---

I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1. He is a person, and may be grieved.

2. He intercedes for believers.

3. He guides, hears, speaks, and shows things to come.

4. He is a Divine person, and truly God.

(1)  Sin against Him is unpardonable.

(2)  Lying to Him is lying to God.

(3)  Temples of the Holy Ghost are temples of God.

5. The Holy Ghost is enjoyed by all believers.

(1)  Proved from the apostle's declaration (Romans 8:9).

(2)  Evident from our Lord's promise (John 7:37-39).

(3)  And from the method of communicating salvation (Titus 3:5, 6).

II. FOR WHAT PURPOSE THE HOLY GHOST IS GIVEN.

1. As a Spirit of penitence and prayer.

2. As a Spirit of power.

3. As a Spirit of consolation.

4. As a Spirit of purity.

5. As a Spirit of wisdom.

6. As a Spirit of fruitfulness.

III. THE MANNER OF ASKING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1. They must ask in sincerity.

2. They must ask evangelically.

3. Ask importunately.

4. Ask in faith.

IV. THE WORDS OF OUR TEXT ARE ENCOURAGING TO HOPE. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."

1. Here we notice that mankind are evil. Yet, "they know how to give good gifts unto their children."

2. God is His people's Father.

(1)  He is their heavenly Father.

(2)  Covenant Father.

(3)  Good.

(4)  Wise.

(5)  Gracious.

(T. B. Baker.)

---

---

KJV: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

WEB: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"