Title: Symbols of the Holy Spirit #2 (1)
Text: Zechariah 4:1-6 Luke 11:13
Introduction
1. Last week, we talked about different symbols of the Holy Spirit and how they each give us a little different picture of what the Holy Spirit is like.
A. Wind
B. Breath
C. Dove
D. Fire
E. Water
2. Tonight, I would like to look at 4 more.
Read Text: Zechariah 4:1-6, Luke 11:13
Body
1. OIL
A. In Bible times, Olive trees were very prevalent.
B. And oil had many popular uses.
C. Throughout Scripture, you will find references to oil lamps.
i. Oil lamps were used to provide light.
ii. and olive oil was valuble.
D. In our text, Zechariah has a vision of a golden lampstand that is fed a constant supply of oil by 2 oil trees.
i. Zechariah is prophesying during the time after the Jews returned from exile.
ii. They had started out to rebuild the temple,
a. but there was some opposition...
b. and they grew discouraged and quit.
iii. Zechariah’s 8 prophetic visions were to encourage the people in rebuilding the Temple.
iv. The 5th vision (which we just read) paints a picture of the olive trees giving a constant supply of oil which supernaturally supplies the lamps with oil.
v. Then, Zechariah 4:6 tells us that, ’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
vi. The oil is the Holy Spirit.
vii. And it is the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through them which will enable them to successfully complete this project.
a. it wouldn’t be a success because their armies
b. or their strength
c. or their fighting men
d. But only through the Holy Spirit.
viii. We can relate this to our challenges today.
a. Many times we try to accomplish things on our own...
b. we try to fight our own battles...
c. defeat our addictions...
d. When God is telling us that it is the Oil of the Holy Spirit flowing through us that enables us to be successful
E. Oil is also used in anointing.
i. Throughout Scripture you will see oil used for the purpose of anointing.
a. Psalm 23:5 says, "You anoint my head with oil"
b. Lev 8:10-12 says, "Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him."
c. 1 John 2:20 says, "you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth"
d. Leviticus 10:7 says, "the LORD’s anointing oil is on you"
e. And many more.
ii. We use oil for anointing even now.
a. When we anoint someone for healing...
b. and put oil on them...
c. we recognize that they is no special power in the oil...
d. there is no mystical power in the Pastor’s hand...
e. The Oil represents the Holy Spirit...
f. and it is through HIS power that trust for healing.
F. Oil was also served a medical purpose.
i. In Bible times, oil would be mixed with different herbs and things and used for its healing properties.
a. in the parable of the Good Samaritan,
b. Luke 10:34 tells us that the Good Samaritan poured oil and wine on the poor guy’s wounds.
ii. The Holy Spirit provides cleansing and healing for our wounds.
a. not physical wounds, as it were,
b. but our spiritual wounds...
c. wounds left by sin in our life.
G. Psalm 104:15 says that God gives us "oil to make his face shine"
i. Kay’s Grandmother would talk about a person’s "countenance"
a. In fact, when I asked Kay to marry me, Kay’s Grandmother was very supportive...
b. simply because she said I had a nice countenance.
ii. Sometimes, when I first meet people,
a. before I even talk to them at length about anything...
b. I can sometimes tell that they are a Christian...
c. There is just something about them.
iii. When the Holy Spirit is resident within our life...
a. He causes our face to shine,
b. as if we’ve rubbed oil on it.
2. The Holy Spirit is also considered a Deposit (II Cor.1:22, 5:5, Eph.1:14)
A. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, "the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession--to the praise of his glory."
B. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, God "put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come"
C. When Joshua and Caleb and the 10 other spies brought back samples of the grapes, figs, and other produce...
i. the Children of Israel got just a picture of what the Promise Land must be like.
ii. That produce served as a deposit,
iii. just a small portion...
iv. to give them a glimpse of the greater glory that was in store for them.
D. In the same way,
i. the Holy Spirit is a deposit for us.
ii. He gives us a glimpse of what is in store for us in our Promise Land...heaven.
