Recap of Last Week: Lord's Prayer context – God desires to give us good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit.

Jesus's Teaching: God's ultimate gift is Himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit.

Context: Jesus's final, crucial instructions before His departure.

The Vine and Branches (John 15):

• Abide in Jesus; stay in His life and teachings.

• The world will hate those who follow Jesus, just as it hated Him (John 15:18-19, 25).

• Disciples' sorrow over Jesus leaving.

Introduction of the Helper/Spirit of Truth (John 15:26-27; John 16:7-11):

• The Helper (Holy Spirit, Counselor, Guide) will be sent from the Father.

• He will bear witness about Jesus, and disciples will also bear witness.

• Purpose of the Helper's Coming:

  • To keep believers from falling away, even amidst persecution and martyrdom.

  • It's advantageous for Jesus to leave so the Helper can come.

  • The Helper will convict the world concerning:

    • Sin: Because they do not believe in Jesus.

    • Righteousness: Because Jesus goes to the Father (Pharisees thought they were righteous but killed Jesus).

    • Judgment: Because the ruler of this world (the devil) is judged (sin and death are broken by Jesus's resurrection).

The Holy Spirit's Guidance and Submission (John 16:12-15):

• Will guide believers in all truth.

• Will not speak on His own authority, but what He hears (from the Father).

• Will declare future things and glorify Jesus.

• The Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is in a constant state of submission to each other.

• The Holy Spirit brings communication from God (Father and Son) to the believer.

After Jesus's Ascension: Pentecost – Holy Spirit comes, church grows and disperses.

Apollos in Ephesus (Acts 18:24-28):

• Eloquent man, knew scriptures, fervent in spirit.

• Taught accurately about Jesus but only knew John's baptism (repentance, not Holy Spirit).

• Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of God more accurately.

Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7):

• Encounters believers who had not heard of the Holy Spirit.

• Baptized them in the name of Jesus.

• When Paul laid hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied.

Definition: Teachings derived from a single verse or isolated instance in the Bible.

Dangers:

• Can be out of context with the rest of Scripture.

• Example: "Second Work of Grace" (1860s, John Wesley): Idea that a second experience after belief leads to sanctification, based on instances like Ephesus and Samaria where the Holy Spirit came later.

• Legalism: Loves single-verse doctrines to create rules and steps for receiving the Holy Spirit (e.g., "eight steps").

• Pride: Promotes boasting about achieving certain spiritual experiences.

Encouragement: Single-verse doctrines can foster humility and curiosity, prompting deeper study of the entire Bible.

Truth Check: Any teaching from the Holy Spirit will not contradict Jesus's teachings, as the Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from Jesus.

Paul's Letter to Ephesians: Addresses Christians who now have the Holy Spirit.

Call to Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6):

• Walk worthy of your calling with humility, gentleness, patience, and love.

• Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

• One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.

Christian Maturity: To know Jesus and grow in Him.

"Filling" of the Holy Spirit:

• Not about gaining more of the Spirit (He has no quantity).

• About increasing the measure of our lives guided by the Holy Spirit's will over our own.

• Compared to a cup that keeps getting bigger each time it's refilled.

Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-30):

• Live for God, grow, and thrive in the Spirit.

• Avoid corrupting talk and actions that give opportunity to the devil.

• You cannot lose the Holy Spirit, but you can grieve Him.

Sealed for Redemption (Ephesians 4:30 ):

• When you believe, you are permanently sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.

• This signifies a new creation; the old is gone (no need for works to achieve this).

The Holy Spirit's primary work is to help us and bring unity, guiding us in Jesus's teachings.