Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

• Pray

 Text verse – Heb. 11:6

 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

·         From this verse we see an important premise established: As long as we go to the Word in faith, believe He is who He says He Is, and seek Him (study in truth) we will please God. He then tells us He will reward us. He then rewards us with his presence (Jesus said: ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find).

Before Christ started His Ministry, John The Baptist’s calling was to make straight the way of the Lord. – John 1:22-23, Is 40:3

Now it is The Holy Spirit’s ministry to bear witness of Him 1 John 5:7-8, John 15:26 and to give believers power and ability to witness to others thus spreading the church. Acts 1:8

 

Leads us into all righteousness – John16:13 – The Holy Spirit’s main ministry is to get ALL people saved.

Preach the Good News (Mark16: 15) – Christ crucified is The Good News (man reconciled back to God [Isa. 61]) 1 Cor. 1:23 (Christ crucified), Mark 16 14:18,

Gal 2:20 (I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.), Rom.1:16  (For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.)

                  

1.    God’s intentions toward us

a)            Why did God establish the earth and create man? (Class discussion)

b)            Relationship

c)            Fatherhood / mentor

Holy Spirit of OT

·         Part of Godhead – God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - Gen 1:1, 1:26 – Job 3:4

·         God  created man and gave him His Spirit – Gen2:7,  1 Cor. 6:19

·         Spirit of God – Came to kings and prophets (wasn’t there all the time – only when God wanted to act specifically.)

Holy Spirit of NT

·         The seed of God (re-establishing lost Kingdom) could NOT come through sinful man.

·         Scripture records account of god coming to earth by way of the Holy Spirit -

·         John prob. only  person who has actually (through spiritual eyes) seen the Godhead
           -      John 1:1 , 1:14

-          Luke 3:22 – Holt Spirit “like a dove” doesn’t mean He is one. He is a distinct person.            

-          Every one has heard phrases like

“strong as an ox”

“ran like the wind” – that doesn’t mean they are an ox or the wind

                       

Jesus is telling disciples of His crucifixion, tells them He is sending Holy Spirit –

John 14:14 –18

           

            They are distraught Jesus says He has much to tell them but they can’t bear it all at once

-Then in chapter 16: 7– 8  He makes an amazing statement – He says: believe me.

·         Remember: they had been with Him for 3 years           

·         He hadn’t lied to them yet

·         Everything He said was going to happen happened

·         they had seen many miracles

·         They knew who He was – He (Jesus) was God

Jesus says Believe Me … I’m not kidding …you’ll do greater things than what you have seen me do because of the Holy Spirit that I promise to send once I leave you.

            We know from Word That The Holy Spirit -

·         Has mind Rom 8:27

·         a will and emotions -1 Cor 12:11

·         He speaks - Heb3:7

·         Give believers power to be witnesses, in fact He told the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until He (The Holy Spirit) came – Acts 1:4 – 1:8

·         Give us prophesy  - 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Cor. 12

·         Inspired men & gave us the words God would call scripture – 1 Tim. 3:16

·         Helps us to do the Word – 1 peter 3:22

·         Gives people power to act in God’s sovereign purposes – 1 Cor. 12

·         Guides us in prayer – Rom 8:28

·         Gives us wisdom & tells us what to say when we need it – lk12:2

- You can see that this list is endless (infinite) like God. It is clear from the Bible God is Three persons that make One God. How God is dealing with mankind or His Universal Church is a matter of which One is manifest on earth at the time.

- Any character trait of one part of Godhead is true of all – Matt 12:25

The present day Jews as well as in ancient time Jews (non-believing) can’t get into relationship with God – they reject or rejected Jesus (don’t present day Jews notice no Spirit Of God? And thus something wrong?)

I am saying that if we are going to draw near to God and thus let Him draw near to us (James 4:8) we as Christian have got to not only recognize but rely on The Holy Spirit’s ministry to us and for us. Jesus said He and The Holy Spirit only speak what God  The Father speaks – John 5:30, John 16:13.

 The only way to Draw Nigh to God is in Spirit and Truth!