Apostle’s Creed: 3rdArticle-The Holy Spirit: His Work Pt 2: Leading a Godly Life

Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions

Ps 51:10 Create in me…Gal 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit…Eph 2:10 For we are God’s…Heb 11:6 Without faith…Jn 15:5 If a man remains…Jn 14:15 If you love Me…

1 Cor 10:31 Whether you eat…Gal 5:13 Serve one another…Eph 2:20-22 [You are] built on the found...Phil 1:6 He who began…2 Pt 3:9 The Lord…is patient…

Memorization Verses:

Letting the Holy Spirit work through you.

http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heaven.“

Luke 11:33, where he said, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.“

Matthew 5:14-15, where Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."

Sing it!

This little light of mine/I'm gonna let it shine…Hide it under a bushel? No! All around Lake Elsinore…Don’t let Satan *fooh!* it out…Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes…

The Fruit of the Spirit (Someone’s in the Kitchen w/Dinah Tune 

The Fruit of the Spirit's not a watermelon (What 'cha yellin?) The Fruit of the Spirit's not a watermelon (What 'cha yellin?) If you want to be a watermelon You might as well hear it. You can't be a Fruit of the Spirit. 

'Cause the Fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,  Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. 

The Fruit of the Spirit's not a kiwi (Whee) 

The Fruit of the Spirit's not a banana (Nana) 

The Fruit of the Spirit's not a cantaloupe. (Nope!) 

  

• PRAYEROh Holy Spirit…•Your work...•Help us to…•You’ve equipped us…•We are now like Jesus because…•May all the world…

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Hymn: LW#160 lutheran-hymnal.com/lbw/lbw459.mid

D-A-F-D-A-BBA-|-ABCD-C-BBA-

1. O Holy spirit, enter in,And in our hearts your work begin,And make our hearts your dwelling.Sun of the soul, O Light divine,Around and in us brightly shine,Your strength in us upwelling.In your radiance Life from heavenNow is given Overflowing,Gift of gifts beyond all knowing.

2. Left to ourselves, we surely stray;Oh, lead us on the narrow way,With wisest counsel guide us;And give us steadfastness that weMay follow you for ever free,No matter who derides us.

Gently heal those Hearts now broken;Give some token You are near us,Whom we trust to light and cheer us.

3. O mighty rock, O Source of life,Let your good Word in doubt and strifeBe in us strongly burningThat we be faithful unto deathAnd live in love and holy faith,From you true wisdom learning.Lord, your mercy On us shower;By your power Christ confessing,We will cherish all your blessing.

This is the Bible pattern for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to all believers. Are you a believer? Have you been genuinely born again? If so, since being born again have you been filled with God's Spirit? Have you received the Holy Spirit according to the Bible pattern?

Satan has caused great mischief through false teachers warning Christians away from this God given baptism of power, stunting their effectiveness as witnesses of Jesus Christ.

The original Bible pattern has believers speaking in tongues. Peter confirms; This is what was spoken of... Acts 2:16 God wants you to have this, and nothing less than this. He wants you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit according to His original Pentecostal pattern.

Three times, God shows us the evidence of Baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. When you are Baptised in the Holy Spirit, you too will speak in tongues. Until you have the Bible proof, you are not baptised.

Enter into the Promise of God. It is your Blood-bought inheritance. You will do more in one year when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, than in a hundred years apart from Him.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: What is Wrong?

1. Can non-believers understand the Bible the same as believers? Why or why not?

2. What are Gifts, how are they different than fruits?

3. Is it important to talk about spiritual gifts, or just DO them?

4. How do we identify our spiritual gifts, and should we?

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Questions to Consider

Gifts of the Spirit: A Spirit-given ability for Christian service.

1. Gifts may be distinguished from talents. Non Christians ‑have talent, present from birth. No unbeliever has a spiritual gift.

2. Talents have to do with techniques and methods; gifts have to do with spiritual abilities. Talents depend on natural power, gifts on spiritual endowment. Talents instruct, inspire, or entertain on a natural level. Gifts relate to the building up of the saints. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man

minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:11).

3. Talents and gifts are often related. Literary, oratorical, artistic, musical, or linguistic talents may be avenues through which the Holy Spirit will use a person’s gifts. But writing, speaking, or vocal abilities are talents, not gifts.

