Do You Know the

Holy Spirit?
*******
.... Having the control of the Holy Spirit in the life.
.... Having the power of the Holy Spirit for service.
.... Having the ministries of the Holy Spirit evident in daily life.
.... Having the fruit of the Holy Spirit abiding within.
*******
Dr. Edward Watke Jr. author
*******
REVIVAL IN THE HOME MINISTRIES, INC.
3306 Woodhaven Ct.
Augusta, GA 30909
rithejw@earthlink.net
www.watke.org

1.

FOREWORD

The Person of the Holy Spirit is greatly neglected in much of our public
preaching, and many of God's people are occupied only with the gifts of the
Spirit rather than with Himself.
In most Christian circles little reference is made to the Holy Spirit and only an
obscure place is given to Him in public ministry, personal life, and in private
conversation. He is often referred to as "it" and we treat Him more as an influence,
or a power, or an indescribable, intangible something.
It is my desire in this study to bring to the students' attention the great value of
this wonderful Person of the Trinity I shall seek to stress Him and our relationship to Him and His to us, rather than just an academic doctrinal approach in
this study.
May the truth presented here lead each heart to honor the Holy Spirit equally
with the Father and the Son. May every believer give the Holy Spirit the
place He should have in their lives.
-- Pastor Edward Watke, Jr
Written in 1972
All rights reserved

- Table of Contents The Holy Spirit is Gods Great Gift........................ pg. 3

The Holy Spirit Is To Be Recognized....................... pg. 5
The Holy Spirit Came To Be Lord.......................... pg. 6
The Holy Spirit and Our Fellowship...................... pg. 8
The Holy Spirit and Our Security......................... pg. 11
The Holy Spirit and Mans Reactions..................... pg. 13
The Holy Spirit and the Overcoming Life.............. pg. 16

2.

LESSON I

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD'S GREAT GIFT

Scripture Lesson:

John 7:37-39;

John 14:16-20, 26;

John 16:7, 13-150

INTRODUCTION
Spirituality is available for every Christian. Just as salvation is for "whosoever
will, " so a spiritual life is as available for everyone who is saved. We are saved on the
basis of our relationship to Christ. We are spiritual Christians (rather than carnal)
on the basis of our relationship to the Holy Spirit.
When we consider the many gifts God has given to us: grace, mercy, forgiveness,
salvation, the Word of God, joy, peace, justification, sanctification, etc., none is
greater than the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Too many Christians are living on a carnal plane; they have not made personal
the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ignorance of Biblical teaching and personal appropriation
of the Person of the Holy Spirit is one basic reason why much of the Church of Jesus
Christ lies powerless and ineffective today. It is why most believers are yet carnal
and lack the power of God upon their lives.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST'S GIFT TO THE BELIEVER - John 7:37-39
A. To whom He Was Promised
1. Acts 2:38-39 - Only the saved have the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2 . Titus 3:5 - Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit.
3 . John 14:16-17 - Christ promised the Holy Spirit unto His own.
B. What He Promised - John 7:37-39
1. Christ promised to bestow a gift upon all who are saved. One who would
bring perfect satisfaction, sufficiency to them through a Person - the Holy
Spirit.
2 . One to be given who would overflow their lives unto blessing for others. Cf.
John 4:14, "a well of water springing up. " Are we a water-pot or a well?
3. We are told explicitly that the gift is to be the Holy Spirit. When His work as
the sin-bearer was accomplished, then as the glorified Lord He would bestow
this wondrous gift, -- the Holy Spirit (Cf. John 14:16; John 16:7).
4. The Holy Spirit is to be the Divine inflow of life -- the supernatural Presence
of God at work in the life, bringing a supernatural power in life.
C. What Is Needed
1. A personal thirst - John 7:37-39; Cf. Isaiah 44:3. Do we really thirst for the
power of the Holy Spirit upon us? Do we crave His work and ministry in us?
Do we pant for it or are we consumed in desire for His power? Does it take
precedence over other things, all else in our daily lives?
2. Come - We must come to Jesus in full abandonment for the fullness of the
Holy Spirit. We must be concerned and determined.
3. And drink - This is not passive, but active. It is a drinking by faith.
We expect to have the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.
4. Overflowing - All such overflowing is in reference to blessing to others. This
suggests plenteousness, continual overflowing, never being dry, but showers
of blessing for others.
3.

D. What He Did
1 . Christ fulfilled the promise and the Holy
Acts 2:1-7
2. Now immediately upon salvation all the
united to the Holy Spirit (Cf. Acts 11:15,
saved, he has the Spirit indwelling him.
I Cor. 12:13

Spirit was sent.

Acts 1:4-5;

saved are spiritually, vitally

17). The very moment one is
Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:15

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE CHOICE GIFT TO THE BELIEVER

Do you know Him (John 14:17)? Do you really know this One, God's choice gift to
the saved? What greater gift could you or I have? He is the ONE we needed.
A. The Spirit of Truth - John 14:17
1 . He desires to lead us into all truth.
2 . He would remove all that is false, deceitful, hypocritical, and grieving Him.
(Ephesians 4:30)
3 . Came to lead me into truth, that I might walk in truth (Cf. II John;
III John), and live a life in truth. Cf. John 16:12
B. The Spirit of Faith - II Corinthians 4:13
So that all unbelief, distrust, worry, anxiety, unrest, barrenness, etc., could be
removed. So we would believe God, trust Him for great things. Hebrews 11:6
C. The Spirit of Holiness - Romans 1:4
1 . He desires to take away
which would grieve and
2. He would take away that
thoughts, pictures, books,

anything unclean, defiling, degrading and that

quench Him.
which would be harboring of the impure; as in
etc.
II Corinthians 7:1

