HOLY GHOST 101

SERIES TITLE: SIXTH SENSE

TEXT: ACTS 1:1-8; JOHN 16

PART 1: HG 101 (An Introduction to the Holy Ghost)

1.0 WE STILL NEED HIM

1.1 Starting a new series this morning on the Holy Ghost. We’re calling it Sixth Sense. And the reason being is that I want you to understand that walking in the Spirit is, in the truest sense, what it means to have a sixth sense. So I want to talk about the HG this morning – not the beginning of the bible because that would be an entire book and not a sermon.

1.2 I don’t need to go the Genesis and show you that he was present from the beginning of creation, bringing everything to life, Gen 1:2.

a. The burning bush that spoke to Moses

b. The source of Samson’s strength

c. He was the one who anointed David to slay lions and bears, and write the Psalms we now sing

d. The One who spoke through the voice and pen of the prophets

e. Who overshadowed the Virgin Mary and brought forth the Christ

1.3 Instead, I want to start where Jesus left off. Beginning with His formal introduction of the Holy Ghost to the disciples in Jn. 16:7; Acts 1:1-4

1.4 Acts 1:1-8

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [NIV]

Jesus was referencing John 16

“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” (Jn. 16:7).

1.6 “Christians agree on much of what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit, such as the fruit of the Spirit and the Spirit’s work in salvation. Most of us also agree that the Spirit empowers us for evangelism, and we also agree on at least some spiritual gifts and some ways of hearing God’s voice. But Christians often differ on details such as the importance of particular gifts (especially tongues, prophecy, healing) and whether a person is baptized in the Spirit at conversion, after conversion, or (in some sense) at both times.”

1.7 Then there’s the cessationist camp who believe the HG with all the manifestations are no longer for today; that such demonstrations of Holy Ghost power were for the apostolic age and the establishment of the church. They believe that all we need now is the Word – but no power is necessary. Jesus once told the Sadducees:

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God, (Matt. 22:29).

a. My Goal for this series is to re-introduce you to the One whom Jesus sent here to represent him. Jesus told his disciples: “…if I go, I will send him.”

b. So, he’s not a substitute – he’s a rep.

c. We tend to ignore the substitute teacher because they just come into the classroom to babysit for the day or until the real teacher gets back.

d. But a representative knows the curriculum and comes to further the teacher’s agenda just as the teacher would do if they themselves were physically present.

1.8 My ultimate aim is to remove the limits placed on your minds and free you from wrong beliefs about the HG’s person, purpose, and power, so that you can open up and receive him. He’s the key to everything God has for you in this life!

2.0 THE SPIRIT-WORLD IS REAL AND PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY TO EXPERIENCE IT

2.1 Unfortunately, people are rushing headlong, unafraid into the dark, seeking after what they don’t fully know or understand. They are part of a growing population who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. They just want to feel connected to something that is beyond this world and bigger than this life. it’s a search for meaning – meaning and fulfillment that only come from God.

· “The “psychic services” industry is worth $2 billion in the U.S.

What was once a crime punished by execution is now a well-established part of mainstream U.S. culture. Witches have gained massive followings — the HoodWitch has over 455,000 followers on Instagram alone — and in some places “What’s your astrology sign?” is as common a question as “What do you do for a living?” The occult isn’t something scary or fringe anymore, it’s part of our children’s entertainment in books like “Harry Potter” and movies like “Halloweentown.”

2.2 Not everything spiritual is good because not every spirit is of God. The spirit world is divided between the good spirits who serve God and those who are hostile towards him and his purpose.

· And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not a great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds, 2Cor 11:14-15.

· My espiritista used to tell me he was doing the work of god.

· Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world, 1Jn. 4:1.

· Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings, 1Pet. 5:8.

· For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Eph. 6:12

2.3 That struggle has not ceased but has increased exponentially in our generation. WE NEED OUR HELPER! WE NEED A REVIVAL! WE NEED POWER FOR THE BATTLE!

2.4 “The church in our generation stand in desperate need of revival. The only question is, will we dare to submit our lives to the Spirit, regardless of what price he may call us to pay to reach our generation for Christ? On the answer to that question hangs the fate of our generation.” —Craig Keener

2.5 “Each revival in history has been the result of a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit, usually accompanied by experiences or commitments that threatened the comfortable status quo of religious institutions of the day. Yet the strength of the flesh, or proud human intellect that seeks to control God’s power by reducing it to terms we can explain, can pretend to be sufficient for God’s work only when the kingdom of Satan appears to be dormant. Now is not such a time.”—Craig Keener

3.0 IT’S NOT SPIRITUAL TO BE AFRAID OF THE HOLY GHOST

3.1 Too many people get spooked when the Spirit of God begins to move in the church. Why?

3.2 When angels show up, the always say “fear not” because when heaven visits earth our initial reaction is to be frightened. But once a person becomes acquainted with the things of heaven, all of that changes.

3.3 Perhaps our discomfort is because we just don’t want to be shaken out of what we’ve settled into. We like our religion tame and predictable. We don’t like to swim out in the deep where we don’t feel in total control. We don’t like change, and the Holy spirit comes to change us. It’s these and other reasons why we get uncomfortable with the HG.

3.4 But I’ve never seen him make somebody worse, or weaker, or blinder. No. the HG always lifts us above our limitations.

· He breaks chains and liberates people from bondage

· He gives strength to those who are weak

· He illumines the minds and gives creative inspiration

· He turns prostitutes into prophetesses

· He turns pimps into preachers

· Gang bangers into holy rollers

· He turns atheists into evangelists

· He’s the giver of gifts

· He’s the bearer of fruit

· The One who regenerates and seals those who believe in Jesus

· He’s the Spirit of adoption that resides in us whereby we cry Abba Father!

· He’s the one who leads us and guides us into all truth

· He’s our comforter when we’re in mourning

· He’s the One who helps our weakness, praying through us in words that cannot be uttered.

· He’ the same power that raised Jesus from the dead who is alive in you!

3.5 If you need evidence

· ask Paul, who met him on the road to Damascus

·

Conclusion:The Holy Ghost wants to make His mark on this generation like he did in past generations. He’s looking