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Introduction:
Jesus issues a proclamation of liberty to every believer. Our union with Him qualifies us to share His victory. We are in a battle, will we fail? (Gal. 5:16-17)
How does Christ’s victory become ours? How is His victory translated into our experience? Are you failing in the battle between the old man and the new man?
The answer lies in the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who communicates Christ’s strength to us; He satisfies our spiritual thirst for He is the overflow of living water within. (John 7:37-39)
I. WHAT DID CHRIST SAY ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Jh. 7:37-39; Jh 14:16,26; Jh 15:26; Jh 16:7-13 Christ promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as He would be poured out upon God’s people.
A. The Basis of the Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Glorification of Jesus Christ.
1. The Spirit, Jesus said, could not be given to His people until He was glorified.
2. God does not give the Holy Spirit because we agonize or fast for him.
3. The death of Christ on the Cross is the basis for your forgiveness, and Christ’s ascension and glorification is the basis of the Holy Spirit’s coming.
B. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer since the day of Pentecost.
Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:13; I Cor. 6:19-20
1. There is no need of striving, anxiety, wishing or a feeling we are unworthy
to receive the Holy Spirit.
2. He is waiting to quench our thirst, to meet our inner need. He is there!
3. But His control of our lives in not automatic. (Jh. 7:37-39)
II. HOW DO WE RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER?
A. Gal. 5:16 By trusting the Holy Spirit in our walk.
1. Consider the order: It does not say, stop carrying out the desires of the flesh, and we walk in the Spirit. But the contrary -- the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to keep us from the works of the flesh. The emphasis is upon His work in us not our ability to control ourselves.
2. We must come to Him by faith, Col. 2:6-7; Jh 7:37-39;
a. If any man thirst -- has a deep desire, then come, and drink.
b. God does not say -- Be perfect enough, dedicated enough, surrendered enough,
holy enough... but come in your need!
c. Do you feel like an apple tree trying to grow in a desert -- then you are
a candidate for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
III. HOW DO WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT?
A. There is a direct connection between walking in the Spirit and breaking a sinful habit.
1. Are you in bondage? addicted? walking in ongoing failure?
2. God offers you a different master -- be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Eph. 5:18
3. The Holy Spirit’s power and control in your life can set you free, and
replace sin’s power and control.
4. You can have victory over the list of six major sins:
covetousness, mental lustful desires, envy, pride, anger and bitterness,
unthankfulness and prayerlessness.
B. Prepare Your Heart by Confessing your sin.
1. Tell the Lord you desire to forsake sin,
2. then trust His forgiveness, and His cleansing.
3. Expect the Holy Spirit to energize you; He is not reluctant, or waiting to be
coaxed; He is resident for the express purpose of being president!
C. Trust the Holy Spirit to DO His work by faith.
1. He will not exercise His power in you apart from your desire and faith.
2. If you ask for His power and control then believe He WILL DO IT!
3. Receive the Spirit’s fullness by faith and not be dependent upon some special particular feeling or sensation, or waves of love, or overwhelming feelings, or some strange speaking in tongues. Acts 1:8; Heb 11:6; Rom. 10:17
4. Take God at His Word. Luke 11:5-10
IV. HOW CAN I CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT, A WALK BY FAITH?
A. Realize the Power of Thankfulness and Praise. -- Eph. 5:18-21; Psa. 50:23;
I Thess. 5:18; Phil. 4:6-7
1. We make the mistake of only thanking for the good things of life.
2. We make the mistake of only thanking when we feel like thanking.
3. In everything give thanks -- for all circumstances, events, people -- whether painful or pleasant.
B. Recognize it is a command to Praise. -- Eph. 5:20; I Thess. 5:18
1. God expects obedience.
2. Thankfulness changes our attitude and allows the Holy Spirit to control.
3. Thankfulness like forgiveness is not an emotion.
4. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God, based on
His Word. Being immediately thankful changes our perspective!
5. It is your determination to be obedient that makes the difference.
C. The practice we ought to be involved in!
1. Name the temptation, the sin -- give thanks to God that you are already
victorious over it!
