Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:9-11
Good morning. I hope that you’ve all had a good week. Did you get a chance to share Jesus with anyone since we last met? Did you spend quality time with Him every day, in prayer and in His Word? Did your words and behaviors honor Christ each day and bear a good witness for His Name? Have you sought the Lord’s forgiveness for any unconfessed sin and come to His house today cleansed and eager to worship in spirit and truth?
This morning’s message is the 12th in our current sermon series on “The Works of the Holy Spirit”. We are nearing the end of this study - just 2 messages left after today. I’ve titled this sermon “The Holy Spirit Exalts Jesus Christ”.
I. PROCLAIMS JESUS’ IDENTITY
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles at Pentecost marking the beginning of the Church Age. The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of God, came from the Father to dwell within believers. He came to bear witness about Jesus (John 15:26). He did not come to promote Himself or launch His own ministry, but rather to confirm the identity of Christ and proclaim Him as the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit enables people to recognize who Jesus truly is. The enlightenment He provides allows believers to declare, “Jesus is Lord!” (1 Corinthians 12:3). Apart from the Holy Spirit’s work, no one would recognize Jesus as the Christ. The Holy Spirit’s mission is to make the name of Jesus known far and wide.
Even in the Old Testament, centuries before He was poured out at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was already announcing the identity of Christ. King David envisioned the Father telling His Son Jesus to sit at His right hand until His enemies were put under His feet (Psalm 110:1). David referred to Jesus as “my Lord”, even though He’d not yet come to the earth. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled David to recognize and profess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 22:43-44). This is true for all of the Old Testament saints.
The Holy Spirit works constantly to advertise, announce, publicize, and promote Jesus. He is always pointing people to Jesus. He does not demand, seek, or desire attention for Himself. Instead, the Holy Spirit aspires to make Jesus famous.
II. ECHOS JESUS’ WORDS
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that He had said to them (John 14:26). Over the course of His 3 1⁄2 year earthly ministry, Jesus had taught the disciples many lessons. He had given them countless instructions, commands, and directions. At the time, they did not understand some of the things He said, and wouldn’t until after He’d risen and ascended. They had probably forgotten a lot of His sayings, too. The Holy Spirit would teach them to grasp the things Jesus had spoken and would remind them of the truths that they didn’t remember.
Jesus also told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them in the truth. We spoke about His guiding work in a sermon a few weeks ago. Then He added that the Holy Spirit would not speak from Himself, but rather would disclose to them only what He hears. Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would speak the truths He heard from Christ, which include all things from the Father as well. In other words, the Holy Spirit does not introduce new ideas or teachings, but rather echoes and repeats those of Jesus Christ (John 16:13-15).
III. DECLARES JESUS’ GLORY
Not only does the Holy Spirit bear witness of the identity of Christ and echo His teachings, but He also glorifies Jesus (John 16:14a). My Bible dictionary defines glorify as to “honor, praise, magnify, and acknowledge the greatness and splendor of”. In other words, the Holy Spirit doesn’t simply tell people who Jesus is, but also ascribes adoration and reverence to Him.
We’ve already discussed the fact that the Holy Spirit is God. He possesses all of the Divine attributes As God. As such, He is worthy of our worship and praise - just like the Father and the Son. However, the Holy Spirit does not seek our worship and praise. Instead, He chooses to glorify Jesus and directs Christians to do likewise. Jesus is the object of our worship, whereas the Holy Spirit is the agent of our worship (Philippians 3:3).
There are many churches within Christianity that seem more enamored with the Holy Spirit than they do with Jesus. They are constantly speaking about the power of the Spirit and seeking to see Him move in some supernatural way, yet mentions of Jesus and His gospel are often few and far between. Don’t get me wrong, the work of the Holy Spirit is important and worth discussing - we have dedicated an entire sermon series to it! But if you are attending a church that spends more time talking about the Holy Spirit than it does about Jesus, you have reason to be concerned. Not even the Holy Spirit would approve of such a practice.
CONCLUSION
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He was on a mission to redeem humanity for the grip of sin. Jesus accomplished His goal, forever defeated sin and the grave, and now sits victorious at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. He achieved all that was required for repentant sinners to receive forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to bear witness of His identity and to declare His triumph over Satan, to teach and reteach His truths to those who would listen, and to glorify His wonderful name. It is the mission of the Holy Spirit to exalt Jesus. Let’s think about this in light of the works we’ve already discussed.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. Why? So they will turn to Jesus for forgiveness.
The Holy Spirit delays God’s final judgment. Why? To give sinners more time to turn to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit effects salvation. Why? To apply the saving work of Jesus to those who believe.
The Holy Spirit adds believers to the church? Why? To advance the message of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit adopts believers into God’s family. Why? To make them co-heirs with Jesus.
The Holy Spirit gifts believers to serve. Why? To equip them to continue the work of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit inspired and illuminates Scripture. Why? So that people can know Jesus.
The Holy Spirit seals believers. Why? So that they can serve Jesus with bold confidence.
The Holy Spirit comforts believers. Why? To help them overcome their sufferings for Jesus.
The Holy Spirit guides believers. Why? So that they can walk in God’s will as Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit cultivates character. Why? To help Christians live and speak more like Jesus.
The Holy Spirit prays with and for believers. Why? So they can pray more like Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit’s primary purpose is to point people to, help people be more like, and advance the cause and work of Jesus Christ.
