Last week: Jesus promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. He said the Spirit would be their Paraclete - "one called along side" - to help them, strengthen them and encourage them.

Evangelicals have avoided the Holy Spirit because we are uncomfortable with other denominations' unbalanced focus on feeling and lack of Biblical teaching. We need the Holy Spirit, individually to help us, encourage us, strengthen us. The church needs the Holy Spirit for power to carry out our mission.

I. The Holy Spirit is Fully God

A. The Spirit is eternal; He was present and involved in the creation

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.(‭Gen‬‭1‬:‭2‬)

B. The Spirit is omnipresent

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7-8‬ )

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬)

Application: 1) No matter where I go (or my family and friends) the Holy Spirit is present. As a Christian, the Spirit indwells me and accompanies me in every circumstance and every stage of life. 2) We must recognize the Holy Spirit indwells the church like His temple and maintain unity in our mission.

C. The Spirit is omniscient, He knows the thoughts of God

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭10-11‬)

Application: The Spirit imparts to us spiritual wisdom from God that we could not comprehend on our own. D. When Peter confronts Ananias, he refers to the Holy Spirit as "God."

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭3-4‬)

II.The Holy Spirit is a distinct person

A. We grieve the Holy Spirit by our sin

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭30‬)

Application: The Spirit is a distinct person, not merely the power or presence of God. As God the Father grieves over our sin, so does the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the eternal Trinity with the Father and the Son. (See also 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 1 Pet 1:2; Jude 20-21)

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (‭Matt‬hew ‭3‬:‭16-17‬ )

D. The Spirit teaches (John 14:26)

E. The Spirit bears witness about Jesus (John 15:26; Romans 8:16)

F. The Spirit prays to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27)

G. The Spirit knows the thoughts of God (1Corinthians 2:11)

H. The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to the church (1 Corinthians 12:11)

G. The Spirit personally guides Christians (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18; Acts 16:6-7)