Whatever Happened to the Holy Spirit?
The Ministries of the Holy Spirit -- Part 3
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved
(A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling
1-800-55-GRACE)
Galatians 3:1-5 Tape GC 90-33
Introduction
Despite the sufficiency of the spiritual resources available to believers
through the Holy Spirit, many Christians are attempting to reach spiritual
maturity apart from the His power. They have unwittingly substituted psychology
and pragmatism for true spirituality. Additionally, the controversy brought
about by the Charismatic Movement has made many Christians reluctant to speak
definitively about the Spirit's ministry for fear of offending those who
disagree.
Pastors who teach the sufficiency of the Spirit to meet our needs and solve our
problems have been accused of being unsophisticated and not understanding modern
psychological principles. And believers who take the Holy Spirit seriously are
often thought of as being esoteric and mystical, living on an unrealistic
spiritual plane.
Each of those factors has contributed to the problem of attempting to perfect in
the flesh what was begun in the Spirit (Gal. 3:3). But the fact is, only the
Spirit can finish and perfect what He began in the first place. All attempts to
reach spiritual maturity through human means lack divine power and therefore
produce weak Christians. That in turn weakens the church. Paul told the
Corinthians, "I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to
men of flesh, as to babes in Christ" (1 Cor. 3:1). Correcting such a problem is
difficult because fleshly Christians tend to resist spiritual counsel.
Nevertheless we must continue to call Christians back to living on the spiritual
plane.
Review
We have seen that the Christian life begins in the power of the Spirit. It's a
supernatural work that ushers you into life on a spiritual level. You've been
translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son
(Col. 1:13). You've been lifted out of the earthly realm into the heavenlies
(Eph. 2:6). You function on a spiritual plane but you can't grow on that plane
if you're living in the flesh. The Spirit must continue to perfect the work He
started when He saved you.
In addition to His initial work of salvation, the Spirit performs the ongoing
work of sanctification:
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES ACCESS TO GOD
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT ILLUMINATES SCRIPTURE
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT GLORIFIES CHRIST
IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES BELIEVERS
Those are tremendous resources that are available only through the Spirit. But
that's not all He does.
Lesson
V. THE HOLY SPIRIT MINISTERS THROUGH BELIEVERS
A. The Need for Mutual Ministries
1. The potential sufficiency of believers
When we consider the resources that believers have through the Holy Spirit, we
might conclude that a Christian has everything he needs to live a godly life
even without the support of other believers. In a sense that's true. Each
believer is potentially sufficient because he or she is indwelt by the Holy
Spirit, who is Himself sufficient.
2. The practical inadequacy of believers
Even though the Spirit is sufficient, sin prevents believers from fully
appropriating their divine resources. Therefore God uses believers to stimulate
one another toward making better use of the resources available to them through
the Spirit.
B. The Manifestation of Mutual Ministries
There are several ways by which Christians can minister to one another.
1. Associating with other believers
It's obvious that we must associate with other Christians before we can minister
to them. Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." That's a call to consistency
and faithfulness in our spiritual lives, and we do that by considering "how to
stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling
together" (vv. 24 25).
Our goal in associating with other believers is to stimulate one another toward
spiritual progress.
2. Using your spiritual gifts
We help one another grow spiritually by exercising our spiritual gifts within
the context of righteous relationships. That's the foundation for mutual
encouragement and accountability.
a. The definition of spiritual gifts
A spiritual gift is a channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to the
Body of Christ. It's a "manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor.
12:7).
When believers gather together they should do so to worship God and exercise
their spiritual gifts in stimulating one another to love and good deeds (Heb.
10:24). That's true Christian fellowship.
b. The analogy of spiritual gifts
Paul said, "Just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not
have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another" (Rom. 12:4 5). That's a simple analogy of a
body and its various members. Each member performs a different function but each
function is crucial for the overall health and effectiveness of the body.
The church is the Body of Christ (v. 5) and its members (individual believers)
function in ways that serve one another.
c. The diversity of spiritual gifts
Verses 6 8 say, "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to
us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion
of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or
he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads,
with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Those
are differing categories of spiritual gifts.
First Corinthians 12:4 says, "There are varieties of gifts, but the same
Spirit." There is only one Holy Spirit but He distributes a variety of gifts to
believers.
d. The purpose of spiritual gifts
Verses 7 and 11 say, "To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for
the common good.... But one and the same Spirit works all these things,
distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
The Holy Spirit empowers us to minister to one another through our spiritual
gifts. One day my son Mark said to me, "Dad, when you preach you're really
something special, but at home you're nothing special at all." He meant that as
a compliment and I took it that way. He recognized that something happens to me
when I minister in the power of a Spirit-given gift. That's how it is with all
spiritual gifts.
