Christian 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.820 life 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:05.120 is 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.960 word and 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.320 prayer. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.140 How does 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.700 the word 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.440 and prayer, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.759 devotional 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.140 life, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.580 not just 00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.180 become 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.220 about a 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.860 regulation, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.700 a rule, 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:15.400 a duty 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:15.900 that must 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.640 be performed, 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:17.640 a dry 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.520 activity that 00:19:18.520 --> 00:19:19.140 makes no 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:19.960 difference in 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.540 my life? 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.520 What's the 00:19:21.520 --> 00:19:21.960 difference? 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.740 difference 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.560 between the 00:19:23.560 --> 00:19:24.080 legalist 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:24.600 who's doing 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:25.100 more than 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:28.680 four and 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.300 not really 00:19:29.300 --> 00:19:30.180 moving forward? 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.580 What makes 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.120 the difference? 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:36.100 The Holy 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.660 Spirit is 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.200 the difference. 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:40.259 In John 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:40.660 chapter, 00:19:42.020 --> 00:19:42.500 that is, 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:43.140 it's crucial 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.060 to listen 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:44.740 to the 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.380 Holy Spirit. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.520 John 00:19:46.520 --> 00:19:47.160 chapter 16 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.780 verse 13, 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.160 we get a 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.700 key part of 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.200 the Spirit's 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.480 work. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.519 book, 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.400 but when 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:51.839 he, 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.559 the Spirit 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:52.900 of truth, 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.460 comes, 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.299 he will 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.980 guide you 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.740 into all 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.460 truth. 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.339 He will 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.460 not speak 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.360 on his 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.059 own. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.160 He will 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.160 speak only 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.640 what he 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.299 hears, 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.500 and he 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:06.980 will tell 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.640 you what 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.180 is yet 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.759 to come. 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.220 So in 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.019 chapter 14, 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:13.200 Jesus 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.859 promised that 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.240 the Spirit 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.599 of truth 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.240 will remind 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.859 the disciples 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.859 of everything 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.379 that Jesus 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.019 taught them. 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.079 Now, 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.819 he promises 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.339 something a 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:21.599 little bit 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.039 more than 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.319 that. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.279 The 11 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.099 disciples will 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.539 be led 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.819 into truth, 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.839 into a 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:30.000 true understanding 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.000 of all the 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.920 saving events 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.639 which are 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.200 about to 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.799 take place 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.240 about the 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.779 death and 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.460 the resurrection 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.180 of Jesus, 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.240 and they'll 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.859 be given 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.839 glimpses of 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.480 the future, 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:41.120 of this 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:42.099 final work 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.360 being 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.480 played out. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.700 The final 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.160 climax, if 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.420 you like, 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:46.779 of world 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.960 history will 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.759 partially be 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.759 unveiled to 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.579 them so 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:51.980 that they'll 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.620 be able to 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.360 get a glimpse 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:54.079 of the 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.460 sweep of 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:55.920 God's 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:57.140 enormous plan 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.779 of salvation 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.539 and the 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.420 central part 00:20:59.420 --> 00:20:59.980 that Jesus 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.640 plays in 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.720 that with 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.160 his death 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.420 and his 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.960 resurrection. 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.819 But in 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.700 leading them 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.740 into truth, 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.700 the Holy 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.660 Spirit will 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.380 not speak 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:09.920 on his 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.360 own, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:10.720 Jesus 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.320 insists. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.040 He will 00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:13.380 speak only 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:13.960 what he 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.680 hears. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.940 In 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.300 John 00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.380 16, 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.120 13 to 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.460 15, 00:21:19.520 --> 00:21:19.840 but when 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.240 he, the 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.640 spirit truth 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.380 comes, he 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:21.860 will guide 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.160 you into 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.800 all truth, 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.060 he will 00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:23.600 not speak 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:23.880 on his 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.400 own, he 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:24.720 will speak 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.220 only what 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.600 he hears 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.260 and he 00:21:26.260 --> 00:21:26.700 will tell 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:26.940 you what 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.160 is here 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.500 to come. 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.080 He will 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:28.960 bring glory 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.980 to me 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.600 by taking 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.120 from what 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.060 is mine 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:34.060 and making 00:21:34.060 --> 00:21:34.420 it known 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.080 to you. 00:21:36.020 --> 00:21:36.720 All that 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.400 belongs to 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.020 the Father 00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:38.980 is mine, 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.860 that is 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.400 why I 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:41.759 said the 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.220 spirit will 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.039 take from 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.620 what is 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:45.160 mine and 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.720 make it 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.079 known to 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.460 you. