Trouble: How do we describe the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost, as Wesley would say)
- Describe the wind – usually think about effects or impact
- Let’s do the same with the Spirit
- The Bible uses words like Breath and Wind to describe her
For Wesley, Holy Spirit and Grace were interchangeable
- Experience Grace or the Spirit in three ways
- Before we know God – prevenient
- When we accept a relationship with God – justifying
- As we grow more fully into the image of God – sanctifying
Paul gives the FRUIT of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control
- All together one fruit
- Defined by the life, teaching, death, & resurrection of Jesus
- Also serves as a test for what we hear/experience from other Christians – If the words/actions/teachings don’t increase the FRUIT then it’s not powered by the Holy Spirit
Good news! Fake it ‘til you make it is VERY Methodist
- “Preach faith until you have it, then you’ll preach faith because you have it.” Wesley. – John and Charles Wesley experienced the Spirit’s assurance (justification) AFTER they started Methodism
- Outward actions of fruit probably come first in our journey and that is great – Sanctification brings our feelings in line with the action
ALL of this is made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit