Title: Embracing the Holy Spirit
Theme: To show the importance of embracing the Holy Spirit not just as an emotional experience but as a helper, counselor, intercessor, friend
Text: John 14:1 - 18
Offering: Matthew 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
It is so easy to lose sight of what happens when we give. Here on earth we see such a limited perspective on our investments in the kingdom. Yet Jesus here reminds us that when we give we are laying treasures up in heaven. So what does your treasure look like in heaven?
John 14:1-18 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [81] (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know." (5) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" (6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (7) "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." (8) Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." (9) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (10) Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (11) Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. (12) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (15) "If you love Me, keep My commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, counselor, Helper, Friend), that He may abide with you forever-- (17) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (18) I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Introduction
The Spirit of Pentecost
Pentecost – 50 Penta = 5 costie – 10th power
On Pentecost God wrote is law on the tablets of stone, on the day of Pentecost , 50 days after the resurrection God poured out his Spirit on tablets of flesh.
Today commemorates Pentecost Sunday. Over 2000 years ago the Lord founded set forth his church.
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[1] on each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
What happened on the day of Pentecost was there was no longer a “measure of the Holy Spirit” being poured out. IN the Old Testament there was this Holy Spirit power and prophetic ministry for only a few but now the Lord has opened this ministry and power to all. This is what Joel was saying, “upon all flesh, yours sons and your daughters, old men and young men, servants and all. Wow!
Peter reminds us that this was not just some random event that happened but that this was prophesied many years before that this was going to happen.
Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
As if to say this is what we are expecting Peter says, “don’t be surprised” Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;” Isaiah and Ezekiel prophesied of this.
Another thing that this Day of Pentecost did was fully introduce us to the Holy Spirit.
This is what the New Testament did, it shows us the trinity, “the father, son and Holy Spirit”. We see hints of this in the Old Testament, such as God’s name Elihoem – which is plural. Or the wording “the angel of the Lord”. But we are fully shown this in the New Testament.
The Gospels show us the Holy Spirit coming.
John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing [34] in Him would receive; for the Holy [35] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In our opening passage Jesus states that He must leave so that the Holy Spirit could come. John emphasizes this many times in John 14:18, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-15,
So when we finally get to the Day of Pentecost there is this great pouring out upon all flesh. From the 120 to the 3000 to the 5000. Later on in the church this Holy Spirit Baptism “to be immersed into the Holy Spirit” not just a measure but totally in, had become an expectation.
Paul approached the Christians in Corinth with the question: Act 19:1-2 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
So in summary the day of Pentecost for Christians today have become this revealing and pouring out of the Holy Spirit role in us.
Not Just an Emotional Experience
The problem is that for many in the Pentecostal church we associate the Holy Spirit with just what we see. He becomes a service or part of a service. He becomes an emotion or an experience instead of an active participation in our lives. For the rest of this message I want us to go back and review who Jesus said the Holy Spirit was when He comes.
He is God - divinity
We need a new recognition in the body of Christ that He is God, he is the third person of the trinity.
Acts 5:3, 4 Lie to the Holy Spirit, not lied to men but to God.
First I want to remind you that the Holy Spirit is God. This is shown in His designation as part of the trinity. (God the father, God the son, God the Holy Spirit)
The Trinity is shown throughout the Bible. Mainly emphasized in the Gospels.
Here in John 14:16 John 14:16 And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Holy Spirit), that He may abide with you forever—
If there was no trinity then Jesus would have simply said, “I am going to pray to the father and he is going to come and be your helper”
Again in John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Then again in John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
We see this also in Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. (22) And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
Finally in the Great Commission Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore [166] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
So He is part of the trinity and has all the characteristics of divinity attributed to Him.
1) the Spirit has the divine characteristics: (found on webite)
- omnipresence (especially: He lives in all believers) Psalms 139:7-12; John 14:17-18
- omniscient 1 Corinthians 2:10
- grace Zechariah 12:10; Hebrews 10:29
- holiness, glory Romans 1:4; 1 Peter 4:14
- life Romans 8:2,10; 2 Corinthians 3:6
- love Romans 15:30; 2 Timothy 1:7
- unsearchable greatness Isaiah 40:13
- truth John 14:17; 15:26: 16:13; 1 John 5:6
- where the Spirit is, there is power Acts 1:8; 2 Tim 1:7; Romans 15:13,19
- sovereignty John 3:8; 1 Corinthians 12:11
2) the Spirit has divine names:
- Spirit of God Numbers 24:2; Romans 8:9,14; 2 Chronicles 15:1
- Spirit of the Lord Judges 3:10; 6:34; Isaiah 11:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17
- Spirit of the Father Matthew 10:20
- Spirit of Jesus Acts 16:7
- Spirit of Christ Romans 8:9
- Spirit of the Son Galatians 4:6
- paraclete, i.e. the advocate, John 14:16,26; 15:26
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
In Luke 12 Jesus speaks to those who deliberately oppose Jesus and attribute his work to Satan:
10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
But you can only blaspheme against God, so it is clear from this that the Holy Spirit is God, not Gabriel or some other spirit sent by God, as some Muslims contend.
