Faith 101 Discovering the Faith

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Faith 101 Discovering the Faith

• Lesson Six
• The Holy Spirit and Conversion

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I found it? I accepted Christ? How can this be
when I am

• SPIRITUALLY DEAD Ephesians 21
• SPIRITUALLY BLIND 1 Corinthians 214
• 2 Corinthians 4
• GODS ENEMIES Romans 86-7 510

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I cant Find Him

• I BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT BY MY OWN REASON OR
  STRENGTH BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST MY LORD OR COME
  TO HIM
• He Found Me!!!! Luke 15

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• I BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT BY MY OWN REASON OR
  STRENGTH BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST MY LORD OR COME
  TO HIM, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS CALLED BY THE
  GOSPEL, ENLIGHTENED ME WITH HIS GIFTS, SANCTIFIED
  AND KEPT ME IN THE TRUE FAITH
• -Small Catechisms explanation to the Third
  Article of the Apostles Creed

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• Calls
• He Brings Christ to Me John 1426 1526
• He Brings Me to Faith In Christ
• 1 Corinthians 123
• John 35-6

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• Enlightenshe helps me to grow in my faith

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• Sanctifies (to make holy)
• Broad sense
• Describes both justification and sanctification
• We must not mingle these two ideas
• Narrow sense
• Gives me power to resist sin
• Gives me power to lead a Christian life
• Gives me power to do good works

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• He Keeps Me in Christ
• Phil. 16 1 Peter 15 1 Thess 213

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

• Callsplants seed in the heart
• Enlightenscauses growth toward the light
• Sanctifiesflowers and fruits (good works)
• Keepswaters and nurtures the plant of faith so
  it remains green and healthy

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The Holy Spirit works through the Means of Grace

• The means through which the Gospel comes
• The means through which the Holy Spirit does His
  work in our hearts

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The Means of Grace

• The Bible the Word taught, read and Proclaimed
  2 Tim. 315-17 John 2021-23 Romans 1017
• The Word also comes in Sacramental form

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A Sacrament is

• Commanded by God
• Which promises forgiveness of sins
• Involves a visible element.

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Two Sacraments

• Baptism
• Holy Communion

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Why Sacraments?

• GOD APPEALS TO ALL FIVE SENSES
• GOD LEAVES NO DOUBT - HIS GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
  ARE MEANT FOR US.

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What About Direct Revelation?

• The Spirit ordinarily works through the means of
  grace.
• Can he work without those means?
• The means of grace leave no doubt.