Foundations of Faith // Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV 

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV 

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

1) Gifts of the Spirit 

Ephesians 4:7-8;11-13 NIV 

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 12:1; 4-7; 11 NIV 

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 

1 Corinthians 14:1a NIV

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit... 

1 Timothy 4:14a &15 ESV 

14 Do not neglect the gift you have, ... 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 

1) Gifts of the Spirit 

2) Growth in the Spirit 

Ephesians 4:14-16 NIV 

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

1) Gifts of the Spirit 

2) Growth in the Spirit 

3) Grieving the Spirit 

Ephesians 4:17-21 NIV 

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV 

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV 

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Questions: 

1) Without taking a “gifts quiz”, are there any spiritual gifts that you’ve seen bits of in your life? What are they? If you asked your closest friends, what gifts do they see operating in your life? What gifts are you asking God for? 

2) What does it look like to grow in the Spirit? What does it look like to practice spiritual gifts? 

3) Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit nudging you about something He is grieved over? What did that feel like? How did you handle it? How should repentance play into our daily walk with the Lord?