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.420 So the 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.019 general 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.599 subject matter 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.740 of the 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.700 Holy Spirit, 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.579 it's saying 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:55.940 there in 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.579 John 16, 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.599 is restricted. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.200 It's a 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.700 glorious 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.259 restriction. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.359 salvation. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.000 The spirit 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.519 will take 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.559 that which 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.480 is Jesus' 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.140 and make 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.879 it known 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.960 to the 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.619 disciples of 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:09.900 Jesus. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.299 The focus 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.720 is entirely 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.180 on Jesus. 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.039 The role 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.640 of the Holy 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.420 Spirit is to 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.259 bring glory 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.000 to Jesus. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.180 It was 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.559 necessary for 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.279 Jesus to be 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.079 glorified by 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.700 returning to 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.079 the Father 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.559 via the 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:27.980 cross, 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.740 but when 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.579 he leaves, 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.360 he receives 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.400 more glory 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.400 through the 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.400 ministry of the 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:33.759 Spirit to 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.360 his disciples. 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.660 As Jesus 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.380 took that 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.180 which belonged 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.220 to the 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.240 Father and 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.299 made it known 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.120 to them, 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.579 to his 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.140 disciples, 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.339 so the 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.140 Spirit takes 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.620 that which 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.279 belongs to 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.180 Jesus and 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.660 makes it 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.519 known to 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.000 us. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.140 Nothing 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.599 brings more 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.920 glory to 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.819 our Lord 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.759 Jesus than 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.359 for his 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.119 followers to 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.359 become steeped 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.480 in all 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.859 truth concerning 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.359 him. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.079 Jesus 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.659 prays for 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.399 his disciples 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.819 one chapter 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.240 later, 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.279 that they 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.919 would be led 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.359 into that 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:17.879 truth, 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.339 and then 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.460 he prays 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:22.100 for the 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.840 disciples who 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.759 come to 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.559 the truth 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:27.900 because of 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.579 his original 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.720 disciples being 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.299 led into the 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.620 truth. 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.480 What does 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:37.799 that mean 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.340 for us? 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.440 The 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.259 acquisition of 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.140 this truth 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.440 of God is 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.100 intellectual, 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.700 but it's not 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.640 merely intellectual. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.360 As this 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.039 truth is 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.860 truly absorbed 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.240 by the 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.679 followers of 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:50.939 the Lord 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.279 Jesus, 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.159 it transforms 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:52.500 them, 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.079 it enables 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.399 them to 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.959 reflect the 00:23:53.959 --> 00:23:54.299 glory of 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.539 the Lord 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:54.879 Jesus, 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.859 and thereby 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.779 being praised 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.159 to his 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:57.500 name. 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.240 That is, 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.179 his priorities 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.059 become our 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.479 priorities, 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.039 his character 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:03.779 our character. 00:24:03.979 --> 00:24:05.159 Glory comes 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.919 to Jesus 00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:07.379 when the 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.159 truths 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:10.299 that the 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.279 original 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.119 disciples 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.139 recorded 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:15.359 become 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.219 truths 00:24:16.219 --> 00:24:17.539 for us. 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:30.920 glory comes 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.259 to Jesus 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.759 when the 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.559 truths of the 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:32.980 gospel, 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.079 the word of 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.460 God, 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.259 are established 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:47.799 in our 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.240 lives. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.759 Up until 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.480 this point, 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.119 the disciples 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.460 have been 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.299 quite confused, 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:52.619 have been 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.480 characterized by 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.480 misunderstanding as 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.059 the person of 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.319 Jesus. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.220 All of this 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.619 is going to 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:58.119 change with 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.640 the arrival 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:58.920 of the 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.519 Holy Spirit 00:24:59.519 --> 00:24:59.940 on the day 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.620 of Pentecost. 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.720 The Spirit 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.299 would ensure 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.299 that these 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.000 original 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.660 disciples 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:07.420 would not 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.420 forget Jesus, 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.019 would not 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.620 forget what 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.240 he said to 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.500 them. 