The Different Dimensions and Workings of the Holy Spirit!
I believe that understanding the person and the work of the Holy Spirit is imperative!
When we consider the work of the Holy Spirit, we must understand that the Holy Spirit was present and moving from the very beginning. Gen 1:1-2 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. NLT
He has never been absent from the human story!
In the Old Testament, He came UPON them to empower them to fulfill a particular God-given task, and in the New Testament, because of the finished work of Christ, the Holy Spirit now lives IN all believers!
His purpose is to reveal the work of God
The different Dimensions or components and workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives! 1. Conviction!
John 16:7-9 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. NLT
Convict: to show to be wrong, to convince of error, refute
The first work of the Holy Spirit in our lives was when we were feeling internally that something was right.
The life we were building was missing something!
Acts 2:36-40 36 "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" 37 Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God." 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!" NLT
Pierced their heart: to penetrate or pierce, as the word of God, to awaken someone from sleep
2. Indwelling!
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and seals the new believer!
Eph 1:12 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, KJV
Were sealed: (aorist tense, passive voice) The earnest, pledge, or seal of their election to salvation.
Aorist: once, complete, permanent, not continually
Passive: something that has happened to you
Rom 8:9-10 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) NLT
The saddest thing is, this is where most Christians stop, they have no clue or understanding of what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing
This is where the story turns for most!
3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit!
They had received the Holy Spirit after the Resurrection
John 20:21-23 Again he said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." 22 Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." NLT
Even though they had received the Holy Spirit, Jesus told them not to wait for salvation, but for Power!
Acts 1:4-8 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" 7 He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NLT
Baptized: to immerse, for a religious purpose, to overwhelm, saturate
Every believer should be able to look back and remember a time when they surrendered to the call and purpose of God for their life! (if not, this is the next level for them)
A person is not repeatedly baptized; they were baptized into a new identity, purpose in the body of Christ!
1 Cor 12:11-13 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. NLT
Power to do what is impossible to do without divine enablement!
Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, cut people's ears off, and cursed people, and when this POWER came, he boldly preached the gospel, and 3000 were saved!
That didn’t improve talking skills or personality development!
1 Sam 10:5-8 5 "When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. NLT
Power is for a Purpose
Jesus Himself explicitly defined the purpose of this baptism right before His ascension. He did not say, "You will receive tongues," but rather focused on the ultimate objective:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NLT
Come: resting upon and operating in a person Upon: to rest, influence upon or over any person or thing
Witness: One who has information or knowledge of something, and hence, one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something
This dunamis is given specifically to turn ordinary, fearful people into bold, unshakeable witnesses who can advance God's kingdom against all cultural opposition.
4. The Continuation!
You can be sealed, baptized by the Spirit but not being filled?
Eph 5:15-20 15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, NLT
Filled in the Greek text: present tense, passive voice, imperative mood, second person
Present Tense: Continuous, Ongoing Action
It translates literally to "keep on being filled" or "be constantly, progressively filled!
This is where many believers live like fools and are not wise!
Because we are leaky vessels prone to quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit, therefore, we need a daily supply of the divine life force. (What does that look like life?)
As we give Out and sometimes grow weary, the Holy Spirit wants to Pour in!
19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT (the purpose for worship)
Passive Voice: You Receive the Action (something done to you)
The subject does not perform the action but is acted upon by an outside force. You do not fill yourself; the Holy Spirit is the active agent who fills you.
Your role is not to manufacture or pump-up spiritual energy. Your role is simply to yield, open up, and make yourself available and this is not automatic, it is a choice!
Imperative Mood: Mandatory Command
This is not a suggestion, an option, or a spiritual luxury reserved for elite Christians.
To live a life unfilled by the Spirit is to live in active disobedience. God commands it because it is the only way to successfully execute the Christian life.
Acts 4:29-31 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. NLT
Same people, different events producing a second wave of boldness
Acts 9:17-18 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." NLT
Acts 13:9-11 9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, "You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? NLT
Second Person Plural: A Corporate Expectation
Some are believers but have never surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s calling and purpose!
