The Holy Who? Part I Welcome to the Stage

The Lord is all about newness and freshness.  It is amazing what happens when we listen to the Holy Spirit.  Life can get heavy and stressful, but Jesus said in John 10:10b "I came that you might have life and have it abundantly." In Matthew 11:29-30, we read,  “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

For the next few weeks, we will study the person, the presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We want to clarify God’s purpose for sending us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is essential to all of us as believers.  He is not an "add-on." Isn't it amazing that God desires to be with us?  God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden because He wanted to be with his creation.  

The Holy Spirit shows up in Genesis, chapter 1, verse 2.  The Spirit of God hovered over the waters.  From the beginning of time, as we know it, God's Spirit was there.  He was there before and IN creation. As you read scriptures from Old Testament to New, you will find, intertwined in them all, the Holy Spirit at work.

Are there any areas of your life that are dead and need to be brought to life? The Holy Spirit breathes life into creation. (See Romans 8:5,6-11 and John 6:63.)

The Holy Spirit is the one who breathes LIFE into you and applies the blood of Jesus to your life.  You come to Jesus because the Holy Spirit draws you to Him. 

Why does God want us to have the Holy Spirit?  “I have Jesus; isn't that enough?”  It IS enough to get you to heaven - - to be forgiven of your sins.  God wants you to have MORE.  “The Father gives us the Holy Spirit so you and I can become more like Jesus.” - Brady Boyd

 The reality: You can't be more like Jesus without the Holy Spirit.  You can't even discipline yourself without the power of the Holy Spirit working in you. Jesus knew this which is why He told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 20:21-22 "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."  The Holy Spirit is “for you and all that are far off.”  The Holy Spirit is for EVERYONE.

1) The Holy Spirit is gentle and kind. He never, never, ever "possesses" anyone.  God doesn't send the Holy Spirit unless a person first receives Him. Just as you received Christ as your Savior, you ask for the Holy Spirit and must choose to receive Him, too.  Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, we’re afraid to ask for Him.

Jesus told us, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Advocate, Counselor) to be with you: the Spirit of Truth.  The world doesn't know Him . . . 

We are so technologically connected today, we can find out anything about anyone, but we can't know them intimately.  We have become some of the loneliest people ever.

God the Father sent Jesus back to Heaven so that He could send the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers.  The Holy Spirit reminds me who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.  The Holy Spirit brings nearness to God.  Without Him, we feel like orphans.

2) The Holy Spirit is a Teacher.  He reminds us of everything Jesus has said/taught. (John 14:26) His presence brings peace to us.  It's important for us to get into God's Word so that the Holy Spirit can reveal God's truth. 

3) The Holy Spirit is our guide to God's peace.  (John 16:12-13)  A guide is different from a teacher.  A guide is much like a mentor who watches over us and helps us apply what we've learned - - even when we're traveling a path that may be scary or mysterious.

Just as we receive Jesus as our Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit: we ASK.  Invite Him to dwell in you, to make you aware of His presence.  The Bible promises we'll receive if we ask.  Pursue the Giver of Life, the one who provides breath to our bodies.

 Every day, ask God to make you aware of His presence, His Holy Spirit, and the power that is within you.

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