The Only True GodGod the Holy Spirit—The Faith

Worker

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INTRODUCTION When you watch the Super Bowl or any other sporting event, you rarely see the

cameramen and engineers. Yet the work they do is very important. Why? Is their

“behind the scenes” work any less important?

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

If Christ died for all people, why don’t all people get the benefits of

what he did?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he

gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not

perish but have eternal life.

Everyone who believes receives the benefits of what Jesus did. If I say that everyone in the room is going to get a birthday gift from the teacher this year, you won’t worry even if your birthday is

over the summer. Your teacher said that it was for everyone. You believe that you will get it on your birthday like everyone

else. Jesus died for all. No one s left out no matter what the circumstance.

Luke 14:15-2415 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom

of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet

he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now

ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a

field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

Luke 14:15-2419 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five

yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another

said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the

blind and the lame.’

Luke 14:15-2422 ”‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered

has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

Many lose the benefits of Christ’s death because they refuse to believe in him.

You go to the doctor for tests and he tells you that you have cancer, but it is

contained and you can be cured. If you don’t believe that you have cancer that it

can’t be cured, whose fault is it if you die? God gives us the cure for sin for

free. It is the person who rejects it’s own fault if he or she doesn’t believe it to be

true.

Some people don’t receive the benefits of what Jesus did for them because they refuse to

believe in Him.

Why doesn’t everyone just naturally have faith in Jesus?

Ephesians 2:1As for you, you were dead in your

transgressions and sins,

By nature we are spiritually dead. If I walk up to a person who is dead and lying in a

casket and offer her a $100 bill, the reason she won’t take it is because she is dead. She doesn’t hear what I am saying and

wouldn’t be able to hold the $100 bill even if I put it in her hand. That’s what we are by nature when God tells us Jesus died for us and offers us the treasures of forgiveness

and the riches of heaven.

Acts 26:17-1817 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive

forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

By nature we are spiritually blind. If I’m standing with a blind person on the top floor of the Sears Tower and ask the

blind person to look at the beautiful sights in every direction, that person won’t be

able to because they are blind. God sent Jesus to ransom everyone. He tells us to look all around at God’s love for us and his plan of salvation, but by nature we can’t see anything that God is talking

about.

Romans 8:6-7 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the

mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it

do so.

By nature we are enemies of God. Let’s say that I am the quarterback for my football team and I’m walking up to the line of scrimmage. If I shout to the

other team that they better look out because I’m going to throw a long

pass, they won’t believe me. That’s because I’m their opponent. That’s the way we respond by our nature to the good news about Jesus Christ. We

don’t believe God is trying to help us.

Everybody doesn’t naturally have faith in Jesus because all of us by nature

are spiritually dead, blind and enemies of God.

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

Evaluate this statement - There are some unbelievers that know more about Jesus than some believers do.

Agree or disagree and why? There is always a little bit of good in everyone. No one is totally bad.

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

How does our spiritual blindness prevent us from having

faith?

Matthew 13:14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

”‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but

never perceiving.

Because we are blind we don’t understand the simple message of Jesus. Have you

ever had a teacher or a friend try to explain something to you - (math, science problem, joke, etc.) and no matter how many times they tried to explain it or how simple they made it, it just didn’t click. That’s what spiritual blindness does to everyone in

regards to the simple message of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:18For the message of the cross is

foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the

power of God.

Our spiritual blindness leads us to conclude that Jesus’ death is foolishness. Let’s say that a teacher is handing out $100 bills to

the class. Someone may not take it because it seems fishy that a teacher is just

handing out money to a class because nothing is for free. There has to be a catch.

God is handing our salvation freely to everyone. But by nature we think that there has to be a catch or we have a foolish God that doesn’t expect anything back in return.

John 15:16a16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear

fruit—fruit that will last.

Because of our spiritual blindness we could never choose to believe in Jesus. When

you play the shell game you hide a marble then shuffle the shells. You would be

suspicious if the person pointed to a shell and told you it was the one if there was $10 on the line. Why would that person go to all the work and then tell you? We, by nature are suspicious of God; enemies of God.

When God tells us to choose Jesus, we by nature make another choice.

Our spiritual blindness makes it impossible for us by our own thinking

or choosing to believe in Jesus because what he tells us seems like

foolishness to us.

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

Evaluate this statement - Christ’s work is useless without faith.

Agree or Disagree and why? I am saved the minute that I accept Jesus into my heart.

