The Fact and Function of the Holy Spirit
John 14 v.16-18 v. 26
John 15 v.26-27
John 16 v.12-15
The Personality of the Holy Spirit
Romans 8 v.16 and 26
Note the “He’s” in v. 12-15; 9 times mentioned
The Work of the Holy Spirit
1. To the unbeliever – John 16:7-11
2. To the believer – Romans 8:1; See also John 16:12-15
He frees us – No condemnation, v. 33-34; No accusation, No separation
He dwells in us – Corporately 1 Cor 3 Individually 1 Cor 6
He quickens us – At conversion – in our daily life – At his coming – 1 Cor 15
He leads us – Psalm 23
He witnesses to us – relationship Sons of God – Abba –Father
He helps us – In our prayers – extremities
He makes intercession for us – To Christ in Heaven who then intercedes to God in all the value of His atoning work.
We are convicted by the Holy Spirit. We are anointed by Spirit.
We are born again by the Holy Spirit. We are filled by the Spirit.
We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit
We are baptized by the Holy Spirit
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit
We have the earnest of the Holy Spirit
Psalm 12:6
“The works of the Lord are pure words, like silver tested in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
The Holy Spirit’s work for the believers. John 16:13-15
He will guide you into all truth.
He shall not speak of Himself.
What He hears from God that shall He speak
He will show you things to come.
He shall glorify me.
He will take what is mine and show it unto you.
John 10:10 I am come that you might life, etc.
The abundant life – the overflowing life.
Stephen full of faith and the Holy Spirit – Barnabas – Paul.
Finney – Edwards – Moody
Abundant love
Mark Stephens love for souls – Peter’s testimony – Paul was consumed with a love for dying men. David Brainerd – Judson – Livingstone. Paton exiled himself among cannibals – laid his young wife in her grave suffered with unmurmuring fortitude and reaped in unspeakable joy.
Abundant peace – The fruit of the Spirit is peace. Gal 5:22
The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds. Phil 4:7
My peace I leave with you. John 14:27
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee”
Abundant power – Ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
The disciple’s lives were full of power – Stephen full of faith and power did great wonders. Chas Finney walked into a factory and the workers fell on their knees.
Abundant joy – “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
The Holy Spirit in Acts 4:23-32
Power of the Spirit
Hindrances to power
Grieving the Spirit
Quenching the Spirit
Abraham Kuyper, the great Dutch theologian of the last century, wrote in the beginning of his classic work, “The Work of the Holy Spirit”. “The need of Divine guidance is never more deeply felt than when one undertakes to give instruction in the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the great enabler (Comforter-Helper-Power) for all spiritual service.
Service for God an only be profitable, powerful as it is undertaken in the name of Christ and in the power of an ungrieved Spirit.
The two great outstanding facts of this present time which make Christianity, in its ideal form, what it is, are
1. There is a Man who sits at the right hand of God in heaven.
2. That the Holy Spirit, who is God the Spirit is a Resident upon this planet.
The Holy Spirit has not become incarnate … like Christ
He dwells in the bodies of believers. 1 Cor 6
In O. T. times the occasions of His coming were, to endure with power some chosen instrument. For a special work. Samson, David, Gideon. Judges 6:34. The Spirit of the Lord clothed Himself with Gideon. Human flesh suddenly becomes invincible.
Rivers of living waters shall flow from him – “D. L. Moody” “C. T. Studd” – John 7:38
The promise. Acts 1:8
“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.”
Luke 24:49
Tarry ye … until ye be endued with power from on high
The Holy Spirit was to be the power.
Not the miracles (wonders & signs) that followed – they were useful in those early days.
Eloquence – personal magnetism – mass psychology – music was not to be the power.
Some of these have their uses, and God has used them for his glory.
But it is not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord. – Zach 4:6
Perhaps on one of the errors into which all of us have fallen, is that we try to use the Holy Spirit to bring about the results that we desire to see in the Lords work. Rather than giving him ourselves … body, soul, spirit … to use as He sees fit for the glory and honor of the Lord.
