Sermon on “Live by the Spirit”

I gave a sermon on “Live by the Spirit” to my home church, the ReThink Community, a local church of Grace Communion International last August 20, 2017 and I based my message on the passage found in Galatians 5:16-25. As Christians living in this “present evil age” (Gal. 1:4) I reminded them about the need to be led (Gal. 5:18), to live by, and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25).

Salvation: Work of the Whole God

Additionally, I also wanted to emphasize in this message that on the basis that Christ had already finished his earthly work some 2,000 years ago, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is a continuing work leading, guiding and transforming people to become like Christ — “until Christ is formed” (Gal. 4:19) in them .  This is a continuing work of the Holy Spirit since the time the church was established at Pentecost (Acts 2) and will continue until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ or when we die — whichever comes first.

I showed to the church members that God’s work of salvation is one complete whole with the involvement of the whole God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father decided from before the foundation of the world to adopt all of humanity into his family. The Son became human assuming our humanity to reconcile everyone back to God. The Holy Spirit works in each person helping each one to personally respond and experience the love of God which transforms them to become like Christ. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all involved in the work of reconciliation.

Living in Between the Times

Although living in this “present evil age,” Christians should resist the power of sin, resist the devil, be led by the Spirit, live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.

Here are excerpts of that sermon. It’s about 9 minutes long:

I really believe this is very important for everyone to understand. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is ongoing because of the finished work of Christ. It’s the work of the whole God: Father, Son and Spirit.