4. Having gifts transcends talents and brings a Spiritual component simply not available to non-believers.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Terms Defined

  Justyn Martyr (~A.D. 150), in his famous Dialogue with Trypho, speaks of the fact that Jews continue to leave their communities in order to become Christians.  In this context, he makes the following comment: [some] are also receiving gifts, each as he is worthy,

illumined through the name of this Christ.  For one receives the spirit of understanding, another of counsel, another of strength, another of healing, another of foreknowledge, another of teaching, and another of the fear of God.

Tertullian (~A.D. 200) was a prolific Christian author in Carthage (North Africa).  He wrote: Therefore, blessed ones whom the grace of God awaits,

when you come up out of that most holy bath [baptism] . . . ask the Father, ask the Lord to make you subject to the riches of grace, the distribution of the gifts. (Concerning Baptism, 20:5)

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Church History

In three different chapters in three separate epistles, Paul makes a list of gifts. These gifts vary from list to list, though with some repetition.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Scripture Gifts

Romans 12:3‑8; 28‑30 1 Cor. 12:8‑10 Ephesians 4:11

ProphecyMinistering (Helps)TeachingExhortingGivingGovernment (Ruling)Showing Mercy

Word of wisdomWord of KnowledgeFaithHealingMiraclesProphecyDiscernmentTonguesInterpretationApostleshipMinistration (Helps)TeachingGovernment (Ruling)

ApostleshipProphecyEvangelismPastoringTeaching

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Exegesis 1 Now about the gifts of the

Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want

you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit  5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1. pneumatiko/v: Concerning the Spirit, or spiritual matters, or

gifts.

2. a)gnoeÑw : To be ignorant and make mistakes.

3. ei mh en pneumatiagiw : Trinitarian formula and Divinity of Christ and

Spirit

4. Diaireseiv de xarismatwn: Distinct and unique gifts

5. diaireseiv energhmatwndistributes them, Same as God at work.

6. didotai  h fanerwsiv tou pneumatov provto sumferon: Through the physical presence of the spirit

expressing itself in fruit and gifts for all people to be united in purity.

Fruits of the Spirit: Qualities of a Christian that are given as part of their new persona in Christ. These qualities affect a disposition that is sincere, controlled, and loving. They strengthen someone's work regarding gifts and potential offices. The fruit of the Spirit is more important than the gifts of the

spirit. Paul positioned his love chapter (1 Cor. 13) right in the middle

of his long section dealing with gifts (chapters 12‑14). Without love, gifts are but wounding brass, tinkling cymbal, profitless, nothing. Paul also wrote of the danger of exercising his gift of preaching to others, then himself being lost (1 Cor. 9:24‑27).

An analysis of the qualifications for the offices of elder and deacon (1 Tim. 3:1‑12; Titus 1:6‑9) reveals an emphasis on the fruit of the Spirit, not gifts. The only gift qualifications seam to be aptness to teach and hospitality. Overwhelmingly necessary are spiritual graces (fruit) like patience, goodness, self‑control, humility, love.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Terms Defined

New Testament “Offices”: God-appointed vocational service roles within the Church during the time of the NT. Offices include apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher,

elder, and deacon.

Scripture: Elder/Pastor/Presbytor: Paul, who summoned the presbyters of

Ephesus to Miletus, tells them that the Holy Spirit has set them episkopouj, overseers, bishops to shepherd the Church of God

Elder: but to let the presbyters as also the deacons first be proved (3:10), then to let them serve. This appointment of elders justifies us to regard the term presbuteroj as an official title. The term presbuteroj conveys the dignity of the office to us.

Deacon:. Timothy is to let these also first be proved, then he is to let them serve (diakoneitwsan, v. 10), serve as deacons. Having served well they acquire unto themselves a good degree (baqmon), a good standing. The seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom Peter and the brethren in Jerusalem appointed to the business or duty of serving tables, Acts 6:3, were undoubtedly such diakonoi, although they are not designated as such.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Terms Defined

No believer is without gifts: Every child of God has a gift or gifts. They are given to

us when we become members of God’s Kingdom through regeneration. Though gifts may lie dormant for months or years, they are given at our spiritual birth; they are ours because we are children of God. Paul emphasized the universality of gifts. “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Eph. 4:7). “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Cor. 12:7).

Gifts are varied: We are not born equal. Though we share in the same

Holy Spirit, who enables all believers to confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and who has baptized all believers into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:3 & 13), we are given different spiritual gifts for service. More than once Paul uses the analogy of the human body with its many members—eyes, ears, hands, feet—to illustrate the varied gifts in the church of Christ. “Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (v. 27).