Romans 12:1 is God’s ideal for the Christian. It is really normal. Christian living. I believe that this is a total commitment to God the Holy Spirit.
When we have given ourselves completely and absolutely to him we have not done anything spectacular, so far as God is concerned it is what is expected of us. Acts 2:4 – filled 3,000 added; Acts 4:31 – Filled, spoke the word.
This brings us to our second point.
Hindrances to power.
One of the greatest hindrances to power is the course of “self-determination” rather than “self-abandonment” to the will of God.
In the poem “The Masters Hand” the poet describes the old man taking the old violin and laying a haunting melody. The crowd was astonished. The seemingly worthless old violin suddenly became very valuable. Why?
The poet describes it thus:
“The people cheered, but some exclaimed,
We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth; and the answer came,
‘Twas the touch of the Master’s hand.”
“Not my will but thine be done.”
Moody said:
“The world has yet to see what God can do with a Spirit filled man.” – John Wesley
Jim Elliot said: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim gave his life – gained eternal life.
This is total commitment, this is essential for God’s best and highest. Will we settle for less!!!
Let us let go … every egotistical, mercenary, worldly, materialistic desire.
Let us let God, by His Spirit fill us, control us, use us, as He sees fit.
Let me illustrate:
The Whirl – Liverpool
The Missionary Camp in Scotland
Anne’s conversion.
“It was the touch of the Master’s hand.”
Grieving the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:30
Now for something very practical. Grieve not the Holy Spirit.
Keeping this in its context. “What is grieving to the Holy Spirit?” “Put off the old man.”
1. Lying – over exaggeration.
2. Anger – temper
3. Giving place to the devil
4. Stealing
5. Corrupt communication – suggestive talk
6. Bitterness – spite – vindictiveness
7. Abusive language – Indifference – spiritual – slumber – worry – over anxiety – fear – unbelief
The antithesis of this is:
1. Be kind one to another
2. Be tender hearted
3. Be forgiving
These will cause the Spirit to rejoice.
“Grieve not the Holy Spirit.”
Quenching the Spirit. 1 Thess 5:19. Quench not the Spirit.
This phrase means according to J. H. Thayer, do not “suppress or stifle” the Holy Spirit.
While from God’s stand point we cannot extinguish the Holy Spirit in the absolute sense.
His person is indestructible.
1. the glass of water – But humanly speaking it is possible to quench Him.
2. in the sense of resisting or opposing His will.
Would any of us here today say that we have never said “No” to the Spirit?
Our unyieldedness, plus our unbending, inflexible, stubborn, obstinate wills are all sources of “Quenching the Spirit.”
So far we have considered quenching the Spirit from the individual standpoint.
But there is more, there is the corporate aspect.
One of the great works of the Spirit in the world is to form and reside in the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ.
It was ever his desire that the whole Church should be with one accord in one place. It was so in the first century. The Church on earth today is not God’s ideal and because of this the Spirit’s power has been quenched.
We in the Assemblies cannot hold ourselves guiltless in this matter.
Next we come to the matter of the exercise of spiritual gifts.
If we believe that God has given gifts to all his children and we in our Assembly activities do not allow room nor time for the exercising of these, we are quenching the Spirit.
Moreover, if in our abhorrence of one man ministry we have swung to the other extreme of any man ministry, we are guilty of quenching the Spirit.
Because brethren are occupying a position without the gift and probably without a message while others with the gift and the message are denied the opportunity.
This is quenching the Spirit.
Let us conclude on a very practical note by pointing to a few obvious errors among us.
1. Elderly brethren monopolizing precious time. Being scathing in their remarks.
2. I would ask the younger brethren in their enthusiasm to look hard and long at the motivating principle of their service … their own spirit or The Holy Spirit.
3. Watch carefully our prayers and so-called worship for much of this consists of hackneyed and meaningless phrases.
4. Loose morals – unconfessed sins – illicit relationships. Nothing will sap the power of any church more quickly than pews filled with sinning believers.
5. If those conditions prevail the Spirit’s power is hindered, He also is grieved and quenched.