Third Person
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The Force…ain’t the same.
The Force…ain’t the same.
“It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”
—Obi-Wan Kenobi
"Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.” —Yoda
—Yoda
This is how we sometimes think of the Holy Spirit.
As a force that we need to tab into or learn to control.
If you become really good with the Holy Spirit, then you can become a spiritual Jedi.
The Holy Spirit is mysterious and divisive in the Church.
He isn’t divisive in and of Himself.
Some making the
17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
eph 4 3-
Paul says that the unity we share as believers is a Spiritual Union.
What makes the Spirit divisive is US not Him.
The traditions we grow up in play a huge role in how we understand the person and work of the Holy Spirit
Conservative vs Charismatic
Cessationism vs continuationism
Rationalism vs experientialism
Culture has a large part to do with how we understand the Holy Spirit
How much is the Spiritual realm thought about in our culture? We are typically more skeptical of non-physical ideas and experiences. So the activity of the Holy Spirit is often ran through a filter of what we feel comfortable with in our cultural context.
In other cultures, the Spiritual world is blamed or considered in most every situation. So the idea of the Spirit of God actively interacting with us and in us isn’t a stretch.
But we can’t let our religious traditions, cultural comforts, or theological biases govern our understanding of the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is the only source we can go to in order to know about and to know personally the Holy Spirit of God
We are going to spend the next few weeks talking about the Person, the Presence, and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The POWERFUL PRESENCE of a PERSONAL God.
The POWERFUL PRESENCE of a PERSONAL God.
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”—A. W. TOZER
—A. W. TOZER
—A. W. TOZER
Do you believe that?
Imagine if you picked up the bible for the first time, with no prior knowledge of it and read the book of Acts.
What kind of church would they expect to see based on what they read?
How would they expect to see the Spirit of God at work in His people?
They would read about the Spirit:
Speaking to the believers
filling the believers
Descending from Heaven like fire
empowering them to speak in other languages
empowering them to boldly preach the good news of Jesus
opening the hearts of unbelievers
emboldening men to speak out, even as they faced death
leading the disciples to certain places and to say certain things.
empowering the believers to perform miraculous signs
Do we have those kind of expectations on the Spirit of God in our Church?
Jesus knew how vital the Holy Spirit is to His Church.
He spent much of the night before going to the cross teaching about the Spirit.
,, and 16 talk directly or indirectly about the Spirit.
He speaks of the importance of the Spirit in
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Perhaps the most revealing verse about Jesus’s understanding of our need for the Spirit is and
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Jesus is saying “you are much better off with me gone than with me here.”
It is better for you to have the Holy Spirit in you than to have Jesus beside you.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus is saying “You will accomplish so much more when the Spirit is in you than if I am with you.”
Jesus knew the potential of a church that is empowered, emboldened, gifted, and sent by the Spirit of God into the world.
So what is the problem?
Perhaps it is that we just don’t know who the Holy Spirit is or what we are missing out on when we aren’t seeking more and more of Him in our lives.
Jerry Bridges told a story one time that illustrates this well:
Years ago a Southern plantation owner left a $50,000 inheritance (equivalent to about half a million dollars today) to a former slave who had served him faithfully all of his life. The estate’s lawyer notified the old man and told him the money was deposited at the local bank in his name. Several weeks went by and the former slave never called to ask for any of his inheritance. After several years, the banker called him and told him he had the $50K available to draw upon at any time. The slave said, “Sir, might you be able to spare me $0.50 for a sack of cornmeal?”
Years ago a Southern plantation owner left a $50,000 inheritance (equivalent to about half a million dollars today) to a former slave who had served him faithfully all of his life. The estate’s lawyer notified the old man and told him the money was deposited at the local bank in his name. Several weeks went by and the former slave never called to ask for any of his inheritance. After several years, the banker called him and told him he had the $50K available to draw upon at any time. The slave said, “Sir, might you be able to spare me $0.50 for a sack of cornmeal?” • I think this illustrates the state many Christians live in today. Still thinking like an orphan, like a slave, with no grasp at all on what is available to us. The goodness; the fellowship; the power. It’s all there; and ours for the taking. “It’s as if we each have $50K available in the gospel; yet most of us are hoping we can squeeze out only $0.50 worth!
