What God's Spirit Can Do For You

INTRODUCTION

What difference do you think it would make if the Holy Spirit were withdrawn from your life and your church?

Well, considering that the Holy Spirit carries out the work of God the Father – I guess we could safely assume that it would make an enormous difference. But in what way?

1) He comforts

It’s been said that we can go to sleep at night in perfect peace, when we are confident that God is awake!

There are many reasons why we might be anxious – family issues, stress from work, or world events. But one of the principle roles that the Holy Spirit plays in our world of worry is that of comforter.

It’s not that having the Holy Spirit alive within us makes life easy – but He can bring satisfaction no matter what our circumstances.

a. He is present (Acts 2:2)

First the Holy Spirit comforts us because he is present.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2)

b. He encourages me (Acts 9:31)

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened, and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31).

Certainly one of the reasons the church “grew in numbers” was because it was a place of encouragement. Put downs, bad mouthing and criticism were rare. The Holy Spirit comforts as he encourages people through his people.

c. He helps you stay connected to God (Romans 8:26)

… the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26).

When I just don’t know how to approach God – His Spirit helps me.

d. He assures me of who really I am (Romans 8:16)

The Spirit comforts us when we feel lonely and isolated.

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).

When no one else wants to know us, we can be confident that God does.

This is what the Holy Spirit does this for us – assuring us that if we believe, then we are God’s children and nothing can change that. God is for us no matter what!

So the Holy Spirit is our comforter. And in a church that is expecting God to achieve marvelous and wonderful things in people’s lives, the Holy Spirit aims to do just that.

This means that we no longer have to experience loneliness or isolation, we are cherished, loved and wanted. We are no longer helpless – He is our helper. We no longer have to live with doubt and uncertainty – the Holy Spirit brings confidence as he comforts.

2) He guides (John 16:13; Acts 16:7)

I have a remote controlled car at home that can only go in two directions - backwards and forwards.

Sometimes life is like this. Sometimes we are powerless to change our circumstances. But the Holy Spirit enables us to change the direction of our lives. With God’s help we can break out of the rut that drifting has worn in our lives because the Holy Spirit also guides us.

a. He guides me by speaking clearly and at anytime (1 Cor 3:16)

The bible tells us that God’s Spirit lives in those who follow Jesus (1 Cor 3:16). And because he is always present in the Believer he has an “access all areas” pass which enables him to speak to us at anytime.

b. The Holy Spirit helps me understand the ways of God.

Again the scriptures say,

… "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us

(1 Cor 2:9-12).

For us this means that when we lose our way or when life leaves us perplexed the Holy Spirit is willing to guide. He shows me the way to the life God intended just for me right from the start. Rather than being confused, the Holy Spirit enlightens us to His way.

3) He makes our faith a real experience (Acts 2:3 Cf John 14:15-21; 15:26; 16:7 and 14).

No longer does the Holy Spirit make casual appearances in history – Since this occasion that we read about in Acts 2 (Pentecost), He indwells each and every Believer making their experience of God very real in a very virtual world.