Holy Spirit: God’s Dwelling Place

Introduction/Scripture

Galatians 4:1–7 NIV

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Pray.

The Holy Spirit is active in creation (Genesis 1:2).

The Holy Spirit is equated with God in the Bible (Acts 5:3-4).

And Jesus himself links the Spirit with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19).

The Holy Spirit is personal, not simply a power. That means you can interact with and be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:25).

It also means he can be grieved by our decisions (Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit is everywhere. You cannot escape the presence of God (Psalm 139:7-10).

Jesus himself was led by the Spirit and operated in the Spirit’s power (Matthew 4:1).

The Holy Spirit does not force himself on anyone, which means we can refuse his leading. He can be quenched and resisted 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Acts 7:51).

The Holy Spirit teaches us about God and guides us into all truth (John 14:26, John 16:13).

So whatever we understand about God was made possible by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:6-16).

The Holy Spirit reveals the will of God the Father (John 16:12-15).

The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and leads us to him (John 16:14).

Those who belong to Jesus have access to the Holy Spirit who was given as a seal and guarantee of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is the one who confirms that we are saved and belong to God (Romans 8:16).

The Holy Spirit takes up residence in the bodies of believers (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The Holy Spirit can pray through and for us (Romans 8:26).

The Holy Spirit is our comforter/counselor and strengthens our inner being (John 14:26, Ephesians 3:16-17).

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8).

The Holy Spirit distributes gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:11).

The Holy Spirit leads us into mission to be witnesses for Christ and gives us the power to be bold for Christ (Acts 1:8, Acts 4:31).

The Holy Spirit leads us into life, peace, and hope (Romans 8:6, Romans 15:13).

The Holy Spirit speaks to believers and gives us practical direction to live out God’s will (Acts 13:2, Acts 15:28, Acts 16:6).

You can be filled/baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6).

The Holy Spirit brings transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Holy Spirit gives supernatural wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:13).

The Holy Spirit can direct us on what to say (Mark 13:11).

The Holy Spirit is the one who enables fruit in the life of believers (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit enables unity between believers (Ephesians 4:3-6).

The Holy Spirit is central to how God desires worship (John 4:23-24).

So why is it that we know very little about the person and work of the Holy Spirit? Or better yet, why is it that we spend little effort understanding the work of the Spirit today?

Holy Spirit, Heaven and Earth

Show image and leave it up

Creation: Heaven and Earth together

Fall: Heaven and Earth seperated

Genesis 3:23–24 NIV

So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

God comes through the Spirit. Joseph can interpret a dream from Pharoah. Bezalel, the Spirit comes on the person tasked with building the tabernacle. Wisdom and skill to create. Spirit comes to judges. Spirit comes on prophets empowering them to see the world as God sees. Prophets even look forward to see a day when the Spirit will come and transform human hearts… “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36)

Jesus and the overlap. Heaven and Earth brought back together in a real and comprehensive way. Jesus is walking around healing, raising the dead, casting out demons. Abolishing things that wont be in heaven.

Jesus is crucified and then raised from the dead. He ascends into heaven. He has already said it is better for you if I go….

Human flesh in heavenly places, holy Spirit in earthly places

We live in the age of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 is the birth of the church. The Holy Spirit has taken residence in everyone that calls upon the name of the Lord. When we read the stories of judges and prophets, moses and David. Of the disciples, and especially the apostles in the NT…this is not just heroes of the faith, they are a window to see what is possible in a life in the Spirit.

Are the Spiritual Gifts for today and for all?

It is nonsensical to me to say that the gifts are not for today. That is why I wanted you to see the whole narrative. We are in the age of the Spirit. The age in which God dwells within the believer.

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NIV

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

knowledge

faith

healing

miraculous powers

prophecy

discernment

speaking in tongues

interpreting tongues

The Spirit brings power and authority through giftings in the supernatural life. Just a quick side here. We like this idea in theory. As a matter of fact we can get behind giftings of wisdom, faith, hospitality. We take our little spiritual gifts assessments and sign up for some ministry at church. But healing? Miraculous powers? Prophecy? These are harder to believe, but why? Simply we believe in the giftings that don’t require much from God.

Life in the Spirit

Life in the Spirit is difficult but it is not as complicated as we make it sound.

Personal testimony:

knowledge….praying for a young man a couple weeks ago

Being Filled….

“What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Although it is a spatial metaphor, being filled with the Spirit is not really about space, like filling up a cup of water. We will be misled if we conceive of it that way. Essentially this metaphor describes a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit characterized by surrender and abandonment to the Spirit. For though the Holy Spirit is present in all believers, in some he is not preeminent; though he is resident in all, in some he is not president. That is why Paul exhorts believers who already have a relationship with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).” - Steve Seamands

But listen, what if when we are agnostic on the Spirit, The Spirit will remain unwilling in us.

God is not interested in forcing our hand, but God is interested in bring freedom and abundant life.

Ministry time….