Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit   

Gives strength for extraordinary tasks

Jgs 3:10: The spirit of the Lord came upon him

This phrase appears frequently in the Bible when an individual is being called upon to do something above and beyond what normal humans can do.  It expresses a temporary and continuous increase of physical, spiritual, or mental strength.  This was an extraordinary and supernatural occurrence to prepare a person for a special task.  The Holy Spirit is available to all believers today, but he will come upon believers in an extraordinary way for special tasks.  We should ask the Holy Spirit’s help as we face our daily problems as well as life’s major challenges.

Helps us speak for Christ

Mt 10:19-20: But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, speaking through you.

Some mistakenly think this means we don’t have to prepare to present God’s message because God will take care of everything.  Scripture teaches, however, that we are to make careful preparation, thoughtful statements (Colossians 4:6).  Jesus is telling us to stop worrying.

Nothing can take God’s Spirit from you.

Mt 10:29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials.  These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge his Spirit from within you.

Only he can give you change of heart

Mt 12:34-36: … The good man brings good things out of the good stored in him, …

You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives.

He may test us

Lk 4:1:  Jesus,  full of the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil.

Sometimes we feel that if the Holy Spirit leads us, it will always be “beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).  But that is not necessarily true.  He led Jesus into the dessert for a long and difficult time of testing, and he may also lead us into difficult situations.  When facing trials, first make sure you haven’t brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices.  If you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, then ask God to strengthen you for your test.  Finally, be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads.

Who is He?

Jn 3:6: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit.

God is three persons in one – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among  mankind.  The Holy Spirit first became available to all believers at Pentecost (Acts 2).  Whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them.

Three important tasks of the Holy Spirit.

Jn 16:8-11: When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, were you can see me no longer;  and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stand, condemned.  

Three important tasks of the Holy Spirit are (1) convicting the world of sin and calling it to repentance, (2) revealing the standard of God’s righteousness to anyone who believes, because Christ would no longer be physically present on earth, and (3) demonstrating Christ’s judgment over Satan.

His role & work in believers lives

Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was made available to all who believed in Jesus.  We receive the Holy Spirit when we commit our lives to God’s control:

(1)    The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience.  We cannot be united to Christ without  his Spirit, we cannot be adopted as his children without His Spirit; we cannot be in the body of Christ except by baptism in the Spirit.

(2)    The Spirit is the power of our new lives.  He begins a lifelong  process of change as we become more like Christ.  When we turnover control of our lives to God, we begin an immediate personal relationship with God.  The Holy Spirit works in us to help us become more like Christ.

(3)    The Spirit unites the Christian community in Christ.  The Holy Spirit can be experienced by all and he works through all.

Gives us power to live the Christian life.

Rom 8:2   … because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death.

He was present at the creation of the world, and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian.  He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.

Fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22-23; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self –control.  Against such things there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us.  The Spirit produces these character traits that are  found in the nature of Christ.  They are the by-products of Christ’s control of our lives – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his control and help.  If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his.  We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him.  As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbors.

The will of the Holy Spirit is in constant opposition to our sinful desires. The two are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle.

Our Wrong desires are:	The fruit of the Spirit is
Evil	Good
Destructive	Productive
Easy to ignite	Difficult to ignite
Difficult to stifle	Easy to stifle
Self-centered	Self-Giving
Oppressive and possessive	Liberating and nurturing
Decadent	Uplifting
Sinful	Holy
Deadly	Abundant life

 

Carries out God’s work in us

Phil 1:6; … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The God who began a good work in us continues it through our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face.  His work in us began when we turned over control of our lives.  Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. 

When we are discouraged, we should remember  that God will not give up on us.  When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision.  Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ is in control of your life or keep you from growing closer to him.

How much of you is under his leading?

Eph: 5:18; Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Paul contrasts getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high,” to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy.  In Christ, we have a better joy, higher and longer lasting, to cure our depression, monotony, or tension.  We should not be concerned with how much of the Holy Spirit has.  Submit yourself daily to his leadership and draw constantly on his power.

Transforming power of:

1 Thes 1:5; … because our gospel  came to  you  not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.

The Holy Spirit changes people when their lives are under God’s control.  When we tell others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and convince them that they need salvation.  God’s power changes people – not our cleverness or persuasion.  Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our words are meaningless.  The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the Christian life.

Helps us know God’s thoughts

1 Cor 2:15-16; The Spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment.  For who has  known the mind of the Lord that he instructs him.

No one can comprehend God, but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions – they, in fact, have the “mind of Christ,”  Through the Holy Spirit we can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect his answers to our prayers.  Are you spending enough time with Christ to have his very mind in you?  An intimate relationship with Christ comes only from spending time consistently in his presence and shared love whit his Word confirming it.

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33

Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.

For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.

Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, "When you get home...say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him. ...Tell Him what has happened during the day...just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"

Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn't recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, "I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."

If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9

A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.

One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."

The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."

On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!

In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."

Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17

Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.

During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.

Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.

This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.

Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.