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Unique Gifts

The gifts are not for your own sake: It is important for us to discover and develop our

spiritual abilities. Writing to the Romans, Paul listed several gifts, urging their faithful exercise, and then added that we should be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (12:11). Peter wrote, “As every man hath received the gift (hospitality), even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

Gifts overlap. This makes it difficult to separate some gifts completely

from others. Certainly, prophecy incorporates some teaching. Evangelism also has some content of teaching. The gifts of ministration and of showing mercy are related. Several gifts seem to shade into each other.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: For the Believer

No gift is restricted to either sex. All gifts are for both men ad women. Even though a

woman is not to hold the office of pastor, some women need the gift of pastoring in order to shepherd other women and children who might need their care. Women also require the gift of teaching to instruct other women and children. The gift of government is essential for those in places of leadership in women’s groups.

An absence of gifts does not excuse disobedience to God’s commands. Many gifts operate in the area of clear-cut commands.

For example, the Christian is commanded to liberality in giving. Because a believer does not have the gift of giving, he cannot say, “Never pass me the plate any more; I don’t need to give, for I do not have that gift.” All believers are ordered to support the Lord’s work financially. Though some may be given a special ability to donate generously to the Lord’s work, all are to share

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Gifts as Command

All are commanded to witness. 1. Because a person does not possess the gift of

evangelism is no excuse for failure to evangelize. Some will be given a special endowment for evangelism, but all are enjoined to share their faith.

2. Because a believer has not the gift of prophecy, he cannot refuse to spread the Word as opportunity arises. When the saints were scattered out of Jerusalem throughout all the region of Judea and Samaria, they “went everywhere preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4). Many doubtless did not have the gift of prophecy, but all spoke forth for Christ.

3. Though a Christian may not have the gift of discernment, he is commanded to “prove all things,” to “hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Gifts as Witness

Tongues are referred to three times in Acts and also in 1 Corinthians. In Acts, tongues seem to refer to a foreign language. Tongues in the three episodes in Acts refers to

definite languages, hold that tongues‑speaking in Corinthians is of a different nature. Many think these tongues to be ecstatic utterances which do not correspond to any known language. Scholars differ on the issue.

The gift of interpretation, when the tongue was a foreign language, would be the ability to translate by someone who did not know the language. In the case of ecstatic utterance, the gift would be to interpret the non‑linguistic sounds.

The major purpose of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) in Acts seems to have been evidential. After the Gospel was preached to Jews at Pentecost, the next major step in its spread was preaching it to Gentiles at Cornelius’ house. This major innovation needed divine authentication. Tongues were used to convince the skeptical Jewish believers that the Gospel was for Gentiles too. Also as a means towards reversing Babel in a unique way.

Tongues, “a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not” (1 Cor. 14:22), gave divine endorsement to this new line of apostolic action. Thus, tongues deserve a place among the sign gifts. However, if at Corinth tongues were ecstatic speech, their value was directed inward,

toward the speaker, for others did not know what was said. To qualify as a gift a Spirit‑given ability must be directed outward, to others, edifying the church. Thus, uninterpreted tongues‑speaking, though some sort of a spiritual exercise, falls short of being a gift, for it, edifies only the speaker. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church” (1 Cor. 14:4). Thus ecstatic speaking fails to reach the status of a gift, unless interpreted and thus edifying.

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Tongues?

“These words do not refer to the congregation but to each one individually. The idea is: If a Christian has the faith, he shall have power to do these signs… Where there is a Christian, there is therefore the power to do such signs even now if it is necessary. But no one should presume to exercise it if it is not necessary or required. For the Apostles did not always exercise it either, only in order to proclaim the Word of God and confirm it by miracles… Since now, however, the Gospel has spread and has been made known to all the world, it is no longer necessary to do signs as in the times of the Apostles. However if need be and if they should threaten and oppress the Gospel, then it will probably be our turn too, and we will have to do signs before we will allow the Gospel to be suppressed and dishonored.”

