The Holy Spirit of Christmas – The Holy Spirit Baptism

Acts 2:38 NIV

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 1:4-8 NIV

“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a . ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will

Luke 1:15 NIV

“…and he (John) will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.”

Holy Spirit Lessons from John

• The Holy Spirit helps us point people to Jesus

Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV

“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.⁴ Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. ⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Reflection: Is my life a BRIDGE for people to come to Jesus….or is my life a BARRIER for people coming to Jesus?

• The Holy Spirit makes us different

Mark 1:6 NIV

^“John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

2 Kings 1:8 NIV

“They replied, “He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.” The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.”

Reflection: How does the Holy Spirit in me make me different from people who don’t have Jesus?

• The Holy Spirit keeps us Humble

Mark 1:7 NIV

“And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”

John 3:30 NIV

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit…”

Reflection: What am I filled with?

Will I humble myself to make more room for the Holy Spirit?

John 14:26 NIV

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.”

Mark 1:8 NIV

“I baptize you with (in) water, but He will baptize you with (in) the Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Galatians 5:22-25 NIV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”