The following are Pastor Leslie’s sermon notes from the first sermon in the series, ‘The Holy Spirit and Pentecostalism.’

I want you to think of your best friend. Have you got a person in mind? What is it about that person that makes them your best friend?

They are loyal,

trustworthy,

honest with you,

warm,

generous,

funny,

loving,

encouraging,

good company,

have been in the trenches standing with you in difficult times,

together you have found a way to overcome the strains in your friendship, sharing forgiveness, understanding and reconciliation together,

a person of peace – have similar values about life, relationships and faith,

you can pray together about anything in both of your lives,

has your best interests at heart,

and shares your love for Jesus.

For 36 years, since I was 17, in my life, that person is Joan, my wife. This is the woman who is my best friend.

What about your best friend? Best friends are special people.

Romans 8:10-17, CSB,

‘Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba , Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and coheirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.’

Now think of the Holy Spirit in the terms Paul writes about here. He is…

…loyal – He is in us for the long haul,

Trustworthy – He will do exactly what He the Scripture says He is able to do,

honest with us – able to put to death the deeds of the sinful nature,

warm – the Spirit of Adoption who brings us into His family,

generous – He shares His life with us, and it is a good life,

funny – joy in the Holy Spirit is a key part of our enjoyment of life. Romans 14:17, CEVUK, ‘God’s kingdom isn’t about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit.’

Loving – Colossians 1:8, CEVUK, ‘Epaphras is also the one who told us about the love that God’s Spirit has given you.’

encouraging,

good company,

have been in the trenches standing with you in difficult times,

together He walks with you helping you to overcome the strains you bring into your friendship with Him,

leading You through the process of conviction and finding forgiveness when you get it wrong,

Bringing you to a place of biblical understanding about what He requires of you,

and leading you through a journey of learning how to apply that to your life and relationships,

a person of peace – teaching you how to develop the same values He shares about life, relationships and faith,

helps you pray – praying together about anything in your life and the world around you,

has your best interests always at heart,

and has a deeper love for Jesus than you ever will, but is willing to guide you in a journey of deepening your love for Jesus.

Why are we doing this series at this time?

We want the Holy Spirit to become your best friend – so you know exactly who has come and wants to glorify Jesus through us.

You may say:

I don’t know the Holy Spirit in the way you are describing Him?

That is why we want to go on this journey together…

Also, practically:

1. Pentecost is coming up on Sunday 5 June – it’s a good time to be considering the Holy Spirit, His nature, and His purpose among us.

2. The Young Adults have started a journey using Dr Keith Warrington’s materials as source for exploring the Holy Spirit and His relationship with us – good to keep a similar theme on Sunday mornings.

3. For 105 weeks – we have been broadcasting a spirituality on Sunday evenings which is focussed on developing our understanding of the Spirit’s role and impact in our lives, and how we can develop the level and depth of our spirituality as we partner with Him.

4. The life of the Spirit in the church is the most amazing blessing to the church. As we learn how to walk with and partner ever more closely with the Spirit – He will empower us to glorify and live for the Lord Jesus.

5. When we walk in the Spirit – we are better and more fruitful Christians.

Serve Sunday

As we think about next Sunday as Serve Sunday, and taking into account Pastor Alisha’s sermon last Sunday, this idea of the Spirit as our friend, guide and teacher is really important.

Hebrews 9:14, CSB,

‘How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?’  The NIVUK adds, ‘cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,’

There is power in the Cross of Jesus. Easter is more than a festival about Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection – it is a yearly reminder of the Cross’ power to

deal with sin and the human sinful nature,

deal with guilt, shame and regret, and thus cleanse our conscience from the acts we have done in the past that lead to death,

and to fill us with a desire for the same life-giving Spirit to fill our lives and fill us His life.

The Eternal Holy Spirit was central to Jesus’ passion and resurrection.

Let’s walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18, CEVUK,

‘If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.’