* Are You Listening to the Holy Spirit?
One of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us is through the ministry of other
believers. Do you receive their ministry in that way? For example, when someone
encourages you toward greater faithfulness in the study of God's Word, prayer,
church attendance, or ministry, do you recognize the Spirit's voice through them
or do you see it as nothing more than their opinion?
One of the great riches of being in full time ministry and spending each day
with the members of our church staff is the constant stimulation and
accountability they bring to my life. It may come by way of exhortation,
instruction, or encouragement, but I see it as God's Spirit ministering to me
through them. To be in that kind of environment is a wonderful gift from God to
those who bear a great spiritual responsibility and need a high level of
stimulation and accountability.
Even though you may not be in a pastoral ministry, you still need to recognize
the Spirit's ministry through other believers. Remember, a true stimulator (Heb.
10:24) speaks on behalf of the Spirit. Are you listening to what He says to you
through fellow believers?
e. The conduit for spiritual gifts
All spiritual gifts must be channeled through the conduit of love.
1) Romans 5:5 "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who was given to us." There is an inextricable link between God's
Spirit and God's love. When we received His Spirit, we received His love as
well. We must therefore minister our spiritual gifts in love.
2) Romans 15:30 "I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love
of the Spirit." Again we see a connection between the Spirit and love.
3) Colossians 1:8 Paul commended the Colossian believers for their "love in the
Spirit."
4) Ephesians 4:15 We are always to "[speak] the truth in love."
3. Fulfilling the "one anothers" of Scripture
a. The principle explained
The Spirit also ministers through the "one anothers" of the New Testament: we're
to love one another, pray for one another, edify one another, comfort one
another, exhort one another, rebuke one another, teach one another, and many
more. Those are our spiritual responsibilities toward other believers.
b. The principle illustrated
In Galatians 6:1 2 we have an example of mutual ministry within the church:
"Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual,
restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest
you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of
Christ." That's a reference to a Christian who has fallen into some kind of sin.
The Greek word translated "caught" speaks of being trapped or in bondage. Today
we would say he has an addition.
Paul instructed believers ("brethren") to deal with such problems. He did not
say, "Find a local Greek philosopher who can help him." Spiritual Christians
bear the responsibility of restoring those who are caught in a sinful addiction.
In doing so we fulfill the law of Christ, which is the royal law of James 2:8
(cf. John 13:34 35).
* Whom Should Christians Turn to in Times of Trouble?
The Bible says nothing about professional help for Christians in turmoil, but it
does say that Spirit-filled believers are to minister to such people. I think
part of the reason people go outside the church for help is that many churches
have failed to gently restore fallen believers and lovingly bear their burdens
(Gal. 6:1 2).
When Christians fall into traps of despair, discouragement, depression,
immorality, and substance abuse, the church should function as a healing
community to such people. Spiritual believers have the responsibility of helping
to restore them.
True biblical counseling to Christians in need is the process by which a Spirit
controlled Christian leads another believer to spirituality through prayer and
the Word. There's no fleshly way to accomplish that. It's a spiritual ministry.
In addition, I believe that although certain people are wonderfully gifted
counselors, the restoration of sinning Christians is a ministry of the whole
congregation rather than just one individual.
One writer drew a helpful analogy that illustrates the point: "Do not let
discouragement drench your spirit, or fear flood your soul. Despite the howling
winds of circumstance and the undercurrents of the enemy, press on in the power
of the Holy Spirit as you hold firmly to the rudder of faith. Scan your horizons
for a fleet of like-minded ships: vessels who adore and serve their King, the
Lord Jesus. Once you find them, forsake your isolated wanderings for their
protection, fellowship and instruction:
* The old ships will teach you reverence.
* Battered vessels are a practicum in compassion.
* Fast clippers, leading the fleet under Christ, instill obedience.
* Slow barges instruct you in patience and kindness, for they often bear the
heaviest burdens.
* Front line battleships evoke respect and humility.
* A broken boat will enlarge your heart for meeting needs.
* And even a collision with another freighter will alert each member to stay on
course and faithfully follow love."
No one person be he pastor or counselor can teach all that. But when the church
functions in the power of the Holy Spirit, all those ministries take place. That
dynamic stimulates each believer toward spiritual growth.
One of the tragedies of our day is that many Christians have drifted away from
depending on the Spirit because they get in the habit of depending on
themselves. When they finally discover their own inadequacies, they turn to the
world for solutions rather than seeking God's provisions through the Spirit and
through fellow believers. Whom do you turn to in times of trouble?
