Podcast Summary: "The Spirit of the Lord"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Date: September 10, 2025
Featured Teacher: Sinclair Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries’ Vice Chairman)
Theme: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Jesus

Brief Overview

This episode of Renewing Your Mind, featuring Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, delves into the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Rather than focusing on how the Holy Spirit acts in individual believers—a common theme in modern Christianity—Ferguson redirects attention to the Spirit's intimate relationship with Christ himself. The episode explores biblical and theological insights into how the Spirit was Jesus’ lifelong companion, shaping, equipping, and empowering Him from conception through his entire ministry.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Self-Focus vs. God-Focus in Thinking About the Holy Spirit

• Timestamp 00:29–01:12
  Ferguson laments that modern Christians often focus on the Spirit’s work "in and through me," but the most important truth is the Spirit’s unique, sustaining role with Christ:

“The most important thing about his person and all the things he's done throughout the whole history of the world is that he was with the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the whole course of his ministry. His constant companion, we might even be bold enough to say, his very best friend.” — Sinclair Ferguson (00:33)

2. Progressive Revelation: Old Testament to New Testament

• Timestamp 02:36–07:25
  Using B.B. Warfield’s metaphor, Ferguson compares the Old Testament to a "darkened room full of furniture," only fully illuminated by Christ. He highlights how glimpses of the Trinity and the Spirit’s role are progressively revealed:

“God, little by little, unfolds his true character and his glorious triune being. Jesus is the one who reveals the Father... Now, the same is true of the Holy Spirit.” — Sinclair Ferguson (03:27)

3. The Spirit with Jesus: John 14 Explained

• Timestamp 07:25–10:55
  Ferguson reframes John 14, arguing that Jesus is not contrasting Old and New Covenant experiences of the Spirit (“with” vs. “in”) as often supposed, but instead emphasizing that the Spirit known through Christ’s ministry is the same Spirit to be given to the disciples:

“What Jesus is actually saying here is, just as you have seen the Father because of my fellowship with the Father... exactly the same kind of thing is true of the Holy Spirit. You have seen who he is and what he does as you watch my ministry.” — Sinclair Ferguson (09:45)

4. Old Testament Prophecy and the Spirit’s Relationship to Christ

• Timestamp 10:56–13:00
  Drawing from Isaiah, especially chapters 11, 42, and 61, Ferguson traces prophecies about the coming Messiah being uniquely anointed and empowered by the Spirit:

“Isaiah is also the prophet who makes clearest the ministry of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the Lord Jesus... the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might.” — Sinclair Ferguson (11:32)

5. The Spirit’s Companionship: Four Stages in Jesus’ Life

• Timestamp 13:10–16:23
  Dr. Ferguson outlines four critical stages where the Spirit’s presence is evident in Jesus’ life:
  • Infancy and Childhood
  • Inauguration of Public Ministry
  • During Public Ministry
  • Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost

a. Jesus’ Conception and Birth

• Timestamp 16:23–21:30
  The angel Gabriel’s annunciation shows that the Spirit’s work with Jesus starts at conception, reminiscent of the Spirit "hovering over" in creation (Genesis 1:2):

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you... the Holy Spirit does, perhaps, his most significant work where prying eyes can never see: creation, conception of the Lord Jesus, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the regeneration of the individual.” — Sinclair Ferguson (19:55)

b. Jesus at the Temple (Age 12)

• Timestamp 21:30–24:00
  Jesus’ wisdom at age twelve in the temple reveals the Spirit guiding even his boyhood; his identity and growth were Spirit-formed:

“He increased in favor with God and man. ... as a 12-year-old boy, he was walking step by step in fellowship with the Holy Spirit who was giving him wisdom.” — Sinclair Ferguson (23:25)

c. The Paraclete: Spirit as Jesus’ Companion

• Timestamp 23:26–24:00
  John’s Gospel portrays the Spirit as “counselor, the paraclete, the companion, the supporter, the guide, the friend,” shaping Jesus from the start.

d. Looking Ahead: Baptism and Temptation

• Timestamp 24:01–24:47
  In previewing the next episode, Ferguson notes how the Spirit fills Jesus at his baptism and leads him into the wilderness, setting his ministry in motion and highlighting the Spirit’s unique ministry with Christ:

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days. ... at his baptism Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and then in his temptations he was led by the Holy Spirit.” — Sinclair Ferguson (24:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Spirit’s Humility:

  “The Holy Spirit does, perhaps, his most significant work where prying eyes can never see.” — Sinclair Ferguson (19:55)

• On Jesus’ Intimacy with the Spirit:

  “The Holy Spirit was the companion of the Lord Jesus when he was an embryo.” — Sinclair Ferguson (21:17)

• On the Spirit as Person, Not Power:

  “He is not just a power that does powerful things. He is a person.” — Sinclair Ferguson (12:45)

Important Timestamps

• 00:29: Introduction to the episode’s emphasis on the Spirit’s relationship to Christ.
• 02:36–07:25: Progressive revelation and the Spirit in the Old Testament.
• 07:25–10:55: John 14 and understanding the Spirit’s role in Jesus’ ministry (not just believer’s experience).
• 10:56–13:00: Old Testament prophetic background (Isaiah) for the Spirit-anointed Messiah.
• 16:23–21:30: The Spirit’s role in the incarnation, and new creation themes.
• 21:30–24:00: Jesus at the temple—Spirit-shaped wisdom and growth.
• 24:01–24:47: Transition to next episode: the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism and temptation.

Conclusion

Sinclair Ferguson’s teaching redirects listeners from a self-focused curiosity about the Holy Spirit to a deep, worshipful encounter with the Spirit—first and foremost as the lifelong companion and enabler of Christ. Through scriptural reflection and theological nuance, he encourages believers to marvel that the Spirit who empowered Jesus also indwells them, inviting awe, humility, and worship.