The Holy Spirit Of Love

Illustration of receiving power

I. Jesus promises his disciples that they will receive power (Acts 1:8)

a. They would receive this power when the Holy Spirit would fall on them

b. The question this morning is, what was that power?

c. I have thought a lot about that question

i. Is that power some ability to do something supernatural?

ii. What is a person like who works under the power of the Holy Spirit?

iii. What is it that God puts in a person when s/he is under the power of the Holy Spirit?

iv. Could it be that the Holy Spirit possesses a person and does whatever He wants without me having to do anything?

II. Spirit of Prophecy quote

a. “After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Him and for those for whom He died, that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered. They spoke in the power of the Spirit; and under the influence of that power, thousands were converted.” AA, 22.

III. Explanation

a. Something happened after the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples

b. The disciples knew that the coming of the Holy Spirit meant something more than just power to preach the Word of God.

c. They knew that Jesus had arrived at the right hand of God and had received the Holy Spirit from the Father to give it to His disciples here on earth.

d. “Christ’s ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.” AA, p. 38, 39

e. the discples were completely sure that Jesus had been received in the heavenly courts and that He was at the right hand of God.

f. They knew that they had a brother right next to the Fahter and that Jesus was going to be interceding for them..

g. As they received the Holy Spirit they knew that the Father had accepted Jesus’ sacrifice here on earth on behalf of humanity and that now He was anointed as King and Priest of the Heavenly Sanctuary.

IV. So What!

a. The disciples knew that they were not alone. They knew that even though Jesus had to go to heaven they felt Him very near.

b. Jesus had told them that He would send them the Holy Spirit when He would get to heaven y He would ask the Father that He send them another Counselor.

c. When they received this other Counselor they had faith in the promises, that Jesus’ words were absolutely trustworthy, that He is next to the Father and as they prayed in the name of Jesus they knew that Jesus would take their prayers and would make them His own and present them before the Father.

d. Now there is direct access to the throne room of God, not by an earthly priest which could misrepresent God, but with an eternal Priest that would intercede for them.

e. They have a King in heaven that is fair, perfect, holy and that would judge according to His judgment.

f. Even though Jesus was in heaven, He had sent His representative to be close to His children and Jesus would continue leading the church through His Holy Spirit.

V. This is what filled them with love!

a. The Holy Spirit came over them reminding them what Jesus had said and convicted them of God’s great love towards humanity.

b. The disciples’ hearts were so melted by this great demonstration of love that their hearts were more open to the promptings of the Spirit.

VI. “…Because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

a. Galatians 5:22

i. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…,”

ii. we usually read this verse as it is written, but it doesn’t seem to be consistent with the rest of the Bible because it puts “love” as a virtue separate from joy, from peace, from patience, etc…

iii. There is one FRUIT of the Spirit: LOVE and the rest are expressions of LOVE.