Lesson 9: Holy Spirit. Spirit's Work, Faith

"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. Consider 2 Corinthians 3:17. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.". The first way we know the Holy Spirit is God is because he is called God.

The second way we know the Holy Spirit is God is because he has divine attributes. Here's what 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 has to say about the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God".

The third way we know the Holy Spirit is God is because He has divine power. Let's go all the way back to the beginning of Creation in Genesis 1:1-2. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.". The Spirit in Genesis 1 can only be the Holy Spirit! The entire Trinity was present at creation!

What does sanctification mean? Consider 1 Peter 2:9-11. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.". Sanctification means to be made holy; to be set apart.

When were we sanctified? Let's look at 1 Corinthians 6:11. "And 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.". We were sanctified when we were justified! But how does the Spirit sanctify us? The answer is in Romans 10:14. "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of who they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?". The Spirit sanctifies us through the gospel! What does the Spirit's work of sanctification give us? Romans 10:17 declares "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.". The Spirit's work of sanctification gives us faith.

What exactly is faith? Faith is trusting God, as evidenced in Hebrews 1:11. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Faith is trusting God in uncertain times.

What do those with faith receive? Let's look at Acts 16:30-31. "he them brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household". Those with faith receive righteousness and salvation that can only come from Jesus.

Through what means does the Holy Spirit create and sustain faith in us? Through the holy Sacraments, Baptism and Communion! Acts 2:38 stresses the importance of Baptism. "Peter 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". Luke 22:19-20 is about the very first Communion, at the Last Supper. "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you".

Why must we need sanctification? Ephesians 2:1 declares "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.". We need faith and sanctification because apart from Christ, we are dead. It is only by Christ that we can be made alive. The Spirit sanctifies us through the Word and Sacraments.

What else does the Spirit do for us? He sustains our faith, evidenced in Psalm 51:10-12. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Now let's talk about Faith vs Good Works. Hebrews 11:6 declares "Without faith it is impossible to please God". It's our Faith that leads us to do good works, for we can't do good works without faith.

Why do we do good works? Let's look at what Jesus said in John 15:5. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". We do good works because God lives in us and through us. Apart from God, we cannot do good works.

In conclusion, this is what it means to believe in the Holy Spirit: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In the Christian church he daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.". Amen, and Amen.