Holy Person
Notes
Transcript
Handout
last week we touched on the Holy Spirit and learned that he is a gift to us from God. It makes me wonder, What’s the worst gift you have ever received?
1. Garbage Can Ensemble - Never give a woman any kind of household appliance or something that is going to make "housework" easier. Ie: Garbage can ensemble or sharp objects made by Ronco which slices or dices, or a set of ginsu knives or from one ex-husband - An iron and ironing board.
2. Any bulk cleaning supplies, "honey, I got you that large box of Tide you have been wanting."
3. Do not buy gifts for yourself and pretend they are for her. Such as a post hole digger, used to make holes for fences, deck footings, and such
4. Please do not buy her clothes because you think for one minute you have good taste in woman's clothing.
5. Do not give her a gift certificate to Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Most men would know better, especially the ones who have learned the correct response to "do these pants make me look fat."
6 Lucy, 54: “After I was accepted into graduate school, I spent months researching which computer to buy and was about to get a Mac when my now-ex husband comes home with a Tandy from Radio Shack.
7. “My mother-in-law for years bought the other daughter-in-law the expensive makeup or perfume,” … “And I always got the free gift that came with it.”
8. One Christmas, my now ex-husband gave me a nicely wrapped Macy's box with 4 extra-large bags of beef jerky inside and some cash!”
9. “A broom and dustpan from an Ex-Husband
10. the Fruitcake -
Here is the real question we want to answer this morning.
What is the best gift I have ever received in my life?
What is the best gift I have ever received in my life?
Talk about either the train or camp site in our room
The Holy Spirit is the best gift that every Christian receives.
The Holy Spirit is the best gift that every Christian receives.
When we read the Bible we learn in the Old Testament about the ministry of God the Father, in the New Testament Gospels about the ministry of God the Son - Jesus and in the Epistles (letters of Paul, Peter and others), we learn about the ministry of God the Spirit - the Holy Spirit. But most Churches and Christians don’t know much about the Holy Spirit.
One lady at a Baptist church after a sermon on the Holy Spirit said, “I’ve been a member of this church for 50 years and that’s the first sermon I’ve heard on the empowering of the Holy Spirit.”
That’s not true here at River Church. We talk a lot about the person and power of the Holy Spirit. We’re dedicating these next few weeks to learning everything we can about the person, purposes and power of the Holy Spirit, about the Baptism, Filling, Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
So today, I want to begin by reading a few scriptures about this.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Here are something to think about.
What do these passages tell me about the Holy Spirit and His work in people’s lives, the church and our world?
What do these passages tell me about the Holy Spirit and His work in people’s lives, the church and our world?
For now, let’s answer this question.
Who is the Holy Spirit and why is he important in my life?
Who is the Holy Spirit and why is he important in my life?
You may have heard people refer to Him as the Holy Ghost. A lot of churches do this, but who wants a ghost around? The HS is a person and there is nothing to fear in regards to the Holy Spirit.
So here we go…
The Holy Spirit is a person who is supernatural.
The Holy Spirit is a person who is supernatural.
Like I said, some churches refer to Him as an it… or ghost. The bible refers to Him as a person.
The Bible describes him like a person and ascribes attributes and actions of someone who is a person rather than a power. Let’s look at some.
Although He is supernatural, like natural person the Holy Spirit:
Although He is supernatural, like natural person the Holy Spirit:
1. Speaks to others (Acts 13:2),
1. Speaks to others (Acts 13:2),
2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
2. Intercedes for others (Romans 8:26),
2. Intercedes for others (Romans 8:26),
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
3. Testifies about others (John 15:26),
3. Testifies about others (John 15:26),
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.
4. Gives people direction (Acts 16:5-7),
4. Gives people direction (Acts 16:5-7),
5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day. 6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. 7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.
5. Guides people into truth (John 16:13) and
5. Guides people into truth (John 16:13) and
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
6. Appoints people to be leaders (Acts 20:28).
6. Appoints people to be leaders (Acts 20:28).
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
Those are all actions of a person, not the actions of a power. So when the Holy Spirit speaks to us, he speaks to us as a person. We need to learn how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. While the Bible gives direction about many things in life, it often doesn’t give us specific direction about some important decisions in life.
For example: For example, the Bible doesn’t tell us what school to attend, which people to be friends with, what career to pursue, what church to be a part of, whom to date and marry, etc
To know what to do in those situations with those decisions, we’ve got to be able to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. And as He speaks to us, we will receive His supernatural guidance for our lives. And God’s counsel is always better than anyone else’s counsel.
The Bible tells us of many people who were able to hear from the Holy Spirit. One of those individuals was a man named Philip, one of the first servant leaders in the New Testament Church. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and told people about the Lord, and the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way to touch and transform people’s lives. But then, the Lord sent him into the desert where he saw a chariot driven by an Egyptian man stirring up the dust. At that moment the Holy Spirit said to Philip.
