Indwelling of the Spirit
The Christian life is a life of continual communion with God, made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
The preacher delves into the concept of 'Renewing' (anakainosis) as a qualitative renewal or renovation that makes a person different than in the past, resulting in a new heart, new Lord, new home, new purpose, and goal. This renewal is epitomized by a miraculous spiritual transaction at regeneration and continues in sanctification as believers present themselves to God. The process involves a continuous transformation of the mind by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to think in a new way aligned with God's perspective. The renewing of the mind leads to discerning and proving God's good, acceptable, and perfect will, allowing believers to live in accordance with His desires.
Text
. . . He has not come as it were in passing, but that He has chosen to make His habitation with us. . .
The Christian life, then, is a life of continual communion with God. . . He takes up His abode with us and in us. The Christian is never separated from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. . . God delights to dwell with us for the purpose of fellowship. It means that day by day we may know intimate communion with that Friend who "sticketh closer than a brother."
. . . From the first stirrings of spiritual life until the end of his days the Christian must look to the Spirit of God.
. . . The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is a very precious part of the Christian faith.
. . . . Even the humblest believer has the right of immediate access to the very presence of God Himself (Heb. 10:19). The Spirit of God is within him. The Spirit of God informs and guides him. And where the Spirit is, there is freedom from pressing restraints. . . . The important point is that the individual believer is brought into the very presence of the Father through the activity of the Spirit. . . He has been adopted into the heavenly family, and he approaches the heavenly Father through the Spirit.
. . . The circumstances of life have a cramping effect on most of us. Bu t the living God brings those who receive His Holy Spirit out into a place of large horizons (Spirit of the Living God, pp. 73-76).
Sermon Outline
- The Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit
- The Importance of the Indwelling Spirit
- Access to God through the Spirit
- Freedom from Restraints
- The living God brings us out into a place of large horizons
- The Spirit enables us to approach the heavenly Father
Key Quotes
“He has not come as it were in passing, but that He has chosen to make His habitation with us.” — Leon Morris
“The Christian is never separated from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.” — Leon Morris
“The living God brings those who receive His Holy Spirit out into a place of large horizons” — Leon Morris
Application Points
- We must look to the Spirit of God for guidance and direction in our lives.
- We have immediate access to the presence of God through the activity of the Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit enables us to approach the heavenly Father with confidence and freedom.