The Holy
Spirit 1 Cor 12:1-3
We return to
1 Corinthians at the beginning of Chapter 12 where we find a long section on
the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Corinthian church had many of the
same troubles going on in their time that we have in ours.
Miss understandings
about the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit have lead some churches to all
but deny the existence of the Holy Spirit. It has lead others to the focus on
the Holy Spirit to the exclusion of all else. Paul writes to try and help the
Corinthians understand the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
a. Genesis 1:2 & 26 There in the beginning
and part of the trinity
b. Not the ghost of Jesus
c. Promised by Jesus John 14:15-17
d. John 14:25-26 Helper, teach, remember
e. John 16:7-15 Convict the world
f. Sin, righteousness and judgement
g. The Spirit of Truth guide you
h. Tell you the things to come
i.
He
will glorify Jesus
2. Ecstasy and enthusiasm
a. Transcendence to be united with God
b. Chanting, aligning one’s body to the
power of God
c. Drugs, sex and self-mutilation to achieve
visions
d. Carlos Castaneda (peyote, motions and
trances)
e. Dan Brown (The DE Vinci Code)
f. Power Crystals
3. Two signs of the Spirit
a. Jesus is accursed
b. Denial of or belittling Jesus’s work
c. Denial of or belittling the faith of other
believers
d. Jesus is Lord
e. Taking Jesus as Savior
f. Taking Jesus as Lord
g. Living for Jesus
Where is the
power of God to fight the battles you face in this world? It is found in the
work of the Holy Spirit. Where is the wisdom of God to know how and what to do
in our lives? It is found in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the promised
gift of Jesus to all of us who believe. To limit the Holy Spirit to on work or
gift, or to deny His work or gifts is to place shackles on our faith. In so
doing we miss the fullness of God’s desired work in our lives. Come learn with
me about the Gift of Jesus to us, our helper, The Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment