Episode Details

In this episode of our "Good Question" series on the Holy Spirit, we explore two key aspects of the Spirit's ministry in the life of the believer.

Key points:

1. The Holy Spirit is necessary for our spiritual birth (John 3:1-8) 
   • In Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, He emphasizes the need to be "born again" or "born of the Spirit"
   • The Spirit convicts us of sin and indwells us, enabling us to cross from spiritual death to life
   • Without the Spirit's work, we cannot enter the kingdom of God or become Christians
2. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3) 
   • Being born again is the starting point, not the end goal, of the Christian life
   • God's will is for us to be sanctified - to grow in Christlikeness and holiness
   • We cannot achieve this on our own; we need to yield to the Spirit's transforming work in us
   • The Spirit produces His fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control
   • As Augustine noted, our sanctification is a cooperative process - we have a role to play, but it is ultimately fueled by the Holy Spirit
   • The Spirit's title as the "Holy" Spirit points to His key function of making us holy

The Holy Spirit is not only instrumental in bringing us to faith in Christ, but also in conforming us to Christ's image over the course of our Christian lives. We must continually depend on His empowering presence to put sin to death and grow in godliness.

Join us next time as we further unpack the person and work of the Holy Spirit in this "Good Question" series.