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:12.860 He would 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.920 ensure that 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.779 they accurately 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:17.100 remembered 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:18.480 everything, 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.940 his life, 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.720 his commandments, 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.680 his teachings, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.580 everything. 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:29.619 So how 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:29.919 does that 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.379 happen for 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:30.859 us then? 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.139 I think 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:33.519 that one 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.099 main answer 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.659 comes from 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.099 Ephesians 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.980 chapter 5 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.579 verse 18 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.639 which may 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.179 come up on 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:39.699 the screen 00:25:39.699 --> 00:25:40.519 in a moment. 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.359 This is 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:42.960 where Paul 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.399 teaches 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:44.220 believers to 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.899 be filled 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.379 with the 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:47.639 Spirit so 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.099 that their 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.579 thoughts, 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.319 their attitudes, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.139 their words, 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.019 their actions 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.039 would be 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.879 directed by 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.500 the Spirit. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.700 That is, 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.559 Paul's command 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.240 is to be 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.759 filled with 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.319 the Spirit 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.139 in Ephesians 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.980 5 18 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.519 is not a 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.960 one-off 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.920 event when 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.740 someone first 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.119 comes to 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.460 faith in 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.720 the Lord 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.079 Jesus. 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.139 It is also 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.740 not what 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.299 some might 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.000 claim a 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.639 reference to 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.319 some sort 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.779 of second 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.359 blessing 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.500 reserved for 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:13.920 serious 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.619 disciples of 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.059 Jesus, 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.839 often referred 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.740 to as a 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.519 baptism of 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:18.819 the Holy 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.299 Spirit. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:21.319 Ephesians 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.960 5 18 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.659 is what 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:24.079 scholars call 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:26.099 an imperative 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.779 in the 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.940 present tense 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:29.659 which means 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.559 the command 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.200 here in 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.099 5 18 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.159 is to 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.180 constantly be 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.879 filled with 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.779 the Holy 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.139 Spirit, 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.259 a continuing 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.399 experience 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:41.399 and to be 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.419 filled implies 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:43.339 something total, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.220 completely filled, 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.079 that is the 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.680 Spirit has 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:47.079 full control 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.639 over all 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.399 aspects of 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.059 your life, 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.059 no area 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.639 of life 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.720 is off 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.519 limits to 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:53.879 the work 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.139 of the 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:54.699 Spirit in 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:55.319 your life. 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.899 Andreas 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.919 Kostenberg in 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.339 his book, 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.599 What Does 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:01.839 It Mean 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.039 To Be 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.199 Filled 00:27:02.199 --> 00:27:02.339 With 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:02.859 the Spirit 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.099 says that 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:04.480 it is 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:04.899 something 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:06.019 that God 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.819 does. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.339 So while 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.720 it's a 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.679 command in 00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:11.559 Ephesians 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.819 5 18, 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.419 it is a 00:27:14.419 --> 00:27:15.500 passive 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.119 command, 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.599 be 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:17.980 filled. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.460 We are 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.119 to respond 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.460 to the 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.839 command, 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.799 but it 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.380 is something 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.160 that primarily 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.660 that God 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.220 does in 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.559 us. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.940 Paul also 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.559 wrote a 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.039 parallel 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.920 passage to 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.480 Ephesians 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:32.759 5 and 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.059 it's 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.740 Colossians 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.460 3 16 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.460 and 17 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.119 and they 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.619 are almost 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.539 interchangeable, 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.200 different language 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.740 but almost 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.440 interchangeable. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.279 The structure 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.880 is exactly 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.480 the same. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:44.019 Let the 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.420 word of 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.160 Christ dwell 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.500 in you 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:45.980 richly, 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.620 teaching and 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.200 admonish one 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.620 another in 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.160 all wisdom, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.680 singing psalms 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.299 and hymns and 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.039 spiritual songs 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.839 with thankfulness 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.360 in your heart 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:52.819 to God. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.680 And whatever 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.620 you do in 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.220 word or 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.519 deed, 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.660 do everything 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.480 in the name 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.019 of the Lord 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.779 Jesus Christ, 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.420 giving thanks 00:27:59.420 --> 00:27:59.900 to God the 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.400 Father through 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.720 him. 