Confirmation Retreat- The Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:2 (NIV)

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 33:4 NIV

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 34:14 NIV

If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,

The Holy Spirit is the power of God that gives life

The Holy Spirit is the _of God that gives ___

The Holy Spirit is God

The Holy Spirit is eternal

The Mission of the Spirit.

Old Testament.

Prior to to Jesus coming into the world the Holy Spirit came on people.

1 Samuel 10:9–11 NIV

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Judges 15:12–15 NIV

They said to him, “We’ve come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines.” Samson said, “Swear to me that you won’t kill me yourselves.” “Agreed,” they answered. “We will only tie you up and hand you over to them. We will not kill you.” So they bound him with two new ropes and led him up from the rock. As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.

The Spirit of God was given for action

God selectively chose who to give the Spirit to.

1 Samuel 3:1 NIV

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) was temporary.

Mission of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament

John 14:15–26 NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. 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.

The work of the Spirit didn’t change, it increased. while it still provides us with power for action.

The Holy Spirit teaches us about God, which brings us into relationship with God.

Matthew 28:16–20 NIV

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Holy Spirit is permanent and for everyone who believes in and accepts Jesus.

Before Jesus’ birth (O.T.) the Holy Spirit came on people. After Jesus’ birth (N.T.) the Holy Spirit lives in people.

How does it happen?

Through things we call ordinary means of grace!

What does ordinary mean?

In this case ordinary means : Something anyone can access.

What about means of grace? What does that mean?

First we have to understand grace. I am going to give you a definition of it. Here is the thing, I am not going to give you a bunch of scriptures, because we are limited on time. But our understanding as United Methodist is a bit different from say someone who is Pentecostal, or someone who goes to the Church of Christ.

We believe that grace is God’s gift to all of creation so that we can be in relationship with Him. That grace can be experienced as the love of God at work in our lives through the sacrifice of Jesus one the cross, and life changing power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The means portion in ordinary means is how we access the grace.

In other words how do we experience the power and love of God through the Holy Spirit.

Studying God’s word

Prayer

Fellowship with other Christians

* Baptism*

* Communion*

Grace through the sacraments.

Sacrament means to set apart or make holy.

In the United Methodist Church we believe that Jesus is present through the power of the Holy Spirit when we receive communion.

That is why we allow anyone to receive communion. If you attend a Catholic church, or a Lutheran church there are things that you have to do in order to receive communion.

We also believe that when we are baptized God fill us with His grace., through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus was baptized the Bible tells u.s that the Holy Spirit fell on him

That is why we say baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.

Through the Holy Spirit we have ultimate access to God, His spirit lives in us.