(For word document click title above) What can we expect of the Holy Spirit?.

THE ABILITY TO DO

Chris Khoury - Sermon Summary - 5th March 2017

What can we expect of the Holy Spirit?

In this sermon I hope to give you a clearer vision of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Spirit was involved in creating and sustaining all life. Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; 34:14).
• The Spirit of God filled Bezelel with skill to build the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:3-5).
• He filled Moses with the ability to do what he did. (Numbers 11:25).
• He gave Joshua wisdom and courage to lead Israel into the promised land. JOSH 1:9
• Samson was given strength or ability to fight. (Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 6:34; 14:6).
• The Spirit inspired prophets to speak. (Numbers 24:2; 2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 20:14; Ezekiel 11:5; Zechariah 7:12; 2 Peter 1:21).

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND JESUS

The Holy Spirit was involved throughout Jesus’ life.

The Spirit caused his conception (Matthew 1:20), descended on him at his baptism (Matthew 3:16), led him into the desert (Luke 4:1) and anointed him to preach the gospel (Luke 4:18). Jesus drove out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). It was through the Spirit that he offered himself as a sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:14) and by that same Spirit Jesus was raised from the dead (Romans 8:11).

Jesus taught that the Spirit would speak through his disciples in times of persecution (Matthew 10:19-20). He told them to baptise followers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BELIEVERS TODAY

He said that God was certain to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. (Luke 11:13). Luke 24:49 (NIVUK) 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

God the Holy Spirit is intimately involved in the life of believers today.

• He leads us to repentance and gives us new life (John 16:8; 3:5-6).
• He lives in us and teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 8:14).
• He leads us through Scripture, prayer and other Christians.
• He is the Spirit of wisdom, helping us look at choices with confidence, love and self-control (Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:7).
• The Spirit seals us and sanctifies us, setting us apart for God’s purpose (Romans 2:29; Ephesians 1:14
• He produces in us love and the fruit of righteousness (Romans 5:5; Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23).
• He puts us into the church and helps us know that we are God’s children (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:14-16).

If we are controlled by the Spirit, he gives us life and peace (Romans 8:6). He gives us access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). He helps us in our weakness, interceding for us (Romans 8:26-27).

SUMMARY:

The Holy Spirit is God at work in our lives.

Everything God does in us is done through his Spirit.

KEY SCRIPTURE

Luke 24:49 (NIVUK)

49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

THE ABILITY TO DO

Those who receive the Holy Spirit receive supernatural power from the Father. The Greek word for "power" in the scripture above is “dunamis”.  It means “the ability to do”!

JESUS’ MIRACLES

We have example after example of Jesus performing miracle after miracle. He was given the ability to do! Whatever it is the Father wanted him to do. (Matt 15:29 ) The same Holy Spirit that gave Jesus the ability to perform miracles lives in you, in me, in the church! We are clothed with ‘dunamis’. The ‘ability to do’!  Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Paul often describes the power of God not in terms of physical miracles, but in the transformation that happens in our lives – hope, love, patience, serving, understanding, suffering and preaching boldly (Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:7, 16-18; Colossians 1:11, 28-29; 2 Timothy 1:7-8). We might call these psychological miracles – the power of God at work in human lives.

WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO DO?

Do you have to step out in faith? Is the outcome unknown? Are you afraid? Is it scary?

If God wanted me to play the piano, he would give me the ability to do! What breaks your heart? What are you passionate about? What changes do you want to see done in the world? That is where you should be at work. Praying and asking God for the ability to do!

WHAT IS GOD CALLING US AS A CONGREGATION TO DO?

He has called us to share our faith. To tell others about the great God we serve. He has asked us to go and make disciples in all the world. He wants our church to grow, to see more of our young people baptised.

Let’s pray that God would open a door or give one of us an opportunity every week to invite someone to church. If we have one new person walk through those doors every week within one year we would be double our size. Let us not limit God. Let us not limit the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability to do God’s will. God can work in miraculous ways.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to not be afraid of this all-important manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Come on our churches in power as we rely upon the Spirit for 'the ability to do' whatever You have called us to do. Let us see your power at work in the church. In fact, let me see Your power at work in my life, even today.

Lord, we pray that we will experience your power, the Holy Spirit at work not only in our lives but also in our families, in our fellowship, in our communities and in our nation. Come Holy Spirit! Grant us we pray the ability to do, the ability to make a difference for your Kingdom! Yes! Come Holy Spirit, empowers us to live moment by moment for the glory of God. Amen