Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, Mar. 02, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

BIBLE-BELIEVING FUNDAMENTALISTS BELIEVE IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-5

Text: Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Introduction: A Bible-believing fundamentalist believes the Bible he holds in his hand is God's inspired, inerrant, infallible word. He holds certain grand truths of that Bible to be FUNDAMENTAL and makes those truths qualifications for fellowship. One of those fundamentals is the truth of

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

This doctrine is non-negotiable. It is not a secondary doctrine; it is PRIMARY. It is not INCIDENTAL; it is FUNDAMENTAL. While I may bring up some things about the Spirit of God in my message today that may be technical or debatable, the fact is that one of the basic truths of the word of God is that of God's Spirit! If you don't believe in the Spirit of God, you have no right to say you are a fundamentalist.

The Bible doesn't go TWO VERSES without talking about the Spirit of God. When the Bible closes, it closes with a book that says SEVEN times: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT saith unto the churches!"

Entire books have been written about the Spirit of God. Entire books have been written even about specific operations of the Spirit of God! So I am going to have to be brief and offer a survey of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

I. WE BELIEVE IN THE PERSON AND DEITY OF THE SPIRIT

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

A. He speaks

B. He is specified by name

JFW's call Him "God's active force" in Genesis 1:2.
The Holy Ghost
The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God
The Spirit of Christ
The Spirit of life
The Comforter

C. He is sinned against

Lied to
Resisted
Vexed
Grieved

II. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

Most charismatics emphasize primarily the power of the Spirit of God to do miracles. I believe in miracles. I just don't believe in Benny Hinn. I'll bring a separate message on the fundamental belief of the supernatural miracles of the Bible. But there is more than miracles when you talk about the power of the Spirit. The power mentioned in the above verse is in the context of Jesus defeating the devil!

A. The power to conquer Satan

B. The power of courage

C. The power of conviction

D. The power of conversion

III. WE BELIEVE IN THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

A. He was active in the Old Testament

B. He was announced by the Savior

Something new under the sun! Actually above the sun

C. He arrived on the day of Pentecost

D. He abides with believers forever as the Comforter until Jesus returns

IV. WE BELIEVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

A. He signifies sonship - Romans 8:9,14

B. He secures and seals the saint - Ephesians 4:30

C. He strengthens the soul-winner and servant - Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16

D. He steers the son of God - Romans 8:14

E. He selects the service of the believer - 1 Corinthians 12:7,11

V. WE BELIEVE IN THE PROGRAM FOR AND OF THE SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

A. He began the world in creation - Genesis 1:2

B. He brought about the virgin birth - Luke 1:35

C. He became our Comforter - John 14:26

D. He brings conviction to the sinner - John 16:8

E. He builds the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:13; 14:12,26

F. He bestows gifts to the body - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

G. He brags on JESUS! - John 16:13-14

Debasing the sinner
Declaring the Savior
Drawing the sinner

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