1. THE HOLY SPIRIT PURIFIES Galatians 5:16-26 5th December 2010

2. Steps to holiness 1 – the “natural person” Separate from God and following the “sinful nature” Hence subject to “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Galatians 5:19-21) But still living by God’s spirit and in his image “If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.” (Job 34:14-15) And with a conscience as the Spirit “convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8)

3. Steps to holiness 2 – the newly converted Christian “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11) Jesus’ baptism is with “the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11) But still subject to human desires, and sin is not dead

4. Steps to holiness 3 – the path to sanctification “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) “by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

5. Attaining the fruit of the Spirit “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control” (Galatians 5:22-23) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)

6. But can we keep in step with the Spirit? Justified but not sanctified? Angry and bitter? Possible reasons: –deceived into thinking we can’t be helped by the Holy Spirit? –unresolved personal and spiritual conflicts of which we have not repented? It’s our choice: “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other” (Galatians 5:17) A difficult process – but the outcome is of infinite value!

9. Fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control