Living Empowered: Biblical & Systematic Theology on the Holy Spirit

grew up w/only Bible, then rescued 20 years later

you would have expectations when arriving at church

do you think you would be shocked with American church?

large crowds, music performances, slick sermons

instead of a mighty move by the HS of God

a possible strategy of Satan in the West

ignore empowerment of Holy Spirit

settle for human-size results (personally/corporately)

explain only through secular (non-spiritual)

then world will look at church no diff than civic club (yawn)

all the while consider how different the church would look

if empowered by HS to live supernaturally

Great Expectations

HS is vital to a Christian’s life

do you believe that?

has that changed anything in your life?

HS shouldn’t be (but can be) an uncomfortable subject

some skeptical wondering if going charismatic excesses

speaking in tongues, jumping pews, crazy worship services

some conservatives emphasize what HS is not

aiming to avoid charismatic excesses

Jerry Vines caution

in this series, we will examine who the HS is and what the HS does

resulting in Empowered Living

unusual sermon (no passage - no turn in Bible)

examine HS throughout Bible (Biblical Theology)

& make conclusions (Systematic Theology)

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

"Spirit” 73 times in ESV translation

Pew Bible = OT 955 pages

The Holy Spirit was active in creation

Genesis 1:1-2 of the world

Job 33:4 of you and me

after more sightings, start to connect the idea that 

The HS empowered certain ppl for spec tasks

Pentateuch

HS referenced by Pharaoh (Gen 41:38) — Joseph dreams

Bezalel to construct tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6)

70 elders receive some of Holy Spirit that was on Moses (Numbers 11:25)

Holy Spirit came over Balaam to bless (not curse) Israel (Numbers 24:2)

Joshua for conquest of Promised Land (Numbers 27:18)

historical books

Judges (possibly darkest time in Israel’s history)

HS activity is extremely high

Judges 3:10

Judges 6:34

Judges 11:29 

HS sightings most concentrated on strongest/famous judge

yet likely most flawed

Judges 13:25

Judges 14:6

Judges 14:19

Judges 15:14

assumed he had control of this supernatural strength

Judges 16:20

King Saul (3x Spirit of Lord rushed upon Saul)

Holy Spirit not only rushed on Saul to empower him, but also to shame him

the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1 Sam 16:14)

even humbled and humiliated as he lay naked before the prophet Samuel (1 Sam 19)

this was HS’s doing

but Holy Spirit rushed and stayed with David

1 Samuel 16:13 

2 Samuel 23:2

reason David’s psalms are recorded as Scripture

mighty men — clothed Amasai, chief of the 30 (1 Chr 12:18)

bad dudes — now know why (HS)

dark days of exile followed by brighter days of rebuilding

Zerubbabel led 1st group back from Babylonian exile 586 BC to rebuild temple

prophet Zechariah tells us how he was able to do it — Zechariah 4:6

The HS empowered God’s spokesman to prophecy

unnamed prophets commonly confronted evil kings of I/J

& main job of prophets was to confront sin

2 prophets stand out for their mentioning HS — know who?

Isaiah points to One (Messiah) whom the Spirit will “rest upon” (not “rush upon”) 700 years before Jesus

Isaiah 11:2 

Isaiah 42:1

Isaiah 61:1-2

Ezekiel (9x) the Spirit entered into me, lifted me up, fell upon me, said to me

this same Holy Spirit (creation, Samson, David, prophets)…

The Holy Spirit was promised to a future people

“pouring” often used

Isaiah 44:3 to God’s people (Jews)

Ezekiel 36:27 to God’s people (Jews)

illustrated with Valley of Dry Bones (Ez 37)

Ezekiel 37:14 (national revival for Israel)

Ezekiel 39:29 

expectation for kings/prophets/rulers/important people

but God’s promise through Joel is shocking

Joel 2:28-29

if Jew, great expectations of HS as OT comes to a close

may the outpouring of the HS happen in my day

then we open the NT and see a flurry of Spirit sightings

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

“Spirit” 144 times

Pew Bible = NT 276 pages (1/4 length w/twice sightings)

if landmine, could miss in OT, but NOT in NT

concentration is impossible to miss

like drinking concentrated grape juice…straight

like taking Gatorade powder in spoonfuls…w/no water

Gospels — primarily around Jesus

Jesus’ birth

back to OT fillings (temporary)

