The Holy Spirit And You (pt. 1 of 5)

The Holy Spirit And You (pt. 1 of 5)

Last Sunday we spent time looking at how Jesus built the community of God. From the outset of His ministry He demonstrated a need and dependence on the Holy Spirit. There is a special role that the Holy Spirit plays in the life and ministry of Jesus, and it was so important that Jesus chose to leave and return to the Father so that we could enjoy that interaction with the Spirit as well. (Acts1:4-5)

In this series of posts I would like to share how the Holy Spirit can be fully enjoyed in your life. He wants to empower you, equip you, and embolden you to fulfill the mission of Christ; a mission that has been entrusted to us. How can we accomplish something bigger than ourselves without the power of God at work in us through the Holy Spirit? I would suggest that if you look at the facts you’ll see the answer. Today in the United States of America every mainline denomination is in decline. The annual increase in the church across the board is not keeping up with our population rate. That means we lose ground every year, because fewer and fewer people follow Christ.

In the past the work of the Holy Spirit has been avoided, feared, mis-stated, and quenched. Most churches in America have openly taught that the work of the Holy Spirit was for another time and place, and that it was confined to the accounts of scripture. However some believers have searched the scripture and had a holy experience that they see described in the Bible. It is these churches that are seeing growth, and on a world scale there is a revival sweeping the globe accompanied by the spread of the Holy Spirit’s work in His people’s lives.

If Jesus needed the work of the Holy Spirit, then how much more do we need it?

If God wants to give His Spirit to us to fill and overflow our lives, then why wouldn’t we want Him to?

If Jesus believes that the Holy Spirit is necessary to fulfilling the Great Commission, then why don’t we desire Him, and wait for that gift to fulfill it?

I want to especially invite those who have been brought up in or exposed to churches that have taught that the work of the Holy Spirit is over. It seems from my experience that people from these backgrounds have a greater difficulty truly surrendering themselves to the work of the Spirit. I know that when I feel my heart jaded against any work of God in my life, I have to begin by calling a spade a spade. I confess my hardened heart to the Lord, and I study, pray and listen to hear what God has to say about it. That process allows him to break the shell of my heart and prepare me to receive His word.

--Ben