D. The Spirit of Life - Romans 8:3

1 . He would work in us that indifference, lukewarmness, dullness, and
deadness will not grieve Him.
2 . How alive are you?? Fervent?? (Romans 12:11). What about fervency to
prayer-life, to the Word of God ?
E. The Comforter - John 14:16
1. He indwells us to enables us to grow up in Him in all things.
2 . His work is to bring about conformity to the Son, unto Christs image and to
strengthen us so that we do not go into sin.
3 . Spirituality depends upon a harmonious relationship with the Holy Spirit.
F. The Spirit of Grace - Hebrews 10:29
1. Here is a touching designation for the Holy Spirit. Between the sinner and
awful judgment stands the "Spirit of Grace." He it is Who pleads with men.
He is the One Who unveils God's grace. He warns of Hell and points to
Calvary.
2. Here we see the Holy Spirit presenting men with Jesus. He uses the Sword of
the Word and empowers the preachers of God. He convicts of sin both in the
hearts and lives of the lost as well the saved.
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G. The Spirit of Glory - I Peter 4:14

1 . Christians have always suffered. This world is full of such suffering. The
Holy Spirit as the Spirit of glory comforts the believer. He gives grace, and
strength, yea, glory in the midst of suffering and trial.
2. When you are down, the Holy Spirit will lift you up. When you are sad, He
will make you glad. When you are despairing, He gives you glory, victory,
and blessing in the midst of the trials.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE GIFT OF FULLNESS FOR THE BELIEVER.
In the Divine plan, the gift of the Holy Spirit has as much purpose as the gift of His
Son for salvation. We have noted some of these reasons. Through the Son the sinner
has eternal life (salvation) and through the Holy Spirit the saved have abundant
life, or fullness of spiritual life. Through the Son the sinner left the sphere of the
natural to enter into the plane of the spiritual. The saved are led by the Holy Spirit
into fullness in the plane of the spiritual.
The Holy Spirit lives in us for the purpose of leading us into the fullness of God for
our lives. He
1 . reveals to us in the Word the fullness to be had in Christ.
2 . He creates in us the desire for that fullness; and then
acts as the channel for the transmission of fullness from God unto us.
In contrast, Paul uses the word "I " twenty-five times in Romans chapter seven,
and the Holy Spirit is mentioned only once. But when Paul entered into the fullness
of truth of the Holy Spirit as set forth in Romans chapter eight, he then mentions the
Holy Spirit sixteen times and self only once.
A This Is Our Glorious Birthright - "His fullness "
It is ours by virtue of being born again and the right of every believer.
The blessing of the Spirit's control belongs to every saint of God.
It is an imperative command - Ephesians 5:18; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 1:23
This is a command which must be obeyed. As the refusal of Christ is the greatest
sin of the unsaved, the refusal of the Spirit's control is a great sin on the part of the
saved. His control is not an option, but an obligation.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a crisis - a state - and a process. It is the
reproducing of Christ's life in us (Galatians 5:22-23). It is the reenactment of
Christ's supernatural power (Acts 1:8). And the Spirits work in us is a work that
brings a glorious realization of Christ's abiding presence.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Monday - John 7:32-53
Tuesday - John 14:16-20
Wednesday - Acts 5:1-11
Thursday - Psalm 139:1-10
Friday - I Peter 4:12-19
Saturday - Acts 6:1-8
Sunday - Ephesians 3:14-21
Memory Verse - John 14:16
5.

LESSON II

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE RECOGNIZED

Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:14;

Acts 15:28;

Acts 1:2;

Acts 20:23.

INTRODUCTION
It should be noted carefully that men of God all through the Scripture gave credit
to the Holy Spirit for things that He did. Often you will hear Christians say, "I was
led to do this, " or "Something told me to go there. " Thus the Holy Spirit is ignored, His
leading is denied, and He is grieved. You will sometimes hear a Christian say, "I
found a wonderful truth in John today. " Thus the teacher is ignored and the One who
guides into all truth is slighted. He should be given credit for His teaching, His
leading, and His guidance. We usually give credit to our friends for acts and deeds of
kindness which they do for us. But we rarely hear a Christian give any credit to the
Holy Spirit for the things which happen in his life.
I. SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF RECOGNITION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. Micah gave the Holy Spirit credit for the power he had in service Micah 3:8.
B. Luke records Christ gave commandments by the Holy Spirit. - Acts 1:2
C. Stephen accused Israel of resisting the Holy Spirit. - Acts 7:51.
D. Agabus said the Holy Spirit sent warnings to Paul. - Acts 20:23
E. Paul confessed it was the Holy Spirit Who would lead. - Acts 16:6-7
F. Luke spoke of the counsels of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 15:28
G. The Holy Spirit is given credit as the Lord who called Isaiah.
Isaiah 6:8; Cf. Acts 28:25.
II. SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. The Holy Spirit joins with the believer in his ministry. - I Peter 1:12
B. The Holy Spirit joins with the believer in his witnessing.
John 15:26-27
C. The Holy Spirit selects the workers by His own personal intervention
and claim upon them. - Acts 13:2
D. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessing on the people of God.
Revelation 1:4
E. The Holy Spirit leads in one's witnessing. - Acts 8:39
F. The Holy Spirit leads the lost unto salvation. - Acts 10:19.
G. The Holy Spirit is a Person with all the prerogatives of these:
1. He loves - Romans 15:30
2 . He curses - Isaiah 40:7
6.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