E. You’ve heard the saying, "just a piece of heaven on earth".
i. If we remain faithful in our Christian walk,
ii. we will inherit eternal life in heaven.
F. But the Holy Spirit serves as a deposit...
i. He allows us to enjoy a little heaven on earth...
ii. until we make heaven our home.
3. The Holy Spirit is also a Seal
A. Ephesians 1:13 says, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit"
B. In Haggai 2:23, God says, "I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you"
C. Seals are used to indicate ownership.
i. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it is like receiving a mark or a seal that indicates that we belong to God.
D. But the Holy Spirit isn’t the only One who uses a mark or seal.
E. In Revelation, it talks about people who receive the mark of the beast.
i. Revelation 13:16-17 says, "He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name"
F. There’s a powerful message there for us....
i. who’s seal do we wear?
ii. who do we belong to?
iii. I trust that we all wear the seal of the Holy Spirit.
4. Clothing
A. In Luke 24:49, speaking about the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
B. In Job 29:14, Job says, "I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban."
C. Isaiah 61:10 says, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness"
D. Many times we talk about the infilling of the Holy Spirit...
E. but with the image of clothing...
i. we have been covered,
ii. as with clothes.
F. Clothing provides many functions...
i. clothing protects us from the elements.
a. When we lived in Indiana, we would have some bitterly cold days...
b. I used to have a coat that I called my Columbo coat...
c. it was thick and brown...
d. it went to my knees...
e. had a hood,
f. a tie around the waist so cold air couldn’t get up inside...
g. that coat was warm!!
h. It protected me well from those cold Indiana winters.
i. Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the full armor of God"
j. When we "put on" on the Holy Spirit....
a. He protects us from the "fiery darts of the devil"
ii. Clothing beautifies....
a. sometimes the clothes we wear tend to flatter us...
b. and other times...well, they aren’t so flattering.
c. When we put on the Holy Spirit...
d. He makes "something beautiful out of my life"
iii. Clothing can be cheap, or very expensive...
a. we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ...
b. the garment we where came a such high cost...
c. it boggles the mind.
iv. At Olivet Nazarene University,
a. they used to have a dress code...
b. I don’t know if they still adhere to it as strictly...
c. but the basis of the dress code was...
d. people tend to act how they look...
e. if people dress shabby...
f. they tend to act less respectful
g. If people dress nicely...
h. they tend to act better.
i. When we put on the Holy Spirit...
j. we are clothed with the power to live a Holy life.
Conclusion
1. The Holy Spirit is real....
A. He is alive...
B. He is active in the world today...
2. Too often,
A. we look for the blessings of being filled with the Holy Spirit...
B. and we don’t really get to know what the Holy Spirit is really like!
3. Throughout Scripture,
A. we get a picture of what the Holy Spirit is like by the various symbols that are used to represent Him.
i. Oil,
ii. deposit
iii. Seal
iv. Clothing
B. all pictures that speak to us about the Holy Spirit.
4. Let me leave you with one last one...the Holy Spirit is a Gift!
A. In Luke 11:13, Jesus says, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
B. Everyone likes to get presents!!!
C. I like to get presents too!
i. Of course, some presents are more meaningful than others.
a. I usually don’t like to get basic clothing, like socks or underwear...
b. to me, that’s like giving someone a gallon of milk...
c. its something we are going to buy ourselves anyway...
d. so it doesn’t seem all that special.
ii. But then some presents are very meaningful...
a. because someone put a lot of thought and love into it.
5. There is not greater gift you can receive than the Holy Spirit!!!
A. And you don’t have to wait until your birthday to get this Present!!!
B. all you have to do is ask your Father in heaven...
C. and He will give you the Present of all Presents...
D. The Holy Spirit!
Pastor Larry C. Brincefield
larkayb@earthlink.net
1) This book was a great help in preparing this sermon. F. E. Marsh, “Emblems of the Holy Spirit” (Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications, 1963)
