Welcome to Waymaker Church! We are so excited to have you join us today! We exist to Encounter, Live for, and Advance the Kingdom of God!

Last week I began our new series “Chasing the Wind” by looking at how the life that is in Jesus is given to us. John 6:63 revealed that the life we need is in Jesus through the Word, but “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

To have success as a believer, it is essential to build a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

To be led means to willingly undergo an action or course of action due to the influence of a moral or spiritual influence. I think it is important to recognize that being led by the Spirit is a sign of sonship. When you are in Him, you are led by the Spirit.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is first an inward ministry. When you confess Jesus as Lord of your life He comes to abide with you forever. Jesus said in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and dwells with you and will be in you. To the believer He comes as a helper.

The Greek word used here for helper is parakletos which is a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

He is our advocate, counselor, and comforter. As we walk in obedience to the word, He will guide and lead us into all truth.

The Holy Spirit is the expert advocate of heaven who comes on your behalf to aid you in every area of life. He reminds us in Romans 8:15–17 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

He will affirm to us through an inward witness that we are children of God, and heirs of the kingdom. He also helps us in our weaknesses.

So, what we see in the broader context is that the Holy Spirit comes to aid us in counsel, to teach us, to lead and guide us in to truth, but there is also an outworking of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is also given to us that we might receive power to be a witness for Christ. Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

We will look at the gifts of the Spirit in the coming weeks and their purpose, but we first need to understand the inward ministry. We struggle to operate in power outwardly if we have not gained sensitivity first inwardly. The outward demonstration of power is tied closely to sensitivity and obedience.

There is something extremely important here about walking in obedience to the word.

If we live according to the flesh carnally, we set our minds on the things of the flesh (sin). If we are led by the Spirit, the things of the Spirit leading to the life that is in Jesus and peace.

Sin and carnality are in opposition to God and not subject to the law of God. The inward work of the Spirit is to lead you from death to life. This is the transformation process (sanctification).

However, we must understand that there are dangers ahead if we are born again but choose not to walk in obedience to the word. There is the obvious effect of sin and carnality.

Example:
• Sleep around and you may end with disease, unexpected pregnancy, and emotional trauma.
• Uncontrolled anger could land you in a variety of issues from conflict in the home, or fits of rage that could lead to jail or charges being filed on you, etc.
• Persistent lying will erode trust and character with those around you. I think you get the picture.

Yet, I believe there is something far worse than the natural effects of sin and carnality. The greater threat is the potential to develop a seared conscience. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 gives an example of some who have a seared conscience.

Remember, to live life in the Spirit we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit. The ability to follow His leading is directly related to our sensitivity to hear. In Matthew 11:15 Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Obedience to the truth hinges on our ability to hear the voice of the Spirit. You have heard that sin separates. But how does it separate? By dulling our ability to hear the counsel of the Spirit.
If we persist long enough in separation from the counsel of the Spirit we may develop a seared conscience.

God has given each of us a conscience. Romans 2:15 explains, “who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)”

The law of God is written in our hearts. We know right from wrong, and our understanding of right and wrong increases as we gain knowledge of the word.

However, if we walk in disobedience we may end up with a seared conscience. A seared conscience literally means cauterized. It has been rendered insensitive. Persistent disobedience leads to a lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

We lose our moral compass and often end up back on the throne of our lives ruling and reigning. The example of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 shows that habitual disobedience leads to deception and the potential of giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.

These two are in opposition to the truth and counter to kingdom of God. Remember, that I told you in our study on James that there is an alternate wisdom that stands in contrast with the wisdom of God.

James 3:13–15 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”

If we give heed to this alternate wisdom long enough it is likely that a seared conscience is soon to follow. I want to challenge you this morning to position yourself to hear from the Spirit, and to be led by Him. Draw near to the word and do what it says. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and learn to listen for His voice so that you can receive His counsel and live life in the Spirit.