GOD’S ALL-SUFFICIENT RESOURCES FOR DEALING WITH STRESS

Lesson 6

The Sufficiency of the Holy Spirit – Part 1

Life Abounding Through the Holy Spirit

TEXT:  Rom 15:1-7, 13-16  

I. INTRODUCTION  

A. God has given us all we need to deal with the troubles of life

1. We already looked at the Bible as one way God provided

2. The Holy Spirit is another way God provided

3. How must God feel when He sees His own ignoring His means for dealing with trouble and searching for atheistic forms of “science” for their answers?

II. JESUS PROMISED THE HOLY GHOST TO TROUBLED PEOPLE – John 14:15-17, 16:7-13  

A.  John 12-16 Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death and departure

1. That He would die soon was creating trauma for these disciples

2. They had forsaken houses, occupations, etc. and committed to follow Him

3. Now He is telling them He will leave—causing them stress

4. Jesus knew this would cause them much trouble and so He tells them of the Comforter whose job it was to take them through times like this

5. Notice in verse 17 that the world does not have the comfort of the Holy Spirit

a. This is why they go searching for psychiatrists and drugs

b. This is also why Christians should NOT  

B. Jesus assures His disciples that they will not be left alone to cope with life.  He promises the Holy Ghost who will:

1. John 16:6-7 Comfort their sorrow

a. Sorrow is part of life; nobody is exempt

b. The world has no real comfort from sorrow except time

c. Christians have the Comforter Who is God Himself

d. Death as an example of sorrow

2. John 16:13-14 He will teach them truth and guide their way

a. Isn’t this what people are trying to do when they go to a psychologist?

b. Why go to man when God is there for you?

III. EVERY BELIEVER IS INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT – Eph 1:12-14  

A. When a person hears the gospel and trusts Christ, he is sealed by the Holy Spirit  

B. 1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  

C. Rom 8:9 If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His

D. Every believer is to make it his business to be filled with the Holy Ghost

1. Eph 5:18-20

a. Does this sound like a person who needs to see a psychiatrist?

b. Being filled with the Spirit will bring gladness and joy and will take away sorrow and trouble

IV. BELIEVERS ARE EQUIPPED TO ASSIST EACH OTHER IN COPING WITH LIFE – Rom 15:13-15  

A. Vs. 13 – Paul said he wanted God to fill us with joy, peace, and abounding hope through the power of the Holy Ghost

1. They were in troubled times

2. As Christians, and many as Jews, they were under constant duress, pressure and stress

3. This same joy, peace and abounding hope is available to us  

B. Vs. 14 – Paul believes we have, through the Holy Ghost, the ability to admonish one another

1. Full of goodness – now wait a minute?  There is no good in me?

a. Not in your flesh, but dwelling within you is the very essence of goodness!

2. Filled with all knowledge – Me?  I don’t know anything!

a. Yeah, you’re probably right.  But God does! And He is inside of you.

3. He gives you the ability to admonish one another; we are able to help each other through tough times

4. 1 Cor 12 talks about the body of Christ and that all members have a purpose that is not all the same

a. Some members have more ability to help others but all should take time to care and comfort each other through the power of the Holy Ghost

V. CONCLUSION  

A. We need to make it our business to be Spirit-filled, and that happens by emptying of self and filling with the word of God and prayer.  

B. We must be ready, as Spirit-filled believers to provide sound biblical counsel to other Christians in need and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in times of trouble.