August 16, 2007

The Convicting Power of the Holy Spirit

 

CONVICT - it is a legal term speaking of a lawyer cross examining a person until they plead guilty.

                - it means to convince and expose

 

 

STATEMENTS:

 

(1) Conviction means the Holy Spirit is always with us - Joshua 1:5;Isaiah 43:1-3;Heb 13:5;2 Tim 4:9-18;Psalm 139:7-13

 

*the Holy Spirit is with you no matter how good or bad you are

 

*it is all based on the word of God

 

*there are still consequences for our wrong actions and decisions

 

 

(2) Conviction means our weaknesses are exposed - 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

 

-do not zero in our your weaknesses.  Zero in on Jesus

 

-admit your weaknesses and get them fixed

 

Remember 2 things: 

 

                           1. God has always worked with flawed, but willing vessels

 

                           2. conviction is not condemnation - Romans 8:1 & John 3:16-18

 

 

 

(3) The Holy Spirit is the only One who can convict - this is His ministry

 

a.) The Holy Spirit can convict Himself - He speaks - Rev 2:17

 

b.) The Holy Spirit can use the word - Prov 11:13

 

c.) The Holy Spirit can use a person - 2 Tim 4:2

 

rebuke - means to forbid; censure; straight talk

 

 

***The Holy Spirit can see everything and knows everything

 

-therefore everything will be exposed - here or there - Ex: Moses in Exodus 2:11-14

 

 

 

 

Who can be convicted?

 

THE BELIEVER - 1 John 2:20,27

 

a.) there is personal conviction by the Holy Spirit -------this is special instructions from God to one believer that is not meant for the whole body of believers

 

 

 

b.) there is conviction of sins by the Holy Spirit

-this grieves the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 4:30

 

 

 

 

 

THE UNBELIEVER - John 16:5-11

 

vs8-9 - to convince the world of sin

-only the Holy Spirit can cause us to realize our great sin and need of repentance

-He convicts people of the sin of unbelief - their rejection of Jesus Christ

 

 

vs8,10 - to convince of righteousness

-works and goodness will not get anyone to heaven

 

 

vs8,11 - to convince of judgment

-to let everyone know that without Jesus Christ, people are already under the judgment and condemnation of God

-their sentence has already be handed down