The Personality of the Holy Ghost: sermon notes

Likely Title: The Personality of the Holy Ghost

Likely Text/Passage: John 14:16-17

Main Theme: The Holy Ghost is a divine person who works with the Father and the Son, dwells permanently in believers, and is rejected by the world because it cannot see or know him.

Introduction

• The text is presented as a precious promise containing more truth than can be fully unfolded in one sermon.
• The sermon will address four subjects: the Holy Ghost’s personality, the united work of the Trinity, his indwelling in believers, and the world’s rejection of him.

Main Points

1. The Holy Ghost Is Truly a Person
2. Baptism and the apostolic benediction place the Holy Ghost alongside the Father and the Son as a distinct person.
3. His appearances as a dove and as wind and fire demonstrate personal manifestation.
4. Scripture attributes understanding, will, power, actions, speech, and emotions, including being grieved, vexed, resisted, and tempted, to the Holy Ghost.
5. The doctrine of the Trinity is presented as essential to a coherent and secure gospel.

1. The Three Persons Work Unitedly in Salvation
2. The Son prays, the Father sends, and the Holy Ghost comforts and applies divine influence.
3. The three persons share one purpose: the salvation of God’s people.
4. Each person acts distinctly while mutually honoring and promising on behalf of the others.

1. The Holy Ghost Dwells in Believers
2. Jesus promises that the Comforter will dwell with believers and be in them forever.
3. Every true Christian is a temple and “Godbearer,” marked by the Spirit’s presence.
4. The Spirit guides believers, illumines Scripture, comforts the depressed, restrains sin, and preserves spiritual life.
5. The permanence of the promise is emphasized: “He shall abide with you forever.”

1. The World Rejects the Holy Ghost
2. The world cannot receive him because it does not see or know him.
3. Unregenerate people demand visible or tangible evidence, though many realities are known by their effects rather than by sight.
4. Those who have experienced conviction, spiritual renewal, and the Spirit’s work recognize his reality.

Application

• Believers should pray earnestly to the Holy Ghost and seek his blessing on preaching, writing, and all ministry.
• Christians should depend on the Spirit to guide, comfort, restrain sin, and make their labor effective.
• Unbelievers are urged to speak carefully of the Holy Ghost, to stop resisting spiritual conviction, and to consider the warning concerning blasphemy against him.

Conclusion

• The Holy Ghost is a divine person who permanently indwells believers and works in perfect unity with the Father and the Son.
• The congregation is urged to welcome the Spirit’s work, pray for his influence, and respond seriously to his voice.

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. When you think about the Holy Spirit, what words, images, or experiences come to mind?
2. Why do you think people often find it easier to picture God the Father or Jesus than to understand the Holy Spirit?

Diving In (20 minutes)

1. What was the preacher’s main argument about the identity of the Holy Spirit, and what evidence did he give for it?
2. In John 14:16–17, Jesus promises that the Father will give “another Comforter” who will dwell with believers and be in them. What does this promise suggest about the Holy Spirit’s relationship with the Father, the Son, and believers?
3. The sermon says that the Holy Spirit guides, convicts, comforts, restrains, and strengthens believers. What might relying on the Holy Spirit look like in an ordinary situation this week?

Going Deeper (15 minutes)

1. The preacher says the Holy Spirit cannot be seen with physical eyes, yet believers can know him through his work. What objections might someone raise to that claim, and how would you respond?
2. Which aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work do you find hardest to recognize or depend on, guidance, conviction, comfort, restraint, or power, and what makes it difficult?

Prayer Prompt

• Pray for greater awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence, openness to his guidance, and faithfulness in responding to his work.

Big idea

The Holy Ghost is a divine Person who works with the Father and the Son, dwells in believers forever, and must not be resisted.

Live it out

• Pray daily to the Holy Ghost for guidance, comfort, and understanding of Scripture.
• Ask God to make the Spirit’s influence fruitful through every word you speak and page you share.
• Examine your heart for resistance to the Spirit’s conviction, and respond promptly in repentance.
• Remember that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost, and flee the forbidden thing.

Closing prayer

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we praise You for the united work of our salvation. Thank You that the Holy Ghost dwells with us and is in us forever. Shine upon us when we do not understand Your Word, comfort us when we are depressed, restrain us from temptation, and bind up our wounds. Help us not to grieve or resist You. Rest upon our words and labors, and make them fruitful for Your glory. Amen.