Today we continue with another feature of the ministry of God’s Spirit to those who have received the new life of salvation:
l) He empowers Jesus’ followers with specific capacities [the Spirit's gifts] and gives them responsibilities to serve God, each other and the wider world:
The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian followers of Jesus about the bountiful ways in which God’s Spirit manifests himself in the Messianic community [i.e. the Body of Christ]:
“Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
In addition, Paul explains that the Holy Spirit manifests himself to each follower of Jesus and not only to some ‘spiritual superstars’ or to the leaders of the church: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one...” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Later on in the same chapter he repeats that statement to underline its importance: “One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
(1 Corinthians 12:11)
However, these manifold demonstrations of the Spirit’s presence is not for our self-glorification, to set us in the spotlight. On the contrary, God’s (Christlike) Spirit wants to empower Jesus’ followers to serve God, each other and the wider world in a Christlike way. The manifestations of God’s Spirit are given: “... for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Not only does the Holy Spirit ‘shower’ his plentiful gifts on the followers of Jesus, he also distributes functions and responsibilities to each of them. The apostle Paul explains that to the Christians in Rome:
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do.
And since we are all one body in Christ [the Messiah], we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well...”
(Romans 12:4-6)
Speaking about everyone’s Christlike ministry within the Messianic community [the Body of Christ], Paul writes:
“We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Finally, the apostle Paul writes about how every follower of Jesus is called to serve God in a Christlike way within the Messianic community and in the wider world. He says: “...Now we can really serve God ... in the new way, by the Spirit” (Romans 7:6).
Are you a follower of Jesus?
Has someone taught you how to serve God by his Spirit in a Christlike way?
Through what kind of ministry do you serve God by his Spirit?
The Bible verses 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 1 Corinthians 12:11 are quoted from the New King James Version. 1 Corinthians 12:7 is also quoted from the New International Version. All other texts are quotes of the New Living Translation.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
31. INTERRUPTION (n) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (continuation)
Let us continue with some more important facets of the ministry of God’s Spirit to those who have received the new life of salvation:
h) He is the ‘Paraclete’ of Jesus’ followers:
Jesus describes God’s Spirit as the ‘Paraclete’. This Greek word can be translated as helper, counsellor, comforter, encourager or even advocate.
The evening before Jesus dies, he promises his disciples that - once he has returned to heaven - he will ask God the Father to send another ‘Paraclete’ (like Jesus himself) to them. This ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit] will represent Jesus so intimately, that Jesus himself can say: “I will come to you.”
That evening Jesus promises his disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor [Paraclete] to be with you for ever ..... The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).
The apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Thessalonica (Greece). He asks God the Father and God the Son to help them (through the ‘Paraclete’, the Holy Spirit) to live their daily lives in a God-pleasing way:
“May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Luke describes how the messianic community in Israel was supported by the ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit]: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).
i) He is the intermediate between God the Father and God the Son in heaven, and Jesus’ followers on earth:
The apostle Paul reminds the Jewish and Gentile [non-Jewish] followers of Jesus that “... all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ [the Messiah] has done for us” (Ephesians 2:18).
Paul explains to the Roman Christians that, as we pray to God the Father, it is the Holy Spirit who presents our prayers fervently and in a God-pleasing manner before God’s throne: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will” (Romans 8:26-27).
j) He is the Author of God’s Word [the Bible]. He teaches God’s Word to Jesus' followers and gives them through it a deeper understanding about Jesus Christ [the Messiah]:
The apostle Paul declares to his co-worker Timothy: “All Scripture [the Bible] is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
One commentary explains in what way the Bible is ‘inspired by God’: “The Scriptures ... [have] been ordained by God's authority and produced by the enabling of his Spirit.”
The apostle Peter writes: “It was the Holy Spirit who moved the [Old Testament] prophets to speak from God” (2 Peter 1:21).
On the evening before Jesus dies, he promises his friends that the coming Holy Spirit will teach them God’s Word from a Christ-centred perspective: “When the Father sends the Counselor as my representative - and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit - he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you” (John 14:26).
And again: “I will send you the Counselor-- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me” (John 15:26).
k) He is called ‘the Spirit of truth’ and empowers Jesus’ followers to proclaim the Good News about Jesus Christ [the Messiah] and to teach God’s Word in a God pleasing way:
Already the prophet Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah that God’s Spirit will enable him to proclaim God’s Word: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me [Jesus Christ], because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news...” (Isaiah 61:1).
Jesus promises his disciples that the coming Holy Spirit will empower them to share the Good News with others: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The apostle Paul reveals to the Christians in Corinth who it is that inspires him as he teaches God’s Word: “When we tell you this [God’s Word], we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
The apostle Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) that they should ‘join forces’ with the Holy Spirit when they teach God’s Word. Others will not be convinced of its life-saving importance by mere human ideas.
Only when God’s Spirit enables Jesus’ followers to share God’s Word [the Bible] in a God pleasing way, it will open the hearts of the listeners to God’s truth: “... take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
When you speak with others about Jesus, do you verbalise your own thoughts about the Gospel [Good News] or does God’s Spirit inspire you how to share God’s Word [the Bible] with them?
