What would Jesus say about the Holy Spirit? Dan Hudson
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as a gift to all his followers. This gift cannot be earned by merit but can be received by faith. When we receive the Spirit he helps us to know God, to experience his love, and to receive his gifts. We need him everyday!
1. You need Him!
Jesus' own ministry was defined by his humanity empowered by the Spirit. Acts 10:38 says, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him”. His miracles were attributed not to his divinity but to God being with Him. His own mission in Luke 4 is anointed by the Spirit. You can’t even get into the Kingdom of Heaven without Him. John 3:5-6: “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Water = cleansing.
Spirit = power to live new life.
2. He’s available.
He’d say the Father loves to give the Holy Spirit more than any other gift to His children. Luke 11:13: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
3. He’s real!
Jesus would vouch for him. Jesus was conceived by the Spirit. The church was birthed through the Spirit. We are born again by the Spirit. In just the same way as Jesus makes God the Father known to us, so the Spirit makes known the Father and Son to us. Jesus described the Spirit as, “Another one like me."
4. He’s experiential.
Jesus received the affirmation of the Father’s love at his baptism. As humans we need that same affirmation. Sadly we usually look for it in the wrong places.
5. He’s here to help!
His name is Helper. He will help us!
- SPEAK: He’ll give you words to speak (Matt 10:20).
- RESIST temptation: Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit.
- MINISTER IN POWER: all his miracles are attributed to the Holy Spirit. In Matt 12:28, Jesus drives out demons by the Spirit of God.
- EMOTIONALLY: Let your emotions be filled with the Spirit. "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit," (Luke 10:21). Our emotions often need help!
6. He’s to be recognized and revered.
Don’t blaspheme the Spirit. Matt 12:32 seems to refer to calling the good things the Spirit does evil.
7. Receive Him with confidence.
Three reasons why you can receive the Spirit:
- The Father promised it: "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.” (Luke 24:49)
- Jesus actioned it: "Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." (Acts 2:33)
- You want it: “If anyone is thirsty let them come to me and drink! By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:39)
How do I receive the Spirit?
Anyone who is born again has received the Spirit (Romans 8:9). That’s good news because his plan is to give us more!
Ask. You have a direct line to God. Laying on of hands is often God’s means of ministering the Spirit. Acts 8:18, 9:17, 13:3, 19:6. Don’t compare your experience to others: it inhibits what God wants to give you. This looks different for each person usually. Keep your eyes off self and on Jesus (remember Peter walking to Jesus on water). Receive Gifts. Fillings of the Spirit are often accompanied by gifts for service: tongues, prophesy etc. Keep coming back for more (e.g. Acts 4:31)
What if I struggle to receive?
Remember it's Gods promise, not your reward. He loves you. Faith keeps asking even when nothing appears to be happening (Matt 15:28). God wants us to be hungry! Take actions in keeping with faith. Believe God will be with you as you step out.
Questions:
“Another one like me.” How does Jesus description of the Holy Spirit help our understanding of the person of the Spirit?
Jesus-the Spirit-filled man. How does this angle on the earthly life of Jesus help us see our need of the Spirit?
Receiving God’s love. Do you find it easy or hard to know God’s affirmation over you?
Receiving power and gifts. Which gifts would you most like to receive? Which are you most suspicious of? Why?
Read the promise of Luke 11 again. Pray to be filled with the Spirit, laying hands on one another