Spirit Filled Vision in 2020

Mark Gardner

Vision 2020 • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

John 14:15–31

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Seeking the Person of the Holy Spirit and His work in their lives

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Seeing the Holy Ghost

Vision 2020

Seeing the Holy Ghost

I want to make the congregation hungry to seek the Person of the Holy Spirit and His working in their lives.

seeing the Holy Ghost

My first part-time job was working as a bagger and stock boy in our local grocery store. By the time I finished all the chores for the evening shift it was about 9:30. So, I’d get my bike and ride the 3 miles home in the dark. Once I got off of the main road, I had 1 mile left but ½ way down that road there was a cemetery. A boy’s mind can play a lot of tricks on him in the dark; especially when there are animals moving around in the fields and forests. Animals tend to move right as they see you, so they seem to be ghosts in the distance and I always felt like they were hanging around the cemetery.

Christians believe in the Holy Ghost, most often expressed as Holy Spirit. Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Baptists, and Pentecostals all agree that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an impression, a dove, or simply a wind. Those things may describe a characteristic of the Spirit but He is unique and best described as a Person.

The Spirit is Given For Us

The instructions of Jesus:

John 14:26 NIV

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 NIV

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

John 16:13–14 NIV

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

Some say it was only for back then…but Peter said, “This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God."

(NIV) But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

(NIV) “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

(NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

14He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

Some say it was only for back then…but Peter said, “This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God."

Seeing the Benefits of the Holy Spirit

He convicts of sin

I heard a story about a man named Andras Tamas. He emerged as the last prisoner of WWII in 2000. He'd been drafted into the army and originally imprisoned and kept much of the time in solitary confinement. Much later he was later transferred to a Russian psychiatric hospital because the authorities had mistaken his native Hungarian language for the gibberish of a lunatic.

He had been imprisoned then committed for 55 years.

Not only had this man forgotten his real name, he hadn't even seen his own face in five decades. So, according to Ravi Zacharias, "The old man was given a mirror. The deep-set eyes. The gray stubble on the chin. The furrows of the brow. It is his face, but it is a startling revelation." He couldn’t stand to look at the reflection longer than a few seconds.

Imagine looking at your own face in a mirror and not recognizing it. Imagine having the ability to look at your soul in a mirror! That is what the Holy Spirit does for us when we are listening.

James 1:23–24 NIV

James 1:23–25 NIV

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

I suppose that the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin may make us uncomfortable but it shouldn’t.

says that is just what people are doing when they listen to God's Word but do not obey it.

(NIV) Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

John 16:7–11 NIV

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

It was the work of the Holy Spirit that made us aware of the fact that we were sinners, and the work of the Holy Spirit that will not allow us to be comfortable living in sin like lying, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, and the list goes on.

I suppose that the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin may make us uncomfortable but it shouldn’t.

(NIV) — 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

He gives direction

Being a Spirit-filled Christian provides the benefit of the Holy Spirit interacting with us in very practical ways. In the book of Acts we see the Holy Spirit provide direction in choosing leaders and making decisions.

Acts 13:2 NIV

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 15:28 NIV

28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

Because of their relationship with the Holy Spirit, the apostles were able to lead and guide themselves and others. More importantly, living in the Spirit brings life:

(NIV) — 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Romans 8:5–8 NIV

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

(NIV) — 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

I’ve noticed that I can go into a situation from 2 perspectives – the flesh or the Spirit. The way that I approach the situation will make all the difference. If I allow the Spirit to guide me, I will be so much better off.

Because of their relationship with the Holy Spirit, the apostles were able to lead and guide themselves and others. More importantly, living in the Spirit brings life:

(NIV) Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

7The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

8Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

He transforms experience

Understanding that the Holy Spirit is a Person makes a huge difference for us. R.A. Torrey points out it is of the greatest importance that the personality of the Holy Spirit be recognized for practical as well as for theological reasons.9 He points to three: worship, Christian living, and spiritual experience. (1) From the standpoint of worship, it must be decided whether the Holy Spirit is a divine person worthy of adoration, love, and faith, or merely an emanating influence or power. (2) From the standpoint of practical Christian living, it is important to discern if the Holy Spirit is a source of power to augment human limitations or if He is a dynamic personality whose will, intellect, and feelings interact with believers’ lives. (3) From the standpoint of spiritual experience, it is important to discern if the personality of the Holy Spirit is manifested in the gifts and fruits of the Spirit in and through believers

Philippians 1:19 NIV

19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

A J Gordon makes this statement, “Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things."

