Who and Why? Pt. 2

C.S. Lewis told about a college student who wrote to him. The young man was an atheist. And he was very concerned, because he had made friends with some Christian students. They were enthusiastically witnessing to him about Jesus, and it had shaken-up the young man's thinking. He was going through some great struggles about Christianity, and he wanted to know, "What did Dr. Lewis think?"

C. S. Lewis wrote back, "I think you are already in the meshes of the net. The Holy Spirit is after you. I doubt you will get away." (1)

God's Holy Spirit is in the world today -- seeking for us, trying to teach us about the eternal, abundant life that only Jesus can give. That young college student who was in the meshes of the Holy Spirit's net did get saved. His name was Sheldon Vanauken and here is what he wrote about that day:

"I couldn't reject Christ. There was only one thing to do. I turned and flung myself over the gap toward Christ. On a morning with spring in the air, March 29th, I wrote in my notebook: 'I choose to believe in the Father, Son & Holy Ghost. In Christ, my Lord and my God. Christianity has the ring, the feel of unique truth. Essential truth. By it, life is made full instead of empty, meaningful instead of meaningless. I confess my doubts and ask my Lord Christ to enter my life. I do not know God. I do but say: Be it unto me according to Thy will. I do not affirm that I am without doubt. I do but ask for help, having chosen, to overcome it. I do but say: Lord, I believe. Help Thou mine unbelief.'"

The church today does not know and understand the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Christian arrives in Heaven and meets the people of the OLD TESTAMENT Scriptures.

To Noah, he asks what it was like to be in the ark with all those animals.

To Joseph, he asks what it was like to be understand dreams and be 2nd in command of all of Egypt.

To Moses, he asks what it was like when the Red Sea parted.

To David, he asks what it was like to take down Goliath.

To Solomon, he asks what it was like to have such great wisdom.

To Daniel, he asks what it was like to be in the Lions Den.

As they each responded, they in return asked one question…

What is it like to HAVE the SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOU?

John 16:7 CSB

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.

1. He makes known the presence of Jesus

2. He makes us more like Jesus

3. He helps us understand the Bible

4. He calls you to work

5. He empowers you for service

6. He helps you pray

The Holy Spirit is active in aiding us in our prayer life.

There will be times—not maybe—in your life as a Christian when you feel inadequate in your prayer life or have no idea what to pray for. In these moments the Holy Spirit will help us when we do not know how to pray for God’s will in a particular situation. It is said that one tear speaks a thousand words in a thousand different languages. The Holy Spirit speaks them all and can interpret those tears.

Romans 8:26–27 CSB

In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

In the mid-1800s in the town of Kells in Northern Ireland, four men met each Saturday night for intense prayer. The whole night was devoted to prayer. Shortly afterwards, there was a powerful revival. Courts adjourned for lack of cases. Jails were closed for lack of criminals. Policemen formed quartets to sing in churches because they had nothing to do. Can you imagine if the church today would pray like they did? How the Holy Spirit could move in our church and in our community? Who will be the four men who will step up and pray? To let their tears flow even when society says men should not cry.

7. He guides you

The Holy Spirit also guides us.

Duncan Campbell was at a conference when he had a strong feeling to go to the Hebrides. When he arrived, he made his way up to the church where the cleaner was going about his work. "What's happening here?" he asked. "We have a speaker tonight," said the cleaner. "What is his name?" "Duncan Campbell." "But I'm Duncan Campbell! How did you know I was coming?" "How did you know to come?"

He led Jesus into the wilderness, provided direct guidance to Philip, and even later physically transported him.

Though the Holy Spirit is at work guiding us on a deep, personal level, the Scriptures do suggest that we are responsible to cooperate in his guidance by “walking according to the Spirit”.

Don’t just pray and wait for a particular feeling.

Pray and prepare for action.

Romans 8:4 CSB

in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

8. He empowers you for building the church

Jesus is alive and he is building his church.

His church isn’t built through political engagement or military might.

His church is built through the proclamation of the gospel.

Thankfully God hasn’t left us alone in his work.

He sent the Holy Spirit to empower our evangelistic efforts.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be a witness , directs our evangelistic efforts , and empowers our evangelistic efforts ).

The Holy Spirit’s aim in glorifying Jesus Christ is fulfilled by him enabling, guiding, and empowering our proclamation of the gospel.

Acts 1:8 CSB

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9. He gives you spiritual gifts

The Holy Spirit also works through us by giving us spiritual gifts.

He doesn’t give us these gifts for our personal benefit, either.

He gives us gifts for the common good of the church . This means that we receive spiritual gifts for building up the church. He also gives us gifts so we may serve others .

At times God will reveal his glory to unbelievers through a supernatural display of spiritual gifts.

There are multiple spiritual gifts listed in the Bible .

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 CSB

A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

We don’t get to choose what gifts we receive. They’re given to us by the Holy Spirit for his glory and the good of the church. Not to the good of the individual.

Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other. After their graduation, they planned to practice law together.

… many Christians spend a lot of time and energy in making excuses, because they have never broken through into a real offensive for God by the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit!13

A. W. Tozer