June 6, 2012 Holy Spirit Part 1
A A fall of God’s power over a church/believer is a game changer (encouragement)
1 Acts 3.19, describes these times as “times of refreshing.”
19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 (NASB)
a It is the outpouring of His Spirit that makes us keep going when the well gets dry, waters have grown stagnant, burned out & ready to quit.
b For those who are spiritually thirsty, the rain does come (or you’ll where it is raining) and experience “times of refreshing.”
c God promises His babies an outpouring, Isa. 44.3.
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; Isaiah 44:3 (NASB)
2 When God’s power falls, there will also be endowment. (Gift, pension, legacy)
a He endows/equips the church/Christians to minister & serve.
b Often times revival brings forth these “times of refreshing.”
aa The water level rises and sweeps away all the jams, dry spots, and the river runs once again.
bb The dry places of your life become re-hydrated, saturated with living water once again.
cc Church/individual both can experience revival.
3 Revival is a showcase of what man can do as God breaks through in His power.
B When God shows up, there is not only an endowing but there is also an enduing (Luke 24.49; KJV, NASB, ).
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 (KJV)
49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."Luke 24:49 (NASB)
1 Endue actually means “to clothe.”
a “Endue” has to do with the visible work of the Holy Spirit.
b You see people’s clothes & you notice when someone doesn’t have any clothes on.
c This enduing is the tangible evidence that God has come upon a person’s spirit.
2 What does the Holy Spirit look like when He clothes someone?
a We’ve talked about gifts (like prayer language as well as other phenomena), but this is not the only gift/manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
b I want you to know what the clothes of the Holy Spirit like, what kind of fashion He brings.
I Physical Manifestations of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A Trembling or shaking under God’s power.
1 Jeremiah 5.22, we find trembling was a result of fear of simply being in His presence.
22 'Do you not fear Me?' declares the Lord. 'Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it. Jer 5:22
a 10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.11 He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright , for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Dan 10:10-11 (NASB)
b 16 I heard and my inward parts trembled, At the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, And in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will invade us. Hab 3:16 (NASB)
2 Trembling also occurred when someone was delivered or healed (Mark 5.33.)
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. Mark 5:33 (NASB)
a The woman with the issue of blood trembled under the reality that she had been delivered from her illness.
b She was weak in the knees, blown her over with a feather kind of trembling.
3 Trembling also happened when they fell under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.
a 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 24:25 (KJV)
b 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:5-6 (KJV),
Paul at his conversion asked God for new direction.
c Not every instance of the Spirit’s filling is accompanied by trembling/shaking, but it is possible!
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NASB)
4 Trembling was common during the Great Awakening (conviction fell on Northhampton, MA) 1740's.
a This trembling/quaking gave the “quakers” their name.
b In the 1840's, Reverend Barton Stone, leader of the Cane Ridge Revival, told about trembling at that revival (and other revivals on the frontier) and how common this manifestation was.
aa “Sometimes the subject of the jerks would be affected in some one member of the body, and sometimes in the whole system. When the head alone was affected, it would be jerked backward and forward, or from side to side, so quickly that the features of the face could not be distinguished. When the whole system was affected, I have seen the person stand in one place, and jerk backward and forward in quick succession, their head nearly touching the floor behind and before.” -Stone.
bb The trembling/shaking can be in one limb or the whole body and it is possible, Scriptural evidence, historical evidence.
B Joy and singing
1 From time to time, the movement of the Holy Spirit may result in an outbreak of joy.
a 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. Psalms 126:2 (KJV)
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance Eccl 3:4
b These verses don’t instruct us specifically in the use of laughter by the Holy Spirit, but you can’t get away from the fact that freedom from the bondage of the enemy produces real joy.
aa We have been rescued! Salvation is a rescue.
bb What happened to the Children of Israel (release from Egypt/bondage/slavery) in the natural often is applicable to us in the spiritual realm.
cc 1 Cor. 10.11, tells us that the Hebrews are to be our example.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.1 Cor 10:11 (NASB)
2 IL. Everest
a For those who have been truly set free, released, delivered, the result will often times lead to a desire to sing & praise Jesus.
b Simon Peter recognized this when he wrote 1 Peter 1.6-8.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials ,7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,1 Peter 1:6-8 (NASB)
3 Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections, told of instances in his meetings when people would burst out in laughter and moments later melted into tears when the Spirit fell.
