holyspirit

Whitsun / Whit Sunday - Jesus goes back to heaven - Acts 1.9-11

Jesus had completed his mission. Jesus came into the world to make a way back with the Father in heaven, if people accept him. He had been crucified on the cross and become sin so that through him, we could die to sin and be made right with God. He rose from the dead, to overcome the power of death and the evil one. This was a picture for all those who would follow him as their Lord and Saviour (saving one). Those who follow Christ will also overcome death through what Jesus did. But now it was time for Jesus to return to heaven. In John 16.6-7, Jesus said to the disciples that it was better that he went away so that he could send the counsellor, the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1.9 it was time for Jesus to return to heaven back to what people call his 'high priestly ministry' (see Hebrews 8.1 and Hebrews 10.12). This means that Jesus now sits at the right hand of God in heaven, interceding for us. What is intercession? It is standing between God and us, pleading for us and crying out to God on our behalf (Romans 8.34). So, as he promised, Jesus went back up to heaven (the posh word is that Jesus 'ascended' - that means he went upwards.. must have been fun to watch, pity they didn't have cell phones to video it!) But Jesus didn't just go and leave the disciples with nothing. He promised his Spirit (Acts 1.7) and that the disciples would be God's witnesses to the world. Jesus wasn't going to leave them as orphans (John 14.18), but would send the Spirit who would always be with them. In just the same way, we have God's Spirit with us all the time if we know Jesus. Jesus has also given us a command - to go into the world and be his witnesses. A witness testifies about something that has happened. Through our prayers, words, actions and love - we are God's witnesses on this earth. In a way, we are the 'hands, feet and mouth' of Jesus - representing him and being 'Jesus to people' by acting and loving with his love in us. Jesus went up and up when he went back to heaven. In the same way, we need to be growing more in Jesus and being increasingly like him. We don't go up in the air as Jesus did, but our lives should go 'up and up' spiritually and in our love for people. Are you growing more like Jesus every day? If not, ask Jesus to help you, to change you and shape you. The more you become like him, the more Jesus can and will use you :)

In the beginning - Genesis 1.1-Genesis 2.1

We know that the Holy Spirit was at work in the beginning of time. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters of a formless, empty and dark earth. Then God started his work building the earth and all its elements, firstly saying, 'let there be light.." Just as God created light from a dark world, the same is true of God's work towards us as people. Let's think about this further.. In the beginning of time, there was nothing. We know that the world was 3 things: dark, formless and empty. So what did God do? First of all, he said, 'let there be light'. We know that light cancels out darkness - so now there was no darkness. But that wasn't enough. Just having light is great, but there is so much more to life. So, God started to form the earth and shape its foundations, using great wisdom, skill and knowledge (see also Proverbs 4.19-20). The earth now had a form. So there was light - and a formed earth. But again, more was needed. So thirdly, God filled the earth - with plants, creatures, and mankind. So what was once dark, formless and empty - was now light, formed and filled. This is equally true of the life that Jesus gives us. In John 1, we find out that Jesus is the light of the world. Through God's Holy Spirit, we are brought into the light by Jesus, where God forms us and fills us with his Spirit and all that he is, as we are transformed more and more into his likeness. The Bible is full of this kind of symbolism. God's Word isn't dull and lifeless, in fact it is the only thing that brings light and life. Are you feeling dark, lifeless and empty? If you are, then ask God's Spirit today to bring you light, life and to fill you completely with him. Call out to Jesus, whatever stage of life you're in. He will hear you. If you do, tell someone, find a church to support you, or of course, you can contact us :)

Why Do We Need The Holy Spirit? (For more, click here)

The Spirit is a person that we need in our Christian lives - he is the Counselor, a Helper, Comforter. The Spirit guides us to Jesus and prays on our behalf before God. The Spirit also leads us into all truth. Truth is a person - Jesus. (John 14.6). John 16.13 says the Spirit will guide us into all truth. So, pretty cool stuff really. The Spirit cannot be understood. We see in the Holy Spirit the great depth of God. A depth we can't even begin to imagine.
The Spirit of God gives life. He gave life in the beginning. You need the life of the Spirit in your life too! Want a full, satisfying, wholesome life then get filled with the Spirit! We need this power in our lives and the life of the church. You know, not all Christians seem to want to receive mad stuff from God. This may explain partly why the church in the West is so powerless.
The Spirit also glorifies Jesus; unites all Christians in the local, national, worldwide church. The Spirit convicts us of our sin (John 16); causes people to receive the new life through Christ (John 3.5-6); the Holy Spirit is a witness to us getting saved (Romans 8.15-16). In the life of a Christian, the Spirit reveals God's will to us (2 Peter 1.20-21) and gives us insight into God's Word. IN our lives it is the Spirit who gives us victory over bad stuff that tempts us, he helps us in our praying, and gives us guidance in life.
However, you can't be filled with something without experiencing something. If your Christian life doesn't need the power of the Holy Spirit then you must be superhuman and I doubt that's true. Truth is we all need to be continually filled as the Bible says. If you fit the Spirit into your small, neat theology, it'll be no surprise if your Christian life is small and neat. And probably fairly lifeless too!

