The Holy Spirit Given to Us (and 16 Ways that He Helps Believers) - Nath...

"The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us" (1John 3:24).  "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit" (1John 4:13).

In these two similar verses, the Apostle John teaches that the way we can be sure that we abide in God and His in us, is because He has given us the Holy Spirit.  

We believers can be confident that the Spirit indwells us when we observe Him ministering to us in the many ways (here is a list of 16) that the Bible describes Him helping the saints: 

1. Convicts us of our sins (John 16:8).

2. Gives us spiritual re-birth (John 3:8, Titus 3:5).

3. Casts out demons (Matt 12:28).

4. Reveals and glorifies Christ (John 15:26,16:14).

5. Assures us of our salvation (Rom 8:15-16, Eph 1:13).

6. Teaches us spiritual truth (John 14:26, 1John 2:27, 1Cor 2:10-12).

7. Sanctifies us (1Pet 1:2, Rom 8:13, Gal 5:22). 

8. Distributes and energizes spiritual gifts (1Cor 12).

9. Helps us pray (Rom 8:26-27, Eph 6:18).

10. Helps us worship (Phil 3:3, John 4:23).

11. Guides in our decisions (Rom 8:14, Acts 8:29,13:2,16:6-7).

12. Empowers our evangelism (Acts 1:8, 1Cor 2:4, 1Thess 1:5).

13. Provides the right words to speak (Mark 13:11).

14. Comforts us (Acts 9:31, Rom 5:5).

15. Strengthens our inner person (Eph 3:16).

16. Unites us with other believers (Eph 4:3-4).

APPLICATION: What should we do with this teaching about the Holy Spirit given to us?

1. Thank God for this precious gift.

2. Expand your assurance of salvation.

3. Raise your expectations for your Christian life.

4. Pursue yet more of the Spirit’s help.

Christ, the Consolation of Israel - Zach Perkins

Simeon and Anna are often-forgotten saints in the Christmas story.  This sermon follows the account of their encounter with newborn baby Jesus that's recorded in Luke 2:21-38. 

Help For Your Condemning Heart - Nathan Rages

"We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight."  1John 3:19-22

1. The problem of a condemning heart.

2. Ways to address the problem:

   (a) Look for evidence that you truly love the brethren (v19). 

   (b) Remember that God knows everything about you (v20). 

3. Resulting benefits in your prayer life:

    (a) Confidence (v21).

    (b) Receiving the things you request (v22). 

Hated by the World - Nathan Rages

"...not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you."  1John 3:11-13

Three aspects of the world's hatred  toward believers:

1. The likelihood of this hatred: “do not be surprised.”

2. The cause of this hatred: righteousness.

3. The intensity of this hatred: murder.

The Beloved Children of God - Nathan Rages

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."  1John 3:1-2

This verses verses describe one of the most encouraging truths imaginable, that believers are God's beloved children.  Specifically we're taught five things about this wonderful relationship:

1. The start: being born of Him (v29).

2. The proof: righteous behavior (v29).

3. The motivation: God’s great love (v1).

4. The mystery: world not recognizing (v1).

5. The manifestation: future glorification (v2).

Anticipating Christ's Appearing - Nathan Rages

Christ's "Appearing" is one of the themes of 1John 2:28-3:3, which we explore with these four questions:

1. General question: What is it?

Acts 1:9-11, Matt. 24:30-31, 25:31-32, 1Thess. 4:16-18, 2Thess. 1:7-10

2. Sobering question: What will you feel when it occurs?

Confidence OR shrinking away in shame (v28).

3. Spectacular question: What will happen to believers at that time?

See Jesus just as He is ⇒ Become like Him (v2).

4. Searching question: What does this motivate you to do now?

Purifying yourself, just as He is pure (v3). 

Safeguards For Your Soul - Nathan Rages

As the Apostle John warned about the threat of false teaching in 1John 2:18-27, he also described four safeguards given by God for our spiritual protection:

1. Stay with the saints (v19).

2. Continue in Apostolic doctrine (v21,24).

3. Heed the Holy Spirit’s teaching (v20,27).

4. Keep the eternal perspective (v25).