Pastor Daniel Ho, 02/07/2011
On 08/04/1994, an electrician found a dead body. A shotgun was found beside a body. The face of the body was blown beyond recognition. He had died several days before. He was Kurt Kobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, one of the most talented guitarists in his time. His wife, Courtney Love had before this had asked the police to remove his weapons lest he hurt himself or others. The band released the Nevermind album in 1991 and it topped the chart, exceeding Michael Jackson’s Dangerous in 1992. The title of the album suggested an attitude of it doesn’t matter. It’s a reflection of the generation that has lost its anchor. There is a world of difference between truth and taste.
Joh 14:15-31 If you love me, you will obey what I command. (16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- (17) the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (18) I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (19) Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (20) On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (21) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (22) Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" (23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (24) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (25) All this I have spoken while still with you. (26) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (28) You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. (29) I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. (30) I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, (31) but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.
The person of the Holy Spirit is a person of truth. As people of God, we need to stand on the truth and propagate the truth and even to the point of paying the price.
The Person of the Holy Spirit
· The Trinitarion God of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are united in purpose and operation. (v. 16, 20) They always work in unison. They never work against one another. (A volitional unity ~Dr. Ron Choong.) This is not a discovery but rather a revelation of God. God doesn’t contradict His own Word.
· The Holy Spirit is “He” and not “it” like a force.
· Because the Holy Spirit is a Person
o He can be known (v17)
§ The Christian faith is a faith that is personal
o He can be grieved (Eph 4:30)
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
As a human being, we can be grieved when someone hurt us. The Holy Spirit is always concern about us so when we do something that hurt ourselves, He is grieved.
o He can be quenched (1 Thess 5:19)
1Th 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire
Sometimes we are more concerned about our own reputation than God’s plan.
· He is the Spirit of truth
o He embodies the truth. In Kung Fu Panda, Oogway refused to let Tai Long become a leader of the community because he saw darkness in his heart.
o He speaks the truth (Jn 16:13)
Joh 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
§ He guides us into all truth
§ He speaks present truth
§ He speaks prophetic truth (Amos 3:7)
Amo 3:7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Those who tells us to stock up food at home these few days are false prophets.
o He teachers and reminds because He is the Counselor (v26)
Sometimes we are so lazy we want the Word of God from others. We should read it and talk to the Holy Spirit ourselves.
o He also convicts (Jn 16:8-11)
Joh 16:8-11 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: (9) in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; (10) in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; (11) and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t come to accuse us but to show us truthfully what is wrong with us to convict us. He will say anything that is baseless. He convicts us based on facts. When we don’t walk right, we will feel the Holy Spirit convicting us.
The Presence of the Holy Spirit
· He indwells us (v17 cf Rom 8:9)
Rom 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.
The moment one believes the Holy Spirit is in one. However, having the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean being full of the Holy Spirit.
· He will begin to transform us to become Christ-like (e.g. Gal 5:22,23)
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law.
It is not 9 fruits but 1 fruit manifesting in 9 facets.
· He will also begin to manifest His fullness increasingly in us (cf. Acts 6:3)
Act 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.
o How does this come about?
§ Through our obedience to Christ’s commands (v21; Jn 5:3; Heb 12:10)
1Jn 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
Heb 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
· The Holy Spirit is given for our good (Jn 16:7)
Joh 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
· He enables us to overcome evil because Jesus has defeated Satan (v30; Jn 16:11; cf Col 2:15; 1 Jn 4:4)
Joh 16:11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Col 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
1Jn 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
We don’t have to wear a cross or bring a Bible to feel safe. Our security is not in objects but in God – in the Holy Spirit who is in us.
“Everyone here in DUMC is a Ghostbuster.” We have the power of the Holy Spirit.
· He empowers us to bear witness (Act 1:8; Jn 15:26,27)
Act 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Joh 15:26-27 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (27) And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
6 steps to sharing Jesus Christ
- Pray (1 Pet 3:8,9). Pray that God will bring us to divine appointment.
- Turn every occasion to an opportunity to talk about Jesus. (Col 4:5)
- Take initiative. Be the first one to start the conversation. Wait one hour and we are already in our comfort zone and we don’t want to talk anymore.
- Give a fair exchange – don’t withhold information when we are asking questions. If we don’t do that it may be seen as an interrogation,
- Find connecting points. Talk about work, sports, hobbies or family.
- Go for the kill. Time is precious.
Questions for discussion
1. In what ways have the Holy Spirit been teaching, guiding, revealing and / or convicting you about the truth and what is right and good for your life? Share a significant area of transformation in your life. Allow your cell members also to point out one area they have seen a positive change in your life.
2. Share an experience where you encounter the power of the Holy Spirit. How has that helped you to overcome fear and evil, bear witness for Christ and live a victoriously Christian life?
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