Spirit-Dependent
To be Christ-centered, we must be Spirit-dependent, understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit is basic to Christian growth.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of being Christ-centered and Spirit-dependent for Christian growth. He highlights that true faith is in Jesus Christ alone, not in our own good works or self-righteousness. Stanford explains that spirituality is manifested through Christ-likeness, which is the fruit of the Spirit's work in believers' lives. He underscores the need for a spirit of dependence, confidence in God's goodness, and a focus on the Lord Jesus as the key ingredients of spirituality.
Text
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
To be Christ-centered, we must be Spirit-dependent.
"It is basically the belief of the truth; it is not belief of the fruits. The Holy Spirit cannot present to me the fruit He has produced in me, as the object of my faith. He speaks to me of my faults, of my sins, but not of the good works that may be in me. He produces them in me, but He hides them from me; for if we think of them, it is but a more subtle self-righteousness. It is like the manna which, being kept, produced worms. All is spoilt-it is no more faith in action. The Holy Spirit must always present to me the Lord Jesus Christ, that I may grow and have peace." -J.N.D.
"An understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is basic to Christian growth. Spirituality is Christ-likeness, and Christ-likeness is the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual power is not the miraculous or the spectacular, but rather the consistent manifestation of the characteristics of the Lord Jesus in the believer's life. All this is the work of the Spirit, of whom the Lord Jesus said, 'He shall glorify Me' (John 16:14).
"What are the ingredients of spirituality? First, a spirit of dependence, whatever may be the state of faith and the blessings we may have realized. Secondly, an entire confidence in the goodness of the Father; for He is love. Thirdly, the Lord Jesus as the constant object of the affections of the heart, for the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart is to fill it with contemplation of and fellowship with the Lord Jesus in glory."
"Changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Sermon Outline
- To be Christ-centered, we must be Spirit-dependent
-
II
- Understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit is basic to Christian growth
- Spirituality is Christ-likeness, and Christ-likeness is the fruit of the Spirit
-
III
- Spiritual power is not the miraculous or the spectacular, but rather the consistent manifestation of the characteristics of the Lord Jesus in the believer's life
- The work of the Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus
- Ingredients of spirituality
-
V
- A spirit of dependence
- Entire confidence in the goodness of the Father
- The Lord Jesus as the constant object of the affections of the heart
Key Quotes
“It is basically the belief of the truth; it is not belief of the fruits. The Holy Spirit cannot present to me the fruit He has produced in me, as the object of my faith.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Spirituality is Christ-likeness, and Christ-likeness is the fruit of the Spirit.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We must cultivate a spirit of dependence on the Holy Spirit to experience Christian growth.
- Our faith should be in the truth, not the fruits of the Spirit.
- Spirituality is Christ-likeness, and we can experience this by having fellowship with the Lord Jesus in glory.