Create a sermon that explores the purpose and function of the Holy Spirit in relation to the Father and Son Jesus. List 10 KJV Bible verses which illustrate this. Explain how each Bible verse theologically contributes to the whole. Correlate the results of this report to the theme of the "spirit" of man. Compare the "spirit" of man to the concept and function of "attitude."
(1) Research the Christian theological doctrine of the Trinity to understand the distinct roles and unified relationship between the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. (2) Investigate the specific purposes and functions of the Holy Spirit as described in theological sources, focusing on its actions in relation to the Father and the Son, such as being sent by them, glorifying Christ, and applying the work of salvation. (3) Identify 10 relevant Bible verses from the King James Version (KJV) that illustrate the Holy Spirit's role, purpose, and relationship to the Father and Son. (4) For each of the 10 selected verses, find theological commentaries or scholarly explanations that detail its specific contribution to the overall doctrine of the Holy Spirit. (5) Research the biblical and theological concept of the "spirit of man," examining its nature, function, and distinction from the soul and body. (6) Find theological analyses that correlate the work of the Holy Spirit with the human spirit, exploring concepts like indwelling, regeneration, and guidance. (7) Explore the psychological and philosophical definitions of "attitude" and conduct a comparative analysis against the theological concept of the "spirit of man," noting similarities and differences in their function and essence. (8) Synthesize the findings from all previous steps to structure a coherent sermon that explains the Holy Spirit's role with biblical support, connects it to the human spirit, and concludes with a comparison between the human spirit and attitude.
The Divine Paraclete: A Sermon on the Person, Work, and Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
I. Introduction: The Divine Symphony of the Godhead
A. The Trinity as a perfect, divine symphony of three Persons in one Godhead.
B. Thesis: The Holy Spirit is a co-equal Person of the Trinity, not an impersonal force, whose work is to apply the salvation planned by the Father and accomplished by the Son.
II. Part I: The Economy of Redemption: The Unified Work and Distinct Roles of the Trinity
A. Foundational Doctrine: One Essence, Three Persons
Explanation of the core tenets of Trinitarianism.
Distinction from historical heresies like modalism and subordinationism.
B. The Father's Initiative: The Sovereign Architect
His role as the source and director of the divine plan of redemption.
C. The Son's Accomplishment: The Mediating Agent
His role as the executor of the Father's plan through His life, death, and resurrection.
D. The Spirit's Application: The Perfecting Power
His role in applying the Son's finished work to the hearts of believers.
The unbreakable chain of salvation: The Father's plan is the cause of the Son's work, which is the cause of the Spirit's application.
III. Part II: The Testimony of Scripture: Ten Pillars of the Spirit's Ministry
A. John 14:26: The Spirit as the divine Teacher and Remembrancer, sent by the Father in Christ's name.
B. John 15:26: The Spirit as the Witness to Christ, sent by the Son and proceeding from the Father.
C. John 16:13-14: The Spirit as the Glorifier of Christ, speaking only what He hears from the Godhead.
D. Acts 2:33: The Spirit as the Empowerer of the Church, poured out by the exalted Son.
E. Romans 8:9: The Spirit as the Indweller and definitive mark of a Christian, called both "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ".
F. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11: The Spirit as the Revealer of Divine Wisdom, knowing the "deep things of God" and affirming His full deity.
G. Galatians 4:6: The Spirit as the Affirmer of Adoption, producing the cry of "Abba, Father" in believers' hearts.
H. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: The Spirit as the Transformer and Liberator, changing believers into the image of Christ.
I. Ephesians 1:13-14: The Spirit as the Seal and Guarantee of eternal security and inheritance.
J. 1 Peter 1:2: The Spirit as the Sanctifier, working in perfect harmony with the Father's election and the Son's atonement.
K. Summary Table: A synthesis of the theological contributions of the ten verses.
IV. Part III: The Imparted Life: The Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Man
A. The Human Spirit: God's Intended Sanctuary
The nature of the human spirit (ruach, pneuma) as the seat of God-consciousness.