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.360 In both 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:02.799 passages, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.200 Ephesians 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.539 5, 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:03.980 Colossians 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.440 3, 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.559 the results 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:05.860 are the 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.180 same. 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.500 Words 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.660 and deeds 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.759 that honour 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.559 Christ, 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.160 bring glory 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.799 to Christ. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.419 But what 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.279 brings about 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.379 the results 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.519 are stated 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.460 differently in 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.159 both passages. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.599 In Ephesians 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.460 5, 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.859 Paul says, 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.819 be filled 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.419 with the 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:23.919 Spirit. 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.460 In Colossians 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.079 3, 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.079 he says, 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.559 let the 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.099 word of 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:29.419 Christ dwell 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:30.180 in you 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.039 richly. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.740 What this 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.720 means is 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.059 that the 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.279 Spirit has 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.639 greater influence, 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.839 provides us 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.319 with more 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.180 direction in 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.680 life, 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:42.100 more comfort 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.720 as his 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.279 disciples, 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.980 more enabling 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.700 as his 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.299 disciples, 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.360 provided 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:49.740 that 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.039 God's 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.299 word dwells 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.940 more and 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.500 more within 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.880 us. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.980 That is, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.019 it is 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.720 impossible, 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.259 both in 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.900 Old Testament 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.279 and New 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.779 Testament, 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.940 to separate 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.840 the word 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.340 from the 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:01.720 Spirit. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.600 Our reading 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:04.900 of the 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.220 word, 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.060 our time 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:07.259 spent memorizing 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.240 and meditating 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.039 on Scripture 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:10.980 is the 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.059 main tool 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.500 that the 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.160 Spirit of 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.900 God uses 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:16.140 to help 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.619 us to 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.099 think, 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.259 feel, 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.420 speak, 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.319 and act 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.019 in ways 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.660 that are 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.480 more and 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.980 more glorifying 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.339 to the 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.940 Lord Jesus, 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.480 which is 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.079 why you 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.720 were saved. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.420 You see, 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.960 the goal of 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.480 all biblical 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.539 learning is 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.460 knowing God. 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.400 the Holy 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.360 Spirit is 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:36.319 absolutely 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.559 essential to 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.420 this process. 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.460 The Holy 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.319 Spirit enables 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.140 us not 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.559 just to 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.700 see the 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.519 facts of 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:43.819 the Lord 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.759 Jesus Christ 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.880 and the 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.460 gospel and 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:46.860 the word of 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.160 God, 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.680 he helps 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:47.980 us to 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.480 see the 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:50.019 glory and 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.799 the beauty 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.680 and the 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.539 worth and 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.759 the magnificence 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.640 of all of 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.920 that truth. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.220 He convicts 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.460 us of the 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:58.960 necessary 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.319 submission and 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.519 transformation and 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.200 repentance of 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.100 sin and 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.719 obedience to 00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:04.279 Christ that 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.799 follows. 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.199 And so 00:30:08.199 --> 00:30:09.019 listening to 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.519 the Spirit 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.699 in the 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:12.619 word is 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:14.039 so, so 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.079 crucial for 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.519 the Christian. 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:17.599 But so is 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.139 speaking. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.059 So is 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.500 speaking. 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:22.859 See, I would 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.459 further suggest 00:30:23.459 --> 00:30:24.419 that we pray 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:25.679 for God to 00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.439 fill us with 00:30:26.439 --> 00:30:27.259 his Spirit as 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.959 we engage with 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:28.480 him in his 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.799 word. 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:29.759 That is, our 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.599 engagement with 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.000 God in his 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.480 word, 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.319 prayerfully, 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.839 is encountering 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:36.279 God's presence. 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.740 And if you 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.079 want to know 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.720 more about 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.360 that, Tim 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:40.700 Keller's 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.059 written a 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.559 great book 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.240 on prayer and 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.480 there's a 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.120 great section 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:43.500 on what it 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.819 means to 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.599 encounter God 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.299 in his 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.759 word and 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.059 prayer. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.000 Paul doesn't 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.500 explicitly command 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.299 anywhere that 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.240 we pray for the 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.660 filling of the 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.319 Holy Spirit, 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.740 but he 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.660 himself does 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.920 it that God 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.680 would in fact 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.519 give us the 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.960 spirit of 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.740 revelation and 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.380 wisdom in 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:01.220 Ephesians 1. 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.720 Also, that 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.359 we would be 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.319 strengthened in 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.400 our inner being 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.299 by the Spirit 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.079 in Ephesians 3. 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.859 Pray that God's 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.880 Spirit will fill you 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.019 day by day as 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.140 you are filled 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.220 with his word. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.819 The Holy Spirit 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:18.079 working through 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.880 the word of God, 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.359 the Bible, 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.759 is how the 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.220 word of God, 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.480 Jesus Christ, 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.660 is present and 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:26.620 active in our 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.839 daily life and 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.759 works in his 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.779 world right now. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.379 That's how it 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:32.819 happens. 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:37.160 The Holy Spirit 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.500 is essential 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.460 for that work. 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.339 The late 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.879 theologian Jim 00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.660 Packer puts the 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.359 importance of the 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.160 Spirit of God for 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.559 the Christian 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.220 disciple like 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.559 this. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.019 If you neglect 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.879 the Spirit, 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:52.859 you lose your 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.640 focus on the 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.240 fellowship with 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.920 Christ that he 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.519 creates. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.879 The renewal of 00:31:57.880 --> 00:32:00.520 character that he 00:32:00.520 --> 00:32:01.120 affects. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.340 The assurance and 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:04.900 the joy that he 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:06.680 evokes and the 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:08.340 enabling of service 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:10.680 that he bestows. 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.500 Packer then goes 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:16.120 on to the 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:17.400 effects of the 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.740 person who ignores 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.460 the work of the 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.260 Spirit in their 00:32:20.260 --> 00:32:20.700 life. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.220 And this may be a 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:26.040 rebuke, so please 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.759 hear these words 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.379 from Packer. 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:30.420 You slip back 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:31.740 into orthodoxism 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.039 and formalism, 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:35.359 getting stuck in a 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:35.960 religion of 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.759 aspiration and 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.700 perspiration 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:40.180 without either 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.960 inspiration or 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:42.839 transformation. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.440 The religion of 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:47.220 low expectations, 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.779 deep ruts and 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:52.619 grooves that 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:53.759 become in the 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.859 end graves. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.299 Our key 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:03.960 objective for the 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.700 next five years 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.799 is to see 65% 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.220 of St. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.180 Paul's identifying 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:07.839 much growth in 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.279 the faith. 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.660 As I said last 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.500 week, a devotional 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.759 life of more than 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.539 four a week is 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.480 absolutely essential 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.400 to that growth. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:15.879 That is, 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:18.859 without that, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.900 how on earth 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:21.879 is God going to 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:22.440 mediate his 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.079 presence in your 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.559 life. 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.220 He has given 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.980 you a resource 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.519 that he might 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.500 dwell with you 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.759 day by day in 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.500 all the complexity 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.079 of life. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.099 But these 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.139 objectives are 00:33:37.139 --> 00:33:37.899 not about you 00:33:37.899 --> 00:33:38.599 pulling up your 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.480 socks and sweating 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.220 a lot harder, 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:40.679 a bit more 00:33:40.679 --> 00:33:41.699 perspiration, a bit 00:33:41.699 --> 00:33:42.319 more effort. 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.799 They are about 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.039 bringing you to a 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.059 point and us as a 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.839 point as a church 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:49.119 to say, we 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:51.059 cannot do this 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:52.619 by ourselves. 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:55.119 It should force 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:56.259 us back into 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:58.000 every moment of 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.819 every day of 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.059 total reliance 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:01.740 upon the Holy 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.240 Spirit. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.359 Spirit. 00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.279 And so what a 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.980 resource that we 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.819 have as disciples 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.339 of Jesus. 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:07.940 He has not 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.400 left us. 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:08.900 He's not just 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.400 giving us a 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.480 promise that one 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:10.980 day when you 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.699 die, there will 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.320 be some great 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.099 future for you. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.599 He gives you a 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.260 promise now, the 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.099 future's now. 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.659 He gives you his 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.780 presence now. 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.659 So look to the 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:22.579 Spirit as your 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:24.039 enabler to move 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:26.119 out of, as 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.840 Packer says, a 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.760 Christian life of 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:30.140 low expectations, 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:32.840 of religious 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:36.140 effort, formalism, 00:34:37.100 --> 00:34:38.420 ruts, grooves, 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:40.760 so that in the 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:42.059 end, it might not 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.640 be for your 00:34:42.640 --> 00:34:42.980 grave. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.059 Thank you. 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.840 Thank you.