He guides - John 16:13

He teaches - John 14:26
He hinders - Acts 16:6
He may be grieved - Ephesians 4:30
He may be quenched - I Thessalonians 5:9
We may pray to Him - Luke 10:20
We have fellowship with Him - II Corinthians 13:14

If we claim to be led by the Spirit of God, then it is proper also to give Him the
credit for His ministry. If the gracious Spirit unfolds some wonderful truths, then we
should thank Him for it (I Corinthians 2:10).
While frequently the people of God pour out their hearts in gratitude and
thanksgiving for the Father, for the gift of His Son, for salvation and all, rarely do
we hear the saints of God give praise for the Holy Spirit. Not very often do we hear
the saved rejoicing, worshiping, and praising for the gifts of the Spirit. We are not
very quick to recognize Him or His ministries, and that He was sent that we would
not be an orphan. We treat Him usually as a person of no consequence. Too often
request is made to God to do certain things "by His Spirit" as though the Holy Spirit
had no right of His own. But does He not have rights, authority, and power to act?
Does He minister to and serve the saved only as God the Father commands Him to?
Dont we have a responsibility to recognize the sweet ministry of the Holy Spirit?
There is no jealousy in the Godhead. Each Person of the Trinity exalts the work
and ministry of the others. Each Person of the Trinity acknowledges the place and
the power of the others. Each Person of the Trinity informs of the ministry of the
others and their personal glories. We need not be afraid to acknowledge the personal
presence and the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit. In fact, when we do not, we
hinder and limit the personal work of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. Our lives will
be enriched when we serve the Lord with a right relationship to each member of the
Trinity. The Holy Spirit can use us in a new way when we give Him the credit and
look to Him for leadership and power.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - I Corinthians 1:9-16
Monday - Romans 8:12-16
Tuesday - Romans 8:26-34
Wednesday - Acts 16:6-10
Thursday - Acts 20:22-27
Friday - Acts 13:1-4
Saturday - Acts 1: 1-8
Memory Verse - John 15:26-27

LESSON III

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO BE LORD

Scripture Reading:

Revelation 2:7; 2:11;

I Corinthians 6: 19-20;
II Thessalonians 3:5.

INTRODUCTION
The Holy Spirit is called "Lord" quite frequently throughout the Scriptures. Paul
refers to Him as "Lord" often throughout the Epistles. We are urged to treat the Holy
Spirit as one of the mighty and wonderful Persons of the triune God. We must treat
7.

Him as a royal Person. We must make Him Lord in our lives. We are to go to Him
personally and directly as the One who is here in place of the Lord Jesus. We should
treat Him as we would treat Christ were He here on the earth. We must learn to feel
at home in His presence.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS LORD
A. We are told that Israel must "turn to the Lord." II Corinthians 3:16
The next verse explains that the Lord is the Spirit. Paul gave honor to the
exalted place of authority which belongs to the Spirit.
B. The One who directs the hearts is the Spirit. II Thessalonians 3:5
Here He directs us to the other two Persons of the Godhead.
C. The Spirit is called the Lord of the harvest. Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2;
Cf. Isaiah 6:8 and Acts 28:25
D. The Spirit as Lord called Paul and Barnabas into service. Acts 13:2-4
The Spirit Himself did the calling. We do not read that God sent them by His
Spirit. The Holy Spirit has charge of the harvest field, directs the worker to the
work, brings the servant of God in touch with the seeking soul.
E. Because He is Lord, Ananias was stricken with death. Acts 5:4-5
F. Because He was made Lord, Paul was mightily used of God.
Acts 9:15-20
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE TRUSTED AS LORD
It is one of Satan's clever devices to hide this blessed Spirit in a mist of superstition
and a fog of misconception in order that we may not trust Him to do anything. For
this reason, many lives are barren and their service is fruitless.
A. The disciples learned to trust the Spirit.

Acts 15:28

B. Paul trusted the Spirit for a life of goodness, godliness.

C. Peter trusted the ministry of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5

Acts 11:12

D. Peter relates the early ministers depended upon the Spirit.

I Peter 1:12
E. They trusted the Holy Spirit to appoint the elders.

Acts 20:28

F. The Holy Spirit was trusted in the giving of gifts.

I Corinthians 12:4-7, 11
G. The Holy Spirit is to be trusted for knowledge, spiritual wisdom.
I Corinthians 2:9-12
Each Person in the Trinity has a work to do, and we must trust each accordingly.
We need to be intelligent in understanding the work of the Spirit and learn to trust
Him. The Father did not die for sinners. That was the work of the Son. The Son did
not come to teach the Scriptures and anoint His willing children for service. That is
the work of the Spirit. We must learn to recognize the ministries of the Father and
the Son, and to also trust the Spirit in His work in our behalf.
8.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT MUST BE YIELDED TO AS LORD