HYMNOLOGY Hymn 380 Lord, ‘ Tis Not that I Did Choose You

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

How did we come to believe and so receive the benefits of what Jesus

did for us?

1 Corinthians 12:3band no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except

by the Holy Spirit.

The only way that we can believe in Jesus is by the work of the Holy Spirit. What is the specific work of the Father, of the Son - now we see clearly the specific work of the Holy

Spirit.

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because

God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has

given us. The Holy Spirit coming into our hearts is a gracious gift of God. What is the best gift

you have ever received? Why is it so great? What makes you remember it? Think about the gift God the Holy Spirit gave to you. Why is it so great? What

makes you remember it?

It is only by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit that we believe in

Jesus and so receive the benefits of what he has done for us.

CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY

Faith: Believing in Jesus - being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Our Natural Condition - We are born spiritually blind, dead and enemies of God.

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

Agree or Disagree and why? The miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a greater miracle than the Holy Spirit bringing someone to faith.

How do you know if you have saving faith or not?

Ask yourself these three question:

1. Does it bother me that I have sinned against the Lord?

2. Do I trust that God has cleansed me from all sin through Jesus’ blood?

3. Do I have the desire to serve God out of love?

If (yes) then be assured the Holy Spirit has worked saving faith in your heart!!!

FOOD FOR THOUGHTSome people find the fact that they

can’t come to faith by their own thinking or doing to be quite disturbing. You can find it a great source of comfort. You see, if it were up to you to “decide for Christ” on your own, you could never be sure that your “decision” was genuine or that your motivations were pure. I know that faith is a product of the working of the Holy Spirit alone and it is a gift of God. I can be absolutely confident in faith and rejoice that I did not choose Him, but that He chose me!

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME REVIEWING THE LESSON 1. Review your notes; be sure you understand them. Be prepared for a written or oral

quiz. Don’t forget about the vocabulary words! 2. Make a flashcard for and memorize John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18. Be able to

put the passage into your own words or answer questions concerning it. PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LESSON Ask your parents to help you with the following activity: 1. Complete the Bible History Worksheet. Learn the Confession of our Faith Memorize: 3 rd Article up to “or come to him” (in the “What does this mean” section).

The Only True GodGod the Holy Spirit—The Power Source

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If you are studying mathematics, there are certain terms you need to understand. If you don’t know what these terms mean,

you won’t know what is going on, and as a result, you will get every problem wrong. For example, give several reasons why

you need to know what the words “multiply” and divide” mean. Or the words,

“divider and “dividend.” What is true of mathematics is also true of Bible study. In today’s lesson, there are two expressions in particular that it would be good for us to

understand. Those expressions are “sanctify” and “means of grace”.

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

Why is the Holy Spirit’s work called sanctification?

1 Corinthians 6:11And that is what some of you were. But you

were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

It is called sanctification because he washed our sins away by bringing us to faith in Jesus’ saving work. Let’s say you have a pair of white pants

that have grass stains. Mom washes them carefully and gets them out. So too Jesus, took our sins (stains) on himself and washed them clean in

his blood. The only way he does this is when H.S. sanctifies us - brings us

to faith.

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ—their Lord and ours:

Bring us to faith, the Holy Spirit calls us away from the sinful world to be holy

together with all other believers. Remember the story of Zacchaeus being brought to faith (Luke 19). He was a tax collector who was so attracted by money that he turned his back on being one of

God’s people in or to work for the Roman government and make lots of money. By

the work of H.S. he was called back to being one of God’s people. Sanctification+ H.S. calls us away form sinful treasures and

pleasures of the world to be holy.

The Holy Spirit’s work is called sanctification because by bringing us to faith he washes all our sins away and turns us away from the

sinful world to be holy with all believers.

Growth in Faith

Sanctification increases

Brought to Faith

Sanctification begins

What “means” does the Holy Spirit use to bring us to faith and sanctify us?

Romans 10:1Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard

through the word of Christ.

John 17:17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is

truth.

The Holy Spirit brings us to faith and sanctifies us by means of His Word which is the truth. The Holy Spirit doesn’t swoop down on people like a net dropping on a

person. He doesn’t put a gun to our head and tell us to believe or else. No, the Holy Spirit enters people’s hearts as they read and hear God’s Word. That’s why it is so important that we share God’s Word with people who don’t know Jesus, It is only

as they hear this word that the Holy Spirit can begin to work the miracle of faith in

them.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-1413 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the

Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

To be more exact, the Holy Spirit brings us to faith and sanctifies us through the Gospel. Remember what the law says -

SOS - shows our sin. Remember the what the Gospel shows - SOS - shows

our savior. Shows how much God loves us. This is the good news the Holy Spirit

uses to turn us away from the sinful world to trust in Jesus.