I think this illustrates the state many Christians live in today.
Still thinking like an orphan, like a slave, with no grasp at all on what is available to us.
The goodness; the fellowship; the power. It’s all there; and ours for the taking.
“It’s as if we each have $50K available in the gospel; yet most of us are hoping we can squeeze out only $0.50 worth!
Understanding the Person
Understanding the Person
He is a PERSON, not a POWER.
He is a PERSON, not a POWER.
Correctly understanding the Holy Spirit as a person keeps us from treating Him like a power we can manipulate for our own purposes.
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Notice the end of this passage, “HE dwells with you and will be in you.”
There is a personal dwelling with the Spirit in this passage and a pointing to a ONE DAY being IN us.
He doesn’t say it is present around you and will one day be accessible in you.
He is GOD, not just a PART of GOD.
He is GOD, not just a PART of GOD.
When we fail to understand the Holy Spirit properly as God then we don’t hold Him in reverence and honor as we should.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Our sinfulness grieves the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit lives inside of those who are believers in Jesus
Our sin
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
He possess the same attributes of God as the Father and the Son.
Our bodies are the dwelling place of the Spirit, so we
He is all-knowing, so His presence in you means He is never surprised by what the world brings your way or the motivation of your heart.
jn 16
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
He is omnipresent, so He presence in you means that you are never outside of His reach and never outside of His sight.
That should influence our decisions right?
ps 139
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
He is omnipotent, so His presence in you means that He can handle any request you may make and any struggle you may face.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
roman
The Spirit is attributed with the work of raising Jesus from the dead. He has the power to raise the dead.
So though He is fully God just like the Father and just like the Son, He is also different in function.
He a PART of God, not SEPARATE from God.
He a PART of God, not SEPARATE from God.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:
We can’t fully understand the Trinity, and never truly will, but the Bible is clear that God exists as both ONE and THREE.
matt 28
Though we can never understand the
Each “person” of the trinity is fully God, but has specific functions and we relate with each according to their function, while we simultaneously relate with all three (and ONE) in the work of each. (I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM SPEAKING IN CIRCLES)
But we know the Spirit of God by His works around us, in us, and through us. Let’s talk about that.
With an all-knowing, fully present, and eternally powerful person present in you,
Understanding His Work
Understanding His Work
Just like the Father and the Son, the Spirit has unique and equally important roles in the life of the church and the Kingdom of God.
The bible’s description of His work ought to leave us with a realization of just how dependent we are on Him.
As we consider how the Spirit Works, we have to continually ask the question, “Do I see this in me?” or “Why do I not see this in me?”
He REVEALS God’s wisdom to us.
He REVEALS God’s wisdom to us.
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
Paul is talking about the mystery of God’s plan, revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.
The most clear revelation of the mind of God to us is in this Holy Bible.
It was written by men, under the inspiration, and direction, of the Holy Spirit of God.
No one could have wrote it other than God Himself.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Jn 16:
He LEADS us to TRUTH.
He LEADS us to TRUTH.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
jn 14 16-
We are dependent on the Spirit as a guide to truth.
Without the Spirit we are insufficient.
jn
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The Spirit guides us to truth.
Sherpa guides in Kumbu, Nepal. Sherpas are integral to climbing Mt Everest and many other mountains. They tell you were to walk, when to stop, and how to climb.
He is our advisor, our helper, our counselor.
He counsels us with truth, continually pointing us to Jesus.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Even today as you sit here listening to me, the omnipresent Spirit is speaking through me, point each and every one of us to Jesus, saying “Believe in Him, trust in Him, follow Him, He is TRUTH.