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Luther

But when man is born anew by the Spirit of God, and liberated from the Law, that is, freed from this driver, and is led by the Spirit of Christ, he lives according to the immutable will of God comprised in the Law, and so far as he is born anew, does everything from a free, cheerful spirit; and these are called not properly works of the Law, but works and fruits of the Spirit, or as St. Paul names it, the law of the mind and the Law of Christ. For such men are no more under the Law, but under grace, as St. Paul says, Rom. 8:2 [Rom. 7:23; 1 Cor. 9:21 ]. (Solid Declaration: 6:17)

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Luther

URL List from Thursday, Jun. 9 2011 22:53 PM

To copy this list, type [Ctrl] A, then type [Ctrl] C. 

lutheran fruits of the spirit - Google Searchhttp://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=lutheran+fruits+of+the+spirit&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

The Lutheran | From the fruits of the Spirit: Christians share a common fare with a hungry worldhttp://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5648

Google Search Results | Essay Filehttp://www.wlsessays.net/search/google/fruits%20of%20the%20spirit?query=fruits%20of%20the%20spirit&cx=000220049578489321948%3Ag6kssmfinge&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch=&safe=high

www.wlsessays.net/files/LiggettHolySpirit.pdfhttp://www.wlsessays.net/files/LiggettHolySpirit.pdf

10 Myths about the Holy Spirit « Escape to Realityhttp://escapetoreality.org/2011/05/11/holy-spirit-myths/

Have the Charismatic Gifts Ceased? | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministryhttp://carm.org/questions/about-doctrine/have-charismatic-gifts-ceased

Enjoying God Ministrieshttp://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/5-holy-spirit-montanism/

3rd Art. Fruits of HS: Exegesis

3rd Article of the Apostle’s Creed: Holy Spirit: His Work Pt 2: Leading a Godly Life

Say Mean Matter

Key phrases

Own words

Answer the questions/Personal application

Besides faith, what else does the Holy Spirit create in you by the Gospel? What are good works in God’s sight? What do the Scriptures teach about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Finally, what also does the Holy Spirit do for you? Whom else does the Holy Spirit regenerate and renew? Does the Holy Spirit want to do this in the lives of all people? Then, why are not all people saved?

______________________________SS Sanctification: Life RenewalM Good Works T Gifts of the Spirit W True Faith, Renew, and Regenerate Th Conversion and Rejection

Besides faith, what else does the Holy Spirit create in you by the Gospel? The Holy Spirit sanctifies me in the true faith, that is, by faith He works a renewal of my whole life-in spirit, will, attitude, and desires-so that I now strive to overcome sin and do good works (sanctification in the narrow sense).

Ps. 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, 0 God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Rom. 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

2 Cor. 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

Gal. 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Eph. 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine,

which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray: Almighty God, unto You all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from You no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Gregorian Sacramentary, c. 6thc.)

SS: Sanctification: Life Renewal

What are good works in God's sight? In God's sight a good work is everything that a child of God does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God, and for the benefit of his or her neighbor.

Heb.11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God.

John 15:5 If a man remains in Me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

Matt. 15:9 They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.

John 14:15 If you love Me, you will obey what command.

1 Cor. 10:31 Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

 Gal. 5:13 Serve one another in love.  Bible narratives: The widow's offering (Mark

12:41-44). The expensive perfume poured on Jesus' head (Mark 14:3-9). Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).

Pray:O God, You are my only strength, by

whose power alone I am supported under all trials, and enabled to perform the most difficult duties of my religion. Help me in all the conflicts I am engaged in with my sinful and disobedient appetites. Make me ever mindful of that most comfortable truth, that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed; that glory in which You now are at Your Father’s right hand above, and which You have procured for me, O my most merciful Redeemer. Amen. (Johann Gerhard, 1582-1637).

M Good Works

What do the Scriptures teach about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His church. They teach that A. the Holy Spirit through the Word and sacraments freely gives to all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life; B. in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders (for example, healings, speaking in tongues, raising the dead). The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessings according to His good pleasure.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Isaiah 11:2-3 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD—He will delight in the fear of the LORD.

Bible examples: The apostle Paul lists other gifts of the Spirit for the unity and edification of the church (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Cor .12:8-11; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 4:11-13).

2 Cor. 12:12 The things that-mark an apostle-signs, wonders and miracles-were done among you with great perseverance.

 Eph. 2:20-22 [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

 Bible narrative: Special signs connected with the apostles personally (Acts 5:12-16; 8:14-19; 19:11-12, 20; 20:7-12).

 Note: In popular English, the word charismatic describes a dynamic person, highly emotional worship, or claims of special miraculous gifts. But the Greek word charisma means simply "gift" and refers, for example, to Christ's whole work of salvation (Rom. 5:15-16), to eternal life (Rom. 6:23), and to being married or single (II Cor. 7:7).