Because the Spirit ministers to us through other believers, we must never cut
ourselves off from that vital source of stimulation and accountability.
Unfortunately some Christians can attend church or Bible study week after week
and make little or no contribution to the lives of other believers and receive
little or nothing from them. Others spend time with Christians but the topic of
conversation may not be of any spiritual significance. Be sure to make the most
of the Spirit's ministry through other believers!
VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT STRENGTHENS BELIEVERS
Just as a battery operated toy needs power to run properly, Christians need
supernatural power to function on the spiritual plane. Even though the Spirit
gives us access to God, illuminates His Word, glorifies Christ, guides us, and
ministers through us, our ability to trust Him to accomplish those things in our
lives is
limited by sin. Therefore He also gives us the strength to live a victorious,
joyful, and productive Christian life.
The Bible mentions several specific things that the Spirit enables believers to
do:
A. To Accomplish Great Things
1. The scope of His power
Paul said, "I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven
and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches
of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man"
(Eph. 3:14 16). Paul prayed that his readers would be strengthened in equal
measure to the riches of God's glory. Since God is infinitely rich in glory,
Paul was asking for infinite spiritual strength for believers.
The scope of God's power is illustrated in verse 20: "Now to Him who is able to
do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us." That's an unimaginable, incalculable amount of power yet
it's available to every believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. What a
tremendous reality!
2. An illustration of His power
Paul had firsthand knowledge of God's power because he lived a very difficult,
lonely life and depended on the Spirit's power to fight the many physical and
spiritual battles he faced. His personal testimony was: "We are handicapped on
all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We
are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down but
we are never knocked out! Every day we experience something of the death of
Jesus, so that we may also know the power of the life of Jesus in these bodies
of ours.... We are always facing death, but this means that you know more and
more of life.... This is the reason that we never collapse. The outward man does
indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inner man receives fresh
strength" (2 Cor. 4:8 10, 12, 16; Phillips).
Whatever trials we face, the Spirit provides fresh strength each day. That's
important because any level of ministry can be painful, discouraging, and
heartbreaking at times. On the outside you can be getting quite a bruising, but
if you live on the spiritual level there is a constant supply of fresh strength.
That's the ministry of the Spirit.
B. To Win at Spiritual Warfare
The Spirit also gives us strength to fight against Satan and his forces. Paul
said, "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for
the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the
destruction of fortresses." (2 Cor. 10:3 4).
We are human but we can't fight spiritual battles with fleshly weapons.
Therefore God has given us spiritual weapons such as prayer, His Word, and His
wisdom. Such weapons are so powerful they can destroy every spiritual fortress
that Satan attempts to build in this world through satanic ideas, ideals,
values. Paul said, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised
up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ" (v. 5). By the Spirit's power we can win every spiritual
battle.
C. To Cope with Burdens
The French Reformer John Calvin noted that the Spirit lifts us up as He places
Himself under our heavy burdens. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the
Comforter (John 14:16), One who helps carry our burdens (2 Cor. 13:14).
D. To Overcome Sin
In Galatians 5:16 Paul says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the
desire of the flesh."
E. To Evangelize the Lost
Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be My witnesses" (Acts 1:8).
F. To Maintain Hope
The Spirit gives us the assurance of our eternal hope. Paul prayed, "May the God
of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in
hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13).
G. To Serve God
Ephesians 3:20 says, "[God] is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that
we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."
H. To Praise God
Ephesians 5:18 19 says, "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart
to the Lord."
I. To Establish Proper Relationships
In Ephesians 5:22-6:9 Paul gives a list of interpersonal relationships that flow
from Spirit-filled lives. Included are wives who submit to their husbands,
husbands who love their wives, children who obey their parents, parents who
don't exasperate their children, employees who serve their employers with
respect and integrity, and employers who are gracious to their employees.
Those are all ways that the Spirit strengthens believers. There are no human
means by which they can be accomplished. For example, there's no technique for
overcoming sin and there's no method of evangelism that is effective apart from
the Spirit's power.
VII. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR BELIEVERS
Even with all the resources of the Spirit at our disposal, we can fail Him by
falling into sin. During such times He does not forsake us but ministers to us
through intercessory prayer.
A. The Purpose of His Intercession (Rom. 8:26a)
"The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
should."
