Discerning the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit
Written By Tommy Smith

Sermon Notes

Discerning the Ministry of the Holy Spirit!

KEY PASSAGE

1 John 4:1 ESV… Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Philippians 1:9-10 ESV… And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT

  • King Solomon asked for wisdom to discern between right and wrong... 1 Kings 3:9

  • Paul’s prayer for the early church was for discernment… Phil. 1:9-10

  • We need to be discerning because we are in a spiritual war… Eph. 6:12

  • We are called to test the spirits… 1 John 4:1

  • Discernment is even harder because Satan masquerades as an angel of light… 2 Cor. 11:14-15

  • Discernment isn’t just knowing the difference between “right” and “wrong”... it’s also knowing the difference between “right” and “almost right.”

THE TRUE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT EXALTS CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL

  • The Holy Spirit came to testify about Christ & the Gospel… John 15:26; Acts 5:30-32

  • Dr. John MacArthur has said… “So where you see any deficiency in the nature of Christ or the prominence and preeminence of Christ this is not the work of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Satan will even distract people with “spiritual things”... Mt. 7:21-23

  • John the Baptist said he must decrease and Christ must increase… John 3:30

THE TRUE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OPPOSES THAT WHICH IS WORLDLY AND CARNAL.

  • The Holy Spirit and the flesh are opposed to one another… Galatians 5:16-21

  • The church is to be “called out” of the world… not be friends with it.

  • The churches in Revelation had welcomed in carnality… Rev. 2:14-15; 2:20

  • The Holy Spirit doesn’t “tolerate” wickedness.

THE TRUE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE MARKED BY ORDER; CLARITY AND SELF-CONTROL

  • Paul had to rebuke the out-of-control nature of the early church… 1 Cor. 14:29-33

  • The fruit of the Spirit is marked by “peace” and “self-control”... Gal. 5:22-23

  • When people encounter God they gain control… not lose it… Mark 5:1-15

  • We must test every spirit… not just some spirits… 1 John 4:1

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  • Why is it so imperative that Christians be discerning?

  • Why should you be concerned about a ministry that doesn't focus on the person and work of Christ?

  • Have you seen churches welcoming in that which is worldly and carnal?

  • What should we make of a ministry where there is disorder & chaos?

Tommy Smith
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