Elizabeth (Luke 1:41)

Zechariah (Luke 1:67)

Simeon (Luke 2:25–27)

JtB filled w/HS (L 1:15); Jesus conceived by HS (Mt 1:20)

Jesus’ baptism

HS descends on Jesus like a dove

may miss that Jesus needed HS empowerment for ministry

how cast out demons — by Spirit of God (Mt 12:28)

notice — no miracles, no ministry before baptism (HS empowerment)

how much more do we need HS to empower us for min?

& He had the HS to an unlimited degree John 3:34

J needed HS being led by HS to wilderness temptation

promised to His disciples

JtB — John 1:29-34

John 14:26

Acts 1:8

Acts — promised outpouring from Jesus & OT prophets happened

rich/poor, young/old, BUT Jews only Acts 2:1-4

Samaritans??? half-breed Jews??? Acts 8

Gentiles??? Acts 10 (Cornelius) 3x vision to Peter

UNBELIEVABLE that God is expanding promise to Jews/Gents

Joel 2:32 true

Acts 28 ends with an ellipsis … (unfinished thought)

a partial, but continuing, fulfillment of Acts 1:8

of which Jesus promised to be with them forever Mt 28:20

Acts has been called “Acts of the Apostles” 

may be better titled “Acts of the HS through the Apostles”

Epistles/Letters give us theology of Holy Spirit (doctrine)

every, single believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit

Paul writes that

believers have “received” the HS who “has been given” to them

Spirit is “within” believers and “dwells in” them

believers possess the HS as “firstfruits” and as a “guarantee”

believers are to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18)

Galatians 3:13-14

1 Cor 12:13

Grudem

TF a Christians’s life should be radically different

no HS —> indwelling HS

Spirit shows God’s presence, gives life, reveals truth, nurtures holiness, supplies power, and brings unity in church

why don’t we see a move of the HS like in Acts??? not automatic

Grudem

indwelling does not equal empowering

HS works to make our heart a welcome home for Jesus (Eph 3:16-17)

Spirit may remain, but be grieved/quenched by your sin

Possible barriers to a life empowered by the HS:

do you want to experience more of the HS in your life?  really?

you have never received Jesus (not born of the Spirit)

you have unrepentant sin (feel distant from the Lord)

your life has too many distractions (not centered on the Lord)

when was last time had no phone, text, or interruption?  especially with God?

too much distortion (summer camp- no cell phones)

need to sit down w/no distractions & let God speak to us through His Word

Jeremiah 29:13

your life is too comfortable (lack of obedience)

discipleship/growth

when consider your spiritual life, you have not significantly grown in a long time

stagnant, complacent (churchy) = stunted in growth

God’s plan for you is to grow in Christ, but you have not put yourself in any position to grow

Grow Ministry — need one another (fulfill NT)

discipleship happens in relationship

evangelism — many Christians never

Jesus said, fishers of men

when the Holy Spirit of God prompts you to move/go/speak… move/go/speak!!!

He will see you through what He leads you to

Luke 12:11-12 (promised in precarious situations)

when we are out of our comfort zone, we are more dependent on the HS

HS is Comforter for trying times

prior slide

if your life is never uncomfortable in obedience to Jesus,

why would you need the Comforter (HS) to show up/out???

maybe fear because God will show & ask something great of you

maybe you really do not want to be led by the HS (honest w/God)

to move, to be uncomfortable, to be more obedient = to grow

join Bible study

share gospel for 1st time

start a ministry that doesn’t exist

I don’t want my life to be explainable without the HS

want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through

That if He doesn’t, I’m in deep trouble

willing to step out in faithful obedience to God’s Word & ready for promised HS to help me live empowered

Great Expectations

Christian, are you tired of living a life explained only in natural/secular terms?

are you ready to surrender fully to the Lord and live empowered by the HS?