29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
It’s a good thing Philip had learned to listen to the Holy Spirit. Because as a result of that chance encounter in the desert that the Holy Spirit had set up, the Gospel spread to Africa.
Great things happen in our lives and for others lives when we learn how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. In the future we will learn more about how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Although He is supernatural, like natural person the Holy Spirit can be:
Although He is supernatural, like natural person the Holy Spirit can be:
1. Lied to (Acts 5:3-4),
1. Lied to (Acts 5:3-4),
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
2. Insulted (Hebrews 10:29),
2. Insulted (Hebrews 10:29),
29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.
3. Blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32), and
3. Blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32), and
31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
4. Grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
4. Grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
IOW, the Holy Spirit is a person who has emotions – a person who can be offended, a person who can also experience joy when we love Him and live by His will. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force like gravity or magnetism. He is a Person, with all of the attributes of personality.
Think about some of the emotions you have experienced today.
When you got up - Ugh
After the 2nd cup of coffee - happy
On the way to church - aggravated with slow traffic
When you came to River Church and were greeted by a smiling and friendly greeter - happy
The Holy Spirit has emotions similar to you and me because He is a person. But the Holy Spirit is not just a person. he is a divine person. The HS is a person with all of the attributes of personality.
The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity.
When we describe God as a “Triune God,” we mean that he is one God who manifests himself in three different persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.
When we describe God as a “Triune God,” we mean that he is one God who manifests himself in three different persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.
Most people today and throughout history have worshipped many different Gods in their lives.
The Greeks had many gods. Their gods were named Zeus, Poseidon, Athena….
The Romans also had many gods that they worshipped and paid homage to. But long before the times of the Greeks and the Romans, people worshipped many different types of gods.
They worshiped the Sun god, the Harvest god, the Rain god, the Forest gods, and the gods of sex, possessions and pleasure (seems to me like people are still worshiping those gods).
And what set the Israelites apart from all of the rest of the people of their day is that they worshiped only one God, the One True God, Jehovah God. And Christians have maintained that same fidelity to the One True God.
Christians worship one God, but worship His as Father, Son or Holy Spirit.
Christians worship one God, but worship His as Father, Son or Holy Spirit.
Now we would say that there is One God, but that He manifests Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are 3 manifestations of persons of the 1 God – but all the same God.
ILL - H2O – in it’s natural state it’s water, in its frozen state it’s ice, when heated it becomes steam – but it’s still the same elements.
ILL - Or I can tell you that I’m a son to my parents, a husband to my wife, and a father to my children, all while being just 1 person.
ILL – Triangle – 3 sides of the same object
But as good as these are, they are insufficient in describing our God. We have to believe by faith that there is one God who manifests himself in three persons.
One time a son asked his father, “Is God the Father God?” “Yes,” the father responded. “Is Jesus Christ God?” “Yes.” Is the Holy Spirit God?” “Yes.” The boy then asked, “Then how can Jesus be His own father?” They were sitting in their car at the time, and so the Father said to the son, “Under the hood is one battery. Yet I can use it to turn on the lights, blow the horn, and start the car. How this happens is a mystery – but it happens.”
That’s really the way that we have to view the Trinity, God as one God but a Triune God. How all of that happens is a mystery, but it still happens.
You can see the reality of the Trinity in the Old and New Testaments. (Gen 1:1-2; Gen 1:26; Gen 3:22; Gen 11:6-7)
You can see the reality of the Trinity in the Old and New Testaments. (Gen 1:1-2; Gen 1:26; Gen 3:22; Gen 11:6-7)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 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.
“God created the heavens and the earth.”
There are 3 tenses in the Hebrew language: Singular, one; dual, two; plural, more than two. The word translated “God” in Genesis 1:1 is plural, indicating more than two. It’s the word, “Elohim,” and it’s a reference to God as a Triune God.
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
Who was the “our” this referred to? Father Son and HS.
That same phraseology is found in Gen 3:22
22 Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!”
And it’s also in Gen 11:6-7
6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
When Isaiah heard the word from God, the Lord said, Whom shall we send and who will go for us?
The doctrine of the Trinity is found through out the OT but it’s also taught in the New Testament.
The doctrine of the Trinity is found through out the OT but it’s also taught in the New Testament.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
There is one God, who manifest Himself in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also, Jesus said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father,” and He also said, “When I go, another just like Me will come, who is the Holy Spirit.” Only God can be like God, so that helps us to know that the Holy Spirit is one and the same with Jesus, and that He is God. And then Paul wrote these words:
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
There is a belief that God appears in different forms at different times - That’s a heresy called “modalism.” That would mean that when Jesus prayed He was talking to Himself.
The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that there is One God who is Present at all times in 3 different Persons – as Father God, the Son of God and the Spirit of God. Here is the bottom line for our study.
