Disciples Rely on the Holy Spirit

Main Idea: Disciples of Jesus draw on the power and strength the Holy Spirit provides as they pursue God’s will for their lives.

Today’s Bible Passages

• 2 Timothy 1:6-14; Acts 1:4-8; Ephesians 3:16-20.

A Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

• The Holy Spirit who resides in the hearts of baptized disciples is a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
• We might not feel this way on our own, but the Spirit enables us to live this way.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of a Disciple:

• Our Teacher and Guide
• Our Constant Comforter
• Our Partner in Prayer
• Our Source of Strength
• The Giver of Gifts

The Holy Spirit’s Power Helps us Accomplish God’s Mission.

• Love God, love others, make disciples. 
• We cannot accomplish God’s will for our lives through human effort alone — we need the power that the Spirit provides.

Scripture: Acts 1:4-8.

• The Holy Spirit was so crucial to the mission of the church that Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came.
• If the disciples tried on their own, they would have failed. If they somehow succeeded, they would have given themselves credit (instead of God).

Are You a Functional Atheist?

Reflection Questions:

• If someone had access to all of your thoughts, words, and actions, how obvious would it be that you were living with a daily dependence on God instead of relying only on yourself? 

Functional Atheism: “The belief that ultimate responsibility for everything rests with us. This is the unconscious, unexamined conviction that if anything decent is going to happen here, we are the ones who must make it happen — a conviction held even by people who talk a good game about God.” -Parker Palmer

• Traditional Atheism is the belief that God does not exist (or the belief that there isn’t enough evidence to conclude he exists).
• Functional atheism refers to acting as though God didn’t exist, even if you would say you believe in him.

Signs You Might be a Functional Atheist:

• Over-Reliance on Self
• Lack of Consistent Prayer
• Few Risks, Small Goals 
• Paralyzing Fear of Failure
• Chronic Worry
• Burnout, Inability to Rest
• Apathy Towards Sin

God’s Grace, The Gift of the Spirit, and the Call to Discipleship

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-14

• This passage addresses the what, why, and how of the Gospel story and our purpose as disciples. 

What? This passage is a call to discipleship. 

• “Called us to a holy life.”
• “Join me in suffering for the Gospel.”
• “Guard the good deposit.”
• This is our goal.

Why? Because God has saved us and been gracious to us.

• “He has saved us.”
• “Because of his own purpose and grace.”
• This is our motivation.

How? Through the power of the Holy Spirit.

• “The Spirit God gave us… gives us power.”
• “By the power of God.”
• “With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
• This is our source of strength.

Discipleship: Be One, Make One.

• Disciples Grow with God (knowledge, character, faith).
• Disciples Connect in Community (relationships)
• Disciples Live Like Jesus (actions, lifestyle)
• Disciples Make More Disciples (Great Commission)
• Disciples Rely on the Holy Spirit (power)

Closing Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-20

Study and Reflection

Spend some time reading and reflecting on Romans 8:1-17, which focuses on the difference between life in the flesh and life in the Spirit.

As you read, reflect on these questions:

1. What key things does God want us to know about the Holy Spirit from this passage?
2. How does the Bible describe the life and ultimate destiny of someone who is separated from the Spirit of God?
3. What are some of the specific benefits or blessings associated with being “in Christ” and having the Spirit of God?
4. What does this passage reveal about our identity as disciples, and how does this compare to the way you view yourself? How does it compare to the way the world tends to define our identity?
5. What kind of “obligation” do you think Paul was referring to in verse 12?
6. Today’s sermon discussed the way the Spirit brings power, love, and self-discipline to our lives. How do you see those three things functioning together in our discipleship? For example, what would happen if love were missing from that mix? Or if there was plenty of power, but no self-discipline?
7. Can you think of times in your life where you were showing signs of functional atheism? Even if you never denied God’s existence, have you ever acted as though everything depended on you?
8. In today’s sermon passage, we saw the connection between what God has done for us (grace) and what we are called to do for God (live holy lives). How does Paul describe the relationship between God’s gifts and our call to discipleship in this passage?
9. What is something from this passage or the sermon that you want to pray about and apply to your life? How will you put it into practice?