The Holy Spirit desires to be Lord of our lives. The very command to be filled with
the Spirit means to allow Him the control of our very lives. Ephesians 5:18
A. Yielded to as the Teacher - Revelation 2:7, 11.
It is the Spirit Who instructs the people of God (Cf. John 14:26). While Christ
was on earth, He taught the people concerning the will of God; He explained
the Scriptures. After ascending to heaven, He committed that ministry to the
Spirit. As the Son exalted the Father and the Spirit while He was on earth, so
now the Spirit exalts the Father and the Son (Cf. John 16:13-15).
B. Yielded to as Lord of our Bodies - Romans 12:1-2; Romans 6:13;
I Corinthians 3:16.
He is free to do His work when we yield our bodies to Him. It is His desire to
fill our lives with God's message, God's interests, God's love, God's thoughts,
God's will. This is the secret of a successful and victorious Christian life.
C. Yielded to as the "Indwelling One" - I Corinthians 6:19-20.
It is not for us to ask Him to help us, but for us to let Him control. We are to
be His temple, His helpers, to thus let Him take charge of our lives. Our bodies
are to be for His occupancy. We expect Him to do marvelous things, to work
miracles in us and through us.
There is no jealousy in the Godhead. We need to understand that each exalts
the work and position of the other. The Father was not jealous over the
attention given the Son while He was on earth. The Son and Father are not
jealous over the place and position you give the Spirit on earth. The work of the
Spirit is to exalt the Son (John 16:13-15), and to bring glory to the Father and
Son. It is His work to unfold the Scriptures, and to work a mighty work in our
lives. The more freedom He has in our lives, the more He can exalt Christ.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - Romans 12:1-8
Monday - Romans 8:1-16
Tuesday - Matthew 9:36-38
Wednesday - I Corinthians 2:9-12
Thursday - Ephesians 5:18-25
Friday - John 16:7-15
Saturday - Acts 13:1-5
Memory Verse - Acts 13:2

______________________________________________________

LESSON IV

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR FELLOWSHIP

Scripture Reading:

II Corinthians 13:14;

Acts 4:24-31;

Romans 8:1-14

INTRODUCTION
In the benediction verse (II Corinthians 13:14), we read about the communion of
the Holy Spirit. Communion is that blessed interchange of thoughts, ideas, and
affections which occurs between two hearts that are in fellowship with each other.
The Holy Spirit wants us to know the intimate fellowship with His Person on the
basis of His ministries in our lives.
9.

I. THE FELLOWSHIP OF HOLY SPIRIT GUIDANCE

Romans 8:14-16

A. He will reveal the will of God. Psalm 32:8

B. He will work in us the will of God. Philippians 2:13; Proverbs 3:5-6
II. THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS TEACHING John 14:26
A. He is to be conversed with about the Word of God.
B. He is the One who will anoint that we may know the Word. I John 2:27
C. He is the One who will teach the mysteries of the Word, the wonderful
types in the Word, and the marvelous prophecies.
III.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS COMFORT

John 14:16,18;

Luke 4:18

A. The One to whom we may bring our sorrows and grief's .

B. The One to whom we may bring our disappointments .
C. The One who is there along side to help.
It is to be noted that Jesus Christ gave credit to the Holy Spirit for the
ministry of comfort which He Himself was about to minister. Luke 4:18
IV. THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS LOVE
Romans 15:30; Colossians 1:8

Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23;

A. We need the outpouring of Holy Spirit love

John 7:37-39

B. We must have the Love of God shed abroad in our hearts. Romans 5:5
V. THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER - Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27.
The Holy Spirit is the mainspring of the prayer life. We must see the work of the
Holy Spirit in our prayer life. What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? Or to pray in
the power of the Spirit? Is it proper to pray to the Holy Spirit? Should we pray for the
Spirit?
It is quite generally believed that it is not proper to address prayer to the Holy
Spirit. If that be the case then how can He be the teacher, the guide, the comforter,
the Lord of the harvest to us? Certainly it is never necessary to extend permission to
speak to one who is with you, in your own company, and is there as a friend, helper,
companion, and servant. Personal presence automatically carries with it privileges
of conversation.
It would be strange indeed if one of the Persons of the Godhead who loves, cares,
comforts, and administers should hold Himself aloof from the believer and forbid the
sweet privilege of communion. We must feel very free to fellowship with the Spirit
about the work of the Lord, the sending forth of God's workers, and the ministry of
the Word. Yea, about everything that has to do with the Spirit's ministries.
A. Prayer in the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:18;

Jude 20

1. Meaning of it (John 4:24; John 3:3) - Where the Spirit is there is power, life,
fruit, and victory.
10.

2. The blessings of it -- (I John 3 22; Mark 11:24). Praying "in the Spirit" will
give us faith that God hears and answers. He will purify us, enable us to
walk so that our prayer lives be not hindered.
B. Prayer by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26-27

1. Need - We know not what to pray as we ought.

2. Provision - The Spirit maketh intercession. He will enlighten the mind and
give knowledge (I John 4:14). He will stir up the soul to groanings and to
desires not necessarily articulated because they are too deep to be uttered.
He will pray through us. He will move us to pray and He will lay a burden
upon us to pray. I Corinthians 2:10
C. Prayer to the Holy Spirit
John 14:13-14;
John 16:23-24; Luke 18:1
Is it proper to pray to the Spirit? Whom do we address in our prayer lives?
Whom do you have in mind when you pray?
1. Primary Truth - Primarily we pray to God the Father, in the name of the
Son.
2. Secondary Truth - It is proper to pray to each of the Persons of the Trinity.
Each sustains a special relationship to us. Each does certain things for us.
We have noted earlier that the disciples recognized the work and ministry of
the Holy Spirit. We also have a right to pray to the Holy Spirit, to ask for His
power, direction, filling, and victory in our lives. We must if we are to
experience His ministry in our lives.
D. Prayer for the Holy Spirit
John 7:37-39; Luke 11:13
The Holy Spirit has been given without measure, without restraint. God has
given all of the Spirit there is to be given. The Holy Spirit has given all of
Himself. Yet there is a sense in which we can pray for the Spirit. We can pray
for more of His power, more of His fullness, and more of His fruit in our lives.
In reality we do not need more of the Spirit, but He needs more of us. He
wants control of our lives; He wants to be the president and not just the
resident of our lives.
In II Corinthians 13:14, we are called to enjoy the sweet communion of the
Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Christ. We must know personally the sweet, precious
communion and fellowship with the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - Acts 4:24-31
Monday - Romans 8:1-14
Tuesday - Galatians 5:16-23
Wednesday - John 7:37-39
Thursday - Romans 8:26-32
Friday - Ephesians 6:10-18
Saturday - Acts 6:1-8
Memory Verse - Romans 8:14-16

11.

