Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST

1. We are to be baptized with the Holy Ghost: Matt. 3:11; Zech. 12:10
   1. This is a work of cleansing, purifying our sinful lives - Ezek. 36:25; Zech. 3:3, 4
   2. This cleansing process precedes every other work of the Holy Spirit -
      1. It is the cleansing of our conscience - Heb. 9:14; 10:22
      2. It is the cleansing of our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit - 2 Cor. 7:1-3
   3. This work is called sanctification, the perfection of our character; this work of the Holy Spirit is the work of a lifetime - 2 Cor. 7:1-3; Phil. 3:13- 15
   4. When the baptism of the Holy Ghost has been effective, our daily life, our thoughts, words, and deeds will be wrought in the Holy Ghost - Gal. 5:16-25
   5. Our lives will not be fruitless. This is a very important operation of the Holy Spirit - Phil. 1:11
2. We are to be filled with the Spirit:
   1. To be filled with the Spirit means that He has taken over in our lives, He is in full control - Eph. 5:17
      1. Our Lord was full of the Holy Ghost - Luke 4:1
      2. The early disciples were full of the Holy Ghost - Acts 2:1-4
      3. Peter and Paul were full of the Holy Ghost - Acts 2:25; 4:1; 13:9
   2. This, so I understand, is a work of the Holy Ghost in and through the lives of God's people in accordance with the Lord's promise, "the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" - John 14:17
   3. This cannot be done before the soul's temple has been cleansed and made ready for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
3. We are to be anointed with the Holy Ghost: 2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:27
   1. Bible students will be interested to note that our Lord was filled with the Holy Ghost, and He was anointed with the Holy Ghost - Acts 10:38; but there is no statement in the Bible about Him being baptized with the Holy Ghost.
   2. The reason is obvious. He did not need that experience; He was sinless, the express image of God.
   3. Anointing was a very sacred and most solemn experience in the services of the sanctuary -
      1. The king was anointed to function in his office - 1 Sam. 15:15, 17; 16:13
      2. A priest was anointed for his office - Lev. 6:20
      3. A prophet was anointed for his office - 1 Sam. 12:5
   4. To be anointed simply means being authorized to represent, to minister for God and His people.
   5. The final experience of the work of the Holy Spirit is to authorize us to witness for Christ.

1. To seek the Lord in the upper room: Acts 1:4, 13; Zeph. 2:1-3. Special seasons of agonizing prayer are a must before we will experience the work of the Holy Spirit.
2. Empty ourselves of all known sin: One sin will prevent the Holy Spirit from taking possession of our lives.
3. Claim the promise of the Father: This is most important. We can do no more than to claim God's promise and thank Him for it.
4. Yield all to the Holy Spirit: That means a complete surrender, including our body, our means, and our time.
5. When we do these things, we will be ready for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for the blessing He brings with Him: