He Dwelleth With You, and Shall Be in You
The sermon emphasizes the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit as our Owner, Proprietor, and Keeper, not just as a guest, but as the one who dwells within our hearts and lives.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the two critical stages in the Christian life: the initial work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and the deeper experience of the Spirit's abiding presence within us. He illustrates the difference between merely having the Spirit's influence and allowing Him to take full residence in our hearts as the Owner and Keeper. Simpson encourages believers to invite the Holy Spirit not just as a guest but as the one who controls and transforms our entire being. This profound relationship with the Holy Spirit leads to a life filled with joy and purpose, as Christ makes our hearts His home.
Text
Do not fail to mark these two stages in Christian life. The one is the Spirit's work in us, the other is the Spirit's personal coming to abide within us. All true Christians know the first, but few, it is to be feared, understand and receive the second. There is a great difference between my building a house and my going to reside in that house and making it my home. And there is a great difference between the Holy Spirit's work in regenerating a soul-the building of a house-and His coming to reside, abide and control in our innermost spirit and our whole life and being.
Have we received Him, not as our Guest, but as the Owner, Proprietor and Keeper of the temple He has built to be an habitation of God through the Spirit? (Ephesians 2:22).
This is my wonderful story, Christ to my heart has come, Jesus the King of glory Finds in my heart a home. I am so glad I received Him, Jesus my heart's dear King, I, who so often have grieved Him, All to His feet would bring.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Two Stages of Christian Life
- A. The Spirit's work in us (regeneration)
- B. The Spirit's personal coming to abide within us
- II. The Difference Between the Two Stages
- A. The Spirit's work in us is like building a house
- B. The Spirit's personal coming is like residing in the house
- III. Receiving the Spirit as Owner, Proprietor, and Keeper
- A. Not just as a guest, but as the one who dwells within
- IV. The Result of Receiving the Spirit
- A. Christ comes to our heart and makes it His home
Key Quotes
“This is my wonderful story, Christ to my heart has come, Jesus the King of glory Finds in my heart a home.” — A.B. Simpson
“I am so glad I received Him, Jesus my heart's dear King, I, who so often have grieved Him, All to His feet would bring.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must invite the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts and lives, not just as a guest, but as the one who dwells within.
- Receiving the Holy Spirit as our Owner, Proprietor, and Keeper brings Christ to our heart and makes it His home.
- We must recognize the difference between the Spirit's work in us and His personal coming, and receive Him in the latter way.