Assurance and Witness of the Spirit
Tim Keller | April 29, 1990
Overview
What does the Spirit do? The Spirit does a lot of things. It’s astonishing. If you really go back into the Old Testament you’ll see the Spirit was a creator. The Spirit is a teacher, and we’re going to see that the Spirit has three main ministries in the life of a Christian.
Those three main categories are: The Spirit regenerates us (which means he is the agent of being reborn), the Spirit sanctifies us (which means he gradually turns us more and more into the likeness of Christ in our character), and thirdly, the Spirit anoints us with power. The Spirit of God makes God real. The Spirit of God mediates the presence of Jesus Christ. So you don’t just know about him, but you sense you’re in his presence.
Outline
Romans 8:5–17
Getting closer to God and growing as a Christian is like planting a tree. Just like a tree needs water to grow, we need the Holy Spirit to help us grow spiritually. When we live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we find peace, feel alive, and realize that we are truly God’s kids. The Holy Spirit is like a compass, pointing us to the truth, encouraging us to forgive, and sparking a hunger in us to know God better. By praying, meditating, and understanding the Holy Spirit’s role, we can get closer to God. This journey might involve some tough times, just like Christ’s did, but it will also lead us to share in his glory.
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