Go! And Know the Spirit — The Holy Spirit from Genesis to Revelation
Introduction: The Spirit Who Has Always Been
Church, today we embark on a journey across the entire sweep of Scripture — from Genesis to Revelation — to see the presence, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit.
Too often, people think of the Holy Spirit as a New Testament concept, as if He suddenly appeared at Pentecost like a divine afterthought. But the truth is: the Holy Spirit has been actively working from the very beginning of time.
From creation to consummation, from Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit of God has been moving, speaking, revealing, empowering, and transforming. And, dear friends, He is still doing that today — in your life and mine — to draw us closer to Jesus Christ.
I. The Spirit Who Creates (Genesis 1:1–2)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” — Genesis 1:1–2 (NLT)
In Hebrew, the word for Spirit is ????? (ruach) — meaning breath, wind, or spirit. The image in verse 2 is of the Ruach Elohim — the breath of God — hovering, brooding, and preparing to bring order out of chaos.
The word “hovering” (Hebrew rachaph) carries the image of a mother bird fluttering protectively over her young. This gives us a picture of tender care and active involvement.
Even before light broke through the darkness, the Spirit was already there — bringing life out of nothingness, preparing creation for the spoken Word of God.
Creation was a Trinitarian act. The Father willed creation, the Son (the Word) spoke creation, and the Spirit energised creation. From the first verse of the Bible, we see that God is not distant or passive — He is relational and active.
The same Spirit who hovered over the waters in Genesis is the same Spirit who hovers over hearts today — bringing life to what is dead and light to what is dark.
Maybe your life today feels formless and empty. Perhaps there’s chaos, confusion, or darkness.
Take heart — the Holy Spirit specialises in transforming chaos into creation. He can breathe life into your dry bones, order into your confusion, and hope into your despair.
As Max Lucado writes, “The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that lives in you.”
Lucado reminds us that the Spirit’s work isn’t distant history — it’s present reality. The power that formed galaxies is available to transform your life through Jesus Christ.
II. The Spirit Who Empowers (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 16:13)
“Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power.” — Judges 6:34 (NLT)
“The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” — 1 Samuel 16:13 (NLT)
In the Old Testament, the Spirit’s empowerment was often temporary and specific — for leadership, victory, or prophetic speech.
The Hebrew phrase “came upon” literally means “clothed with” — like putting on armour. The Spirit wrapped Himself around Gideon and David, transforming ordinary men into instruments of divine purpose.
Gideon was timid; David was young and overlooked. Yet both became mighty in the Spirit’s power.
The Old Testament reveals a pattern of empowerment — the Spirit comes upon individuals for God’s purposes.
But the New Testament reveals the fulfilment of empowerment — the Spirit comes to dwell within all who believe in Christ.
The shift is monumental. What was temporary has become permanent. What was selective has become universal — for every believer who is born again.
You may feel weak, ordinary, or unqualified. But the same Spirit who empowered Gideon to tear down idols and David to slay giants now dwells in you.
Charles Stanley once said, “The Holy Spirit’s power is not for our comfort but for our calling.”
The Spirit doesn’t come merely to make us feel good; He comes to make us fit for service. Every believer is called — and the Spirit empowers us to live and serve as witnesses of Jesus.
III. The Spirit Who Reveals (Isaiah 11:1–2; John 16:13–14)
“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” — Isaiah 11:1–2 (NLT)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth… He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” — John 16:13–14 (NLT)
Isaiah’s prophecy points forward to the Messiah — Jesus Christ — upon whom the Spirit would rest permanently. The Hebrew term nuach (“rest”) suggests a settled, ongoing presence, not a temporary visitation.
In John 16, Jesus promises the same Spirit will dwell within His followers, guiding them into truth and revealing His glory.
The Spirit’s role is not to draw attention to Himself but to magnify Christ.
Jesus said, “He will bring me glory.” That’s the heartbeat of the Spirit’s ministry — to make Jesus known, loved, and exalted.
R.T. Kendall puts it beautifully: “The primary evidence of the Holy Spirit’s fullness is a heart that honours Jesus.”
When our lives are centred on Christ, we are walking in step with the Spirit.
Are you seeking wisdom, truth, and guidance today?
Don’t look to the world’s philosophies — listen to the Spirit. He speaks through Scripture, confirms truth in your heart, and points you always toward Jesus.
Spend time in the Word. Pray, “Holy Spirit, reveal more of Jesus to me.”
