Understanding the Holy Spirit's role in salvation transforms how you share your faith. Dr. Stanley teaches how the Holy Spirit works in unbelievers' hearts by revealing the fundamental sin of unbelief and pointing directly to the need for faith in Jesus Christ. Learn how to witness more effectively and revolutionize your approach to evangelism.
Sermon Outline
Have you ever worried about friends and family members who don’t know the Lord? This week, Dr. Stanley explains the essential work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who’ve never trusted Christ.
Key Passage: John 16:7-12
Supporting Passages: Isaiah 64:6; John 3:16; John 6:39; John 6:44; Acts 2:22-24; Acts 2:31-33; Acts 2:36-39; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 1:13
How is it that some people can listen to the Word of God over and over and over again and yet reject the message of Jesus Christ?
“People are banished from God for eternity for one single sin: unbelief in Jesus Christ.”
The conviction of the Holy Spirit is essential for salvation (John 16:7-12). This is due to the spiritual condition of unbelievers:
They cannot understand the things of God, which are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14).
Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Not even a familiar, foundational truth like John 3:16 can be grasped apart from the revealing work of the Holy Spirit.
It’s God’s work to draw the lost to Christ (John 6:39, 44).
Spiritually dead men and women cannot respond to God on their own (Eph. 2:1).
“The focus of the Holy Spirit is Christ, not sin.”
The Holy Spirit works to convict us concerning …
Sin (John 16:8-9):
The Holy Spirit’s target is not the unbeliever’s list of sins; it’s just one sin—unbelief in Jesus Christ.
The Spirit’s goal is not to make people miserable over their sins. He wants to point them to salvation.
The focus of the Holy Spirit is always Christ—the crucified, resurrected Savior.
Righteousness (John 16:8-10):
The Spirit convicts—or shows—the unbeliever that Christ is perfectly righteous, which makes Him able to bear mankind’s sin.
By comparison, the unbeliever’s own unrighteousness comes into sharp relief. Our best efforts at righteousness are like filthy rags before God (Isa. 64:6).
Judgment (John 16:11):
Satan is already judged. Those who remain in his kingdom will face the same verdict.
There are only two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13). Those who reject Jesus are in darkness.
“The moment you yield your life to Christ, the Holy Spirit will begin the work of revealing how you can become everything God wants you to be.”
Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:22-39):
Peter did not address the specific sins of his audience. He preached exclusively on the crucified, resurrected Christ and Israel’s rejection of Him.
The listeners were pierced to the heart and cried, “What shall we do?” (v. 37).
Those who reject the Spirit’s pull eventually become hard-hearted and immune to His work.
After Watching
Think of someone in your life who’s heard the gospel but has not yet responded. How does understanding the Holy Spirit’s role change the way you pray for that person?
The Holy Spirit’s job is to point people to Christ; His main purpose is not to make them feel bad about their sins. How might that change the way you talk about faith with someone who doesn’t yet believe?
