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SCHOOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2)
Tue, 12 Jan, 2010John 20:21-22 (NIV) Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Let’s look at three ways we have of relating with the Holy Spirit:
1. The Holy Spirit In Us:
The New Temple:
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.”
Three Experiences:
John 3:3-5 (NIV) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
- When we are born again our eyes are opened to see the Kingdom and to become aware of the spiritual realm.
- Our water baptism is a statement of total dedication to walk in the ways of the Lord.
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit then confirms our entry to Kingdom living by empowering us to be true ambassadors.
The Pattern of Jesus:
Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
This marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and of His declaration of the Kingdom.
The Inner Workings of the Spirit:
1. Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”
*Empowering us to conform our will to His.
2. Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
*Helping us live Holy lives.
3. Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, *["Abba,] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
*Marking us out as sons and heirs
4. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
*Helping us to pray
5. Romans 8:28-30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
*Strengthening us through the challenges of life so that they shape us to be more like Christ.
Primary Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit would seem to be one of confirming to us that we truly are children of God, and of conforming us to be more like Christ.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Thank God for the Holy Spirit in us. A powerful beginning and ongoing source of grace that enables us to walk in The Way!
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