Sermon from Pastor Brian Peart
The Work of the Holy Spirit Part One
Message overview
About this message
In this video, Brian Pier discusses the work of the Holy Spirit, focusing first on the Holy Spirit’s role in the lives of unbelievers. Drawing from John 16:7, he explains that Jesus taught his disciples that the Holy Spirit, referred to as the Helper, would come to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
The specific focus is on how the Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of the sin of not believing in Jesus, which is described as the singular, unforgivable sin—rejecting Jesus and thus blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Brian reassures viewers that all other sins, no matter how severe, are within the reach of God’s grace, citing the biblical story of David as an example of repentance and forgiveness.
He emphasizes that feeling unworthy or distant from God is actually an opportunity to come closer to Jesus, who offers forgiveness to all who repent and accept him. The video concludes with encouragement that anyone can receive God’s grace by turning to Jesus.
Scripture in this message
Key takeaways
- The Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of their need for Jesus, focusing on the sin of unbelief.
- The unforgivable sin is rejecting Jesus, also described as blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
- All other sins, no matter how severe, are forgivable through God's grace if one repents and turns to Jesus.
- Biblical examples like David show that God's grace can reach anyone who repents.
- Feeling distant or unworthy is actually a sign that a person is close to receiving Jesus’ forgiveness.
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Sermon transcript
Hey guys, Brian Pier here. Today we're going to talk about the work of the Holy Spirit um to believers and unbelievers. Back in John 16, Jesus was telling the disciples how he was going to be leaving and he would be sending a helper and he defines what the ministry is of the Holy Spirit. So we're going to go there right now.
This is in John 16 verse 7 where he says, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send him to you.
And when he has come, he will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. Of sin because they do not believe in me. Of righteousness because I go to my father and you see me no more. And of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.
And so the Holy Spirit has three kind of roles. To the unbeliever, to the believer, and then judging of Satan. And and we're going to talk about all three of these over the next three days. Okay.
Today we're going to talk about the ministry to the unbeliever. Okay, which is the first one mentioned and and possibly the most important. Uh when he comes, he says he will convict the world of sin. And what is that sin?
No, it's sin singular. It's not sins. It's sin singular. And what's sin?
Because they do not believe in me. Okay. So the Holy Spirit comes and convicts people for their need for Jesus. He's his purpose here is to testify that Jesus is Lord.
Okay? And he uses us to help reach them and and and the convictions in the heart. The Holy Spirit's first main thing to to the unbeliever is to convict him about Jesus. That sin that he's talking about singular doesn't he's not saying sins.
We're not judged as believers. This is sin singular. It's the unforgivable sin. Okay?
Which the unforgivable sin is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. What is that? That's the rejection of Jesus. Okay?
If the Holy Spirit's main purpose is to point to Jesus and to convict the world of of their need for Jesus, then if we constantly reject him, we're blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Um why is that sin the unforgivable sin? Because Jesus himself said that no one can come to the father except through him. So if someone rejects Jesus, okay, and he still lets him in, he's violating his own word.
And God will never violate his own word. So essentially, you need leave him no choice. If you reject Jesus, you leave him no choice. He can't forgive you of that and you end up in eternity in hell.
But here's the really good news. That's the only unforgivable sin. And you may be sitting there right now saying, "Man, the stuff I've done in the past is so bad. I've done so many things wrong.
I've lied. I've cheated. I've committed adultery, etc. And and and I'm here to tell you, none of it is outside of God's grace."
Okay? He can reach all of them. Think about David in the Bible. He committed adultery and then he murdered that woman's husband.
Okay? Now, maybe your sins go as far as murder. Okay? But even if they do, God showed grace to David.
Okay? David repented in Psalm 51. And God actually called him one of the greatest compliments ever given to a man by God, a man after his own heart. Okay?
God still loved him and still had grace. And David's up there with him. Okay? So, there's nothing you can do that can get you outside of God's grace.
You just have to accept him, okay? as Lord of your life. Repent of your sins. Turn to him and accept his loving graciousness.
Okay? There's nothing you can do that leaves you outside of God's grace. And that's an unbelievable promise. So the the Holy Spirit's first job is to convict people who don't know Jesus about their need for him and to bring them there.
And you may think you're as far away as as as ever. But I tell you, the worse you feel about yourself, the closer you are to Jesus. The more you feel like you can't clean up, the more you need Jesus and the closer you are. Just ask him.
He does the cleaning up. You just have to repent and ask him in and all your sins will be forgiven. So that's the work towards unbelievers. Tomorrow we're going to talk about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and the conviction towards righteousness.
But until tomorrow, remember Jesus loves you and there's nothing you can do about