The Holy Spirit is a person - read John 14.15-17

If we were to live our lives knowing that the Holy Spirit is a person, I think it would make a lot of difference. How do we know the Holy Spirit is a person? Well, the Bible tells us. But the Holy Spirit is not a person as we are people, but something much more. The Holy Spirit is God, part of the Godhead (that's God, Jesus and the Spirit), he can be in many places at once and more, pretty cool.

In John 14, Jesus refers to the Spirit as 'he' - saying, 'But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you.' We also find a reference in Ephesians 4.30 in the NIV says, 'do not grieve the Holy Spirit' (do not make the Holy Spirit sad, upset). Then in 1 Thessalonians 5.19 we learn not to hold back the work of the Holy Spirit.

So what can we learn here? We are in a relationship with God. We need to treat the Spirit of God with respect, we need to be in relationship, we need to learn to hear, listen, obey, we need to not upset or grieve the Spirit. Just as you wouldn't want to upset your best mate, so it is with God's Spirit. Just as you need to give and receive in any relationship, so it is with the Spirit. Except the Spirit of God will always be with you to help, guide, discipline, challenge and comfort you better than any friend.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty' (Zechariah 4.6, NIV)

If we do things in our own strength, we often mess up and find things don't seem to go right. Well there's good news - the Holy Spirit!
In John 14.16, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to all his disciples and to us today! The Holy Spirit helps us to be more like Jesus. Jesus called his Spirit the 'Counsellor' or the 'Comforter' and promised that he would help us and always be with us. We can't see the Holy Spirit but if you are a Christian he is always with you!
This week, ask God's Holy Spirit to be in charge of everything you do and say. Try it! All you need to do is to ask and believe. (Read John 16.23)

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT - read John 16.5-14

The Holy Spirit is God's gift to you - it's like having Jesus around all the time to advise you, help you and be with you. Before Jesus went back up into heaven he said to his disciples that 'it is better for you that I go away. When I go away, I will send the Helper to you' (YB). The Holy Spirit is working inside every Christian, changing them and using them for God's work. How much is up to you!
Jesus said that his Holy Spirit is there to help you, always be with you and to show you what is true (John 14.6). The Spirit is there to come and help, to teach and to remind.
This same Holy Spirit radically changed the lives of a bunch of ordinary blokes so much that they preached without fear and the church spread across the whole world. Do you want to be a world changer? It starts with you. 'Holy Spirit, change me to be like Jesus and use me.'

'God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well' (Romans 12.6, TLB)

If you're a Christian, God has given you at least one gift which is distributed by the Holy Spirit for serving him, building up the church and spreading the Good News (1 Corinthians 12). You have each got at least one gift.
So what gift have you got and what gifts are there? Read 1 Corinthians 12.8-10, 1 Corinthians 12.28, Romans 12.6-8, Ephesians 4.11, 1 Peter 4.9-10, Exodus 31.3, 1 Timothy 2.1-2 and Psalm 150.3-5.
Take a look at what amazing gifts God has for you! Prayer, creative communication, leadership, teaching, prophecy (hearing from God and telling people what God is saying), healing, doing miracles, faith, giving, helping, being a pastor, setting up churches (apostle), telling people about Jesus (evangelist) and more!

UNDERSTANDING AND USING YOUR GIFTS - Read 1 Corinthians 13.1-3

Don't forget your special abilities are God-given. Plus, you have to have do things in love. We all know the difference between being taught something by a teacher who enjoys their job and loves their subject, and a teacher who hates his job and can't stand the subject. God wants you to be passionate about him and other people (Matthew 22.37-40).
Answer these questions to find out how you can use your gifts
a. If I could do something in my Christian life that I couldn't fail at, what would it be?
b. At the end of my life, I'd like to look back and say I've achieved
c. If you talked to my mates, they'd say I'm interested in
d. What keeps you talking late into the night?
e. What kind of people would you most like to help?

'Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.' (Ephesians 4.7, TM)

We've looked at gifts already. How does it work? Jesus lets you 'share' in a measure of his power. It's like the Internet - Jesus is like the Internet and you are like a computer hooked up to and 'accessing' the Internet/Jesus.
The amazing things is that Jesus freely gives gifts. You don't earn it, you don't deserve it. Jesus gives it out of his kindness. What's more is that right before time began Jesus chose you and chose you to serve him in a particular way, time and place (Ephesians 1.4). Amazing or what?
Jesus has gifted you but have you asked him what your gift is? Are you a bit nervous? Don't be! The Holy Spirit doesn't force himself on you - he won't make you do what you don't feel comfortable with. Today, thank Jesus for his kindness, ask him what your gift is, ask if there's anything stopping you from receiving your gift, then ask God to give you his gift(s)!