EquippedEquipped for the Christian Journey for the Christian Journey

by the Holy Spiritby the Holy Spirit

Lesson TwoLesson Two

The Christian journey involves many The Christian journey involves many challengeschallenges::

Learning the truth God has revealed.Learning the truth God has revealed.

Pleasing God with our life and serving HimPleasing God with our life and serving Him with our abilities.with our abilities.

Openly revealing that we are a Christian—Openly revealing that we are a Christian— sometimes in a hostile environment.sometimes in a hostile environment.

Overcoming our weaknesses to temptation.Overcoming our weaknesses to temptation. Sharing the good news of salvation to those Sharing the good news of salvation to those who are happy to receive it, and those who who are happy to receive it, and those who

are offended by it. are offended by it.

Amazingly, the instant we sincerely receive Amazingly, the instant we sincerely receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, by faith, the Jesus Christ as our Savior, by faith, the Holy Spirit equips us with everything we Holy Spirit equips us with everything we need to be victorious in all these areas need to be victorious in all these areas and more. and more.

(See 2nd Peter 1:2, 3.) (See 2nd Peter 1:2, 3.)

We need to learn what the Holy Spirit has We need to learn what the Holy Spirit has done for us and appropriate these done for us and appropriate these

gifts by faith.gifts by faith.

The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Life to OurThe Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Life to OurHuman SpiritHuman Spirit

Before we are saved our human spirit is Before we are saved our human spirit is fully alive to all things physical and fully alive to all things physical and

material material but but dead to God. dead to God.

“ “And you He made alive, who were dead And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” in trespasses and sins.”

Ephesians 2:1 (Colossians 2:13)Ephesians 2:1 (Colossians 2:13)

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, by faith, When we receive Jesus as our Savior, by faith, we receive spiritual life. we receive spiritual life.

““But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together were dead in trespasses, made us alive together

with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Ephesians 2:5, 6.Ephesians 2:5, 6.

““Most assuredly, I Most assuredly, I (Jesus)(Jesus) say to you, he who say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me

has everlasting life, and shall not come into has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

John 5:24.John 5:24.

Jesus described this giving of spiritual life as Jesus described this giving of spiritual life as a spiritual birth by the Holy Spirit.a spiritual birth by the Holy Spirit.

““Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he

cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”born of the Spirit is spirit.’” John 3:5, 6.John 3:5, 6.

““It is the Spirit who gives life. . .” It is the Spirit who gives life. . .” John 6:63a.John 6:63a.

The Holy Spirit Takes Up Residence In The Holy Spirit Takes Up Residence In The New Believer. The New Believer.

On the evening before His crucifixion one of the On the evening before His crucifixion one of the revelations Jesus gave His disciples was revelations Jesus gave His disciples was

‘”‘”And I will pray the Father, and He will give you And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever---the Spirit of truth, whom the world forever---the Spirit of truth, whom the world

cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in knows Him, for He dwells with you and will be in

you.” you.” John 14:16, 17.John 14:16, 17.

The apostle Paul wrote the Christians in Rome,The apostle Paul wrote the Christians in Rome, ““But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if

indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is

not His.” not His.” Romans 8:9 (also 10, 11).Romans 8:9 (also 10, 11).Paul wrote the Corinthians, Paul wrote the Corinthians, ““Do you not know that you are the temple of God Do you not know that you are the temple of God

and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1st Corinthians 3:16.(See also chapter 6:19, 20.).1st Corinthians 3:16.(See also chapter 6:19, 20.).

The true believer in Christ will never be alone. The The true believer in Christ will never be alone. The Holy Spirit will always be present within.Holy Spirit will always be present within.

The Holy Spirit. . .The Holy Spirit. . . Bears witness that we are children of God, Bears witness that we are children of God,

Romans 8:14, 17.Romans 8:14, 17. Provides comfort in our anxiety and distress. Provides comfort in our anxiety and distress.

John 14:16, 17John 14:16, 17 Teaches and guides us. Teaches and guides us.

John 14:26.; 16:13; 1st Corinthians 2:9-16John 14:26.; 16:13; 1st Corinthians 2:9-16.. Corrects our prayers to conform to the will and Corrects our prayers to conform to the will and

purpose of God. purpose of God. Romans 8:26, 27Romans 8:26, 27.. Corrects our wrong decisions. Corrects our wrong decisions. Acts 16:7-10Acts 16:7-10..

Enables us to worship God properly. John 4:23, 24.Enables us to worship God properly. John 4:23, 24. Empowers us to live, serve and give witness of Christ. Empowers us to live, serve and give witness of Christ.

Acts 1:8; 2:4; 4:8; 31; Ephesians 5:18-20Acts 1:8; 2:4; 4:8; 31; Ephesians 5:18-20

The Holy Spirit Stamps a Seal The Holy Spirit Stamps a Seal on the New Believer Identifying on the New Believer Identifying

Him or Her as the Property of God.Him or Her as the Property of God.

““In Him In Him (Christ)(Christ) you also trusted, after you heard you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in

whom also having believed, you were sealed whom also having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the

guarantee of our inheritance. . .”guarantee of our inheritance. . .” Ephesians Ephesians 2:13,14a.2:13,14a.

(See also Ephesians 4:30 and 2nd Corinthians 1:22).(See also Ephesians 4:30 and 2nd Corinthians 1:22).

The Greek word for “seal” denotes an emblem of The Greek word for “seal” denotes an emblem of ownership, security and preservation. ownership, security and preservation.

