The Intelligence of the Holy Spirit

November 30th, 2025
by Pastor Jon Cannon

Sermon Notes for 30 November 2025

The Intelligence of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)
26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

That’s the FOCUS of this passage of Scripture are the prayers of the Third Person of the Trinity, to the First Person of the Trinity on our behalf, regarding our sanctification and our moving forward in our Christian lives.

Outline of Romans 8:26-27:
1. The INVOLVEMENT of the Spirit (vs. 26a)
2. The INTERCESSION of the Spirit (vs. 26b)
3. The INTELLIGENCE of the Spirit (vs. 27)

The Spirit of God is not a stoic! The Holy Spirit is a PERSON, not an it.

The Holy Spirit bears all the marks and characteristics of personality & personhood.

Three key categories:
1. The Holy Spirit has a MIND
2. The Holy Spirit has EMOTIONS
3. The Holy Spirit has a WILL

The Spirit of God does what only a person can do.

1. The Spirit Speaks (Acts 13:2; 8:29)
2. The Spirit Thinks (Rom. 8:27)
3. The Spirit Wills and Decides (1 Cor. 12:11)
4. The Spirit Teaches and Reminds (John 14:26)
5. The Spirit Guides and Leads (John 1613; Rom. 8:14)
6. The Spirit Intercedes (Rom. 8:26-27)
7. The Spirit Can Be Grieved (Eph. 4:30)
8. The Spirit Can Be Lied To (Acts 5:3-4)
9. The Spirit Loves (Rom . 15:30)
10. The Spirit Testifies & Bears Witness (Rom. 8:16)
11. The Spirit Makes Choices & Gives Commands (Acts 6:6-7; 8:29; 16:6)
12. The Spirit Searches (1 Cor. 12:10)

Do not think of the Holy Spirit as a force or a power – He is a Person who has power and possess the force of might!

Why does all this matter?

1. Your Walk with God Is Personal
2. Prayer Becomes Partnership
3. Spiritual Growth Becomes Relational
4. Ministry Becomes Spirit-Directed

God is at work in your life!

John Piper says, “God is at work doing 1000 things in your life, and you are only aware of 2 of them!

God is so actively involved in your life!

Vs 28: He uses all things to work together for good.
Vs 29: His purpose is to conform us to the image of His son.

Romans 8:28-30 (NASB)
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

I hope you now see the PERFECT INTELLEGIENCE at work behind your prayers!

Will you give your life to Jesus today?

Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:

“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”

Assurance of Salvation

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”