The Holy Spirit: Activator of Grace - John 14:16-18
Sermon Summary
In this message, Jimmy Seibert unpacks how the power of the Holy Spirit is the activator of the grace of God, tracing the Spirit's work from Genesis to Revelation. He builds on the church's definition of grace as the overwhelming love, pleasure and favor of God toward undeserving people and reminds us that grace is not just a covering for sin but the power of God to actually do the will of God.
From the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis, to anointing prophets, priests and kings, to resting on Jesus without measure, to falling on the church at Pentecost, this message shows that the Holy Spirit has been present and active throughout all of history in Scripture. In John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His people as Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener and Standby, someone who will never leave us as orphans. The heart of the message is an invitation to know the Holy Spirit personally, not just believe facts about Him, and to let Him move into every area of life.
Key Scriptures
Genesis 1:2 (NIV) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
John 14:16-18 (NIV) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
In Genesis 1:2, what is the Spirit of God doing over the waters, and what does that tell us about how God relates to chaos and formlessness?
Read Isaiah 61:1-3. Who is speaking, and what six things does the Spirit of the Lord anoint him to do? What would this promise have meant to an original audience living in exile or oppression?
In John 14:16-18, what specific names or roles does Jesus give the Holy Spirit, and how does the promise "I will not leave you as orphans" connect to the rest of the passage?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
Jimmy defined grace as not just love, pleasure and favor toward undeserving people but also the power of God to do His will. How does this definition challenge or expand the way you have typically thought about grace?
The message describes the Holy Spirit as Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener and Standby. Which of these roles feels most needed in your life right now?
Jimmy shared the picture of a plumber willing to help but waiting for the door to be opened. Where in your life might you be sitting in the chaos instead of opening the door to the Holy Spirit?
Putting It Into Practice
Take a moment to prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit where He wants to bring order or healing in your life this week. What is one specific area you sense Him highlighting?
What would it look like this week to practice depending on the Holy Spirit rather than your own strength in a specific situation, relationship or decision?
Prayer
Listening to the Holy Spirit. Let's take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion. Let's sit in silence for sixty seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
After the minute of silence, what do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
Prayer requests from tonight's study. What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?