Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

• Pray
• PD

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
   1. Why did God establish the earth and create man? (Class discussion)
   2. Relationship
   3. 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
  (God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit)

• 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!

• Pray
• PD

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
   1. Why did God establish the earth and create man? (Class discussion)
   2. Relationship
   3. 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
  (God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit)

• 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 Tr

Wise As Serpents

Text -

Matt 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Read Matt :11–17

Reference today – Bible, Sparking Gems From The Greek

Jesus getting ready to send disciples out to witness – preach the Gospel –start the church as we know it. Think of that … a vital part of God re-establishing His Kingdom.

• No punctuation early Greek. I have to believe Jesus Knew this would be written down for you and me to take instruction from. So what He said is translated verily, verily.

• He was telling them and us to LISTEN UP! - WHAT I’M ABOUT TO SAY IS IMPORTANT.
• Whenever we see verily, verily or in some versions, truly, truly listen carefully to what He is going to say, it’s important!
• Jesus gave at least 6 instructions and some consequences for the

disciples and the people for listening or not listening to them.

• Get to vs 16 and tells them to be “wise as serpents”

In this verse, Jesus instructs His disciples (and us) to be “wise as serpents.” The word “wise” is the Greek word pronimos, which means prudent, careful, cunning, discerning, thoughtful, intelligent,

or sensible. This word perfectly depicts the behavior and actions of snakes. They are very careful, discerning, intelligent, and prudent in how they act. The Greek word for “serpent” is the word ophis, which is the normal Greek word that refers to a snake.

It is a fact that Jesus told us that we need to be “wise as serpents”! The Greek literally means we

need to be as prudent, discerning, intelligent, thoughtful, and careful as snakes! There is obviously something Jesus wanted us to learn from the behavior of snakes, so I took the time to think about this subject. Finally, I understood exactly why Jesus used this example and how it applies to all of us regarding

our families, businesses, ministries, or any opportunity God places before us in life.

• Snakes blend in with their surrounding

• They are in any particular place for one reason, that reason is survival.

First, when serpents move into a new territory, they don’t announce their presence. Instead, they lay low, stay quiet, and blend into the environment. In fact, you can walk right past a snake and not even realize it! Snakes have the ability to be nearly invisible. They are designed to be camouflaged. This camouflage serves as a protective covering. The vilest aggressor can walk right past, but the serpent is not noticed because it has blended so well into the landscape. That camouflage gives the serpent latitude to move about freely as it finds its way around new territory. As snakes evaluate a new situation, they see what kind of opportunities are in the area. They identify places of shelter. They find “hiding places” to protect themselves from attack. They observe to see where they can find the easiest prey. When all these facts are assimilated, the serpent is ready to act. But this “settling-in” period is a key time for a serpent.

And Jesus said there is wisdom in a serpent’s behavior from which we need to learn! When God calls you or me to do something new — to move to new territory or to seize a divine opportunity — it is wisdom for us to move carefully and slowly into that new phase of our lives.

A common mistake is to act too fast. Acting hastily before all the facts are gathered and assimilated can lead us to bad decisions based on incomplete, or even worse - false information. In fact, one serious mistake can cause us to lose an opportunity altogether. I can testify to you about this firsthand.

It is better to lay low, stay quiet, and blend into the environment for a while, learning from the sights and the facts we observe.

We need to apply this to every phase of our lives – we have to be sensitive to The Spirit so we can gather facts and information : Most serious mistakes are avoidable when moving to a new situation or environment. I strongly advise you to take your time and be sure of the actions you take before you ever act.

I would suggest that you first:

• Learn the landscape of your new environment.

• Locate places of spiritual shelter for you and your family.
• See what kind of attacks could potentially come against you.
• Take time to really understand the opportunities around you.
• Take advantage of your preparation time before you announce great and glorious

plans, making sure that you are completely informed of all the facts.

Once we have gathered all the facts and know who and what the dangers are we must act and seize the moment!

• Don’t let fear or conventional “wisdom” rule (lean not your own understanding - Proverbs)
• Be sensitive to The Holy Spirit’s leading
• New ventures God springs on us are always scary – remember: you must rely on Him “where God guides, He provides”. (Pastor Dan)
• But, how do I know it’s God? –

1. listen – spend as much time listening in quiet time as talking when praying. Do you like someone who talks all the time? Do we learn more by listening or talking?
2. get to know Him – thru His Word / Renew your mind (Rom 12:1&2, Josh 1:8)

3. When we act. we must act in faith – “without faith it is impossible to please Him” Heb 11:6

4. diligently seek Him

What if I miss it?

• Everyone misses God from time to time

• Rom 8:28

• don’t miss God on purpose, because you think He is going to bail out of your recklessness, but know that by doing something, it is easier to change course and make adjustments than miss an opportunity altogether because of being afraid to act. (example of stationary car harder to turn steering wheel than one moving). Take this in context.

• Diligently seek Him

Diligently seeking Him is always the answer, whether we are in good circumstances or bad.

Be All That You Can Be

Pray

• Text

Dictionary.com def. - ARMY

1,	the military forces of a nation, exclusive of the navy and in some countries the air force.

2.	(in large military land forces) a unit consisting typically of two or more corps and a headquarters.

3.	a large body of persons trained and armed for war.

4.	any body of persons organized for any purpose: an army of census takers.

