Go! And Know The Spirit — The Holy Spirit From Genesis To Revelation Series

Go! And Know the Spirit — The Holy Spirit from Genesis to Revelation

Introduction: The Spirit Who Has Always Been

Church, today we embark on a journey across the entire sweep of Scripture — from Genesis to Revelation — to see the presence, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Too often, people think of the Holy Spirit as a New Testament concept, as if He suddenly appeared at Pentecost like a divine afterthought. But the truth is: the Holy Spirit has been actively working from the very beginning of time.

From creation to consummation, from Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit of God has been moving, speaking, revealing, empowering, and transforming. And, dear friends, He is still doing that today — in your life and mine — to draw us closer to Jesus Christ.

I. The Spirit Who Creates (Genesis 1:1–2)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” — Genesis 1:1–2 (NLT)

In Hebrew, the word for Spirit is ????? (ruach) — meaning breath, wind, or spirit. The image in verse 2 is of the Ruach Elohim — the breath of God — hovering, brooding, and preparing to bring order out of chaos.

The word “hovering” (Hebrew rachaph) carries the image of a mother bird fluttering protectively over her young. This gives us a picture of tender care and active involvement.

Even before light broke through the darkness, the Spirit was already there — bringing life out of nothingness, preparing creation for the spoken Word of God.

Creation was a Trinitarian act. The Father willed creation, the Son (the Word) spoke creation, and the Spirit energised creation. From the first verse of the Bible, we see that God is not distant or passive — He is relational and active.

The same Spirit who hovered over the waters in Genesis is the same Spirit who hovers over hearts today — bringing life to what is dead and light to what is dark.

Maybe your life today feels formless and empty. Perhaps there’s chaos, confusion, or darkness.

Take heart — the Holy Spirit specialises in transforming chaos into creation. He can breathe life into your dry bones, order into your confusion, and hope into your despair.

As Max Lucado writes, “The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that lives in you.”

Lucado reminds us that the Spirit’s work isn’t distant history — it’s present reality. The power that formed galaxies is available to transform your life through Jesus Christ.

II. The Spirit Who Empowers (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 16:13)

“Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power.” — Judges 6:34 (NLT)

“The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” — 1 Samuel 16:13 (NLT)

In the Old Testament, the Spirit’s empowerment was often temporary and specific — for leadership, victory, or prophetic speech.

The Hebrew phrase “came upon” literally means “clothed with” — like putting on armour. The Spirit wrapped Himself around Gideon and David, transforming ordinary men into instruments of divine purpose.

Gideon was timid; David was young and overlooked. Yet both became mighty in the Spirit’s power.

The Old Testament reveals a pattern of empowerment — the Spirit comes upon individuals for God’s purposes.

But the New Testament reveals the fulfilment of empowerment — the Spirit comes to dwell within all who believe in Christ.

The shift is monumental. What was temporary has become permanent. What was selective has become universal — for every believer who is born again.

You may feel weak, ordinary, or unqualified. But the same Spirit who empowered Gideon to tear down idols and David to slay giants now dwells in you.

Charles Stanley once said, “The Holy Spirit’s power is not for our comfort but for our calling.”

The Spirit doesn’t come merely to make us feel good; He comes to make us fit for service. Every believer is called — and the Spirit empowers us to live and serve as witnesses of Jesus.

III. The Spirit Who Reveals (Isaiah 11:1–2; John 16:13–14)

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” — Isaiah 11:1–2 (NLT)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth… He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” — John 16:13–14 (NLT)

Isaiah’s prophecy points forward to the Messiah — Jesus Christ — upon whom the Spirit would rest permanently. The Hebrew term nuach (“rest”) suggests a settled, ongoing presence, not a temporary visitation.