That prayer never goes unanswered.
IV. The Spirit Who Regenerates (John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5)
“I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” — John 3:5 (NLT)
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” — Titus 3:5 (NLT)
In John 3, Jesus explains to Nicodemus the mystery of spiritual rebirth.
The Greek word for “Spirit” — p?e?µa (pneuma) — means both breath and wind, mirroring the Hebrew ruach. Jesus says the Spirit’s work is like the wind — unseen yet powerful, sovereign, and life-giving.
Titus 3:5 reveals that salvation is entirely a work of grace. We are not made better by religion; we are made new by regeneration. The Spirit performs a divine miracle — turning sinners into sons and daughters of God.
This is the heart of the Gospel. You cannot be born again by good deeds, baptism, or moral effort. Only the Spirit can breathe life into the spiritually dead.
John Piper once said, “Regeneration is the secret act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to us — we bring nothing to the table but our sin.”
That’s grace, friends — unearned, undeserved, but freely given through faith in Christ.
If you have never trusted Jesus as Saviour, hear this clearly: You must be born again.
The Spirit of God wants to make you new today. Repent of your sin. Trust in Jesus — the One who died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
When you do, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will raise you to new life.
V. The Spirit Who Dwells and Transforms (Acts 2:1–4; Romans 8:9–11; Galatians 5:22–23)
“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place… Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:1–4 (NLT)
“You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.” — Romans 8:9 (NLT)
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)
Pentecost was not the beginning of the Spirit’s work — it was the expansion of it.
The Spirit who once empowered individuals now indwells the Church — the Body of Christ.
Paul reminds us in Romans that if anyone does not have the Spirit, they do not belong to Christ.
The indwelling Spirit is not optional Christianity; He is essential Christianity.
And in Galatians, we see the outcome — transformed character. The Spirit’s fruit is not the result of human effort but divine life flowing within us.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just visit believers; He resides in them.
The same power that raised Jesus now lives in us to change us from the inside out.
Tim Keller writes, “The Spirit takes what Jesus has done for you and makes it real to you.”
Transformation isn’t self-help — it’s Spirit-help. He cultivates the fruit of Christlikeness as we yield to His control.
Do you want more love, joy, peace, and patience?
Don’t try harder — surrender deeper. Let the Spirit produce His fruit in you.
Here’s a story: A missionary once asked a farmer how his windmill worked. The farmer replied, “I don’t make the wind blow — I just position the sails.”
That’s the life of the believer. We don’t generate the Spirit’s power — we position ourselves to catch it through obedience, prayer, and faith.
VI. The Spirit Who Completes (Revelation 22:17)
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” — Revelation 22:17 (NLT)
Here, at the final chapter of Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks again — inviting all who are thirsty to come to Christ.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit’s work has one goal: to glorify Jesus and draw people to salvation.
The Spirit’s final word is the same as His first movement — Come.
He invites the lost to Christ, the weary to rest, the believer to deeper intimacy, and the Church to readiness for the coming King.
Are you thirsty for more of God? The Spirit still calls: “Come.”
He whispers it to the sinner seeking forgiveness, and He shouts it to the Church longing for revival.
Come to the water of life — His name is Jesus.
The Burning Coal
Imagine a cold, grey coal separated from the fire. It cools quickly, losing its glow and heat. But when it’s placed back into the flame, it reignites.
That’s what happens when the Spirit fills your life. He sets your soul ablaze again — not for your glory, but for God’s.
The Spirit doesn’t come to make us comfortable; He comes to make us burn with holy passion for Jesus.
The Gospel Invitation:
Friend, the Holy Spirit has been working since creation — and right now, He is working in your heart.
He is convicting you of sin, showing you your need for forgiveness, and pointing you to the only Saviour — Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins. He was buried, and on the third day He rose again. He is alive — and through the Spirit, He is calling you today.
Will you respond?
Repent of your sin.
Believe in Jesus Christ.
Receive the Holy Spirit and be made new.
Call to Action:
Church, go and know the Spirit.
Walk in His power, listen to His voice, follow His guidance, and bear His fruit.
The same Spirit who hovered over creation now hovers over you — not to observe, but to empower.
May you go forth filled with His presence, walking in His power, proclaiming Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.
Benediction:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all — now and forevermore. Amen.
Final Exhortation:
Go — and know the Spirit.
Go — and live in His power.
Go — and glorify Jesus in all you do.
For from Genesis to Revelation, the Spirit’s story is all about Him — Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