5.	a very large number or group of something; a great multitude; a host: the army of the unemployed.

Hebrew

H1416 gĕduwd ghed·üd' band, troop, army, company, men H2426 cheyl khāl wall, rampart, host, trench, poor, bulwark,  H2428 chayil khah'·yil army, man of valour (Gidion Judges 6), host, forces, valiant, strength, riches, wealth, power, substance, might, strong, misc H2429 chayil (Aramaic) khah'·yil aloud, army, power, most H2502 chalats khä·lats' deliver, Arm, loose, armed men, prepared, take, army, make fat, put off, delivered out, draw out, armed soldiers, withdrawn H4634 ma`arakah mah·ar·ä·kä' army, fight, order, place, rank, rows H4675 matstsabah mats·tsä·bä' garrison, army H6635 tsaba' tsä·bä' host, war, army, battle, service, appointed time, warfare, soldiers, company, misc New Testament (Greek) G3925 parembolē pä-rem-bo-lā' castle, camp, army G4753 strateuma strä'-tyü-mä army, man of war (Eph 6), soldier G4760 stratopedon strä-to'-pe-don army

Most kings have some sort of kingdom and with that some form of government is established

• God has a Kingdom (Matt 6:33… seek ye first,  Mark 1:14 …Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God)

• Kingdom on earth lost by Adam through disobedience… (Rom 5: 19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

• Kingdom re-established by Christ –start when born and deal sealed at cross  (Isa 9:6… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.) (the word government is also translated “responsibility” in some versions)

• Kingdom lost temp (God had plan…  ) – re-established by Jesus, Jesus’ ministry on earth – fully man and fully God (teaching) -then at cross

• Until Jesus comes back The Kingdom Of God re-established in our hearts by being born again  John 3:3 … Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

If believers are a “band” or have “something in common” we are, by definition, an army

As soldiers in that army we have a commander, His name is Jesus

·        He is The Name above all Names  (Rev 22:13, Isa 44:6)

·        Alpha and Omega (Rev 21:6)

·        The list goes on and on – all boils down to how God first described Himself and told Moses when asked His Name – He said I Am

He sets Himself apart, distinguishes self as The Head, Ruler, The COMMANDER OF THE ARMY!

If you and I are born again, we are in that army – like it or not

·        Our Commander has given us a mission – expand The Kingdom

1.      Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation

2.      go to church or Bible Study – stay connected with other believers   

Ecclesiastes 4:12  Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves, A cord of three strands is not quickly broke

 Find out who God is from The Word

Find out who The Word says you are

meditate on The Word – daily – making that a priority is the only way you can   do it –

teach children the word–

set example

teach others (introduce them to Christ, about personal relationship)

if you fall back – go back at it

living for Christ is a process it has to be on purpose and because you want to (free will)

Draw Near To Him

                                                                    

·      

        

                        1.    God Chooses to draw near to us – 
                                 up to us.
                        2.     We crave for what we eat. Devour 
                               Word

3.    determine what you eat - meditate on Word daily.    -  Prov. 4:23 …guard your heart                 (issues of life)

4      We need to want to be in God’s presence because of who He is – not what He can do.

5.            We need to have holy reverence – the fear of the Lord

·        Humility

Our text scripture has been James 4:8 – but let's look at what God says to us through James before and after this verse – the entire passage.

James 6-10   6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  10 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 Let's also look at Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

1.            God loves humble people

2.            hates pride

         ·        Most have a misconception of Godly humility – 

3.            as used here means to make oneself lower than the other person on purpose

           a)    Blessed are the humble (Matt 6)

           b)    He who is first will be last
           c)    Defer to others-

           d)    We are supposed to put other’s needs as a priority – help people – James calls this                  “true religion”

·        Let’s  take a look at another form of Godly humility –

4.        

            agreement with God – being in tune with Him : example 1 Sam 17:26-28      

many confuse being in agreement with God with being conceited

1.            Little Shepard boy arrives on scene bringing supplies

2.            finds mighty warriors of Israel hiding behind rocks

3.            finds all are afraid of Goliath

4.            who is this uncircumcised Philistine? – (what is going on here?)

5.            Brother’s reaction

6.            God calls David man after His own heart

David not conceited – standing up for Lord out of love for God, God did not need David’s help but used David to help His people because David:

·        David humbled himself before God (God knew his heart)

·        David stood up for god

·        David’s humbled himself to Saul (God’sking) brought supplys

other examples:

1.            Moses – Numbers 12:3

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

Who wrote Numbers? – Moses!

2.            Jesus – Matt 11:28-29

28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Humbleness here consistent with the idea of

1.            obedience  - Jer. 29:11 -  links obedience and humbleness

2.            dependence on Him – 2 Cor 3:5 – 2 Cor. 12-9-10 – giving all the credit to God

3.            our view of ourselves – 1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Humbleness and fear of The Lord the aspect of Christian life that God is looking for –

If we know nothing else, but truly Seek His Presence showing these two things: you automatically will – be obedient in truth – because of who He Is,

You will be in agreement with Him.

Proverbs 22:4-5 tells us He will then reward us with His presence:

            4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life

5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

         

(Amp says He will reward with his presence)

If you want to be in agreement with God, you must get to know Him, much easier to agree with someone when you know them.

-         Meditate on Word – Josh 1:8

·        End meeting in prayer