Opening Text: Ephesians 3:14-20
Week 1 – We asked Who is the Holy Spirit?
We learned that he is the promise of the Father that came to be with us after Jesus ascended to heaven.
He is an important ingredient in the life of every believer. If we think of the Holy Spirit only as an essence, only as a breeze, only as a power, it is very difficult to develop a meaningful relationship with Him.
He is a person and wants to work with us in this life to do the will of the Father.
Week 2 – He is our counselor and helper
We learned that The role of a counselor is to assist someone to reach the optimal level of functionality by resolving negative patterns, prevention, rehabilitation, and to improve the quality of life. He counsels in life management. His goal is lead us in the right direction.
Week 3 – He is our intercessor
We learned that even when we don’t have the words to pray, he helps us pray in line with the heart of the Father.
We never pray in the wrong direction when we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit in prayer. He helps us hit the target in prayer every time.
Week 4 – He is our advocate
We learned that an advocate is one who publicly supports or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something.To speak for, support, or represent a person or group of people who may need extra help or protection.
As our advocate the Holy Spirit encourages us, defends us, and corrects us. He makes everything Jesus did a reality in our lives so that we have a proper biblical view of ourselves and our relationship to our Father in Heaven. A right (biblical) view of ourselves will keep us moving forward into the purposes we were created for.
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As a child of God, you’re never without strength, because there’s a strengthener in you—the Holy Spirit. He ministers to you as your Strengthener.
He strengthens you so that while He’s taking His own steps to ensure that everything works out right for you, you’re also participating actively in the process, because He has to function through you.
If you have the Holy Spirit in your life, is no longer an option.
The Greek word for strengthened in Ephesians 3:16 is krataioō (krat-ah-yo’-o) which means
- to strengthen, make strong, show yourselves brave
- to be made strong, to increase in strength, to grow strong
- of the mighty power of God
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Our strength will come to an end but his
I see now why Paul would say these words in 2nd Corinthians 4:7-14.
We have access to a strength beyond what we even know.
We actually have the strengthener and standby forever.
Standby just means he is at any moment to jump in the middle or our situation with us to help.
He is standing by us ready to help at the moment call.
How do we access this strength?
- Through the 2nd Timothy 3:16-17
- Through Acts 4:23-24 and Acts 4:29-31
- Through Jude 1:20