God’s Dwelling Place is in You
For thousands of years, man approached God through priests, altars, and temples. Some people are still trying to do those things. But Jesus already changed everything.
Today, God no longer meets us behind a veil, in a mountain, a tabernacle, a temple, or in a building. Now, God lives in every born again believer.
This sermon today is going to teach three things:
- What the Bible says about the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
- What had to happen before this could take place.
- How it changes everything for the person who believes in Jesus Christ.
We’re going to see a clear timeline within the Bible of the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the preparation for this to happen, the fulfillment, and the application of God dwelling within us.
1. The Promise of The Indwelling Holy Spirit
John 14:16-17
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. Jesus promises to send us the Holy Ghost through God the Father. He’s the one that gives us another Comforter. The doctrine of the Trinity is clearly seen in these Scriptures.
Jesus is a Comforter to us. But God the Father will send another Comforter who is the Holy Ghost. He will abide with us forever.
He is the Spirit of Truth. We know him because he dwells with us. And he is within us. The Holy Spirit is here to teach us all things and brings all things to your remembrance. He reminds us of what Jesus Christ has said to us in the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit is not just with us, but he is within us forever. Once saved always saved. Salvation is forever. We cannot die when the Holy Spirit is with us and within us.
Now, at this point in John Chapter 14, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has not yet been given. He is not yet dwelling within them. Jesus is still there with them so the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was not yet there. The disciples knew the Spirit with them. But soon, they would know Him within.
2. What Had To Happen Before the Spirit Could Indwell
a) Jesus Had to Be Glorified
We go backwards to John Chapter 7. Watch exactly what this says:
John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Since Jesus was not yet glorified, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost was not yet given. When would Jesus be glorified?
After the death and burial of Jesus Christ, he would arise from the dead in a new and glorified body. Once he arose from the dead, then the indwelling of the Holy Spirit could be given. “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Jesus speaks of the Spirit of God – the Holy Ghost.
The indwelling Spirit couldn’t come until Jesus completed his death, burial, and resurrection.
b) The Blood Had to Be Shed
Before the Holy Spirit could dwell within believers, the blood of Jesus had to be shed for us.
Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
The Holy Ghost couldn’t indwell sinners until the sin debt was paid by the blood of Jesus Christ. The indwelling didn’t happen prior to Jesus being glorified. This is something new that happens AFTER Jesus arose from the dead.
c) Jesus Had to Send the Spirit From the Father
The Holy Spirit in us couldn’t happen or occur until Jesus sent the Spirit from the Father.
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Jesus tells us himself that if he doesn’t go away, the Comforter or Holy Ghost will not come unto you. He says, “It is expedient that I go away.”
When Jesus departs, Jesus gives us that promise that he will send the Holy Spirit.
So far, we know that Jesus had to be glorified, his blood had to be shed, and he had to go away so the Spirit of Truth could dwell in us. What else had to happen?
d) The New Birth Had to Be Made Possible
The new birth had to be made possible because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a part of this new birth and this new creation.
Titus 3:5-7
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The indwelling of the Spirit of God is a part of this new birth. And this required the work of Jesus Christ on the cross to be completed. Remember, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost is a new thing after Jesus arose from the dead.
This had not happened ever before. For example, Moses didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Peter, before John Chapter 20, didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
What else needed to happen?
e) The Temple Had to Be Prepared
The temple had to be prepared. You might ask: “What temple?”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Remember, God doesn’t dwell in buildings any more. At times, his presence was with them through the tabernacle, the most holy place, and the mercy seat.
Acts 7:44-46
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Acts 7:47-49
But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Since God doesn’t dwell in buildings. There is no tabernacle built with hands here on earth. There is no mercy seat here on earth. God now dwells in clean, redeemed bodies – temples made without hands.
The Bible says: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.” Our bodies are prepared at salvation now to receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
To summarize what had to happen: Jesus had to be glorified, the blood had to be shed, Jesus had to send the Spirit from the Father, the new birth had to be made possible, and the temple of our body had to be prepared.
3. The First Indwelling: John 20
So far, we’ve seen the promise of the Holy Spirit to live within us. We’ve seen what had to happen before the Holy Spirit can dwell within us. And now we’re going to see the first time that the indwelling of the Holy Ghost was given. This is exciting. Who received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit first and when?
Many people think the indwelling of the Holy Spirit came in Acts Chapter 2 at Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks, but it didn’t. Remember, the books of the Bible go: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. John Chapter 20 is before Acts Chapter 2.
John 20:19-20
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
We are on the day that Jesus Christ arose from the dead. On this same day, he is in his new and glorified body. Remember, he is the firstfruits. He is the first to have a glorified body. We don’t have one of those yet. We’ll get one of those one day at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Watch the very next verse.
John 20:21-22
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
After Jesus arose from the dead, on the same day, he gives the indwelling of the Holy Ghost to his disciples. This is “THE” first moment of the true indwelling of the Holy Ghost throughout eternity.
