LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 7 ) | JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SANCTIFICATION

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3201

LESSON ON FAITH ( PART 7 )

JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SANCTIFICATION

1. CHRIST IN US

Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." There is no such thing as a "halfway disciple."

But no one can follow Christ by the strength of his own willpower. The Pharisees were good examples of those who were trying to obey God in their own strength. Their self-effort led only to arrogance and distortion of the whole purpose of God's Law (Luke 11:39; Matthew 23:24).

Jesus gave His disciples the secret to faithfully following Him, but they did not recognize it at the time. He said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" (John 6:63). And "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them” (verse 65). 

Jesus promised many times that, once He had ascended to the Father, He would send a "Helper" to them—the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26).

The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years, learning, observing, and participating in His miracles. Yet, even they could not follow Him faithfully in their own strength. They needed a Helper. 

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US

The Holy Spirit indwells the heart of every believer (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:16; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20)

When the Holy Spirit came upon those first believers at Pentecost, they suddenly had all the power they needed to follow Christ, even to the death, if needed (Acts 2:1–4; 4:31; 7:59-60).

ABBA FATHER, we are not saved by the things we do for Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9) but by what He has done for us. Because of His grace, we want to please Him in everything. All this is accomplished as we allow the Holy Spirit to have complete control of every area of our lives (Ephesians 5:18). 

1. He explains the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:14).

2. He empowers us with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

3. He comforts us (John 14:16).

4. He guides us (John 14:26).

To follow Christ means we apply the truths we learn from His Word and live as if Jesus walked beside us in person.

We thank You for the blessed assurance that Our Lord and the Holy Spirit will remain with us and will sanctify us in our daily walk towards Glorification.