2. I Jh 5:14-15 Freedom can be claimed, by faith, by His CONTROL.
V. HIS PROVISIONS IN THE MIDST OF OUR NEEDS!
What a remarkable privilege the disciples had in walking with the Lord for three and a half years. What a comfort this must have been to their hearts. They saw Him perform many remarkable works; He was their personal teacher and advisor during those days. Then He spoke of the Comforter doing for them what He had done.
He spoke of leaving them, of His departure -- Jh 12:23-24; Jh 13:36-38. This must have brought great fear, sorrow, confusion and bewilderment to this group of men. In this the Lord sought to comfort them and prepare them for that hour.
A. He Spoke of Many Provisions For Them Which Are For Us As Well.
1. The provision of His Home -- Jh 14:1-6
2. The provision of the Power of His Name in Prayer -- Jh 14:13-14; 16:23-24
3. The provision of His Life as the Vine to the branch -- Jh 15:1-8
4. The provision of His Peace -- Jh 14:27
5. The provision of His Joy - Jh 15:11
6. The provision of His Overcoming Power - Jh 16:33
7. The provision of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit -- Jh 14:16-17; 15:26;
16:7-15
B. He Spoke of This Special Gift -- the Holy Spirit:
1. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s gift to the believer -- John 14;16, 25; 15:25; 16:7
2. The Holy Spirit is God the Father’s Choice gift to the Believer --
a. The Spirit of truth -- Jh 14:16-17, 26
b. The Spirit of faith - II Cor. 4:13
c. The Spirit of Holiness - Rom. 1:4
d. The Spirit of Life - Rom 8:2-3
e. The Comforter -- Jh 14:16; Jh 15:26; Jh 16:7
3. The Holy Spirit, the Provision for the Believer -- Eph. 5:18; Acts 1:1-8
a. He is our birthright - Rom. 8:16; I Cor. 12:13
b. He is there for our need - Study Acts chapters one and two.
c. He is our source of power - Acts 1:8
C. He Provided a Comforter For Our Need:
“Another comforter” is what it says in the original Greek. One of the same kind, a comforter like unto Christ, the Lord. He would pray the Father to send, whom He would also send -- another comforter for us, in character like unto our Savior.
The word, comforter” is rich in meaning: It means “one who is called alongside to help, one who assists, to bring aid, comfort, an advocate, a support.” Christ said, “I will not leave you comfortless! (or like an orphan); I will come unto you.”
The Holy Spirit would come as One who would be: • Identified with our interests, • undertake in all our causes, and • engage to see us through all our difficulties.
D. This Comforter, The Holy Spirit, Is There To See Us Through All Our Trials:
He is the personal agent, like an attorney, who transacts all spiritual business for us! He is DEDICATED to all our INTERESTS! As such He indwells, fills, leads, and seals us into the family of God as He carries out the Father’s interests in us.
What the Father has devised, the Son of God has accomplished and the Holy Spirit communicates to us. The communion of the Holy Spirit imparts (or communicates) and makes real the blessings of the trinity planned and provided for us in the will of God, even in ages past.
1. A Cure for Our Abnormal Fears - Isa. 41:10; 41:13-14; Jh 14:1, 16;
I Jh. 4:16-19
2. A Cure for All Our Worries - II Cor. 13:14; Psa. 34:3-5; Psa. 27:1, 14
3. A Cure for All Our Loneliness - Jh 14:1, 17-20; 15:11;
4. A Cure for the Sorrowing Heart - Jh 14:1; 14:27; 16:4-7, 12; Acts 9:31
5. A Cure for All Our Helplessness - II Tim. 1:7; Isa 61:1-3; John 15:1-8
6. A Cure for All Our Anxiety - Phil. 4:6-7; Jh 14:27; Psa. 37:1-5
7. A Cure for All Our Failures - Eph. 6:10; Psa. 62:5-8, 11-12; 63:1-8
Gal. 5: 16-17, 24
For this wonderful Holy Spirit indwells every believer since the day of Pentecost. Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:13; I Cor. 6:19-20
There is no need of striving, anxiety, or wishing nor does He want us to have a feeling we are unworthy to receive the Holy Spirit. He is waiting to quench our thirst, to meet our inner need. He is there! But His control of our lives in not automatic. (Jh. 7:37-39) We must come, drink, and believe!
Sermon by Dr. Edward Watke Jr.---- Revival in the Home Ministries, Inc.