183: The Work and Person Of The Holy Spirit
The Filling Of The Spirit Is To Be A Way Of Life
- It is all in relationship and dependence on the Lord. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- We should be asking God in prayer for spiritual resources.
Spiritual Strength from Being Filled
- Acts 9:17-22
- Acts 10:43-46
- Acts 19:5,6
There Are Indicators When The Holy Spirit Is Working In Fullness In A Life But They Are Diverse
- God help us from getting into sectarian or semantical debates about the Holy Spirit.
- On one hand, we do want to be doctrinally accurate, we want to have spiritual discernment, but on the other hand, we don’t want to quench the Spirit.
- Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.
- Unbelief is one of the things that grieves the Holy Spirit.
- But to debate over words, like baptism, coming upon, or fullness - it is fruitless.
- The Scriptures use these terms interchangeably.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I really agree with the point of the constant sectarian debate on the gifts and our need to desire unity above all else. As you said we want to be doctrinally sound, but Scripture that makes us uncomfortable because we don’t understand it all, isn’t Scripture that should be ignored or thrown out. We have to take the Bible as it is given. I happen to use the term Baptism in the Spirit and I understand the theological differences expressed by those who choose to use a different term but it’s not one of those things I’ll argue about. In the end, this debate over a clearly Biblical experience is something that just sows so much confusion in the Body making it harder for many to receive the fullness of the Spirit in their lives. In counseling in particular there is so much for the counselee to receive by having a deeper walk and surrender to Holy Spirit and by realizing they need to be careful to not quench Him in their lives.
Very interesting that the disciples asked for boldness so that they could be witnesses to the risen Christ.
And yes we rely upon heaven’s resources to be witnesses because our flesh doesn’t naturally like to witness or risk rejection.
Agree it is never a formula.
What I love is that the disciples asked for this so often after persecution had occurred or they were threatened about spreading the Name of Jesus. What do they do? Ask Holy Spirit for boldness to do it even more, knowing the repercussion of their prayers and doing it anyway and then experiencing the presence and manifestation of God in their gathering. We need such prayers and the unity that they sought with one another.
I you think of the physical body and the church body, there must be a cleansing and renewal and building up/repairing of both to function properly. Why can’t the church see that we all need each other. Instead of being segregated into all our separate groups saying, “I’m a mouth. I don’t need the ear because it can’t speak God’s word like me.” It’s the same Spirit that works in all, but depending on the gifting, the work and result are different. If the mouth didn’t have the ear, how could it hear from the Spirit those things to say? Both are needed to magnify/glorify Jesus Christ which is the purpose of the church body. And if any part of the body decided it didn’t want to function in the gifting that it was given (quenching the Spirit) and go do what it wanted to do then the body would become sick and diseased due to lack or abuse. It can’t function as the Spirit intended until it is healed and healthy. There must be a continual cleansing, renewal, and yielding to the Holy Spirit for the body to remain healthy.
Good word as usual, I love the topic of the Holy Spirit! Our need to be filled continually is revealed to us daily and how joyous it is to be overflowing. To be used as a vessel to deliver scripture and the Gospel to the ears of those in need is a wonderful thing. The Holy Spirit is such a blessing and I am so thankful for Him.
The filling of the Spirit is a way of Life! Man we miss this so often and the spirit is something available only on Sunday morning for so many believers, praise the Lord that He has given us His Spirit to be with us and in us that we might live in Him.
Also when you were talking about Ananias being led by the Spirit to befriend Paul I think of instruments in the hands of the redeemer when Paul Trip talks about how even our friendships should be for Gods glory not just our pleasure.
The Spirit in us is the power source for living in a way that Christ may be magnified and proclaimed!
Love this thanks Jeff!
That part in Instruments in the Redeemers Hands, really spoke to me. All relationships God has given us, even the difficult ones are not just for us alone but for both parties and for God’s purpose and will to be done.
