Chuck Smith emphasizes the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the process of salvation, asserting that humanity is spiritually dead and cannot come to God without the Spirit's drawing. He explains that salvation is not merely a result of human effort or preaching but requires the Spirit to reveal God's work through Christ. Smith highlights that the Christian experience and acts of faith must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, as true repentance and faith are impossible without His influence. The sermon underscores that God's promises and the reality of salvation are only understood through the Spirit's work in our lives.

"THE NECESSITY OF THE SPIRIT'S WORK" Intro: Nothing that God does is unnecessary. None of His promises are unnecessary. The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary if we are to be saved. I. REMEMBER WHAT MAN IS BY NATURE - "DEAD" IN TRESPASSES & SINS. A. Some say that all man needs is an opportunity. Someone to point him in the right direction. The spark of goodness lies buried within. 1. The Bible does not say we are sick. The Bible does not say we are faint. The Bible says we are dead. 2. Whatever term death means about body - it must also mean about soul. B. The Spirit finds men as spiritually dead as Ezekiel's vision of dry bones. C. Not just dead but enemies of God. 1. Jesus said "Ye will not come that ye might have..." a. Men will not come of themselves. b. You cannot beg or force them to come. 2. No man can come except the Spirit draw him. II. SALVATION MUST BE THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE MEANS OF SALVATION INADEQUATE IN THEMSELVES. A. What are the means? 1. The preaching of the Word - "It pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save those that believe." 2. God has called me as teacher in the body, but we need preachers. a. Some of the preaching I have heard. b. The intellectuals jeer & scoff, but God saves souls. c. The hero & his sword - "I do not see much in this sword." "You have not seen the arm that wields it." 3. We see hardened sinners weeping tears of repentance. We see lives dramatically changed. What did this? You say, "the minister."...I say, "You have departed your reasoning." III. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US THROUGH CHRIST, MUST BE REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT. A. God has elected us to be saved. 1. What does that fact do for you until revealed. 2. You can't climb into heaven & read the roll. B. Christ's death for your sins. C. God's promises of Grace. IV. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN IS A REALITY, BUT IT CAN NEVER BE FELT APART FROM THE SPIRIT. A. Honest moral businessman - No vices - integrity. 1. You are a guilty sinner - will he feel it? 2. What can cause him to feel it? B. A man convinced in moral law & a place of reward for the righteous. 1. How will he seek righteousness? V. THE ACTS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. A. First act is repentance. Have you ever tried to repent? B. Faith is the next act. 1. I seem to have ambition & energy for things I can't do. 2. In winter time if it were not raining so much I would wax my car. 3. The deer & the dogs. 4. Let temptation come and I am strong let troubles arise and I can face them. 5. Some sermons I have preached... The Spirit moved.