Archive for the ‘ Holy Spirit ’ Category
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”
John 7:38, ESV
Believing Jesus is Lord comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers and encourages us to share the truth of Christ with others.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
1 Corinthians 6:19, ESV
We should take care of our bodies with exercise and being careful of what we put inside (food, drinks, and otherwise), but Paul reminds us specifically to beware interwe watch, who we interact with, and if we are obeying God’s Word on sexuality and sensuality.
Remember, God the Holy Spirit dwells in us!
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26, ESV
When life is so hard, so scary, and so wearying that we barely know how to think straight, God helps us talk with Him.
If you find it hard to pray, either sit quietly, inviting Him to speak, or let it all out at Him. He can take it. He will help you.
I preached this past Sunday, June 30, 2019. I would have uploaded this sooner, but I am sure you understand technological issues and upload errors …
I barely used notes, so there is barely enough to read. If you want the full text, then listen to the message by clicking here or listening below!
I actually started reading from John 15:26 to help with context, in case you want to have your Bible ready. Other references are Genesis 2, 2 Corinthians 7:6-11, Revelation 20, Ephesians 6:12, and Matthew 28:18-20.
World War 2:
Propaganda: “All Germans are evil!”
Truth: “Many Germans helped in secret to undermine the Nazis.”
Reality: Many Germans were shunned, despised, mistreated, and distrusted after the war for “wanting to kill all non-Germans, especially Jews!”
Read 15:26-16:6
John 13:36-14:7 – Peter & Thomas
asked
For Peter: Going to cross, “You
will follow me”
For Thomas: “We don’t know where
you are going. How can we know the way?” They did not understand He was leaving
this world behind. They essentially were asking “What place on Earth are you
going to prepare to kick out Rome?” Not “You are leaving? What do you mean?
What place is it that we are unable to follow you to?”
The disciples were confused, scared, and worried. “He seems to be speaking
nonsense. Is He leaving us? He keeps talking about dying and leaving us!”
After Thomas’ question, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come, which leads
to …
Read 16:7
The Holy Spirit –the Counselor, the Comforter, the Helper – would not be sent permanently until the Son and Father sent Him from Heaven.
Now think back to the first time a helper was given to Man: Genesis 2:20-25. No good helper was found, so God put the man into a deep sleep and created a woman from his rib. Then we have verses 24 and 25. [Read] We have the establishment of marriage (v. 24), and it says they were without shame (v. 25).
What does this have to do with our new Helper?
Read 16:8-14
The Holy Spirit has three major jobs:
Let us look at these:
Read 16:14-15
The Spirit of Truth, the Helper, reminds us of Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)
We fight this war (that was won at the cross!) through the power of the Helper, in a world that says Christians and God are bad and evil.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13, ESV
We all like giving good gifts, especially to those whom we love.
What better gifts could we get from our heavenly Father than forgiveness of sins through His Son and a Comforter who connects us to Him?
“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.”
Acts 1:8, ESV
We are given the Holy Spirit to empower is in Christ to share the Gospel throughout the world, not get everything we want.
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.
John 14:26, ESV
Jesus was not saying we do not need to read the Bible. Rather, the Holy Spirit will help us understand and remember what the Bible says, and He will encourage us through His Church.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16, ESV
Living for God can be hard, especially with our fallen, sinful world full of death and our own desires.
But the Holy Spirit sustains us and encourages us every day. Lean in and trust God.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-9, NASB
God has chosen to dwell in us by the Holy Spirit. The world hates God, but we know He ultimately wins. Do not fear the world.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
EZEKIEL 36:26, NASB
When we are born again as Christians, God renews our hearts and fills us with His Holy Spirit. And we will know this is true by our newfound devotion for God and His Word, love for the Church, and urgent compassion for the lost.
a simple man of God 