May 21, 2017
Morning Worship
Text: Romans 8:37
Subject: The Anointing of the Holy Spirit Part 3
Title: The Benefits of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We began this series several weeks ago and I feel it is so important to continue in it as we lead up to the Day of Pentecost. I like to say this, and I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I say it, the Day of Pentecost is the most important day in the history of the church up to this point. Now I say that for this reason – many people think that the resurrection was the most important day in history for the church, but in reality the death and resurrection of Christ was not for the benefit of the church. It was for the lost and dying world. For God so loved the world… Jesus did not say that God so loved the church that He gave His only begotten Son… He so loved the WORLD!
But it was on the day of Pentecost over 2,000 years ago that the Holy Spirit was poured out for the purpose of giving to the church everything that it needed to become the entity on earth that would change the course of history forever.
There are a couple of different dynamics at work in these two separate but important events in human history. First, we see God giving His Son for the salvation of all mankind. Those who repent of sin and then make Jesus Lord of their lives receive eternal life. This salvation that has been so freely offered to all of mankind opens the doors of our hearts to invite the Holy Spirit to enter in and take up residence. It is this active response to God’s grace offered us that makes us part of the family of God. Upon our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and our turning from our sinful lives we immediately are adopted as children of the Heavenly Father. Romans 8:15-17 (NKJV)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
As the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us we receive the very character of Christ and we become new creations.
Secondly, before Jesus ascended to the Father He said this to His disciples. Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Luke 3:16 (NKJV)
16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who are saved. Jesus is the One who baptizes in/with the Holy Spirit. It is this baptism that gives us the power of Christ.
Since we see that there is a definite separation between the two events and we know that one is for eternal life and the other for power we ask the question, “What are the benefits of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?”
Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
I believe this is God’s word…
I believe it is for me…
I accept it as mine…
I will appropriate it to my life today…
What happens when the power of the Holy Spirit the baptism comes upon you? What is different? It’s the power. It is the enhancement of what the Holy Spirit is doing in you through salvation and taking everything to a different level. So let’s walk through some scripture to see some of the benefits when you receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
1. Speaking in other tongues. This is not only the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but it also provides benefits after the initial event in each life. I’m not going to go into too much detail here, but you have heard me say before that with tongues there are two separate and distinct purposes. The first is the gift of tongues. This is a spiritual gift that is described in 1 Corinthians 12 as given by the Holy Spirit to an individual for the purpose of God giving instruction or encouragement to the church through the gift of tongues which must be followed by an interpretation. The second is beneficial for all who have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is the language that you receive by which you speak to God. You can call it a prayer language, or tongues, or whatever you want to call it. Many choose not to use this language and I believe it is mainly because they do not understand the benefit. Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)
26 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 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. Oh come on, can you see the benefit that is available? When you don’t know how to pray you can pray in the Spirit and the Holy Spirit, praying through you as you pray in tongues, because He knows God’s will, makes intercession for you. It is a prayer according to God’s own will.
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) , 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. How can we have confidence? By knowing that we are praying according to God’s will. Praying in tongues is always in accordance with God’s will. The second benefit of praying in tongues that I want you to see comes from the little book of Jude 1:20-21 (NKJV) 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Two things – praying in the Spirit builds you up in your faith. I don’t know how. I can’t tell you the X’s and O’s about how it works. All I can tell you is that this verse says that is what happens. I shared this on Wednesday night at bible study as I was going back through some of my journaling I found something that the lord had given me back in 2007. I had written this… Pray in the Spirit to stay in the Spirit. Research at Oral Roberts University shows the difference between those who spoke in tongues and those who do not. When someone prays or sings in tongues the brain releases two chemicals which are directed into our immune systems and which gives a 35% boost and promotes healing in our bodies. It comes from a part of our brains which do not have any other activity unless we pray in the Spirit. Also. Praying in tongues keeps you more aware of the love of God in your life. I don’t know about you but there are times when I just need to have that awareness… that no matter what is going on that nothing can separate me from God’s love. Praying in the Spirit makes that more evident – a very tangible sense of God’s love for you.
2. Power to Witness… Acts 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 2 weeks ago I encouraged you all to read through the book of Acts and look for the references to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Did you see this verse? In this one verse there is a lot going on. 1) We see that it is the Lord’s will that we receive it. He didn’t say if the Holy Spirit comes upon you. He said when it happens. 2) It is the very power of Christ that becomes alive in you to be witnesses – not just to say the things that Jesus said, but to do the things that Jesus did. A witness does not just repeat what Jesus said but bears in his life the evidence of what Jesus did. This witnessing thing creates a real problem in the American church. There is the constant fear of rejection that keeps us from becoming the biblical witnesses we are supposed to be. So the natural response would be, “if I receive the Baptism in the Spirit I’ll have to talk to people about Jesus, so it is easier not to receive it. Then I don’t have to witness. That’s pretty logical isn’t it? Not really! For if we are going to be a witness of the cross and resurrection of Christ it is only in His power that we can really be effective. And the promise of His word should take all fear from us. When you receive power you will be witnesses. But I just can’t do it! My mother told me a long time ago – words of wisdom – “I can’t” means “I don’t want to.” The truth is that God never intended for you to be the center of the witnessing. His power is. And He’s got power to spare. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
3. Will teach the Word of God… This is a personal testimony. When I was saved I started reading the bible and really wanted to get it. There was so much I didn’t know or understand when I read it. But after receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit something happened. I could look at passages I had seen before and a new understanding would come. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NKJV)
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. It isn’t that the same Holy Spirit was not at work in me before I received. But there seems to be a spiritual enhancement that comes. When we are saved the Holy Spirit lives in us. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit He is no longer contained within u but flows out of us. John 7:38-39 (NKJV), 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 in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit creates the cycle of flowing life giving water that keeps everything fresh in us. 1 John 2:27 (NKJV) , 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. Now some people wrongly interpret this by trying to say that we don’t have to study or read the scriptures, or prepare sermons… that the Holy Spirit will do it all for us. But that’s not the way it works. We are to study to show ourselves approved. We are to keep God’s word on our minds all the time. We are told that heaven and earth will pass away but the words of Jesus will remain forever. It is this anointing that, as we read the word or hear the word preached, that resonates within us and gives us that “AHA” moment. I never saw that before but now it makes sense! Yes, when you are born again you can still have that same kind of experience, but with the power of the Holy Spirit alive in you it is amplified in you.
4. Christ will be glorified in your life… John 16:13-14 (NKJV)
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Are you concerned about the Baptism in the Spirit that it might be a counterfeit experience? This is the true test of the legitimacy of the experience. Ask yourself this question. Is the Lord Jesus going to be glorified?
The experience of the early church in Acts Chapter 4 should be the example that we should strive to emulate.
Acts 4:29-31 (NKJV)
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
The believers there prayed that the power of God would be manifested in them in a supernatural way. And look at the results.
When I worked in construction I worked around too many people that I always called “good enough” carpenters. And you probably know what I am talking about. Everything was just good enough. There was never any desire for excellence. But to those who desired excellence, their fruit was clearly seen.
God wants the same for you today…
It’s your choice. You can be a “good enough” Christian or you can be a Holy Spirit empowered, tongue talking, bible believing, miracle working child of the Living God. He will not force you into anything. But His standard is excellence.