4 George Whitefield & Reverend Stone both wrote of the joy that would often be expressed as singing at their meetings.
a Soon after this I found and felt in myself that I was delivered from the burden that had so heavily oppressed me; the spirit of mourning was taken from me and I knew what it was truly to rejoice in God my Savior, and for some time could not avoid singing psalms wherever I was. But my joy gradually become more settled and, blessed be God, has abode and increased in my soul, saving a few causal intermissions, ever since. Thus were the days of my mourning ended. (GW)
b This singing exercise is more unaccountable than anything else I ever saw. The subject in a very happy state of mind would sing most melodiously, not from the mouth or nose, but entirely the breast, the sounds issuing thence. Such music silenced everything, and attracted the attention of all. It was most heavenly. None could ever be tired of hearing it.
C Drunkenness or Euphoria
1 At Pentecost, the accusation of being drunk was leveled on the Apostles (Acts 2.13-15)
13 But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine."14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.15 "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; Acts 2:13-15
a Notice the words of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 23.9).
9 As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, All my bones tremble; I have become like a drunken man, Even like a man overcome with wine, Because of the Lord And because of His holy words. Jer 23:9 (NASB)
b 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God , even the Father;21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Eph 5:18-21 (NASB),
Paul taught that it was possible to be drunk on the Holy Spirit.
c Some fill their bellies with wine (influenced by its power), so believers can come under the influence by the fullness of the Spirit.
2 These verses are not contrasting but a comparison.
a Being filled with the Spirit may cause you to do some things you may not usually do!
b Some people have experienced a sense of dizziness or euphoria when they get filled with the Spirit.
3 These manifestations may occur (if you are open to them/want them), but more importantly, the Holy Spirit will create in you a fresh hunger for Scripture, a new love for the Savior, and a new display of the Spirit in your life.
a It doesn’t matter how high you jump in church, what matters is how straight you walk when you come down.
b
D Crying and weeping
1 As weary as some are of the last three manifestations (trembling/shaking, laughter/joy/singing, drunkenness), hardly anyone would question the validity of tears as physical manifestation of the presence of God.
a God cherishes your tears by recording them (Ps. 56.8)
8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Psalms 56:8 (NASB)
b You can seek the Lord with tears (Ps. 42.3)
3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Psalms 42:3 (NASB)
c Repentance/concern bring tears. (Neh.8.9)
Then Nehemiah, who was the governor , and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. Neh 8:9 (NASB)
2 God responds to our weeping (2 Chron. 34.27)
27 "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the Lord. 2 Chron 34:27 (NASB)
3 Jesus wept publicly (and never apologized/unashamedly)
a A women with a broken reputation, broken life, broken heart found completion/healing/deliverance in Jesus and her response was to weep (Luke 7.38).
38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Luke 7:38 (NASB)
b Paul wept with the Ephesian elders as he left their city, reminded them of his ministry of tears among them (Acts 20.31).
31 "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. Acts 20:31 (NASB)
4 Luke 18 (perhaps the most telling of examples in Scripture), gives us a man saying a sinners prayer.
a Remember, the synagogue was the forerunner of the early church, and it was place of expression.
aa A Pharisee and a tax collector went to the synagogue to pray.
bb The Pharisee spoke a glittering prayer filled with pride, tax collector cried/beat on his chest and cried, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18.13).
13 "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner! Luke 18:13 (NASB)
cc Jesus said the tax collector was justified because of his humility.
b Churches, Believers could use more of the humility of the tax collector.
E Dancing & Bodily Movements
1 The word “praise” is closely related to the Hebrew word for “dance”, which means to “twirl around.”
a King David was known for dancing before the Lord with all his might (2 Sam. 6.14).
14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.2 Sam 6:14 (NASB)
b When this manifestation is displayed people may jump, run, and move under the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 The New Testament doesn’t specify that this is an activity that often happened in early church.
a 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; Acts 3:8-9 (NASB)
b God had touched a man with disabled legs, a beggar at the temple, and Peter pulled the man to his feet.
3 We should be very careful not just dismiss bodily (or any) manifestations because we can’t always know what circumstances surround the leaping & jumping, weeping, laughter.
F Falling Out in the Spirit (Old Testament)
1 Very common manifestation when the Spirit of God falls in a church/on a believer and it does not have to be feared.
2 In Gen. 2.21, God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and removed a rib from his side to create Adam a mate.
21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. Gen 2:21 (NASB)
a In this deep sleep God performed surgery on Adam, when he awoke he had this beautiful gift, Eve, from God.
b Perhaps, during a “falling out” time God is performing surgery and healing people in a spiritual, emotional, mental, or physical way.