LESSON V

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR SECURITY

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30;
John 10:14; John 10:27-29; II Corinthians 1:20-22.

INTRODUCTION
When we mail a letter we have the right to seal the same; assuring privacy and
delivery. On many legal documents the authorities must imprint the same with a
seal. Most legal papers of an incorporation have a seal to set upon them.
The Bible also speaks of "sealing.'' This has a definite meaning and a definite
purpose in the life of the one sealed, and on the part of the one doing the sealing. This
is one of the glorious ministries of the Holy Spirit which assures that we will be saved
unto the day of redemption. We who are saved are signed, sealed, and to be delivered
unto the Lord on that day when Christ comes, or when we go to be with Him through
the door of death.
I. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SEAL - Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30.
A. It belongs to believers in Christ--the saved only.
B. Sinners are quickened by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1) and sealed.
C. The saved are accepted in the Beloved and adopted into the family.
Ephesians 1:4-6
D. The saved are acknowledged as His children
32; I Corinthians 2:9

I John 3:1; Romans 8:15, 16,

E. The unbeliever cannot be marked as Gods child, for he is not God's.

F. The lost are marked, condemned, and sealed as it were for Hell unless
they get saved John 3:16-18
II. THE SOURCE OF THE SEAL IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
A. The Portrayal of Spiritual Blessings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

Chosen in Him (verse 4)

Predestinated us unto adoption of children (verse 5)
Accepted in the Beloved (verse 6)
Redemption through His blood, forgiveness (verse 7)
Abounding toward us in wisdom and prudence (verse 8)
Made known the mystery of His will (verse 9)
Obtained an inheritance (verse 11)
Given Word of truth, the gospel (verse 13)
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (verses 13-14)

B. Procedure of Spiritual Blessings

1. Father--the source, Christ--the channel, and the Holy Spirit--the power by
which all is applied.
2. Father gives and wills, the Son bestows, and the Holy Spirit secures and
makes all the promises real to the believer.
12.

3. God chose, Christ purchased, and the Holy Spirit quickens, administers, and
applies to the heart. Thus the Triune God is responsible for our sealing.
III. THE MEANING OF THE SEAL
The Ephesian believers would have understood the figure of the seal. There at the
seaport, as they carried on an extensive lumber business, each lumber merchant
would come, purchase, and seal that which was to be his, and to be delivered where
he wanted it.
A. The Seal is a Token of Proprietorship.
1.
2.
3.
4.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Marked on as a purchased possession.

Put by owner upon property.
It is the official stamp of a valid ownership.
Promised divine sonship; as such we are the property of God (Galatians 4:6).

B. The Seal is a Sign of Bond between God and Man

1.
2.
3.
4.

A sign of what we are and shall be in God.

Sign of what He is shall be to us -- securing and assuring.
Holy Spirit is the seal, not simply an emotion or experience, but a Person.
This guarantees us a personal share of blessings in and through Christ.
II Corinthians 1:20-22;
Ephesians 1:4-11; 2:1-10
5. This guarantees God that we are His possession; thus marked out as His.
6. We have assurances of manifold blessings as His own.
Christ is the Son of God; so are we. He is the Beloved in the Father, and so are
we. Christ is the righteous One, and so are we in His blood. He is precious to
God, and so are we. These manifold blessings, of which the seal is the earnest,
are secured to us because we are in Christ, and because we are thus sealed by
the Holy Spirit.
C. The Seal is a Sign of a Definite and Final Transaction
1. Cf. Jeremiah 32:9-11. Hanameel came to Jeremiah to buy a field. The
transaction was written in a book, and two copies of the written contract
were made. One was signed and sealed; the other was open and placed in a
public place.
2. John 17:8-12. There is a definite transaction entered into by the Father and
Son. The Father covenanted with the Son to give Him those who should
believe on Him as a reward for His vicarious death. Christ in turn
covenanted to give to His Father all His own. The Holy Spirit is the seal upon
those so involved.
3. The seal could be compared with the rite of circumcision which was a seal of
covenant of God with Abraham. So the seal of the Spirit is the mark of
covenant between God and Christ in our salvation.
D. The Seal is a Sign of Security. Ephesians 1:14
1. Cf. Esther 8:8. The writing was written in the King's name, sealed with the
King's ring, and none could reverse it.
2. The law of the Medes and Persians could not be altered. And no man or
demon can reverse the seal which God places upon the believer.
3. We are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). How wonderful
the word, "until"; sought "until" found (Luke 15:4); do a work in us "until"
(Philippians 1:6); and we are to remember Him "until" He comes again.
I Corinthians 11:26
13.

4. The Holy Spirit is the earnest, the guarantee, the deposit by the Triune God
as an answer of a finished work.
E. The Seal is a Sign of Ownership. John 10:14
1.
2.
3.
4.

A thing sealed belongs to someone; it always implies ownership.