Lying against the Holy Spirit
Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Lying to the Holy Spirit (verse 3) is lying to God (verse 4). So, it seems again, that the Spirit is God.
The Holy Spirit. Not an it but a Him.
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled”
John 14:15 -16 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, counselor, Helper, Friend), that He may abide with you forever--
Another - one in the same essence as
Parakletos
G3875 - Original: παράκλητος- Transliteration: Parakletos- Phonetic: par-ak'-lay-tos
- Definition:
1. summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
a. one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
b. one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1. of christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the father for the pardon of our sins
c. in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1. of the holy spirit destined to take the place of christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
- Strong's: An intercessor consoler: - advocate comforter.
Total KJV Occurrences: 1
• advocate, 1
1Jn_2:1
It is hard to pin point this word to one definition because it means so much. There is more to the description. I thought about words we use that are similar. When I say pastor you probably think many different things, mother, father, friend.
The Comforter (KJV)
The one who brings comfort and hope.
“that comforter is not for use but just for looks”
The Counselor (NIV)
The one who gives us guidance.
The Friend (MSG)
The one is our true friend.
The Helper (NKJV)
“It is better to that I go away”
Sealer
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, (22) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who [2] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Intercessor
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us [21] with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
This shows that the Holy Spirit is one who intercedes for us when we don't know how to pray. In it you see the passion who prays with "groanings which cannot be uttered". Deep praying.
The Convict or
Joh 16:6-11
(6) But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
(7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
(8) And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Convict: G1651 - Original: ἐλέγχω - Transliteration: Elegcho - Phonetic: el-eng'-kho
- Definition:
1. to convict, refute, confute
a. generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted
b. by conviction to bring to the light, to expose
2. to find fault with, correct
a. by word
1. to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove
2. to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation
b. by deed
1. to chasten, to punish
- Origin: of uncertain affinity
- TDNT entry: 09:53,2
- Part(s) of speech: Verb
- Strong's: Of uncertain affinity; to confute admonish: - convict convince tell a fault rebuke reprove.
Total KJV Occurrences: 12
• convicted, 1 Joh_8:9 • convince, 1 Tit_1:9 • convinced, 2 1Co_14:24; Jam_2:9 • rebuke, 3 1Ti_5:20; Tit_1:13; Tit_2:15 • rebuked, 1 Heb_12:5 • reprove, 2 Eph_5:11; 2Ti_4:2 • reproved, 2 Luk_3:19; Eph_5:13
(9) of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
The Holy Spirit is the one who shows us our need for Jesus
(10) of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;
Righteousness – I go to make it right, Jesus said this
(11) of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Sinner, no good, not living right, and he will judge you.
Robert Morris “He is going to convict you of your need for Jesus, then you will be made right, and when you are made right, then Satan has no more authority over you.”
He is my Friend “he is not spooky or weird” people are weird but not the Holy Spirit
Deut 13 ‘no fortunes, conjures up the dead, “
The Revealer
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy [6] Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The Personality Of the Holy Spirit,
1. He creates and gives life. Job 33:4.
2. He appoints and commissions ministers. Isaiah 48:16; Acts 13:2; 20:28.
3. He directs ministers where to preach. Acts 8:29; 10:19,20.
4. He directs ministers where not to preach. Acts 16:6,7.
5. He instructs ministers what to preach. 1 Corinthians 2:13.
6. He spoke in, and by, the prophets. Acts 1:16; 1 Peter 1:11,12; 2 Peter 1:21.
7. He strives with sinners. Genesis 6:3.
8. He reproves. John 16:8.
9. He comforts. Acts 9:31.
10. He helps our infirmities. Romans 8:26.
11. He teaches. John 14:26; 1Co 12:3.
12. He guides. John 16:13.
13. He sanctifies. Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11.
14. He testifies of Christ. John 15:26.
15. He glorifies Christ. John16:14.
16. He has a power of his own. Romans 15:13.
17. He searches all things. Romans 11:33,34; 1Corinthians 2:10,11.
18. He works according to his own will. 1 Corinthians 12:11.
19. He dwells with saints. John 14:17.
20. He can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30.
21. He can be vexed. Isaiah 63:10.
22. He can be resisted. Acts 7:51.
23. He can be tempted. Acts 5:9.
Source(s): Torrey, R. (1995, c1897). The new topical text book : A scriptural text book for the use of ministers, teachers, and all Christian workers.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:4-10 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same [39] Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Gifts of the Spirit. He gives them to each as needed. Many times as needed at the moment. Not as a possion for our own use but as the Holy Spirit sees that we need them.
Word of wisdom through the Spirit (wisdom "right use of knowledge)
Word of knowledge through the Spirit (knowledge "knowing that which is not normally known")
Faith (perseverance and determination to believe)
gifts of healings (personal healings and life changing)
Working of Miracles (going against nature itself)
Prophecy (predicting the future, seeing the times)
Discerning of Spirits (judging and seeing what is around, being observant in the spirit)
Different kinds of tongues (heavenly language)
Interpretation of tongues (bringing understanding to the heavenly language)
Conclusion
I hope today that you make a decision to "Embrace the Holy Spirit". He is not just someone who is an emotional experience but one who wants to take an active part in your life. I hope that you will embrace all He has for you.