3 Genesis 15.12, God puts Abram into a deep sleep and prophesied/spoke into his future as Abram lay resting.
12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. Gen 15:12 (NASB)
a While Abram was resting in the Spirit, God told him. . .
aa His descendants would be held in slavery in Egypt for 400 years.
bb After that, deliverance & great wealth.
b Also promised him he would live to be an old man and be buried with his fathers.
4 In Numbers 24, God used a mercenary false prophet, magician, sorcerer, to speak the word of God.
a Balaam had made a deal with Balak, king of Moab, to publically curse the children of Israel for big money.
b Num. 24.16, tells us that Balaam “fell down.”
16 The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered. Num 24:16 (NASB)
aa Each time Balaam tried to curse Israel, God knocked him out, gave him a vision and would then bless Israel. (Happened three times!)
bb King Balak was furious (not paying you a penny!)
c Fourth time, God opened Balaam’s mouth w/ a prophecy about the Messiah (v.17).
17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. Num 24:17 (NASB)
5 Ezekiel had several occurrences where God came to him while he was in a trance.
a Ezek. 1.28, describes the first of these and his response.
28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking. Ezek 1:28 (NASB)
aa Ezek. 2.2, God gave Ezekiel a new ministry, fresh calling to a wayward people, and God told him not to be afraid.
2 As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. Ezek 2:2 (NASB)
bb Ezek. 3.23
23 So I got up and went out to the plain; and behold, the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory which I saw by the river Chebar, and I fell on my face. Ezek 3:23 (NASB)
b Daniel was another that had these trance experiences (Dan. 8.27) & when it was over, Daniel fainted and was sick for several days.
27 Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it. Dan 8:27 (NASB)
G Falling out in the New Testament (BTW, it’s heavy on this phenomena)
1 Matt. 17.1-6, Mt. of Transfiguration (Moses/Law & Elijah/Prophets)
1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led* them up on a high mountain by themselves.2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. Matt 17:1-6 (NASB)
a The sermon in this event was that Jesus is greater & the fulfillment of the Law & the Prophets.
b Peter, James, and John fall out, overwhelmed by the message and the delivery of the message. Floored!
2 Matt. 28.4, the soldiers outside Jesus’ tomb were stuck as deadmen at the presence of the power of God. (Believers & unbelievers alike seem to be unable to stand in His presence)
4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. Matt 28:4 (NASB)
3 John 18.1-6, Judas betrays our Savior with a kiss
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.6 So when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:1-6 (NASB)
a Roman soldiers ask Jesus who He was and Jesus replies, “I am He” or “I AM.”
b The crowd falls flat at the mention of His name.
4 The Apostle Paul experienced two unique visitations from God in the book of Acts.
a The first was on the road to Damascus (persecuting Christians/early church)
aa Acts 9.3, a blinding light appeared and seized Saul.
3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; Acts 9:3 (NASB)
bb He heard a voice and fell to the ground blinded (His companions heard the voice but saw no light), did see Paul’s response/blindness.
cc Acts 9.4-5, Falling was a natural response to a divine revelation.
dd He arose & was blind for three days: Physically blind but the eyes of his spirit man were wide open.
4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, Acts 9:4-5 (NASB)
ee In a trance, Saul had received confrontation and correction from Jesus.
ff Saul would recount this experience to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22) and before King Agrippa (Acts 26).
b The second experience Paul had is recorded in Acts 22.17-18.
17 "It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance,18 and I saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ Acts 22:17-18 (NASB)
aa We don’t know if he fell to the ground but we do know he was in a trance/out of consciousness, engaged in communion with Christ.
bb The purpose of this encounter was to deliver Paul from his enemies.
cc He was in the Temple (church), God needed to give Paul specific instructions, 40 Jewish leaders swore an oath to kill Paul
5 Peter had his own experience in the Spirit (Acts 10.10-17).
10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance;11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground,12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air .13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!"14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean."15 Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy ."16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky . 17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; Acts 10:10-17 (NASB)
a He is on a rooftop, praying while the hosts are preparing supper when God puts him in a trance.
aa Sheet w/ unclean animals (not able to eat), but God tells him too.
bb Three times this happens!
b God used this vision as a way to release Peter to minister to a gentile by the name of Cornelius (Ceasera)
c Peter followed God’s call into a new ministry.
6 Revelation was vision given to John while he was in a trance.
a 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Rev 1:1 (NASB)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, Rev 1:10 (NASB)
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, Rev 1:17 (NASB)
b John in his vision saw many things, heard the voice of Jesus.
c He responded positively to what he saw, heard, and obeyed the heavenly vision.
II Notes from History concerning those resting in the Lord.
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