Sermon Tone Analysis

Who’s Who

Originally, published in ??

Who’s Who Scams

We’re talking about the who’s who of the kingdom of God.

Almost all of the good questions about the kingdom of God are who questions.

Who is the king of the kingdom?

Who are the citizens?

Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Who

There’s a third “who’s who” we need to talk about.

His name appears repeatedly in

10:17-20

The Holy Spirit

In fact, many of your bibles will include a heading that says, “The Promise of the Holy Spirit.”

And that’s exactly what we see in two different places...

Acts

“

and again in v. 6-8,

and again in v. 6-8,

“…until the day he was taken up after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen” ()

So in v. 4 you’ve got the promise of the Spirit

In v. 5 you’ve got the purity of the Spirit (you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit)

and in v. 6 you’ve got the power of the Spirit

but before all of that, you’ve got the pattern of spirit-led ministry.

Look at v. 2,

I.

The Pattern of Spirit Led Ministry

“…after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.”

(v.2)

In verse 2 we see Jesus giving commands to the disciples through the Holy Spirit.

Before we discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, it would be a good idea to refresh our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work in Jesus’ life.

Turn with me to .

That whole chapter shows the Holy Spirit guiding, guarding, empowering Jesus.

The Holy Spirit guided, empowered, guarded Jesus ()

The Holy Spirit guided, empowered, guarded Jesus ()

The Holy Spirit guarded Jesus (

The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus (Luke 4:14-19)

Examples: Led into the wilderness, brought the scriptures to mind (proof text) and satisfied him with God in the midst of suffering, led him both to preach the good news and to perform many miracles.

Even delivered him from his enemies ()

references the doing and teaching, the suffering and resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

All of that activity is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

references the doing and teaching, the suffering and resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

All of that activity is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

That’s significant on two levels:

That’s significant on three levels:

If he needs it...

The other day, I was trying to tell a group of guys on Basecamp how important it is to seek out God in prayer and in his word on a daily basis.

I was telling them that church history is full of guys way more gifted than them, smarter than them, more spiritually informed than them — who wouldn’t dream of being so puffed up or prideful as to presume they could go a day without God’s word to guide them.

The same kind of argument ought to be applied to Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Never trust a skinny cook.

If the meal is the Holy Spirit, then Jesus was a chubby chef.

Jesus was the most spirit filled person ever.

This is what he wants for us.

Reversal of fortunes

says that we once had a different spirit at work in us.

says that if we are in Christ, we have the same spirit at work in us that was at work in Jesus.

says that we once had a different spirit at work in us.

The spirit at work in the sons of disobedience.

says that if we are in Christ, we have the same spirit at work in us that was at work in Jesus.

Realistic expectations

So just as the Holy Spirit guarded, guided, empowered Jesus — the Holy Spirit will do the very same for us.

How often do you hear the phrase “realistic expectations” used to mean “raise your expectations.”

The phrase “realistic expectations” is usually a diplomatic way of saying, “lowered expectations.”

Isn’t it interesting that when it comes to our life in God, “realistic expectations” means “raised expectations.”

II.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

“…but wait for the promise of the Father” (v.4)

The Old Testament is full of Holy Spirit promises.

This has been God’s plan all along.

Insert proof texts of OT HS

III.

The Purity of the Spirit

“you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (v.5)

Wha does the phrase “baptized with the Holy Spirit” actually mean?

IV.

The Power of the Spirit

IV.

The Power of the Spirit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...”

We have the privilege of being filled with the same Spirit!

We have the privilege of being filled with the same Spirit!

Reversal of fortunes

says that we once had a different spirit at work in us.

The spirit at work in the sons of disobedience.

says that if we are in Christ, we have the same spirit at work in us that was at work in Jesus.

Realistic expectations

So

:49just as the Holy Spirit guarded, guided, empowered Jesus — the Holy Spirit will do the very same for us.

How often do you hear the phrase “realistic expectations” used to mean “raise your expectations.”

The phrase “realistic expectations” is usually a diplomatic way of saying, “lowered expectations.”

Isn’t it interesting that when it comes to our life in God, “realistic expectations” means “raised expectations.”

The same kind of argument ought to be applied to Jesus and the Holy Spirit