May I Introduce.... Part 2

#1 · March 1, 2009, 3:46 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on March 1, 2009, 3:46 pm
Posted by: <@...>
After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the bible says that he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Holy Spirit prompted Him to do what God the Father desired Him to do, and Jesus trusted and followed the Holy Spirit’s leading.

God had a divine purpose for the 40-day battle that was about to ensue. Temptation was the tactic Satan used in the Garden of Eden to trigger man’s separation from God (Genesis 3:1-7). Jesus came to earth to become the way by which mankind could once again be restored to relationship with the Father (John 10:7-10). He would defeat death, hell and the grave three years later, but His first task was to conquer the power of temptation. The Holy Spirit led Jesus in the way the Father wanted Him to go and empowered Him to overcome the obstacles Satan threw in His path.

The Holy Spirit also equipped Jesus for His ministry here on earth. Acts 10:38 tells us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” But not a single miracle took place in Jesus’ ministry until He was anointed by the Holy Spirit at the Jordan River.

If Jesus needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose for Him on the earth, just think how much more we need this same Holy Spirit. So let’s begin to understand Who He is – and isn’t - and the type of work He does.

The Holy Spirit is not the spirit of a departed human being. He doesn’t hide in attics and rattle chains; He doesn’t cast spells on people. Nor is He an angel or any other created being. He has been around from the beginning. In Genesis, before the formation of earth or the existence of light, we see Him moving over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). In Exodus, He went before the children of Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13). In 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5, we find Him filling the temple with His presence. And in Acts 2, He came into the upper room like a mighty rushing wind (another simile).

In the midst of instructing the church at Ephesus how to put on the nature of Christ, Paul warns them not to grieve the Holy Spirit. The New Living Translation records it this way: “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The Message bible goes on to say that God’s “Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.”

To the church at Thessalonica, Paul writes a similar charge: Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV). In other words, “Don't put out the Holy Spirit's fire” (NIRV); don't turn away God's Spirit (CEV). The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not come where He is not invited, or stay where He is not welcome. Yet, we need Him more than we know.

More in Part 3.
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Posted by: <@...>

After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the bible says that he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Holy Spirit prompted Him to do what God the Father desired Him to do, and Jesus trusted and followed the Holy Spirit’s leading.

God had a divine purpose for the 40-day battle that was about to ensue. Temptation was the tactic Satan used in the Garden of Eden to trigger man’s separation from God (Genesis 3:1-7). Jesus came to earth to become the way by which mankind could once again be restored to relationship with the Father (John 10:7-10). He would defeat death, hell and the grave three years later, but His first task was to conquer the power of temptation. The Holy Spirit led Jesus in the way the Father wanted Him to go and empowered Him to overcome the obstacles Satan threw in His path.

The Holy Spirit also equipped Jesus for His ministry here on earth. Acts 10:38 tells us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” But not a single miracle took place in Jesus’ ministry until He was anointed by the Holy Spirit at the Jordan River.

If Jesus needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose for Him on the earth, just think how much more we need this same Holy Spirit. So let’s begin to understand Who He is – and isn’t - and the type of work He does.

The Holy Spirit is not the spirit of a departed human being. He doesn’t hide in attics and rattle chains; He doesn’t cast spells on people. Nor is He an angel or any other created being. He has been around from the beginning. In Genesis, before the formation of earth or the existence of light, we see Him moving over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). In Exodus, He went before the children of Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13). In 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5, we find Him filling the temple with His presence. And in Acts 2, He came into the upper room like a mighty rushing wind (another simile).

In the midst of instructing the church at Ephesus how to put on the nature of Christ, Paul warns them not to grieve the Holy Spirit. The New Living Translation records it this way: “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The Message bible goes on to say that God’s “Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.”

To the church at Thessalonica, Paul writes a similar charge: Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV). In other words, “Don't put out the Holy Spirit's fire” (NIRV); don't turn away God's Spirit (CEV). The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not come where He is not invited, or stay where He is not welcome. Yet, we need Him more than we know.