Good morning. I hope that you’ve all had a good week. Did you get a chance to share Jesus with anyone since we last met? Did you spend quality time with Him every day, in prayer and in His Word? Did your words and behaviors honor Christ each day and bear a good witness for His Name? Have you sought the Lord’s forgiveness for any unconfessed sin and come to His house today cleansed and eager to worship in spirit and truth?
This morning’s message is the 12th in our current sermon series on “The Works of the Holy Spirit”. We are nearing the end of this study - just 2 messages left after today. I’ve titled this sermon “The Holy Spirit Exalts Jesus Christ”.
I. PROCLAIMS JESUS’ IDENTITY
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles at Pentecost marking the beginning of the Church Age. The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of God, came from the Father to dwell within believers. He came to bear witness about Jesus (John 15:26). He did not come to promote Himself or launch His own ministry, but rather to confirm the identity of Christ and proclaim Him as the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit enables people to recognize who Jesus truly is. The enlightenment He provides allows believers to declare, “Jesus is Lord!” (1 Corinthians 12:3). Apart from the Holy Spirit’s work, no one would recognize Jesus as the Christ. The Holy Spirit’s mission is to make the name of Jesus known far and wide.
Even in the Old Testament, centuries before He was poured out at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was already announcing the identity of Christ. King David envisioned the Father telling His Son Jesus to sit at His right hand until His enemies were put under His feet (Psalm 110:1). David referred to Jesus as “my Lord”, even though He’d not yet come to the earth. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled David to recognize and profess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 22:43-44). This is true for all of the Old Testament saints.
The Holy Spirit works constantly to advertise, announce, publicize, and promote Jesus. He is always pointing people to Jesus. He does not demand, seek, or desire attention for Himself. Instead, the Holy Spirit aspires to make Jesus famous.
II. ECHOS JESUS’ WORDS
Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that He had said to them (John 14:26). Over the course of His 3 1⁄2 year earthly ministry, Jesus had taught the disciples many lessons. He had given them countless instructions, commands, and directions. At the time, they did not understand some of the things He said, and wouldn’t until after He’d risen and ascended. They had probably forgotten a lot of His sayings, too. The Holy Spirit would teach them to grasp the things Jesus had spoken and would remind them of the truths that they didn’t remember.
Jesus also told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them in the truth. We spoke about His guiding work in a sermon a few weeks ago. Then He added that the Holy Spirit would not speak from Himself, but rather would disclose to them only what He hears. Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would speak the truths He heard from Christ, which include all things from the Father as well. In other words, the Holy Spirit does not introduce new ideas or teachings, but rather echoes and repeats those of Jesus Christ (John 16:13-15).
III. DECLARES JESUS’ GLORY
Not only does the Holy Spirit bear witness of the identity of Christ and echo His teachings, but He also glorifies Jesus (John 16:14a). My Bible dictionary defines glorify as to “honor, praise, magnify, and acknowledge the greatness and splendor of”. In other words, the Holy Spirit doesn’t simply tell people who Jesus is, but also ascribes adoration and reverence to Him.
We’ve already discussed the fact that the Holy Spirit is God. He possesses all of the Divine attributes As God. As such, He is worthy of our worship and praise - just like the Father and the Son. However, the Holy Spirit does not seek our worship and praise. Instead, He chooses to glorify Jesus and directs Christians to do likewise. Jesus is the object of our worship, whereas the Holy Spirit is the agent of our worship (Philippians 3:3).
There are many churches within Christianity that seem more enamored with the Holy Spirit than they do with Jesus. They are constantly speaking about the power of the Spirit and seeking to see Him move in some supernatural way, yet mentions of Jesus and His gospel are often few and far between. Don’t get me wrong, the work of the Holy Spirit is important and worth discussing - we have dedicated an entire sermon series to it! But if you are attending a church that spends more time talking about the Holy Spirit than it does about Jesus, you have reason to be concerned. Not even the Holy Spirit would approve of such a practice.
CONCLUSION
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He was on a mission to redeem humanity for the grip of sin. Jesus accomplished His goal, forever defeated sin and the grave, and now sits victorious at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. He achieved all that was required for repentant sinners to receive forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to bear witness of His identity and to declare His triumph over Satan, to teach and reteach His truths to those who would listen, and to glorify His wonderful name. It is the mission of the Holy Spirit to exalt Jesus. Let’s think about this in light of the works we’ve already discussed.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. Why? So they will turn to Jesus for forgiveness.
The Holy Spirit delays God’s final judgment. Why? To give sinners more time to turn to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit effects salvation. Why? To apply the saving work of Jesus to those who believe.
The Holy Spirit adds believers to the church? Why? To advance the message of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit adopts believers into God’s family. Why? To make them co-heirs with Jesus.
The Holy Spirit gifts believers to serve. Why? To equip them to continue the work of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit inspired and illuminates Scripture. Why? So that people can know Jesus.
The Holy Spirit seals believers. Why? So that they can serve Jesus with bold confidence.
The Holy Spirit comforts believers. Why? To help them overcome their sufferings for Jesus.
The Holy Spirit guides believers. Why? So that they can walk in God’s will as Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit cultivates character. Why? To help Christians live and speak more like Jesus.
The Holy Spirit prays with and for believers. Why? So they can pray more like Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit’s primary purpose is to point people to, help people be more like, and advance the cause and work of Jesus Christ.