I’m reminded of Ephesian 5:8 which says ….but be filled by the Spirit. As I’ve read about this it is said the Greek used here has the connotation of constantly and continually being filled with the Spirit. Which makes sense to me considering it is said in contrast to not being drunk on wine. This to me speaks about the truth you said that this is a way of life, not just a one and done experience. Being led by Holy Spirit and being filled daily is so very key to our walk.
I could not agree more that we need to be open to the diverse results of the continual filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So often with different denominations they have established exactly what should happen with the filling of the Holy Spirit and they are not open to the diverse ways that the Holy Spirit can work in the lives of believers. I believe we cannot fulfill the command in Romans 12:2 unless we continually seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Holy Spirits power allows us to renew our mind daily so that we are able to follow His will during our counseling sessions.
Yes!!! To be BEING filled is a continual process! Just a Jesus said “… If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23. Part of taking up our cross is asking for a daily renewal of the Holy Spirit. I love how Pastor Jeff eluded to what Jesus also said in Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” God will always answer a prayer for more of Him. He will always say “yes” to an earnest request for more of his Spirit and presence in our lives. All we must do is ask.
Tim, I could not agree more. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Yeah Don that’s a great verse ask that’s it that’s how simple it is . Pull from Gods resources not our own and just ask Him.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for bringing us to a place where we can look at the Holy Spirit as a person and the true Work that HE does. I refer to my “Life verse”
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15
The amazing transition that took place in Paul’s life, I can relate to, and it is because of the Power and Work of The Holy Spirit that took place in someone’s life that I was a witness to and they were able to speak over me, pray over me, and help lead me to a restored and renewed life in Christ! I appreciate how Pastor Jeff Spoke about Ephesians a few times in this Podcast and how we get to reap the Spiritual Blessings that are laid out for us in Ephesians, as Paul calls the letter to the Saints, which is us. So rich with HIS Indwelling Spirit. God did not create us to be just a number, but to be filled and used by HIM for HIS Glory.
Amen! It is an amazing legacy to think of all the people that have had such an encounter with God that lead and contributed to each one of us having one as well. I never want to take fro granted the lives and people that God used to reach me, and hopefully I have an will continue to help Him reach others.
Jeff, I don’t know if you’d be willing to speak on the prayer in Acts 4:24-31. I think I understand what you were trying to get at, that maybe we don’t need to pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but that we pray for God to “Stretch out His hand”?
I pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but are you suggesting I should be praying for God’s direct intervention to work? Is it appropriate to refer to Jesus’ Words in John 14:11-17, that we can ask in His name and it will be done for us? Is this a belief issue? Where Christ, in John 14:12 says “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing”, is He really saying that we who believe will do the miraculous healings that Christ had done? Have we failed to understand the power of God and His desire to do great things for us? Or am I missing something different?
Anyway… Just a string of thoughts, if anyone has any insight, I’d appreciate something more to consider and wrestle with. Thank you Jeff for your work.
I think (my opinion) that John 14: 12 is in refence to the church as a whole. But that doesn’t rule out that the Holy Spirit can’t do those works in one individual if He so chooses to bring glory to Jesus Christ and testify of His marvelous works.
With the work and the person of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that He is everywhere, has all knowledge, and teaches us to go deeper past the limits that we set. We can continually be filled as we listen and prayerfully seek His guidance as he can spiritually strengthen us to be bold in his word for the work of Jesus Christ. When Jeff mentioned that the Spirit is living and breathing, He is the very breath of God as he is God. It is impossible to live and understand without the work of the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the gift of the Holy Spirit, and we must be continually filled as we have daily encounters with others using those gifts. It is an excellent reminder that as we obey and submit and prayerfully seek the person of the Holy Spirit, we will receive more understanding and boldness in the discipleship of the gospel.
Kristen,
I absolutely agree with you, as we submit to HIM, and listen for HIS instruction in our lives, we can walk in faith knowing that HE with provide for the encounters with others we meet. HE is Jehovah Jireh.
