LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

Note:
    We will spend time looking at the presence of the Holy Spirit
    throughout history, but we need to remember that it is critical
    for us to acknowledge the importance of His presence in our own lives.

THE SPIRIT’S WORK FROM CREATION TO BETHLEHEM
– (Genesis 1:2)
      The Holy Spirit existed before the world was formed
      (which confirms He is part of the Trinity).

– (Genesis 2:7)
   Note:
     (Job 33:4) Confirms that the Spirit was involved
                      in the creation of man in Genesis 2:7.

– (Psalm 104:30)
      Question:
      Who is “they”?
          – All creatures (Psalm 104:27)
            Note:
                (Psalm 104:28-29)
                Look at how much we depend on the Lord.

– The Holy Spirit influenced (“came upon”) people
   as part of God’s plan to deliver His people.
       Judges 3:10 (Othniel)
       Judges 6:34 (Gideon)
       Judges 11:29 (Jephthah)
       Judges 13:24-25 (Samson)

– (2 Chronicles 24:20)
  He also “came upon” Zechariah,
  so He could deliver a message from God.

– (Numbers 11:25)
  He “rested on” men so they could prophesy.

– (Exodus 31:1-3)
  He “filled” men so they
  would have (and use) special talents and skills.

– (1 Samuel 16:13)
  The Spirit used judges and prophets to deliver Israel,
  (He also used kings).

– In Judges, the Spirit often departed
  when the selected person’s work was done;
  He also might withdraw when the chosen ones disobeyed.
      – Work is done (Saul – 1 Samuel 16:14).
      – Disobedience (David – Judges 14:19, then Judges 16:20).

– (Psalm 51)
  David disobeyed God and knew the importance of the Holy Spirit’s
  presence in his life, so what did he do?
      He confessed and asked for forgiveness;
      he pleaded with God to
      do not ‘take your Holy Spirit from me’ (verse 11);
      he was extremely concerned about the Spirit being
      withdrawn from him (we should have the same concern).

– (Isaiah 61:1)
  He told of the coming of the Messiah
  (this prophecy was confirmed in Luke 4:17-21).

THE SPIRIT’S WORK FROM BETHLEHEM TO PENTECOST
– In the four Gospels, the work of the Holy Spirit
  centered around the person of Jesus Christ.
  Note:
      When Jesus was born, one link in the normal physiological
      chain of birth (man’s participation) was bypassed.
      This was a miracle birth
      of the incarnate “God the Son” in human flesh.
          – (Luke 1:35)
            The God-man (Jesus) was begotten of the Spirit.
            Note:
                The angel dispelled all doubts of a virgin birth by
                reminding us of the truth of ALL of God’s Word (Luke 1:37).

– (John 1:32-33) Jesus was baptized by the Spirit.

– (Luke 4:1) Jesus was led by the Spirit.

– (Luke 4:18, Acts 10:34-38) Jesus was anointed by the Spirit.

– (Matthew 12:22-28) Jesus was empowered by the Spirit.

– (Hebrews 9:11-14)
  Jesus offered Himself as atonement for sin by the Spirit.

– (Romans 8:1-11) Jesus was raised from the dead by the Spirit.

– (Acts 1:1-2)
  Jesus gave commandments through the Spirit to the apostles.
  Note:
      As Christians, we have become His apostles too.

– The Holy Spirit was also at work
  among the disciples of Jesus (and others) before Pentecost.
      John 14:15-17 (disciples)
      John 3:1-8 (Nicodemus)

– (John 7:37-39)
  Points to the Spirit at Pentecost and after Pentecost
  (in a far greater measure than anything experienced before).

THE SPIRIT’S WORK FROM PENTECOST UNTIL NOW
– (Acts 1:6-11) Luke records the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

– (Acts 2:1-4)
  Tells of the descent of the Holy Spirit to Earth.
  Note:
      A fulfillment of the promise of Jesus (John 16:7).

– (Acts 2:33) Peter explains what had just happened.

– The coming of the Holy Spirit was confirmation
  to the disciples, that Jesus had entered into heaven.
  It was also a testament (testifies)
  that God’s righteousness had been vindicated.

– The age of the Holy Spirit could now begin
  (since Jesus had been glorified).

– The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a crucial
   turning point in the history of God’s dealings with the human race.
   It is one of the five events of the past
   which are essential components of the Christian gospel:
       1. Incarnation:   The entrance of God into human life as man.
       2. Atonement:   God remained just, yet justified guilty men.
       3. Resurrection: The death blow to man’s three great enemies
                                 (death, Satan, hell) were all defeated.
       4. Ascension:     The Father accepted the atoning work of His Son;
                                 His righteous demands had been met.
       5. Pentecost:      The Spirit of God has come to achieve His purposes
                                  in the world, in the church, and in the individual believer.
      Note:
          The sixth component is still in the future
          (the Second Coming of Jesus Christ).

      – Pentecost:
            – Known as the “Feast of Weeks” because it was celebrated
              on the day following the passage of seven Sabbaths
              (a week of weeks) from Passover.

            – Because it fell on the 50th day, it was named Pentecost
              (from the Greek word for “fiftieth”).

            – The Feast of Pentecost celebrated the beginning of the harvest;
               in Numbers 28:26, it was called “the day of the first fruits”.
               Note:
                    This was appropriate for Pentecost since this was
                    the beginning of God’s harvest in the world
                    (to be completed when Jesus Christ comes again).

            – Pentecost marked the start of the present age of the Holy Spirit.
                  – Believers are under His guidance,
                    just as the disciples of Jesus were under Him.
                  – From Heaven, Jesus still exercises His Lordship over us,
                    however He sends His directions by way of the Holy Spirit.