"I will make thee as a signet, for I have chosen thee'' (Haggai 2:23).
God has redeemed unto Himself a people.
Cf. livestock often carries a brand of ownership, "marked out;" vast herds
have been known by their mark. (Cf. Romans 8:9).
5. God has redeemed unto Himself a people. They are bought with a price; His
rights to us are both natural and acquired; they are redemptional rights.
6. The seal then is a guarantee of safe delivery of the body, soul, and spirit to
heaven.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - Ephesians 1: 1-14
Monday - Ephesians 4:17-32
Tuesday - II Corinthians 1:18-24
Wednesday - John 17:4-17
Thursday - John 10:14-29
Friday - I Corinthians 6:19-20
Saturday - Ephesians 3:16-21
Memory Verse - II Corinthians 1:21-22

LESSON VI

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MAN'S REACTIONS

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:30-32;

I Thessalonians 5:19;

Acts 5:3,51.

INTRODUCTION
Life is made up of reactions. We read of violent reactions to medications, or
national reactions to events in the world, or everyday reactions to the events and
stimuli about us. In every case reactions are based on actions of two or more people
or powers; there can be no reaction where it involves the inanimate. When we read
the Word we note various reactions of the Jews to Christ (cf. John 1:11; Mark 2:612). The reactions to Him in that day would have included hate, love, curiosity,
awe, and indifference.
I. IMPORTANCE OF REACTIONS
How we react to the Holy Spirit and His ministry makes all the difference in the
world. Daily we are reacting to His mission and ministry. Christ spoke often of the
ministry of the Holy Spirit (read in John 14; John 15; John 16), and how we react to
Him will make the difference between victory or defeat in the Christian life.
Acts chapter two tells us briefly the effect of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the
reaction of the early church to His coming. The book of Acts speaks of the Holy Spirit
about sixty times. It is a book where we see much evidence of peoples reaction to the
Holy Spirit.
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II. REACTIONS OF THE SAVED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Many, varied, and important are the actions and reactions of the saved to the
blessed Holy Spirit. Many admonitions in Scripture have to do with the wrong
reactions. These we want to consider.
A. Quenching the Spirit - I Thessalonians 5:19
This word means "to suppress, to stifle, to make an end of, or to subdue, to
subside. " One translation gives " not to dampen the Spirit. "
There are numerous ways in which we can put out a fire; such as with
water, or cover it, or just neglect it. To burn it must have the proper attention,
preparation, and care. To quench the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the normal
attitude and reaction we ought to have toward His Person (Cf. Acts 18:25,
"being fervent in Spirit;" Romans 12:11, "fervent in Spirit"). We are not to stifle,
dampen, or subdue the work of the Holy Spirit. This could well be the first step
toward a backslidden state.
1. To Whom This is Written - I Thessalonians 1:1, 3.
Having the Holy Spirit involves fearful responsibility. God holds us
responsible for what we have, what we might have, and what we are and
might have been. It is a serious danger to quench the Spirit.
2. How the Spirit can be Quenched - I Corinthians 10:7-14; Psalm 78:41;
Hebrews 3:16-19.
a. By a lack of separation (James 4:17; James 1:27b).
b. By a lack of surrender of will and life (Romans 6:13; I Corinthians 7:1).
c. By a lack of submission to the Word of God (John 8:27).
3. What the Consequences are of Quenching the Spirit.
a. Great coldness of heart.
b. The loss of our first love (Revelation 2:4).
c. Strong delusions; justifying evil.
d. Chastening, "even unto death" (Hebrews 12:5-11;
I Corinthians 11:28-32; I John 5:16).
e. Ceasing to bear fruit (John 15:1-8).
B. Grieving the Spirit - Ephesians 4:25-30
The word grieve means "to make sad; to bring to grief; to make sorrowful; to
bring heaviness. " One translation says, "never hurt the Spirit. " "Do not offend,
vex, or sadden Him" is the rendition of the amplified New Testament.
1. What grieves the Spirit? - Ephesians 4:25-32
a. open, gross sins; anger
b. licentious sins
c. ingratitude, neglect
One who is hurt is naturally grieved; it involves one who loves; it can't
happen to a stranger. We are the objects of God's affection. When we sin we
bring grief to the Holy Spirit.
2. What results in grieving Him?
a. Loss of fellowship, communion, and sweet intimacy
b. Loss of bearing fruit (II Peter 1:4-9)
c. Loss of a victorious, happy heart and life
d. A life engulfed in a deluge of doubts, fears, discouragement's, and despair
e. A walk in the flesh rather than a walk by faith
3. What will cure the sin of grieving Him?
a. Contrition (Psalm 51:17; Psalm 32:2-3; Psalm 34:18)
b. Confession (Psalm 51:3-4;
Psalm 32:1-5)
c. Cleansing, restoration (I John 1:7-9; Psalm 51:1-11)
15.

