The Holy Spirit in Action
By David Feddes

 

Waiting for the Wind

“Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised.” (Acts 1:4)

"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" (Acts 1:8).

 

Pentecost Outpouring

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4)

 

Enlivens

Rebirth: That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:6-7)

New life: It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. (John 6:63)

Abundant life: The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor 3:6)

 

Indwells

Nearness: Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16)

Love: God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Assurance: God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Gal 4:6)

 

Reveals

Jesus: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-14)

Bible: No prophecy of Scripture was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Personal path (Acts 11:12, 13:2, 16:6-10)

 

Transforms

Glory: We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18)

Fruit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

Empowers

Force: “The Spirit of the Lord rushed/came upon” Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, Saul, David

Fullness: “full/filled with the Spirit” Jesus, John, Elizabeth, Zechariah, disciples on Pentecost, seven deacons, Stephen, Barnabas, Paul

Spiritual gifts: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:4, 14:1)

 

Unifies

One body: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:13)

Fellowship: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor 13:14)

Bond: Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit. (Eph 4:3-4)

 

The Holy Spirit in Action

Enlivens: born again to new, abundant life

Indwells: nearness, love, assurance

Reveals: Jesus, Bible, personal path

Transforms: glory, fruit

Empowers: force, fullness, spiritual gifts

Unifies: one body, fellowship, bond

 

Ask the Father

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;  or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

 

Accept Jesus’ invitation

Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive. (John 7:37-39)

 

Receive the gift

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:38-29)

Last modified: Monday, April 22, 2024, 2:29 PM