The Difference Maker

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

“The Difference Maker”

{Audio: https://mega.nz/#!rAkA1aLJ!79q1kVBgw15EkKgEBdfAW7KJguc8KmNMl_9oOOiHV-k}

An old man was walking on the beach when he saw what he thought was someone dancing, but when he got closer he saw it was a young man reaching down and picking up something and gently throwing it in the ocean.

When asked what he was doing, the young man answered, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.” When the old man asked why, the young man replied, “The sun is up, and the tide has gone out, and if I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

The old man then told this young man of the futility of his efforts. “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish are all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference.” After throwing another starfish into the ocean, the young man said, “It made a difference to that one.”

In God’s loving kindness and faithfulness, He reaches down and makes a difference in our lives. He did so by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, to this earth to die upon the cross for our sins. And for all of us who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, He sends the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, to live inside us and empower our lives so that we can make a difference as well.

You see, that is who and what the Holy Spirit is, He is the difference maker.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, a New Era was about to dawn within God’s people. Up to this point, they knew of the Spirit of God, knew of His power as He hovered over the earth after creation. They also knew of His power as He empowered them at various times and seasons to carry out God’s kingdom instructions. But He never stayed.

But now a New Era was about to dawn, one foreseen by the prophets, especially the last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist.

He said, “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8 NKJV)

Later as Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure He said that He would pray for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17a NKJV)

Notice Jesus said that this Helper was none other than the Holy Spirit who would abide with them forever, not coming down and then leaving when the job was done, and further teach them all things, guide them into all truth, and remind them of everything that Jesus had taught.

Now, this word, “another,” is a key to understanding the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit. In the Greek language there are two words for “another.” One is “hetros,” which means another of a different kind whose intent was generally evil, hence our word, “heterodoxy,” or false doctrine. The word that Jesus uses here, however, is “allos,” which is another of the same kind.

And so, when Jesus said that His departure was going to be a good thing, He wasn’t just trying to soothe over the hurt of His leaving, He literally meant it. You see, because of His death, not only do we experience the forgiveness of our sins, but also, Jesus would send to us the Holy Spirit, the 3rd person of the Godhead.

Jesus said, “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.” (John 16:7 NKJV)

A New Era for the people of God was about to dawn, and Jesus knew that it would start with them, that is, His disciples, and that the Holy Spirit would come and take His place within those who follow.

Therefore, right before He ascended into heaven Jesus said, “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 24:49 NKJV)

This brings us to the very heart of our message, and that is, the Holy Spirit makes all the difference in the world, and in a believer’s life. Jesus had given the disciples, and for that matter you and I, an earth-quaking, world-shaking job, and that is to preach the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a NKJV)