The idea here is that the instant a lost sinner The idea here is that the instant a lost sinner receives Jesus as Savior the Holy Spirit stamps receives Jesus as Savior the Holy Spirit stamps

him with a seal that denotes him with a seal that denotes ““This is the sole property of God.” This is the sole property of God.”

This carries a powerful message of God’s This carries a powerful message of God’s provision and protection. provision and protection.

It also carries a warning to the Satanic and It also carries a warning to the Satanic and demonic realm and anyone who dares to pry this demonic realm and anyone who dares to pry this

believer away from God.believer away from God.

The Holy Spirit Baptizes The New Believer The Holy Spirit Baptizes The New Believer

Into The Body of ChristInto The Body of Christ ““For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one

body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”Spirit.” 1st Corinthians 12:131st Corinthians 12:13..

““For as many of you as were baptized into Christ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27Galatians 3:27..

(See also Romans 6:3)(See also Romans 6:3)

The epistles of Paul give a strong emphasis The epistles of Paul give a strong emphasis that the church is not only a physical that the church is not only a physical assembly of believers, but also a spiritual assembly of believers, but also a spiritual organism. Jesus Christ is the Head of the organism. Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and all true believers make up His church and all true believers make up His body:body:

““. . .So we, being many, are one body in . . .So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one Christ, and individually members of one another.”another.” Romans 6:5Romans 6:5. .

Verses 6-8 point out that each believer is given one Verses 6-8 point out that each believer is given one or more spiritual gifts to contribute to the health of or more spiritual gifts to contribute to the health of the body. the body.

Other Scriptures that emphasize the same truth are Other Scriptures that emphasize the same truth are 1st Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:7-16; 1st 1st Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:7-16; 1st Peter 4:10.Peter 4:10.

The local church is not only an assembly of physical The local church is not only an assembly of physical believers, but each of these believers have a believers, but each of these believers have a spiritual nature that composes the body of Christ.spiritual nature that composes the body of Christ.

““Having then gifts differing according to the grace Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…”that is given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:6.Romans 12:6.

The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Every New BelieverThe Holy Spirit Sanctifies Every New Believer

The apostle Paul wrote the believers at Thessalonica, The apostle Paul wrote the believers at Thessalonica,

“ “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth.”sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2nd Thessalonians 2:13. 2nd Thessalonians 2:13.

(See also Romans 15:16 and 1st Peter 1:2.(See also Romans 15:16 and 1st Peter 1:2.

The words, The words, “holy”, “saint”, “sanctify”, “holy”, “saint”, “sanctify”, andand “sanctification”“sanctification”, all have the same root meaning, , all have the same root meaning, ““set apart to Godset apart to God.” The Holy Spirit is the Agent Who .” The Holy Spirit is the Agent Who sets new believers apart to God. sets new believers apart to God.

A study of sanctification reveals there A study of sanctification reveals there are three aspects:are three aspects:

Positional sanctificationPositional sanctification – –

The instant a lost sinner receives Jesus Christ The instant a lost sinner receives Jesus Christ as Savior he or she is placed into Christ and as Savior he or she is placed into Christ and is totally covered with the righteousness of is totally covered with the righteousness of Christ. Christ.

See Romans 3:21, 22; 4:5-8; Philippians 3:7-9See Romans 3:21, 22; 4:5-8; Philippians 3:7-9..

Progressive SanctificationProgressive Sanctification – – This is the process by which a believer becomes This is the process by which a believer becomes

more and more set apart to God in love, devotion, more and more set apart to God in love, devotion, service, and witness. service, and witness.

The apostle Paul was a powerful example. He wrote, The apostle Paul was a powerful example. He wrote, “ “Brethren, I do not count myself to have Brethren, I do not count myself to have

apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14. Philippians 3:13, 14.

(See also Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6).(See also Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6).

Perfect SanctificationPerfect Sanctification – As noted by Paul – As noted by Paul above, none of us will reach this level during our above, none of us will reach this level during our Christian journey on earth. All the same we are Christian journey on earth. All the same we are encouraged to know that when Jesus returns encouraged to know that when Jesus returns and we are caught up to be with Him, by rapture and we are caught up to be with Him, by rapture or resurrection, we will be changed and enjoy or resurrection, we will be changed and enjoy perfect righteousness.perfect righteousness.

“ “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23. 1st Thessalonians 5:23.

(See also 1st Corinthians 15:51-57) (See also 1st Corinthians 15:51-57)

The apostle Paul gave us a beautiful description The apostle Paul gave us a beautiful description of the transformation that will take place with all of the transformation that will take place with all believers when Jesus comes to take us home:believers when Jesus comes to take us home:

“ “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ, Who also eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to he conformed to His glorious body, according to he working by which He is able to even to subdue working by which He is able to even to subdue all things to Himself.”all things to Himself.” – – Philippians 3:20.Philippians 3:20.

In the meantime, we are to “In the meantime, we are to “walk in the Spirit”walk in the Spirit”. .

We are informed in Romans 8:1 that . . .We are informed in Romans 8:1 that . . .

“ “There is therefore no condemnation to those There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk

according to the flesh, but according to the according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Spirit.” Verse 4 adds that “Verse 4 adds that “The righteous The righteous

requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but who do not walk according to the flesh but

according to the Spirit”according to the Spirit”

We are informed in Galatians 5:16 that even We are informed in Galatians 5:16 that even if we are tempted to sin, “if we are tempted to sin, “

““Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”the lust of the flesh.” Verse 22 adds, Verse 22 adds, “But “But

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . .”.faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . .”.

To “To “walk in the Spirit”walk in the Spirit” means means

to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit

Who resides within. Who resides within.

There is great profit in doing so.There is great profit in doing so.