Sunday 31st May - Brian Nish

HOLY SPIRIT (2) INTRODUCTION “…it is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16v7) “…and He will give you another Helper…” (John 14v16) To our advantage? Jesus could only be in one place at one time Holy Spirit is the Helper (Greek ‘allos’ – another one just like Jesus). He will do what Jesus would do if He was physically present with us We need to get to know Holy Spirit as a Person and build a relationship with Him THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Lord is ‘One’ Father – He plans everything, and everything comes from Him Jesus – He paid the price for everything to make it available to us Holy Spirit – is the power of God to bring it about Everything comes – from the Father - through the Son - by the Holy Spirit (manifested to us) Holy Spirit is the ‘contact Person’ of the Trinity on the earth He is God on earth - God’s presence on earth Holy Spirit (God) is omnipotent (all powerful) – omniscient (all knowing) – omnipresent (everywhere), but He’s not manifest everywhere Holy Spirit thinks He is God Who are we to argue? He knows everything. He’s not worrying about how to fix things! Holy Spirit is not to be looked upon merely as an influence Many believers are robbed of a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit because they consider the Spirit to be an impersonal influence, power, or energy Holy Spirit is often symbolized as an impersonal object Wind, fire, water, oil, dove, finger of God, a seal, or other impersonal objects This seems to negate the fact that He is a divine Person But there are symbols which refer to Jesus, such as a lamb, a rock, a lion, yet these things do not negate Jesus being a divine Person “Holy Spirit” is a divine title This seems harder for believers to relate to than “Father” and “Son”. No doubt this is because these titles have a much more human feel to them than “Holy Spirit” Holy Spirit is spoken of as having personal qualities The 3 main qualities which constitute personality are attributed to the Holy Spirit:- (i) Mind (Rom 8v27) (ii) Will (1 Cor 12v11) (iii) Emotions (Rom 8v26; Rom 15v30; Col 1v8) These things are inapplicable to an impersonal influence or power Holy Spirit is referred to with personal pronouns Often by the Lord Jesus Himself namely ‘He’ and ‘Him’ (John 14v16,7,26; John 15v26; John 16v7-15) Holy Spirit has personal feelings:- a) He can be grieved (Eph 4v30) b) He can be insulted (Heb 10v29) c) He can be blasphemed (Math 12v31-32) d) He can be lied to (Acts 5v3) e) He can be resisted (Acts 7v51) f) He can be quenched (1 Thess 5v19) Holy Spirit is within the believer, comes alongside us (parakletos), and comes upon us (John 14v16-17; Acts 1v8) The early disciples had a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit on earth Jesus is now at the Father’s right hand in heaven But His disciples since then should also have a relationship with the Holy Spirit on earth – as well as with the Father and Jesus in heaven (John 14v16-17; Acts 5v3) Holy Spirit is a colourful Person – a God of diversity You can never put Him in a box He is gentle, and yet He is the most powerful Person in the universe He is holy and yet loving at the same time He has a sense of humour (‘oil of gladness’) He loves to fellowship with us - probably more than we do with Him (2 Cor 13v14; Phil 2v1). (sharing, unity, partnership;, participation, close association, friendship, communion). We are co-workers with Holy Spirit, and He is the Senior Partner Holy Spirit always points to Jesus and the Word (John 16v13-15) Holy Spirit helps us (John 14v16 – Helper)) To pray, understand the bible, prophesy, heal the sick, do acts of kindness, walk in love, break through in to new things Holy Spirit is the Presence, the River of God, and Revival (Ex 33v14-16; Rev 22v1; John 7v37; Ez 47; Psalm 1) Moses understood the importance of God’s presence There is a River of the Holy Spirit’s Presence flowing from the throne of God in heaven today This River is leading us into a great revival and harvest as it flows into the sea of mankind As we stay in this River, and this River flows in us, we will continually bear fruit, our leaves shall not wither, and whatever we do shall prosper We need to ‘know’ Holy Spirit as a Person through experience, as well as through the Word. A relationship with Holy Spirit is more important than revival (He is revival) His presence makes us feel loved, accepted, and valued. It’s His presence that satisfies us deep within, not His power We should pursue God’s presence because we love Him And want to spend time with him – not to get more power Nevertheless, the result of being in God’s presence means we come out with more power Feeling loved, accepted, and valued all come from being in Holy Spirit’s presence We won’t get this from ministry We should minister out of the above – not to get the above! CONCLUSION Holy Spirit is God on earth – co-equal with the Father and Lord Jesus Holy Spirit is a Person Holy Spirit wants a relationship with YOU!