C. Lying to the Spirit - Acts 5:1-11

1. Setting - the circumstances of the early church; the persecution; sacrificial
giving (Acts 4:32-37); the community of goods; the unshaken reliance in
one another.
2. The sin of it:
a. The sin was not keeping back part of the price, but pretending they had
given all.
b. It was deceit; wanting people to think they were thoroughly yielded to the
Holy Spirit and had given all when they had not.
c. It was pretending to be in full surrender; it was theirs and they had power
over it. They could have done as God had directed them.
d. It was willful, deliberate lying to the Holy Spirit.
3. The application of it - II Timothy 2:19-21
a. All about us is hypocrisy and pretension.
b. We vow and then withhold; we give impressions that we have a good
devotional life and then neglect it.
c. We put on a front of being spiritual and then walk in the carnal flesh.
d. We pretend to be soul-winners, and do not have any burden.
III. THE REACTIONS OF THE UNSAVED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT - Acts 7
Here Peter was speaking to the Jews, the leaders of his day. These had rejected the
Holy One and Just. They had denied Him, they had spurned salvation. The chief
reaction is resistance to the Spirit (Acts 7).
A. Their Heart Condition - Acts 7:51
1. Stiff-necked; they would not submit themselves to God.
2. They gave resistance to the Word and the Holy Spirit's conviction for they
were very stubborn.
3. The Spirit had spoken but they had spurned that message with a hard heart.
B. The Heart Reaction
1. Always resisting the Holy Spirit.
2. They were hating, opposing, contradicting, resisting, and persecuting those
who had given the Word of God. They resisted the Holy Spirit in the message
from the prophets. God strove with them and they rebelled against the
light.
3. In this they trampled underfoot the blood of Christ as valueless. They
rendered themselves as being among those who were clearly rejecting
salvation and closing the door to their opportunity of eternal life
(John 3:18).
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - Acts 7:1-53
Monday - Matthew 12:14-37
Tuesday - Acts 5: 1-11
Wednesday - Ephesians 4:25-32
Thursday - Proverbs 6: 12-19
Friday - I Thessalonians 5:16-28
Saturday - Colossians 3:1-17
Memory Verse - Ephesians 4:30

16.

LESSON VII

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE OVERCOMING LIFE

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:17-21;

Acts 6:1-8;

Acts 1: 1-8

INTRODUCTION
Nothing is of greater need among the saved today than the fullness of the Holy
Spirit. To be "filled" with the Spirit is the crying need of the day. All that we are, all
that we do, all that we will be hinges directly upon this. Our powerlessness, our
fruitlessness, and our joylessness all harks back to our relationship to the Holy Spirit.
It is very evident that those used of God, according to the Word of God, were filled
with the Spirit of God.

John the Baptist was "filled with the Spirit" (Luke 1: 15).
Elizabeth was "filled " with the Spirit (Luke 1:41).
Zacharias was "filled" with the Spirit (Luke 1:67).
Of the early believers it is said, "they were filled" (Acts 2:4).
When they prayed "they were filled" (Acts 4:31).
When they selected deacons they were men "filled" with the Spirit (Acts 6).
Barnabas, mightily used of God, was a "good man and filled" (Acts 11:24).

Today all around us are defeated Christians. They lack joy, peace, and sometimes
even the assurance of salvation. They cannot gain victory over sin. Each temptation
seems impossible to conquer. There is shallowness, carnality, a bad spirit, an evil
tongue, and many other sins in the life of those who are not Spirit-controlled.
I. THE BIBLICAL COMMAND - Ephesians 5:18
A. The Negative - Ephesians 5:18a
1. Getting drunk is a sin, is it not? How many believe that?
Do we also believe that not being filled with the Holy Spirit is a sin?
2. Would we smile with approval on deacons being drunk? Or the Pastor?
3. Being drunk is being under the power, influence of a foreign power. It is to be
controlled by an outside influence taken into the body.
4. A person who is drunk cannot hide his walk, his talk, or disclose his state.
This should be true of the Spirit-filled saint--his walk, his talk, his life is
different.
5. The drunkard has a craving thirst; satisfied with nothing short of his drink.
So the saint should have a deep desire to be filled with the Spirit, and
satisfied with nothing less.
B. The Positive - Ephesians 5:18b
1. There is no choice in the matter; it is not optional, but obligatory.
2. It is not the privilege of the few, but the prerogative of all.
3. This command was for every Christian in the church from the oldest
deacon to the youngest convert. From the oldest in Christ to the newest in
Him.
4. As the negative was binding, so the positive is binding. If the first was a sin,
so also the second in its lack is a sin.
C. The Meaning - "Be ye filled"
1. Imperative mode - it is a command; it is definite and anything short is
failure to obey.
17.

God's purpose and our privilege is to be filled and controlled by the Holy
Spirit.
2. Present tense - It is in the progressive sense, "be ye not getting drunk...but be
ye being filled with the Holy Spirit." We cannot be filled once for all the rest of
our life. As the meal yesterday will not do today, so we must constantly be
being filled with the Spirit.
3. Passive voice - Indicates that it is not something we are to do, but rather let
be done in us. We are to respond, to receive, to yield to, to be emptied of self
and to let Him fill us. Not to heed is to be in sin; not to obey is to walk in the
flesh.
II. THE ALARMING NEED
We have everything but the "fullness of the Spirit. " We have machinery,
organization, committees, but not the breath of God. We have meetings, classes, etc.
for we have what men can do, but we need the fullness of the Spirit.
A. It is manifested by indifference to the work of God
1. Why the dearth; why the stagnation?
2. Why are so few being saved? Why the unused talents, the depleted treasury,
the few who pray? Why do so few prepare for service? Why are so few willing
to sacrifice?
B. Manifested by the unrest about us today
1. There is much worry, fretting, unsettledness and seeking for something that
will satisfy. This is an indication of the lack of the Holy Spirit's ministry.
2. The unrest, anxiety, and lack of peace evidence the absence of the fruit of
the Spirit.
C. Manifested by constant failure at some point - Romans 7
1. Are you
2. Is there
up with?
3. Does sin

constantly failing, sinning?

some breakdown in your life, something you are constantly putting
Do you allow sin? Are you powerless?
rule and reign over you?

