The Holy Spirit Poured Out
Introduction
We have been experiencing somewhat of a drought in that it has not rained significantly for some time.
Evidenced by the fires in PB that destroyed 42 homes.
Be thankful- the drought has not been as serious as many the world has experienced through history.
In Joel we can find the nation of Israel struggling with the same conditions physically and spiritually.
Joel 2:23-24
As we continue in Joel we will see early/later rains- picture of God pouring out His Spirit upon-
church/world- that is dry/parched/lifeless.
The Person of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit in the OT and the NT- is the same Spirit.
Mal 3:6 "For I, the Lord, do not change …
NASU (Ja 1:17)
God in His most essential nature is spirit …
Jn 4:24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." NASU
God’s HS is not just an attribute of God, He is God.
There is ONE true God that exists eternally in THREE distinct Persons …
Deut 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! NASU
This is a very important tenement of the Jewish faith.
Mtt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
When we talk about the HS remember He is fully God
HS represented by many symbols in the Bible.
A Violent Rushing Wind
Looking back now to Joel …
Joel 2:28-29
These verses- same verses Peter quotes as he stands up to speak in Jerusalem on- Day of Pentecost.
Let us take a look at this story in Acts …
Act 2:1-6
What drew the people together- tongues of fire, speaking in other languages? No!
It was the sound like a violent rushing wind.
That violent, rushing wind was the Spirit of God falling down upon men- He came with a stir.
Five years ago- series of four hurricanes- we became all too familiar w/sound of a violent rushing wind. It was not peaceful, it was violent, it was disturbing, and even fearful at times.
The HS can come into our lives like a wind.
First symbol we see here of the HS- is a Wind.
Spirit- in OT/NT- breath, strong breathing.
Breath- air in motion- strong breathing suggests wind.
Jn 3:4-8
The invisible Spirit of God breathes spiritual life into a human being and something happens that people
do not always recognize- escapes human reason
The HS breaths/blows mightily upon a situation or individual to create or effect change.
Tongues as of fire
Look back to Act 2:2-3 …
The people heard the sound of a violent rushing wind, but they saw tongues as of fire upon the disciples.
Fire in the Bible often speaks of a purifying process.
Mtt 3:11-12 (John the Baptist)
We see this in a passage about Jerusalem- end times.
Isa 4:4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning,
HS comes as fire to remove impurities from our lives.
If we want the same level of supernatural anointing that was evident in the New Testament Church, we should also pray for a higher level of holiness. Lee Grady
The fire of God cleanses our lives of sin and brings about in us the fear of God.
In story of Ananias and Sapphira- a sober warning …
Acts 5:4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." NASU
The Holy Spirit as rivers of Living Water
Water is used frequently as a symbol of the HS.
We have already seen in Joel 2 the early/latter rains as symbol of the work of the HS.
Jn 4:10-14 (Jn 7:37-39)
The HS as water comes to renew, refresh, sustain life.
Many lawns- turning yellow/brown because of the lack of rain. The lawns need rain that can both refresh/restore what has been damaged.
The HS also comes to cleanse, heal, and sanctify.
1 Cor 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. NASU
One last picture in the OT …
Isa 44:3 ’For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; NASU
Anointing Oil
In the OT- priests, kings, and prophets were installed in office by anointing them w/holy anointing oil.
This oil can symbolize the work of the HS.
Messiah (OT), Christ (NT)- means anointed one.
Jesus was anointed with the HS and with power …
Acts 10:38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. NASU
Isaiah makes a similar statement …
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; NASU
Jesus takes a hold of this verse for Himself Lk 4:18.
As Christians we have the same unction or anointing of the HS lives within us …
1 Jn 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. NASU
Speaks of the work of the HS in every believer.
Conclusion
Could look- more symbols- wine, dove, glory cloud.
When we talk about the Holy Spirit as rain, for example, the purpose is not to think, “Oh, the Holy Spirit is like rain.” The purpose is to get wet. Jack Hayford
What that says to me is that I do not just want to understand the HS as a concept, but I want to
immerse myself in/interact w/Person of the HS.
