Lampstand Of Character Series

Pastor Larry Stockstill made a statement the other day in the daily devotional that triggered this message.

"Like the six branches of the lampstand in the tabernacle, there are six facets of the Holy Spirit’s character."

That is what we are going to dive into for a few minutes this morning in our quest to gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

D. L. Moody said,

I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts.

But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.

The six branches of the Lampstand are a representation of these six characteristics of the Holy Spirit. The "Spirit of Wisdom", "Spirit of Understanding", "Spirit of Counsel", "Spirit of Might", "Spirit of Knowledge", & "Spirit of the Fear of the Lord".

We will be dealing with the first 3 today.

I. The Spirit of Wisdom

Proverbs 4:5-7 NLT Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

Deuteronomy 34:9 NLT Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit

of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of

Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The Spirit of wisdom was imparted by the laying on of hands in obedience to the voice of God.

Some wonder why we do certain things in our church; Know that we follow the examples of the Word of God.

Daniel 5:13-14 NLT So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar? I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom.

Was that Daniel’s own giftedness that the King was referring to?

If it was not, & God is not a respecter of people, then that same ability would be made available to all who are in relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 6:3 NLT And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom.

What were the qualifications for those who were being chosen to be deacons?

II. Spirit of Understanding

Colossians 1:8-10 NLT He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Do you see the pattern that is showing up in the lives of those who are in relationship with the Holy Spirit?

As you can see where understanding is you will find wisdom right beside it.

2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

When you begin to understand this relationship in the Holy Spirit you will be able to see how it will build His character in you.

Psalm 119:103-105 NLT How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Understanding is how we bare fruit in our relationship with Him.

III. Spirit of Counsel

Job 12:13 NLT But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His.

The world is offering a lot of different avenues of counseling through psychologists & psychiatrist.

The sad thing is this profession has a very high rate of suicide & depression.

Proverbs 1:22-24 NLT How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

We are not opposed to doctors, but why is it that people seem to go to every other extreme before they call out to God?