The state of the human spirit after the fall: spiritually "dead".
B. Regeneration: The Re-creation of the Human Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work of imparting divine life to the human spirit.
The union of the believer's spirit with Christ.
C. Correlation Between the "Spirit of Man" and "Attitude"
The human spirit understood as a core disposition, parallel to the psychological concept of attitude.
Attitude defined by its cognitive, affective, and behavioral components.
The Holy Spirit's work as a profound "attitude change," renewing the mind, heart, and will of the believer.
V. Conclusion: Walking in the Spirit
A. Summary of the Holy Spirit's co-equal role and essential, transformative work.
B. Practical Application: The call to "walk by the Spirit" in conscious dependence on His power, leading to sanctification.
-------------------------------------------------
Part II: The Testimony of Scripture: Ten Pillars of the Spirit's Ministry
A robust understanding of the Holy Spirit must be grounded in the bedrock of divine revelation. The following ten passages from the King James Version of the Bible serve as pillars, supporting a comprehensive theology of His person, His relationship to the Father and Son, and His work in the world.
John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Analysis: This verse establishes the Holy Spirit's primary role as the divine Teacher and Helper (Paraclete). The Father sends the Spirit "in my name," signifying that the Spirit comes on Christ's authority and to continue Christ's ministry.18 His teaching is not a new or independent revelation but an illumination and faithful recollection of the truth already revealed by Christ. This promise, given specifically to the apostles, undergirded the inspiration and infallibility of their testimony, which would form the New Testament Scriptures.18 It also extends to all believers, whom the Spirit guides into a deeper understanding of God's Word.15
Theological Contribution: This passage demonstrates the Spirit's functional submission (He is sent) while affirming His divine capacity (He teaches "all things"). It inextricably links the Spirit's teaching ministry to the person and words of Jesus Christ, ensuring the continuity and consistency of divine revelation.
John 15:26: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
Analysis: Here, Jesus attributes the sending of the Spirit to Himself ("whom I will send"), while simultaneously affirming the Spirit's eternal origin from the Father ("which proceedeth from the Father"). This is a foundational text for the doctrine of the Spirit's eternal procession from the Father, a relationship that defines His personhood within the Trinity.21 The Spirit's primary mission is explicitly testimonial: "he shall testify of me." His work is relentlessly Christ-centered. As the "Spirit of truth," He bears witness to the ultimate Truth, who is Christ Himself.21
Theological Contribution: This verse powerfully illustrates the Trinitarian relationship in action: the Son sends, the Spirit proceeds from the Father, and the Spirit's work is to glorify the Son. It defines the very essence of the Spirit's mission in the world as witness-bearing to Christ.
John 16:13-14: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
Analysis: This passage reinforces the perfect unity of will and purpose within the Godhead. The Spirit's declaration that "he shall not speak of himself" signifies that He has no independent agenda; His words originate from the eternal counsel of the Trinity.7 "Whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak" points to the constant, perfect communication between the Father, Son, and Spirit.24 The Spirit's ultimate purpose is to glorify Christ.25 He achieves this by taking what belongs to Christ—His truth, His character, His redemptive benefits—and revealing it to believers.
Theological Contribution: This is one of the clearest biblical statements of the Spirit's Christocentric ministry. It demonstrates that His work is not self-referential but is entirely dedicated to magnifying the person and work of the Son, thereby confirming the Son's full deity and the Spirit's perfect unity with Him.
Acts 2:33: "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
Analysis: In the first Christian sermon, the Apostle Peter directly connects Christ's ascension and exaltation to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The exalted Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, receives the "promise of the Holy Ghost" from the Father and then pours Him out upon the church.27 The miraculous signs—the sound of a rushing wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in other languages—are the direct, observable results of this completed heavenly transaction.29
Theological Contribution: This verse demonstrates the economic Trinity working within redemptive history. The Son's finished work and subsequent exaltation are the necessary preconditions for the sending of the Spirit in His new covenant, empowering ministry to the church.