Just as God breathed life into Adam in Genesis 2:7, Jesus Christ now breathes spiritual life into the church of Jesus Christ which are his people. And don’t miss what Jesus says just prior to this. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Why do we have the indwelling of the Spirit of God? He’s sending us out there to preach the Gospel. That is the main reason.
He’s sending us and commanding us to go out there and get people saved.
4. Pentecost: Power From The Spirit Who Already Indwelled
When Acts Chapter 2 arrives, Pentecost, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost had already been given to those disciples. Pentecost is not the time the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is given. All of this ties together in what we’ve been learning in the Feasts of the Lord.
The dwelling of the Holy Spirit within us was first given in John Chapter 20. That was the day Jesus arose from the dead. Forty days later Jesus us ascending into heaven. Fifty days after his resurrection, Acts Chapter 2 or Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks occurs.
In Acts Chapter 1, Jesus is about to ascend into heaven. This would be forty days after John Chapter 20. They have already had the indwelling of the Holy Ghost for forty days. Let’s see what Jesus says before he ascends into heaven.
Acts 1:6-9
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Jesus promises them that they will soon have the power of the Holy Ghost come upon them. Not within them but come upon them. “After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” They had already breathed in the Spirit of God from Jesus Christ. But now the Holy Spirit is going to come upon them with power. They are going to receive this power in Acts Chapter 2 at Pentecost.
This is not equal to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now you see they were filled with the Holy Ghost. The filling of the Holy Ghost and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost is obviously not the same. If it were, they would have already been filled with the Holy Spirit. But you see this is different.
They were filled and empowered. Power, great power, came upon them and filled them. The indwelling is for salvation one time. This only happens to you once since we are living after John Chapter 20. You receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment you trust in Jesus Christ.
Then we have a filling of the Holy Spirit which is for the service of God and this repeats more than once. You can be filled with the Holy Spirit many different times. And we need to be.
5. Every Believer Is Indwelt At Salvation
Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ receives the Holy Ghost within at that moment.
Ephesians 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Sealed means sealed. It’s done. It’s over. Saved forever. Why? Because you now have the Holy Spirit. He’s not leaving.
Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
If you’ve believed, you have the Spirit of Christ. When I say believed, I mean trusted 100% “IN” the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. Not of works. Not of yourselves. Only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
You don’t get the Holy Ghost later, at water baptism, at the laying on of hands, when someone breathes on you, or anything else. You get the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ at the moment you believe.
You receive him the moment you are saved.
6. What the Indwelling Holy Ghost Does
When you receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, what happens exactly?
a) Seals You for Eternity
Ephesians 4:30 – “…ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
b) Regenerates You
Titus 3:5 – “…renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
c) Sanctifies You
2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “…through sanctification of the Spirit…”
d) Leads You
Romans 8:14 – “…led by the Spirit of God…”
e) Teaches You the Word
John 16:13 – “…he will guide you into all truth.”
f) Produces Spiritual Fruit
Galatians 5:22–23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is…”
g) Assures You of Salvation
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit…”
So again, the Holy Spirit seals you for eternity, regenerates you, sanctifies you, leads you, teaches you the word, produces spiritual fruit, and assures you of salvation. When people say that nothing changes when you’re saved, they would be wrong. You receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
7. Don’t Grieve or Quench The Spirit
Something you shouldn’t do once you are saved is grieve the Holy Spirit of God or quench the Spirit of God who is within you.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
If you want to be filled with the Spirit, do not sin and quench the spirit. Be filled. That’s why we come together to worship God. We read the Bible that was written through the eternal Spirit of God. We sing to God. We pray to God. We honor God. Soul winning will fill you with the Spirit of God. Preach his words. Ask for God to fill you with his Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all the sin go. Put away sin. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. Even though the Holy Spirit, the indwelling, cannot leave you, you can quench his power by disobedience and you can grieve his presence by sin.
God puts that power into your hands. He’s there for you. But you have choices to make. The way you live your life matters in regards to the filling of the Holy Spirit.
8. Walk In The Spirit
God commands us to walk in the Spirit. For example, let’s say you have a decision to make. You can watch TV or you can read the Bible. If you watch TV, you do not walk in the Spirit. If you read the Bible, you walk in the Spirit. Then you can be filled with the Spirit and receive that power from God.
The question is: Do you want that power from God or not?
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
You won’t sin when you walk in the Spirit of God. You won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Your flesh wants things that will kill you.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
One day we will receive a new and glorified body. Who does this? The Holy Spirit of God. I can’t wait for that day. And it’s coming and it’s all made possible by the Holy Spirit who is within you right now. Do not let the flesh lead you and the Spirit of God is within you.
Conclusion: God In You
In conclusion, please listen, you have the power of God available within you. God is in you. We can do amazing things through the Spirit of God as we walk in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
God is not in a building. He is not behind a veil. He is not in a cloud. He is in YOU.
Are you saved? If so, you are sealed, indwelt, and empowered by the Spirit of God. Don’t grieve him. Don’t ignore him. Walk in the Spirit daily.
You can say within, “He lives within me.” He does. Welcome him daily. Enjoy him being with you.
Let’s pray.
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