What Makes the Holy Spirit Sad?

Notes: What Makes the Holy Spirit Sad?

Ephesians 4

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, April 23, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Young Christians are like children.

Little children are fickle.

A child wants things now.

Consistency is the secret to spiritual growth.

Babies and young Christians are vulnerable.

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

[14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Young Christians fall for things.

The only way to protect yourself is to know the word of God.

Ephesians 4:15 NKJV

[15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-

Speaking the truth in love is the only way to speak.

Sometimes we will turn a blind eye, saying it is loving. The truth is loving.

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

[16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

We can't all be the Paul's in the Bible.

If you want to make a big church a little church, then get involved.

Ephesians 4:17-24 NLT

[17] With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. [18] Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. [19] They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. [20] But that isn't what you learned about Christ. [21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.

If changes have not taken place in a persons life, then have they really accepted Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

[17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

When you are a new person, you need to live a new life!

Romans 12:9 NLT

[9] Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Isaiah 5:20 NLT

[20] What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

Some people have no moral strength. They chase sins...that's not how a Christians should live.

Ephesians 4:25-32 NLT

[25] So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. [26] And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] for anger gives a foothold to the devil. [28] If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [29] Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. [30] And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

The Holy Spirit is a person, the third part of the Holy Trinity.

You can sadden the Holy Spirit.

1. You can lie to the Holy Spirit.

2. Quenching the Holy Spirit.

This is saying no to the Holy Spirit.

3. Resisting the Holy Spirit.

Acts 7:51 NLT

[51] "You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you!

4. Insulting the Holy Spirit

Hebrews 10:29 NLT

[29] Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us.

If you are concerned about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, then you haven't.

Ephesians 4:29-32 NLT

[29] Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. [30] And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

1. Foul and abusive language makes the Holy Spirit sad.

Such as profanity, dirty stories.

2. Bitterness makes the Holy Spirit sad and sorrowful.

Get rid of bitterness.

3. Fits of rage and uncontrolled anger make the Holy Spirit sad.

Don't fight in front of your children.

Don't be the person who wants payback.

God says vengeance is His.

Ephesians 5:1-12 NLT

[1] Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. [3] Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. [4] Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. [5] You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. [6] Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. [7] Don't participate in the things these people do. [8] For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. [10] Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [11] Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. [12] It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.

Be imitators of God as dear children.

1. Stay away from immorality.

All sex outside of marriage is immoral sex. God makes that as a wall of protection around us.

2. Don't tell dirty jokes.

3. Don't be a covetous person.

Ephesians 5:15 NLT

[15] So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.

1 Timothy 6:10 NLT

[10] For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

You can have a lot of money and not love money and you can have no money and love money.

God can make things new again.