Good podcast Pastor Jeff. Good words. Seems like we need to get through that tough discussion of speaking in tongues. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and one way He ‘falls’ or covers’ or ‘hovers’ over us. The results can be different. Mary was impregnated, the disciples spoke to the Lord in a language that was different than what they normally spoke. I don’t think I am simplifying it but to me, the important thing to focus on is what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives individually and as a counselor to those we minister too.
One thing I have noticed, when the Holy Spirit moves, things change. There is change. There is life. Something comes to live, or is born or is transformed. There is change. We don’t want to miss that…ever.
I enjoyed your mention of the changes that occur when the Holy Spirit works. I think that is a wonderful reminder to seek after the Kingdom of God, to see where God is working out his will on earth, as it is in heaven.
Anita, yes 😉 When the Holy Spirit moves, we are completely removed, and HE goes to work. Only The Holy Spirit can get to every single area within a person, something we cannot do, only HIM.
I completely agree, Anita! Many years ago I begin to ask people who were requesting prayer, and who were presenting as Christians, how their lives have changed since they had become Born Again. After all, there is evidence of His indwelling Spirit and life within us! There were times that people could not account for any difference at all. This is where I would share the Gospel and many would call on the name of the Lord to be saved.
Thanks Anita for reminding us of what is important and essential when we counsel. How is the Holy Spirit moving in our lives and the lives of our counselees.
I think the contrast between boldness in the flesh and boldness in the Spirit is evident to most who observe; Not just in the outcomes but also in how it is received by those being ministered to. Ive been amazed seeing the Spirit move in witnessing or counseling with others and thinking to myself “this is going to end badly” but being so humbled at God extending His wisdom and perfect timing through the Holy Spirit to have it be exactly what is needed in that moment. It is because God searches the hearts and minds He can be bold where would offend.
Hi Nathan, I agree. If we look at what the disciples were doing, it was bold! Even going to Saul, to care for him….bold!
God does search the hearts and minds. He is bold, we follow suit. If He goes before us and He is for us…We should be so bold! Good word!
Yes, I agree, as we must daily die to self and be in the boldness of the Spirit. I have had circumstances where I wasn’t sure how it would end, but as I obeyed what I knew the Spirit wanted me to do or say, I found that not my words but His words worked through me for His purpose. It opened up a door to disciple someone who had questions. All glory to God, who works through us.
I agree, Nathan. I have often seen very gifted people speak but without the help of the Holy Spirit. In other words, there was no anointing on the words, although the words were fine in and of themselves. At other times, I have witnessed uncertain men or women speak but they had the Holy Spirit’s anointing and their simple words became life to the listener!
This is so important Nathan
The humble God reliant holt spirit emboldened believer . Totally agree with you brother!
Love that differentiation nathan between boldness in the flesh and the spirit. You are right the results are obvious! Thank you.
Another wonderful podcast featuring the Holy Spirit! Talk about boldness, Ananias certainly showed that in trusting in God to go and pray for Paul! I often try to think of what it would be like for God to ask those kinds of things of us today. For instance, to stand in the middle of Baghdad and preach Christ! It’s wonderful how God gives us freely what we don’t have on our own – boldness!
I appreciate the emphasis on how we do not direct Holy Spirit, but Holy Spirit shows up as He wills. It’s not to say that He doesn’t hear our prayers and requests, certainly He does. But it’s a lovely reminder that the Spirit knows the mind and will of God and accomplishes His purposes in His timing!
Right! and how His will is so perfectly good. we were just going through Romans 8 in church and how when the Spirit ministers because He is God we can be confident He is working in/through us and praying and interceding for us in the will of God to accomplish His good works.
romans 8:27 “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
I agree Laura. It is very comforting to know that the Holy Spirit knows exactly the mind and will of God and is always guiding us towards God’s will for our lives and those we counsel. Very comforting indeed. Good word!
I agree it is a good reminder that the Spirit knows the will of the Father!
What an amazing truth that the Holy Spirit knows the mind and will of the father perfectly and that his perfect will comes to pass. And that we find ourselves in that ‘process’ . What an amazing God we have.