(NIV) — 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

A J Gordon makes this statement, “Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things."

The Holy Spirit transforms experience

He encourages

Have you ever heard the Spirit of God speak to you that He is pleased with you? I remember within the last year a time when I was worshipping the Lord and I heard the Spirit say to me, “This (worship) is pleasing to me.” When we realize that the Holy Spirit encourages us and affirmed the love of the Heavenly Father for us, it is a powerful realization!

Acts 9:31 NIV

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

He empowers Christians for witness

(NIV) — 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

He empowers Christians for witness

The last statement that Jesus made before He ascended to be with the Father was that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be witnesses:

Acts 1:7–8 NIV

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 6:10 NIV

10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Being Spirit-filled is far more than just speaking in another language — it's about being empowered to witness. The language is the sign of the Spirit’s empowerment. As more and more people receive the Holy Spirit’s power and grow in their relationship with Him, telling others about Jesus becomes an important priority. With the Spirit’s power comes sensitivity to divine appointments and a boldness and wisdom to witness to others.

(NIV) He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Stephen, just an ordinary guy but described as ‘filled with God’s grace and glory, stood up to the powerful elites of his day and defended Jesus.

(NIV) — 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

He sanctifies

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:2 NIV

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

It seems like I’ve been in the dentist office all the time lately. That is probably why a story from C. S. Lewis stands out to me. He tells the story of being a little boy and having a toothache. It didn’t take him long to learn that if he had a toothache his mom would give him aspirin. But, he didn’t like going to his mom for a toothache because not only would she give him the aspirin but she would take him to the dentist and at the dentist his mouth would be probed and picked. Not only would the source of his pain be addressed but other areas might be mended as well.

(NIV) — 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

(NIV) — 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Of course, the end result is a healthy set of teeth and healthy gums. People who avoid the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are missing out on the benefits of a healthy soul and spirit:

He brings freedom, peace, and life

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Romans 8:2 NIV

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:10–11 NIV

10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

I believe the greatest illustration of freedom, peace, and life comes from the book of Acts. Personally, I prefer Stanley Horton’s title, The Acts of the Risen Lord by the Holy Spirit In and Through the Church.

(NIV) — 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

(NIV) — 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

(NIV) — 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

It is in the book of Acts that we see the expression of the Spirit’s work in freedom, peace, and life – and it was a tumultuous time:

- Ascension of Jesus

- Infilling of the Holy Spirit

- Empowerment to witness

- Gospel message

- Miraculous environment – lame healed, dead raised, Spirit outpoured, prison doors opened, those who oppose the work of the Lord are miraculously stopped, poisonous snakes have no effect, devils are cast out.

- Spirit led: heavenly language, diverse languages, prompted to speak, received messages from the Holy Spirit

The church grew and the believers prospered – maybe not in terms of the best jobs, homes, cars, or fortunes but in the things that matter.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)

Sadly, we often have problems when the subject of the Holy Spirit comes up. We’ve heard of the anointing, the infilling, the gifts of the Spirit, the spiritual gifts, tongues of fire, and on and on…and, let’s be honest…it can be overwhelming.

But here’s the deal…let’s agree that the Holy Spirit is real and that He is intended for us. Let’s agree that there are amazing benefits that the Holy Spirit provides for us. AND let’s agree that none of us have come to a place where we completely understand what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus tells a short story to make a point

Luke 11:5–10 NIV

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Can we simply go to Jesus with our questions and our concerns and say, “Jesus, I know that you’ve provided the Holy Spirit for me as a benefit to help me follow You. Will You reveal the Holy Spirit in a greater way this year?”

(NIV)Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’

7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’

8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.