A Person, Not a Power (The Holy Spirit Series, Pt. 4) | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This morning, we were reminded that our understanding of the Holy Spirit is often rooted in human arrogance. We tend to think that we can explain God, but the Bible warns us that there are secret things that belong to God, and we only know what has been revealed to us (Deuteronomy 29:29). The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a power, and it's essential to approach Him with reverence and awe. We should never assume that we can harness His power or use Him for our own gain.

Key Scripture References

• John 14:16-17 - Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as a helper, a spirit of truth who abides with us and will be in us. This emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is a person, not an it or a power.
• Romans 8:27 - The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God, showing that He has His own mind and thoughts, separate from ours.
• Ephesians 4:30 - We are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit by our actions, which can cause Him pain and grief. This verse highlights the emotional nature of the Holy Spirit.
• Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Bible reminds us that there are secret things that belong to God, and we only know what has been revealed to us.
• Ephesians 4:29-31 - We are encouraged to speak wholesome words that build each other up, rather than causing pain or grief to the Holy Spirit through our relationships and actions.

Main Points

The main points of this message can be summarized as follows:

• The Holy Spirit is a person, not just a power.
• We should approach Him with reverence and awe, recognizing the limitations of our understanding.
• The Holy Spirit has His own mind and thoughts, separate from ours.
• He intercedes for us according to the will of God.
• We can grieve the Holy Spirit through our actions, causing Him pain and grief.
• We should strive to speak wholesome words that build each other up, rather than causing hurt or pain to others.

Application

The application of this message is clear: we must approach the Holy Spirit with humility and reverence. We should never assume that we can harness His power or use Him for our own gain. Instead, we should seek to understand and obey His will, recognizing that He has His own mind and thoughts, separate from ours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this morning's message reminded us of the importance of approaching the Holy Spirit with reverence and awe. We must recognize the limitations of our understanding and avoid assuming that we can explain God or harness His power. By doing so, we can deepen our relationship with Him and live in obedience to His will.