D. Manifested in the lack of soul-winning zeal - Acts 1:8

1. The early church was a soul-winning church. This was the result of their
being "filled" with the Spirit.
2. We must have supernatural power for a supernatural task. Winning men to
Christ cannot be done apart from the Spirit. The early church had boldness
to witness. This is mentioned 26 times in that book.
III. THE BASIC CONDITIONS
What is necessary to be filled with the Spirit? If we desire His fullness, what must
we do to meet God's conditions ?
It is imperative that the saint of God has a unquenchable thirst for the power of
the Holy Spirit in his or her daily life. Without this we will fail in our life for Him.
A. A genuine thirst - John 7:37-39
1. There must be desire, concern.
2. There must be the right motive.
18.

B. A
1.
2.
3.

cleansing of heart and life - II Cor. 7:1; I Thess. 5:23; II Timothy 2:19-21.
We cannot deal lightly with sin; it must be a major consideration.
We are called unto holiness - Psalm 51:1-11; Hebrews 12:12-14.
Sins of omission must be confessed; sins of commission must be put away.
We must deal drastically with sin. The Holy Spirit cannot use a sinful,
tainted vessel.

C. A consecration of life - Romans 6:13;

Acts 5:32;

Romans 12:1-2.

1. There must be surrender, yieldedness of all, submitting of all our being.

2. We must not spare anything wrong in our lives.
3. His fullness must pervade all our life--the will, affections, thought life,
actions, utterance, etc.
4. He can fill only a surrendered body.
D. An acceptance by faith - Colossians 2:6;

Ephesians 5:18

1. All God's gifts come by faith; we are saved by faith, kept by faith, and we will
be filled only as we yield by faith.
2. Appropriation is very important. Note Elisha (II Kings 2), who took up the
mantle. He actively, positively laid hold, with no emotion or sensation, but
acted by faith. So he trusted for the "Spirit'' to be upon him.
3. We must ''let go and let God." I mean by that a complete surrender as we die
to self and live unto God.
(Gal. 2:20) Then the Holy Spirit can take control
and use us mightily.
4. This means a life of dependence upon the Spirit- walking in His strength,
power, and ministry. It is a walk in obedience to the Word of God as the Holy
Spirit always leads in accord with the Word.
IV. THE GLORIOUS RESULTS
What are the evidences of a Spirit-filled life? What can one expect to see in his own
life and in the lives of others who are controlled by the Holy Spirit? The Word gives
us ample instruction in reply to this question.
A. Wisdom - Acts 6:3
The early church knew the wisdom of the Holy Spirit; they knew when men
were Spirit-filled and thus whom to select as deacons (Acts 6:3). Those who
would be filled with the Spirit would also possess wisdom. It will be practical,
everyday wisdom given of the Holy Spirit for daily problems.
B. F a i t h - Acts 6:5; Romans 10:17;
Hebrews 11:6
Stephen is a very good example of a spirit-filled person, and he was a man
full of faith. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to increase and solidify our
faith. We need people of real faith today. The world needs to see men of faith in
this secular, materialistic age.
C. G r a c e - Acts 6:3; Galatians 5:22,23
Stephen was also a person full of grace. The indwelling and controlling
work of the Spirit will make us gracious, kind, full of the fruit of the Spirit.
D. Power - Acts 1:8;
Acts 4:23-31; Acts 6:8
Power in the Christian life is the result of being Spirit-filled. Stephen, who is
a glowing example of being Spirit-filled, was also full of power. This was shown
forth in his preaching, in his miracles, and in his ability to confront the
enemies of the Gospel. He disputed with them and presented the truth to them.
They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit in which he spoke
(Acts 6:10;
cf. Acts 4:31).
19.

E. Joy and thanksgiving - Psalm 100; Ephesians 5:18,19

A natural result of the filling of the Spirit is a life of joy and praise
(Cf. Galatians 5:22,23). We need today the "garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3). Many believers look on the dark side of life. Others are
always finding fault with things about them. Only the Holy Spirit in His power
can give victory over this (Cf. I Thessalonians 5:18).
F. Humility - Ephesians 5:21
All of us by nature desire to have our own way. We often fight to get what
we want, but God desires humility in the life of the saved (Cf. James 4:6-10;
I Peter 5:5,6). Many a personal and church conflict would be avoided if the
spirit of humility were evidenced among us. When we are controlled by the
Holy Spirit, we will have the unity and the bond of peace among us
(Ephesians 4:3).
G. Victory - Galatians 5:16-24
Victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil will be the portion of the
Spirit-filled Christian. Only One can deliver us from yielding to sin. That One
is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. He can make us strong in our weakness.
H. Fruitfulness - Acts 1:8; Psalm 1:3; John 7:38; John 4:34-36
Bearing the fruit of soul-winning is the result of being filled with the Spirit.
All about us is spiritual decay, "dried up" believers, and multitudes of unsaved.
But the Spirit-filled person is like a tree planted by the rivers of waters -bearing
abundant fruit. The one under the control of the Spirit will be a constant
source of refreshment to others. He does not run dry; he is green, fruitful, and
abounding in the Spirit.
(Psalm 1:1-3)
CONCLUSION:
At the conclusion of this study, we urge every believer to desire the fullness of the
Holy Spirit. He must have control. He must be made Lord. He must be acknowledged
and trusted to carry out His ministries in our lives. Much that He does is done upon
our salvation; but other aspects of His ministry must be entered into, appropriated
by a life that is surrendered to Him.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
Sunday - Acts 4:23-31
Monday - Romans 8:1-4
Tuesday - Galatians 5:16-26
Wednesday - Ephesians 5:1-21
Thursday - John 7:37-39
Friday - Acts 9:1-22
Saturday - Acts 6:5-15
Memory Verse - Ephesians 5:18

20.