Going back to Acts where we left off- Peter quotes the verses in Joel we looked at earlier.
Act 2:14-21
This talks about the Spirit of God being poured out.
Poured out- emptying the contents of a bowl.
God is pouring out His Spirit upon men/women today.
What does it say will happen …
Acts 2:17-18
I believe we are seeing this today.
It is not always easy to discern what is the voice of God and what is not the voice of God.
Mtt 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. NASU
None the less we have a responsibility to listen to and recognize the voice/work of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer has the HS living inside Him.
The HS comes to release the power of God into our lives as well as to guide us into all truth …
Jn 16:13-15
The HS will always honor the Words and life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Concerning the Lakeland Healing Outpouring
I spoke to this topic two weeks ago- want to make additional comments to clarify my position.
There is a genuine hunger today for more of God.
For much of the world the pain of everyday life is causing a crying out for something more.
Perhaps that is why we see so much interest in the occult and the supernatural today.
Human hearts are thirsting for something that they do not even understand.
Even in the church you see a genuine crying out for an increase in the presence and the power of God.
As many of you know- meetings taking place nightly in Lakeland (over 50 days)- some call it …
a revival, others call it
an outpouring of God’s healing power, others,
say it is not God and even demonic in nature.
Thousands attending the meetings- many pastors.
I have personally been there myself- to discern.
In many events that we might call moves of God- many times there is a mixture- God and man.
There is no doubt that God uses imperfect people to reach others for Jesus Christ.
I believe Bentley is a sincere brother who wants people to encounter God’s presence and power. No doubt this 32-year-old evangelist needs our prayers now more than ever, especially since he has become the focus of international media attention. Lee Grady
This is so important- per chance if this is a move of God- we need to pray- that Jesus Christ and
the Holy Spirit would be properly represented.
I believe that Jesus Christ is being preached and that people are being saved.
However there is room to be concerned for some of Todd’s teaching and his theology.
Some areas that I have concern for …
1. Todd’s talk about third heaven experiences
I believe we can have spiritual/heavenly experiences that might be difficult to explain/understand.
It is an area where I think we need to be cautious.
Our walk w/God- not to be based on spiritual experiences- spiritual experiences are real/valid.
I believe God wants us not just to know Him but experience Him.
2. Angelic visitations
I have no problem with the existence of angels, their interaction with men, and people seeing them.
Some of his talk about angels takes me into some uncomfortable areas that I am not sure are Biblical.
I do not know that we need to be looking for angelic experiences- if they come they come.
3. Outward physical manifestation
When the Holy Spirit’s power comes on people they may feel weak or even fall. The Spirit’s power can also cause people to tremble, shake, laugh or cry. Such manifestations are biblical and we should leave room for them. But where do we draw the line between legitimate experience and fanatical excess? Lee Grady
Paul- 1 Corinthians- talks about the place for order in the middle of an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.
It is not always easy to know where to draw that line.
The warning in scripture is clear …
Mtt 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. NASU
But also we have this warning …
1 Thess 5:19-20
19 Do not quench the Spirit;
20 do not despise prophetic utterances. NASU
When I prayed and asked God about Lakeland I believe He reminded me of these verses …
Act 5:34-39
In Conclusion
At this point I believe what is happening in Lakeland is a mixture of God and man.
I am not prepared to say it is not God.
I do believe there are valid miracles taking place.
I believe Todd is a believer who sincerely wants to see people born-again.
At best some of His theology is questionable and some methods definitely will offend the mind.
Beyond that I agree with Jay Hayford’s comments …
It is important to guard our souls from being either gullible, doubt-prone, or resistant to whatever God may seek to do …
With time whatever is taking place in Lakeland and through activities issuing from its happenings, will either verify or discredit the source of its manifestations. Jack Hayford
Pray for Todd Bentley/what is happening in Lakeland-
put it in order if it is God,
shut it down if it is not.
