Ezekiel 36:27

"THE NECESSITY OF THE SPIRIT'S WORK"

Intro: Nothing that God does is unnecessary. None of His promises are

unnecessary. The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary if we are to

be saved.

I. REMEMBER WHAT MAN IS BY NATURE - "DEAD" IN TRESPASSES & SINS.

A. Some say that all man needs is an opportunity.

Someone to point him in the right direction.

The spark of goodness lies buried within.

1. The Bible does not say we are sick.

The Bible does not say we are faint.

The Bible says we are dead.

2. Whatever term death means about body - it must also

mean about soul.

B. The Spirit finds men as spiritually dead as Ezekiel's vision of

dry bones.

C. Not just dead but enemies of God.

1. Jesus said "Ye will not come that ye might have..."

a. Men will not come of themselves.

b. You cannot beg or force them to come.

2. No man can come except the Spirit draw him.

II. SALVATION MUST BE THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE MEANS OF

SALVATION INADEQUATE IN THEMSELVES.

A. What are the means?

1. The preaching of the Word - "It pleaseth God by the

foolishness of preaching to save those that believe."

2. God has called me as teacher in the body, but we need

preachers.

a. Some of the preaching I have heard.

b. The intellectuals jeer & scoff, but God saves

souls.

c. The hero & his sword - "I do not see much in

this sword." "You have not seen the arm that

wields it."

3. We see hardened sinners weeping tears of repentance. We

see lives dramatically changed. What did this? You

say, "the minister."...I say, "You have departed your

reasoning."

III. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US THROUGH CHRIST, MUST BE REVEALED BY THE

SPIRIT.

A. God has elected us to be saved.

1. What does that fact do for you until revealed.

2. You can't climb into heaven & read the roll.

B. Christ's death for your sins.

C. God's promises of Grace.

IV. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN IS A REALITY, BUT IT CAN NEVER BE FELT

APART FROM THE SPIRIT.

A. Honest moral businessman - No vices - integrity.

1. You are a guilty sinner - will he feel it?

2. What can cause him to feel it?

B. A man convinced in moral law & a place of reward for the

righteous.

1. How will he seek righteousness?

V. THE ACTS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE POWER OF THE

SPIRIT.

A. First act is repentance. Have you ever tried to repent?

B. Faith is the next act.

1. I seem to have ambition & energy for things I can't do.

2. In winter time if it were not raining so much I would

wax my car.

3. The deer & the dogs.

4. Let temptation come and I am strong let troubles arise

and I can face them.

5. Some sermons I have preached... The Spirit moved.