The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. James 4:3 says we have not because we ask with the wrong motive.

A mature heart desires what God determines as a good gift.

Luke 11:9 ask, seek, knock and it will be given but the idea is for the person who is maturing and whose heart is coming into alignment with God’s heart and desires. V.11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Holy Spirit is never purchased or earned; He is a gift. Acts 2, repent and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:20 – Simon the Sorcerer thinks he can buy the gift of God with money, referring to the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10 and 11 the gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out on the gentiles.

3 Critical Reasons to seek the gift of the Holy Spirit:

1. We cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. (Romans 7-8)
2. We cannot understand spiritual truth on our own (1 Cor. 2:14).
3. We cannot produce genuine spiritual fruit by ourselves (Gal. 5).

The 3^rd person of the Trinity has a mind (Rom.8:27); Will (1 Cor. 12:11) and Emotions (Eph. 4:30). He can be lied to, blasphemed, offended, grieved. He doesn’t force his way upon anyone.

The ask: write down on the prayer card in the pew (or tear off below) what you want to surrender or what’s preventing you in keeping in step (fear, control). Or ask forgiveness for not asking the Holy Spirit’s opinion. Tear off the sheet and roll it up and exchange it at front for a Gal. 5:25 wristband.

Grow Group Notes

1. What has been your view of the Holy Spirit in the past? Have you seen Him as distant, intimidating, or personal and present? How does seeing Him as a gift change that view?
2. Why is God so often the “forgotten” person of the Trinity?
3. What are some ways you could practice “keeping in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) in your everyday life? What specific areas (schedule, big decisions, small habits) do you need to invite the Spirit’s guidance into?
4. In what areas are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength? What’s one practical step this week you can take to rely on the Spirit instead?
5. Which role of the Holy Spirit (e.g., guidance, gifts, assurance, fruit, healing) resonates most with your current season of life? How can you ask for or begin welcoming Him into that area?

Extra Notes:

Here’s a great article in understanding the Holy Spirit and baptism. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/HolySpirit/hs_05.cfm

I’ve always loved the Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken, as we are truly the sum of our decision making. However, I realized that the poem is a result of independent decision making which is what gets us into trouble (instead of the Spirit led life). So here is my stab at a biblical version that drives home this message:

“The Spirit’s Path Less Travelled”

Two paths diverged in life’s dark wood, And weighing both as best I could, I stopped to pray, to seek His will, To hear His voice, so soft and still, To choose the way He said I should.

One path seemed fair, by human sight, The other dimmer in the light, But as I waited on my knees, His Spirit whispered gentle pleas, To trust His lead through coming night.

Though flesh rebelled and wished to stray, To choose the broader, easier way, His peace confirmed which path to take, Though friends thought it a grave mistake, I followed where He led that day.

And one day I will testify somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.