The context of Romans 8 is the day when we will see Christ and when all creation
will be set free from the bondage of sin (v. 21). It's the culmination of our
salvation. The Greek word translated "weakness" in Romans 8:26 speaks of our
inability to keep ourselves saved. Our weakness extends to the point that we
don't even know how to pray effectively for ourselves. In fact, if we had to
depend on our own prayers to keep us saved, we'd be lost. But when God saved us
He promised to secure our salvation for eternity. We can trust His promise
because He has the power to fulfill it. God exercises His power to accomplish
His promises. We are eternally secure because The Holy Spirit is working within
us to effect salvation.
B. The Process of His Intercession (Rom. 8:26b 27)
"The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He
who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He
intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
From within us the Holy Spirit is constantly interceding to the throne of God on
our behalf with utterances too profound to put into words. Because He is in
perfect communion with the Father and understands the Father's will perfectly,
the Spirit can pray perfectly about our needs.
C. The Product of His Intercession (Rom. 8:28 39)
"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (v. 28).
The result of the Spirit's intercessory ministry is the ultimate working
together of all things for the believer's future glory. Therefore you will one
day be fully glorified and conformed to the image of Christ (vv. 28 30). It's
guaranteed! Nothing can thwart God's purpose or separate you from His love (vv.
31 39).
Despite our sins, failures, inability to pray as we should, and all the
obstacles we face on the human level, the Spirit continues His intercessory
ministry. In addition, Jesus Himself "always lives to make intercession for
[us]" (Heb. 7:25). Is it any wonder why all things are working together for our
eternal glory?
* The Believer's Assurance of Victory
The Spirit's intercessory ministry is the guarantee of our spiritual victory. We
cannot ultimately fail because He prays for us, and God answers His prayers and
strengthen us. The Holy Spirit sees sin in our lives and prays to the Father to
cleanse us as He brings it to our attention and leads us to repent of it. The
Father then forgives us and the Spirit empowers us to live more godly each day.
However, that marvelous reality doesn't relieve us of our responsibility to walk
in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is sufficient for all our needs, but many Christians turn to
fleshly solutions for spiritual problems rather than drawing from divine
resources. Remember, you cannot perfect in the flesh what was begun in the
Spirit (Gal. 3:3). Therefore daily draw upon the power of the Spirit through
fervent prayer and the study of God's Word.
Focusing on the Facts
1. All attempts to reach spiritual maturity through human means lack divine
power and therefore produce __________ Christians.
2. Even though the Spirit is sufficient, __________ prevents believers from
fully appropriating their divine resources.
3. Identify three ways that Christians minister to one another.
4. Why is it important for a Christian to associate with other believers (Heb.
10:24 25)?
5. What is a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7)?
6. What analogy did Paul use to describe the function of spiritual gifts (Rom.
12:4 5)?
7. Is there more than one spiritual gift? Explain (Rom. 12:6 8; 1 Cor. 12:4).
8. One of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us is through the ministry of
__________ __________.
9. What is the conduit for spiritual gifts?
10. __________ __________ bear the responsibility of restoring those who are
caught in a sinful addiction.
11. Define biblical counseling.
12. What was Paul's prayer request in Ephesians 3:14 16?
13. Identify three spiritual weapons God has given to every believer.
14. How does the Holy Spirit help believers cope with their burdens?
15. According to Ephesians 3:20, what is God able to accomplish through
believers?
16. Why is it necessary for the Holy Spirit to intercede on behalf of believers
(Rom. 8:26`)?
17. How does the Holy Spirit intercede for believers (Rom. 8:26 27)?
18. What is the result of the Spirit's intercessory ministry (Rom. 8:28 39)?
19. How does the Spirit's intercessory ministry guarantee the believer's
ultimate spiritual victory?
Pondering the Principles
1. We have seen that the Holy Spirit equips every believer to minister to the
Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7, 11). Our spiritual gifts may differ but each of us
have an important contribution to make to the overall spiritual health and
effectiveness of the church. Are you a good steward of your spiritual gifts?
Remember, other believers are counting on you!
2. Many Christians want to accomplish great things for God but become
discouraged by feelings of inadequacy. The truth is, in ourselves none of us are
adequate for spiritual service. But God is "able to do exceeding abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us"
(Eph. 3:20). Moses is a biblical example of someone who needed to learn that
lesson. Read the account of his calling in Exodus 3:1-4:30. What did God want to
accomplish through Moses (Ex. 3:10)? How did Moses express his feelings of
inadequacy (Ex. 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10, 13)? How did God assure him that he would not
fail (Ex. 3:12, 14 23; 4:2-9, 11 12, 14-17)? Did Moses succeed at what God
called him to do (Ex. 4:29-31; 12:29 36, 51)? What are you trusting God to
accomplish through you today? Have you committed it to Him in prayer?
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Bible
Study Guide Collection" by:
Tony Capoccia
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