The Holy Spirit is GOD, and that fact is evidenced by the attributes given to the Him in the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit is GOD, and that fact is evidenced by the attributes given to the Him in the Scriptures.
We’re told in the Bible that the Holy Spirit is:
We’re told in the Bible that the Holy Spirit is:
1. Eternal(Hebrews 9:14),
1. Eternal(Hebrews 9:14),
14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
2. All-powerful(Luke 1:35),
2. All-powerful(Luke 1:35),
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
3. Everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7),
3. Everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7),
7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
4. All-knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10-11),
4. All-knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10-11),
10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
5. Called God(Acts 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18),
5. Called God(Acts 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18),
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
6. and The Creator (Genesis 1:2).
6. and The Creator (Genesis 1:2).
2 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.
The Holy Spirit is an equal part of the Triune God.
The Holy Spirit is an equal part of the Triune God.
An LSU fan is traveling through Alabama and he stops at a bar to get something to drink. After a couple of drinks he says, “Anyone here want to hear a joke about the Alabama Crimson Tide?” The large man sitting on the stool beside him says, “Before you tell that joke, you should know 5 things. First, you should know that I’m a former Alabama football player. Second, you should know that the bartender is a former Alabama football player. Third, you should know that bouncer is a former Alabama football player. Fourth, you should know that the 300 pound guy on the other side of you is a former Alabama football player. And fifth, you should know that the guy showing off his shotgun behind you is a former Alabama football player. Now, are you sure you want to tell that joke?” And the LSU fan says, “Nope, not if I’m gonna have to explain it 5 times.”
I don’t think that I can fully explain how the Holy Spirit is a part of the Triune God even if I had 5 chances at it. So, I want you just to accept that truth by faith.
The Holy Spirit continues the ministry of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit continues the ministry of Jesus.
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
The Holy Spirit came to do everything that Jesus did when He lived and ministered on Earth, but instead of accomplishing those works though “one person” He accomplishes those works through many bodies.
The Holy Spirit came to do everything that Jesus did when He lived and ministered on Earth, but instead of accomplishing those works though “one person” He accomplishes those works through many bodies.
While the ministry of Jesus was limited by what could be done in and through one being, the ministry of the Holy Spirit (which is the ministry of Jesus) is only limited by what can be done through all of the people of God who now comprise the Body of Christ.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
The Holy Spirit takes part in transforming people’s lives.
The Holy Spirit takes part in transforming people’s lives.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be a:
1. Helper to Christians (John 14:16),
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
2. Teacher of Christians (John 14:26),
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
3. Revealer of truth (John 15:26),
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.
4. Convincer of sin (John 16:8-11),
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
5. Explainer of the future (John 16:13-14),
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
6. Giver of direction (John 16:13), and
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
7. “Empowerer” of Christians (Luke 24:49).
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
We will look at these more in the coming weeks. But for now, here are some verses to think about…
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
How many of you need supernatural power in your lives?
What kind of power am I talking about? Power to resist temptation? Power to be a good and bold witness for the Lord? Power to understand the Scriptures and discern God’s will for your life? Power to find and fulfill your destiny?
We will learn how to access the power of the Holy Spirit and how to live daily in His Power and direction in our lives. Here is another verse.
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Is there anyone here that needs to be set free from a stronghold in your life?
Maybe freed from a past hurt… an addiction… fear of the future…
How many here need to become more like Jesus in our attitudes, ambitions, actions and relationships?
We are going to learn how to experience that freedom this summer.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
How many here need more love for God and others in your heart and mind? How many of you need more joy, more peace, more patience, more kindness, more goodness, more faithfulness, more gentleness or more self control? (Every parent of a Teen needs to lift your hands).
We’re going to be learning in the coming weeks how the Holy Spirit will work with us and within us to develop those qualities in our lives, and as He does, we’ll become better Christians, better spouses, better parents, better employees, better employers, and stronger soldiers in the Lord’s army.
I am going back to my HS reunion shortly. One of the people we all like to see when we do that is our coach. We have a great coach in our area… JT Curtis.
The competency of the coach often determines a player or a team’s success, and the Holy Spirit is the Christians coach.
The competency of the coach often determines a player or a team’s success, and the Holy Spirit is the Christians coach.
If we will be willing to learn from Him and allow Him to coach us we will find ourselves experiencing great vision and great victory in our lives.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, we will live holy, healthy and happy lives.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, we will live holy, healthy and happy lives.
Altar Time
You can’t access the power of the Holy Spirit without accepting Jesus as your Savior – plan of salvation.
Some need more power in your lives.
Power to overcome temptation… to be a good witness for the Lord… to understand the Bible better… To find your purpose in life…
Some of you need more freedom in your life from: strongholds or struggles; hurts form the past; addictions; fear of the future.
Some of you need to become more like Jesus in:
your attitudes, ambitions and relationships.
Some need more
love for others; patience; joy; peace; self control; and goodness.