I am excited to begin a new sermon series called, “The Parting Gift.” Over the next several weeks, we will look closely at John 14-16, as Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit. My understanding of the Holy Spirit has significantly evolved over the last quarter century, and I pray that my understanding and love for the Holy Spirit will continue to grow over the next quarter century. I say that to emphasize that I approach teaching on the Holy Spirit with great humility. I still have much growing to do.
If you are a Jesus follower, you come to the topic of the Holy Spirit with predispositions. Some of you were raised in environments the Holy Spirit was ignored. Some of you have been raised in environments where the Spirit was acknowledged and relied upon. Some of you have been taught that the work of the Spirit was completed in the written word, The Bible. Some of you have negative experiences because you were told that if you didn’t possess supernatural gifts, you didn’t have the Holy Spirit.
Whatever your background, I humbly ask that we look carefully at what Jesus says in John 14-16, not just to confirm what we already know, but to seek a growing relationship with the One we desperately need to know. By no means will this series be fully comprehensive, but here are some of the topics we will pull from John 14:16.
1. The Best Gift Ever
2. Opening the Gift
3. The Gift of Presence
4. The Gift of Conviction
5. The Gift of Truth
6. The Gift of Obedience
7. The Gift of Peace
I look forward to taking this journey with you.
-Mike Johnson