Acts 2:38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy

Spirit.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by the gospel in the sacrament of Baptism.

God’s Gospel is connected through the water and word of Baptism. The Holy

Spirit uses Baptism as a means of working faith. It reminds us of how God

also washed our sins away.

Matthew 26:26-28 26 While they were eating, Jesus took

bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat;

this is my body.” 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying,

“Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out

for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by the gospel in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Gospel is given to us in

outward things - bread and wine - along with the assurance of Jesus’ true body and blood. The price that

was paid for our sins. The Holy Spirit uses this visible Gospel to sanctify us.

The means the Holy Spirit uses to bring us to faith and sanctify us is God’s Word,

specifically the gospel in the word and sacraments (Baptism and Lord’s

Supper).

HOW SANCTIFICATION WORKS

THE GOSPEL

God’s Word (Bible)

Sacraments

Means of Grace God’s Reservoir

Forgiveness

New Life Salvation

Your Heart

Forgiveness

New Life Salvation

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

Evaluate this statement - The Holy Spirit hasn’t sanctified me yet because I am still attracted to the treasures and pleasures of this world.

Agree or Disagree and why? The fact that the Holy Spirit only works through the Gospel in the Word and sacraments really limits the amount of mission work we can do.

CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY

Sanctification: (to set apart, to make holy) The Holy Spirit calls someone to faith and leads them to hate sinful things and live a life pleasing to God

Means of Grace - The Gospel in Word (written and spoken) and Sacraments (Baptism and Lord’s Supper)

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

What change in attitude did the Holy Spirit work in us as he

sanctified us?

Psalm 119:104I gain understanding from your precepts;

therefore I hate every wrong path.

The Holy Spirit leads me to hate my every wrong and sinful path. Like a dog returning to its vomit or a pig to its mud pit, is what we do when we return to sin. Holy Spirit leads

us to hate everything that makes us spiritual dirty of the disgusting thing that comes out

of our sinful flesh.

Titus 2:11-1411 For the grace of God that brings

salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and

worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the

glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself

for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his

very own, eager to do what is good.

The Holy Spirit leads me to be eager to do what is good and what God desires.

Not like a lazy or spoiled child that resists or hates to do anything for mom or dad,

but with a new attitude that serves willingly and eagerly. That is the new

attitude the Holy Spirit works in us at the time brings us to faith.

When the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, he changes our attitude so that

we now hate sin and are eager to do what is good according to

God’s will

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFEThe sinful world tempts us toward

materialism - toward wanting desperately what we cannot afford to have. How exactly does the Holy Spirit help us combat this idolatrous sin?

The sinful world tempts us toward hedonism (love of pleasure) - toward wanting desperately the so-called fun that illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, or forbidden sex that is contrary to our Savior’s will seems to provide people. How exactly does the Holy Spirit help us combat this idolatrous sin?

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

What motivates us to do what is good according to God’s will?

2 Corinthians 5:14-1514 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all,

that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them

and was raised again.

The Love Christ shows us motivates us to do God’s will. Two

people that love each other do things for each other naturally

because they love each other. No one is forced. Neither does God

force us to do good things—people that love him do good for him.

Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, whether in word or

deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father

through him. We thank God for all his goodness to us. If you fell through the ice and were pulled to safety by a nearby fisherman, you would

feel the need to thank him somehow. You wouldn’t be paying him back, but your

deeds and gestures would show him thanks for all that he already did for you.

What motivates us is our love for Jesus who loves us and our thanks

for all the goodness Jesus has shown to us.

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

Agree or Disagree and why? You can tell a good Christian from a bad Christian by the number of good works each does in their lives.

Agree or Disagree and why? A Christian finds it easy to do good works because he is filled with love and thanks for God’s goodness to him.

HYMNOLOGY Hymn 186 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME REVIEWING THE LESSON 1. Review your notes; be sure you understand them. Be prepared for a written or oral

quiz. Don’t forget about the vocabulary words! 2. Make a flashcard for and memorize and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. Be able to put the

passage into your own words or answer questions concerning it. PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LESSON Ask your parents to help you with the following activity: 1. Complete the Bible History Worksheet. Learn the Confession of our Faith Memorize: 3 rd Article in its entirety.