Pray:

T Gifts of the Spirit

Pray: Almighty and Holy Spirit, the Comforter, pure, living, true,--illuminate, govern, sanctify me, and confirm my heart and mind in the faith, and in all genuine consolation; preserve and rule over me that, swelling in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, I may be and remain forever in the temple of the Lord, and praise Him with a joyful spirit, and in union with all the heavenly church. Amen. (Philipp Melanchthon, 1497-1560)

Dear Lord Christ, You have enlightened my heart with Your

truth. Grant me Your Spirit and the power to do and leave undone whatever please Your gracious will. Amen. (Luther)

Finally, what also does the Holy Spirit do for you? The Holy Spirit by the Gospel keeps me in the true faith.

Phil. 1:6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:5 [You] through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation.

1 Thess. 2:13 The word of God ... is at work in you who believe.

Whom else does the Holy Spirit regenerate and renew?  The Holy Spirit "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith."

 Eph. 3:6 Through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Pray: Blessed are all Your saints, my God and King, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of mortality, and have at last made the desired port of peace and happiness. Oh, cast a gracious eye upon us who are still in our dangerous voyage. Remember and help us in

our distress, and think on those who lie exposed to the rough storms of troubles and temptations. Strengthen our weakness, that we may act valiantly in this spiritual war. Help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. We are exceeding frail, and not well-prepared for every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Grant, O Lord, that we may bring our vessel safe to shore, unto our desired haven. Amen. (Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

W True Faith, Renew, and Regenerate

Does the Holy Spirit want to do this in the lives of all people? God the Holy Spirit earnestly wants to convert all people and bring them to salvation through the Gospel.

 Ezek. 33:11 1 take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.

 1 Tim. 2:4 [God] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord ... is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Then, why are not all people saved? Many reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit; therefore they remain in unbelief and under God's judgment by their own fault.

 Matt. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her

chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

 Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

 Bible narratives: The invited guests refused to come (Matt. 22:1-10). The guests refused to accept the invitation (Luke 14:16-24).

Th Conversion and Rejection

Pray: Glorious God, Your throne is surrounded with thousands and ten thousands of holy angels, whom You have created eternally to praise You, and to be our companions in the blissful mansions of the righteous. I, Your humble creature, fall prostrate at Your footstool with a just confusion before You. In Your presence these blessed spirits veil their faces. So I confess that my unworthiness makes me altogether unfit for so holy a conversation, unless You in mercy by Your Spirit and the merits of my Redeemer, restore me to my native innocence, and repair the corruptions of my fallen nature. Let my repentance, O Lord, Wash away my defilements and Your Spirit lead me into all the duties of a most holy life. So when I shall comet o join this blessed company, as I trust in Your infinite mercy I shall at the resurrection of the just, may I be received by them with all the joy of a repenting sinner. May I with the angels eternally praise, admire, and adore Your unspeakable mercies to my soul, in and through the merits of my Redeemer, who with You and the Holy Spirit,

lives forever, one God, world without end. Amen. (Johann Gerhard, 1582-1637)

Lord Jesus, I thank You that through Your Word and Holy Spirit You have given me the true faith, and have made ma a true member of Your church. Keep me, I beg You, in true fait unto my end, that at the great sorting on the Last Day I may not be cast into hell, but be received into heaven. (Zorn 1846-1928)

ConclusionThe Holy Spirit sanctifies me in the true faith, that is, by faith He works a renewal of my whole life-in spirit, will, attitude, and desires-so that I now strive to overcome sin and do good works (sanctification in the narrow sense). God's sight a good work is everything that a child of God does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God, and for the benefit of his or her neighbor. The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His church. They teach that A. the Holy Spirit through the Word and sacraments freely gives to all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life; B. in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders (for example, healings, speaking in tongues, raising the dead). The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His blessings according to His good pleasure. Note: In popular English, the word charismatic describes a dynamic person, highly emotional

worship, or claims of special miraculous gifts. But the Greek word charisma means simply "gift" and refers, for example, to Christ's whole work of salvation (Rom. 5:15-16), to eternal life (Rom. 6:23), and to being married or single (II Cor. 7:7).The Holy Spirit by the Gospel keeps me in the true faith. The Holy Spirit "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”God the Holy Spirit earnestly wants to convert all people and bring them to salvation through the Gospel. Many reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit; therefore they remain in unbelief and under God's judgment by their own fault.

3rd Article: The Church and

Communion of Saints

Next Time…(6/24)