Romans 8:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
Analysis: The Apostle Paul uses the titles "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ" interchangeably within the same sentence to refer to the same Person. This linguistic parallel is theologically profound. To be indwelt by the Spirit of God is to be indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. Furthermore, this indwelling is presented as the definitive and non-negotiable mark of a true Christian; without the Spirit, one does not belong to Christ ("he is none of his").30
Theological Contribution: This verse serves as a powerful scriptural proof of the full deity of Christ and the essential unity of the Holy Spirit with both the Father and the Son. It establishes that the Spirit who indwells believers is the very Spirit of the Son, uniting them to Christ in the most intimate way possible.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11: "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
Analysis: Paul employs an analogy to illustrate the Spirit's divine nature. Just as a person's own spirit has unique access to their innermost thoughts and consciousness, only the Spirit of God can know the innermost thoughts, plans, and being of God.32 The Spirit's ability to "search all things, yea, the deep things of God" implies omniscience and an intimate, intrinsic participation in the divine essence. He is not an external observer but is Himself God, knowing God from within.34
Theological Contribution: This passage is a cornerstone for the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's full deity. He is not a created being or a lesser emanation; He is co-equal with the Father, possessing the very mind of God, and is therefore uniquely qualified to reveal divine wisdom to humanity.
Galatians 4:6: "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
Analysis: The gift of the Holy Spirit is presented here as both the consequence and the experiential evidence of a believer's adoption into God's family.35 God the Father sends the "Spirit of his Son" into the hearts of believers. This Spirit then produces in them the same intimate, filial cry of relationship that Jesus Himself had with the Father: "Abba, Father".36 The Spirit's presence provides an internal, subjective confirmation of our new, objective status as sons and daughters of God.
Theological Contribution: This verse beautifully illustrates the Trinitarian dynamic in the personal experience of salvation. The Father orchestrates our adoption through the redemptive work of the Son, and the Spirit of the Son provides the internal witness and relational reality of that adoption, transforming our relationship with God from one of fear to one of intimate love.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Analysis: Paul makes a functional identification: "The Lord is that Spirit." This does not erase the distinction of persons between the Son and the Spirit, but rather affirms that the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the new covenant is the very presence and work of the exalted Lord Jesus Christ.37 The Spirit's ministry brings liberty from the condemnation of the law (the "ministry of death") and initiates a process of progressive transformation. As believers behold the glory of the Lord (revealed in the gospel), the Spirit changes them into Christ's very image, from one degree of glory to the next.39
Theological Contribution: This passage reveals the Holy Spirit as the direct agent of Christian sanctification, conforming believers to the likeness of Christ. It demonstrates that to experience the indwelling Spirit is to experience the liberating and transforming presence of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Analysis: The Holy Spirit performs a dual role in securing the believer. First, He acts as God's "seal," an ancient mark of ownership and authenticity, signifying that the believer is God's genuine, purchased possession.40 Second, He is the "earnest" ($arrabōn$), a legal and commercial term for a down payment or guarantee. The Spirit's presence in a believer's life now is the first installment and binding promise of the full inheritance of glory that is to come.42
Theological Contribution: This passage highlights the Spirit's crucial role in providing eternal security for the believer. The seal is God's irrevocable mark of ownership, and the earnest is His unbreakable promise to complete the work of salvation. This work is fully Trinitarian: believers are sealed in Him (Christ) with the Spirit who was promised by the Father.
1 Peter 1:2: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."
Analysis: Peter provides a remarkably compact summary of the coordinated work of the Trinity in salvation. The process begins with the Father's election, based on His sovereign foreknowledge. It is actualized through the "sanctification of the Spirit," His work of setting the believer apart. The goal and result of this divine action is "obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ," signifying forgiveness and entry into the new covenant.43
No comments:
Post a Comment