And at the same time He is working in our hearts, softening them to receive this truth and be transformed by it.
The true test of the Spirit’s guidance is whether or not it is pointing you to Jesus.
If you are hearing some message from the Spirit that you are something special and people need to give you money to be blessed, then it ain’t the Holy Spirit of God.
Some of you are here today, you think because momma wanted you to come, but the Spirit had a whole different purpose.
He is guiding you to truth, guiding you to Jesus.
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
2 cor
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
You cannot KNOW Jesus without the Spirit of God showing you Jesus.
You cannot KNOW Jesus without the Spirit of God showing you Jesus.
He TEACHES us and REMINDS us.
He TEACHES us and REMINDS us.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Counselor teaches and reminds us of what we need to know and remember.
The Spirit helps us understand God’s Word and God’s character as we read the bible and experience Him.
He also reminds us of all that Jesus has said.
Note: he doesn’t say he TELLS us Jesus’s words, but REMINDS us.
Jesus’s words must be MINDED in order to be REminded.
So many times I have been in conversation and remember passages of the Bible that speak directly to the conversation I am having,
As we deal with struggles, confusion, decisions, temptations, or whatever else life throws our way, the Spirit will guide us and remind us as we prepare ourselves through the Word of God.
He CONVICTS us of SIN.
He CONVICTS us of SIN.
jn
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
Both before we come to know Jesus (He convicts us of our unbelief).
He makes us aware of our condemnation, the reality of the judgement of God on our lives and our deep need for a Savior.
He then preaches Christ to us that we might be saved.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
jn
The Spirit makes us uncomfortable with our sinful state.
He makes us aware of our condemnation, the reality of the judgement of God on our lives and our deep need for a Savior.
He then preaches Christ to us that we might be saved.
And as we seek to follow Him as believers/disciples
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
He convicts the World, and us, of the perfect righteousness of Christ.
Christ was perfectly obedient and so the standard we are judged by is Christ’s righteousness, which we are utterly helpless to ever accomplish.
Yet the “imputed righteousness” of Christ is given to each believer, so that God doesn’t judge me by my insufficient righteousness, but by Christ’s glorious goodness.
Our journey with Christ is not about getting things right, but following Him and resting in Him as the Spirit guides us.
He SETS us FREE.
He SETS us FREE.
Romans
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
By the power of the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The Spirit sets us free from the sins we cannot get rid of on our own.
This is a lifelong process we entered into, in partnership with the Spirit, when we first believed.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 cor
The Spirit brings us life and freedom.
Where the Spirit is, there is freedom, not bondage or slavery.
In our world that is plagued with death, this is a profound truth that points to real hope
He SEALS our SALVATION.
He SEALS our SALVATION.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
The Holy Spirit points to the genuineness of our salvation.
The Spirit in us shows in how we live once we have receive Him.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
2-
Keeping in step with the Spirit is a seal of genuine salvation.
We will talk more about this next week.
He EMPOWERS us to SERVE.
He EMPOWERS us to SERVE.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 cor 12
The Spirit of God gives unique Gifts to everyone who trusts in Christ to serve the common needs of the Church and spread the name and fame of Jesus.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We will talk more about this in 2 weeks.
God Awareness
God Awareness
I have heard more times than I can count about people who have started really pursuing the things of God.
Disciplines of the faith, desiring connection with God, pursuing the things that promote faith in their lives.
I hear things like:
There is an awareness of God working in their lives.
Could be conviction of sin
“My day seems to go better.
Peacefulness
Confidence
Boldness
New perspectives
The Spirit of God is not a force we can try to master.
He is not a spirit we can try to manipulate.
He is the POWERFUL PRESENCE OF A PERSONAL GOD.
My prayer and hope these next few weeks is that you become more aware of God IN YOU.
That you would become more dependent on the Holy Spirit in your Life
That we as a church would experience the power of the Spirit in such a way that our “comfortable Christianity” is shook
Let’s