The Trinity #1: God the Holy Spirit

Today's Text in Context

Bob Utley, "Acts 2" from the series Luke the Historian: Acts

http://bit.ly/2ofVulS

Jean II Restout, "Pentecost" (detail). Oil on canvas. 1732.

Red Letter Days

A red letter day is any day of special significance or opportunity. Its roots are in classical antiquity; for instance, important days are indicated in red in a calendar dating from the Roman Republic (509–27 BC). In medieval manuscripts, initial capitals and highlighted words (known as rubrics) were written in red ink. The practice was continued after the invention of the printing press. Many calendars still indicate special dates and holidays in red instead of black. Wikipedia

http://bit.ly/2qJylW5

Pentecost

Pentecost "commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Jewish day of Shavuot, as described in Acts 2.1–31. The word Pentecost derives from the ancient Greek name for the Jewish feast. The event commemorated has been described by some Christians as the Birthday of the Church." Wikipedia article

http://bit.ly/2rlQiv6

The Holy Spirit isn't a ghost.

Ghosts

In folklore, a ghost (apparition, haunt, phantom, poltergeist, shade, specter, spirit, spook, and wraith) is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that seems to appear to the living. Despite centuries of investigation, there is no credible scientific evidence that any location is inhabited by spirits of the dead." Wikipedia article

http://bit.ly/2anNcig

The Trinity

Gregory Brown, "The Trinity" from the series Bible Teacher's Guide: Theology Proper

http://bit.ly/2sz3H2o

The Trinity is Biblical

Melinda Penner, "The Trinity is Biblical" Stand To Reason article

http://bit.ly/2qPwtL2

Theological Fidget Spinner

The Trinity is a Solution, Not a Problem

Highly Recommended article! Greg Koukl, "The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem Part 1" Stand To Reason. Click the link at the end of the article to continue to part 2.

http://bit.ly/2rtNfkL

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Genesis 1:1-2 NIV

Job 33:4 NIV

Psalms 104:30 NIV

1 Samuel 16:13 NIV

The Holy Spirit in the Gospels

Luke 1:13-15 NIV

Matthew 1:18 NIV

Matthew 3:16 NIV

Luke 4:18 NIV

John 14:26 NIV

John 16:7 NIV

The Holy Spirit in the Age of the Church

1. The Holy Spirit builds…

1. The Holy Spirit builds the Church and directs its mission.

Acts 1:8 NIV

For reflection/discussion

For reflection/discussion: (1) The three most important days in the church calendar are Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. What do each of these days celebrate? Why is the celebration of Christmas and Easter more prominent than Pentecost? (2) What is the difference between a church built on human power and a church built in the power of the Holy Spirit? (3) Why did the early church expand so rapidly, despite fierce opposition and persecution?

2. The Holy Spirit calls…

2. The Holy Spirit calls us to salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV

For reflection/discussion

For reflection/discussion: How did you become a believer? How was the Holy Spirit at work in that process? How can the Holy Spirit use you to bring others to Christ? Who are some people you can pray for, invite, and bring to a worship service, growth group, or church event?

3. The Holy Spirit speaks…

3. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed… 2 Timothy 3.16

For reflection/discussion

For reflection/discussion: The Holy Spirit both inspired the writing of scripture and speaks to us today through scripture and its exposition. Have you ever felt like God was speaking directly to you while you were reading the Bible or listening to a message at church? Think of/ share at least one example. What does Paul mean when he says that all scripture is God-breathed?

4. The Holy Spirit grants…

4. The Holy Spirit grants us gifts for building up the Body of Christ, the Church.

1 Corinthians 12:4-14 NIV

Spiritual Gifts Test

This Spiritual Gifts test is designed to be taken quickly during a single sitting, and typically takes 5 minutes to complete. We encourage you to be open and honest. Enjoy! In partnership with BeliefNet

http://bit.ly/2rW66Ya

For reflection/ discussion

For reflection/ discussion: Take the Spiritual Gifts test above. What are your top Spiritual Gifts? Why, according to 1 Corinthians 12, has God given you these gifts? How are you using your Spiritual Gifts to serve Christ and build his Church?

5. The Holy Spirit makes…

5. The Holy Spirit makes us more Christlike people.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Romans 8:11 NIV

We trust in God the Holy Spirit,

everywhere the giver and renewer of life.

The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith,

sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor,

and binds us together with all believers

in the one body of Christ, the church.

The same Spirit

who inspired the prophets and apostles

rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture,

engages us through the Word proclaimed,

claims us in the waters of baptism,

feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation,

and calls women and men to all ministries of the church.

In a broken and fearful world

the Spirit gives us courage

to pray without ceasing,

to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,

to unmask idolatries in church and culture,

to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,

and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,

we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks

and to live holy and joyful lives,

even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth,

praying, Come, Lord Jesus!

From The Brief Statement of Faith, 1991.

For reflection/ discussion

Live By The Spirit: Devotions With John Piper

For reflection/ discussion: (1) Review the description of "the fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5.22-23. What is the difference between Spiritual Gifts and "the fruit of the Spirit"? Why are both necessary and important? Do you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? Do others? (2) Read the section on the Holy Spirit from The Brief Statement of Faith (above). How well does it capture the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church?

7 Days

Acts 1:8 NIV