THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US GLORY JESUS
Jesus said, when the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak of himself… he will glorify me (John 16:13-14): The Spirit turns sinners’ hearts to Jesus for salvation (John 16: 8; John 3:16). He glorifies Jesus Christ through those he has empowered to follow the Lord. But false teachers primarily glorify themselves and their earthly achievements, rather than glory the Lord. We should be guided by the Holy Spirit in glorifying our Lord and Savior rather than ourselves.
THE HOLY SPIRIT LAYS A FOUNDATION FOR FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST.
The Holy Spirit has laid the only true foundation, and chosen the examples for believer of the Lord to build upon and to follow:
- The foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2: 20; Corinthians 3:11).
- The Holy Spirit filled the apostles of Jesus on the day of Pentecost, causing them to testify of Jesus Christ
- The apostle Paul said he determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2)
- Paul also said, follow my example as I follow the example of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1)
- Christ suffered for us leaving us and example that we should follow (1 Peter 2:21)
HE GIVES GUIDANCE FOR TEACHING THE GOSPEL.
The Holy Spirit gives guidance to believers and teachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
- Believe in Jesus Christ as the scriptures say, for they testify of him and give you hope of eternal life (John 7:38-39; John 5:39)
- Jesus Christ was slain on the cross for our sins, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
- All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans3:23)
- The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)
- God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that whomever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)
PROVIDES POWER TO OBEY AND SUFFER FOR THE LORD
The Holy Spirit provides believers with the power to obey and suffer for the Lord (Acts 1:8):
- To produce the fruits of the spirit- love, joy, peace, long suffering … (Galatians 5:22)
- To obey the Lord commandments (John 14:15)
- To take up your cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24)
- To suffer persecutions and fiery trials on his behalf (Peter 4:12-13)
- To be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (Romans 8:29)
GIVES ASSURANCE OF REWARDS BY THE LORD
The Holy Spirit encourages and assures us of current and future rewards for serving and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all other earthly things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:31-33)
- Take delight in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4)
- If anyone gives up anything to follow the Lord Jesus, that person shall receive a hundred times more in this life, and shall inherit eternal life (Matthews 19:29)
- Jesus has gone to prepare a place for those who love and glorify him; and he will come again to take them to live with him forever (John 14:3).
FALSE TEACHERS PRIMARILY GLORIFY SELF AND MARGINALIZE JESUS
- They speak perverse things to attract followers to themselves (Acts 20:30).
- They do not do what Jesus said about giving up their own way, and taking up their cross to follow the Lord (Matthews 16:24),
- They tend to focus more on achieving and enjoying earthly things, than on suffering and laboring for heavenly rewards (1 John 2:16; Colossians 3:2).
- They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of the Lord in their lives (2 Timothy 3:5).
WE ARE REWARDED IN GLORIFYING OUR LORD
Those of us led by the Holy Spirit keep our primary focus on glorifying Jesus Christ, our Creator, Lord and Savior (John 1:1-3; John 3:16). We look forward to our greatest reward of being with him in heaven.
