God in Us

Posted by Tim

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

"It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7

Why is it that the Helper that Jesus promised is often at the center of theological controversy, a frequently neglected part of the Trinity, and a seemingly ineffective Guide in our lives? In our time together Sunday, Pastor Tom focused on the Holy Spirit and some of what Christ said about Him in the hours before He left the Disciples.

Let's begin as we examine the involvement of the Holy Spirit throughout history in a quick review of Scripture. It's clear that His impact has been significant.

1. First, the Holy Spirit had a hand in the creation of the heavens and the earth. In Genesis 1:2 we're told "...the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."
2. Second, the Spirit brings us wisdom from and understanding about God. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...to bring good news to the afflicted...bind up the brokenhearted...proclaim liberty to captives." Isaiah 61:1
3. Third, He conceived the Christ Child as noted in Matthew 1:18, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit."
4. Fourth, we are given gifts from God through the Holy Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." Galatians 5:22,23

And, that's not everything. You might take a bit of time this week to explore how the Holy Spirit is mentioned in Scripture from the second verse of Genesis to the very end of Revelation.

Next, let's just review what Pastor Tom shared about how the Spirit helps us.

1. First, He changes you. For example, in Ephesians 5 and 6 we're told that the Spirit can impact our thinking and through this He can lead us to change our thinking.
2. Second, He enables us through the special capabilities He gives us gifts of the Spirit. For more detail on the gifts of the Spirit, check out 1 Corinthians 12.
3. Third, He's there listening to our requests and taking our prayers before God the Father. Romans 8 gives some of the details.
4. Finally, He magnifies Christ through us. If we're living according to the Scriptures, He can use us to reach others. Go back and review John 16.

At the moment of our salvation, we are immediately filled with the Spirit. We get all of Him there is to receive. The issue is how much we give of ourselves to Him. Are you holding back? Is there more you can turn over to the Helper? Is there more you can learn about Him?

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of mine, and shall disclose it to you." John 16:13,14