Note: You can still access previous lessons of “Unshakeable Faith” here.
Download a PDF of Lesson Five here.
Although we can’t see the wind, we can certainly see and feel its effects. Its power is unstoppable. In the third chapter of John, Jesus uses wind as an analogy for the Holy Spirit (See John 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit has the power and authority to do what He pleases. Although we cannot see Him, we can see and feel His activity.
If you are a Christian – if you’ve entered into a saving relationship with Jesus – it’s because the Holy Spirit gave new life to your sin-dead spirit. You were “born again” by the power of His presence. That same power is now living and active in your life. The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father. He equips and enables us to live the life God has purposed for us. And that includes standing firm through the storms of life.
Unshakeable Faith Trait Five: Living by the Power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit
In last week’s lesson, we witnessed how Peter fell to temptation on the night Jesus was betrayed. That same night, Jesus had promised the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension back to the Father – which was fifty days after His resurrection – the promised Spirit came!
Read Acts 2:1-8. How is the Holy Spirit’s arrival described in verses 2-3? How did the Holy Spirit demonstrate His presence and power in the believers?
Read Acts 2:14, 36-41. What difference do you see in Peter compared to the night Jesus was arrested? (Particularly note the descriptive verbs in verse 40.)
Before the Holy Spirit came, Peter was willing in spirit, but weak in his flesh. He deserted and denied Jesus. Fifty days later Peter stood in front of a crowd of thousands and boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus. He pointed out their sin and called them to repentance. The Holy Spirit had transformed Simon the fisherman into Peter the rock!
If you read through the book of Acts, you will see many other ways that the Holy Spirit demonstrated His power through Peter – from physical healing to the resuscitation of a dead woman. Peter learned that in his own strength he was weak, but that the Spirit of Jesus within him was strong. And he did not fail to teach others what he had learned.
Read 2 Peter 1:3-4.
In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul clearly states that every Christian has the Spirit of God. If someone “does not have the Spirit, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9). The presence of the Holy Spirit is the “divine power” Peter talks about in 2 Peter 1:3-4.
According to 2 Peter 1:3, what has “His divine power” given us?
“Everything” means everything! Just think… when God asks us to serve Him in a particular way He equips us for the task. Any trial or difficulty God allows us into our lives He gives us strength to endure. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence and power within us!
According to 2 Peter 1:4, what do we escape when we “participate in the divine nature?”
God intends for us to become like Jesus, to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). God demands our cooperation, but the Holy Spirit supplies the power to accomplish this sanctifying work. Peter recognized that God, through His Spirit, gives believers everything we need to live the life God wants us to live. Whatever our circumstances, physical weaknesses, limited material resources, or emotional needs, God will supply. The Holy Spirit even gives us everything we need to escape our selfish, evil desires and act like Jesus.
In what current life situations do you need a fresh encounter with the Spirit of God? It might be a trial, temptation, or a call to an overwhelming task.
How does God’s promise in 2 Peter 1:3 apply to your situation?
Note about the study: We will be studying deep truths of God, but the study will not be extremely time intensive. My goal is for you to be able to complete the reading and questions each week in about 15 minutes. So, even if you are participating in another study you can join in! Also, although no other material is required, the Bible study Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living, would be great companion material. Get it now from Amazon.
Titus Bible Study
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