The Bible verses John 14:16-18, Acts 9:31 and Acts 1:8 are quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.
h) He is the ‘Paraclete’ of Jesus’ followers:
Jesus describes God’s Spirit as the ‘Paraclete’. This Greek word can be translated as helper, counsellor, comforter, encourager or even advocate.
The evening before Jesus dies, he promises his disciples that - once he has returned to heaven - he will ask God the Father to send another ‘Paraclete’ (like Jesus himself) to them. This ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit] will represent Jesus so intimately, that Jesus himself can say: “I will come to you.”
That evening Jesus promises his disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor [Paraclete] to be with you for ever ..... The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).
The apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Thessalonica (Greece). He asks God the Father and God the Son to help them (through the ‘Paraclete’, the Holy Spirit) to live their daily lives in a God-pleasing way:
“May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Luke describes how the messianic community in Israel was supported by the ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit]: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).
i) He is the intermediate between God the Father and God the Son in heaven, and Jesus’ followers on earth:
The apostle Paul reminds the Jewish and Gentile [non-Jewish] followers of Jesus that “... all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ [the Messiah] has done for us” (Ephesians 2:18).
Paul explains to the Roman Christians that, as we pray to God the Father, it is the Holy Spirit who presents our prayers fervently and in a God-pleasing manner before God’s throne: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will” (Romans 8:26-27).
j) He is the Author of God’s Word [the Bible]. He teaches God’s Word to Jesus' followers and gives them through it a deeper understanding about Jesus Christ [the Messiah]:
The apostle Paul declares to his co-worker Timothy: “All Scripture [the Bible] is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
One commentary explains in what way the Bible is ‘inspired by God’: “The Scriptures ... [have] been ordained by God's authority and produced by the enabling of his Spirit.”
The apostle Peter writes: “It was the Holy Spirit who moved the [Old Testament] prophets to speak from God” (2 Peter 1:21).
On the evening before Jesus dies, he promises his friends that the coming Holy Spirit will teach them God’s Word from a Christ-centred perspective: “When the Father sends the Counselor as my representative - and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit - he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you” (John 14:26).
And again: “I will send you the Counselor-- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me” (John 15:26).
k) He is called ‘the Spirit of truth’ and empowers Jesus’ followers to proclaim the Good News about Jesus Christ [the Messiah] and to teach God’s Word in a God pleasing way:
Already the prophet Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah that God’s Spirit will enable him to proclaim God’s Word: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me [Jesus Christ], because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news...” (Isaiah 61:1).
Jesus promises his disciples that the coming Holy Spirit will empower them to share the Good News with others: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The apostle Paul reveals to the Christians in Corinth who it is that inspires him as he teaches God’s Word: “When we tell you this [God’s Word], we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
The apostle Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) that they should ‘join forces’ with the Holy Spirit when they teach God’s Word. Others will not be convinced of its life-saving importance by mere human ideas.
Only when God’s Spirit enables Jesus’ followers to share God’s Word [the Bible] in a God pleasing way, it will open the hearts of the listeners to God’s truth: “... take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
When you speak with others about Jesus, do you verbalise your own thoughts about the Gospel [Good News] or does God’s Spirit inspire you how to share God’s Word [the Bible] with them?
The Bible verses John 14:16-18, Acts 9:31 and Acts 1:8 are quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.
Friday, September 3, 2010
30. INTERRUPTION (m) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (continuation)
Let us continue to look into some significant aspects of the ministry of God’s Spirit, especially into those that refer to the new life of salvation:
d) He wants to produce a Christlike life in the followers of Jesus:
Last week we saw how the apostle John explains in his Gospel that God’s life-giving Spirit wants to ‘rebirth’ us as children of God: “To all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-- this rebirth comes from God” (John 1:12-13).
Today we want to meditate upon the fact that the new life, which is born in us through the action of the Holy Spirit, is actually the life of Jesus Christ!
The apostle Paul pleads with God on behalf of the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey). He asks God the Father that the Holy Spirit may increase Christ’ life in their hearts:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.
Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).
Paul reminds the Christians in Rome how God has filled their hearts with his love (i.e., Christ’s love): “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5).
The apostle explains to the Christians in Corinth (Greece) that God’s Spirit wants to produce a Godlike (i.e., Christlike) life in our hearts: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
To the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey) the apostle Paul shows what that Godlike or Christlike life looks like in practice: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
e) He wants to empower the followers of Jesus to overcome their rebellious past:
Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome just who it was that released them from their disposition to rebel against God: “The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2).
A few chapters further on, the apostle urges his Christian friends to allow God the Son (through the presence of the Holy Spirit) to reign over their lives:
“We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior.
Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.
But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:13-14).
To the Christians in Galatia, Paul says the same: “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).
f) He is the dispenser of God’s wisdom and counsel so that Jesus’ followers can know God’s will and serve him:
Not only is God’s Spirit the giver of a new, eternal and Christlike life. He also wants to entrust to Jesus’ followers God’s wisdom and counsel. Then they can live a life in obedience to God’s will.
The prophet Isaiah had already forseen that the Holy Spirit would reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to Jesus Christ [the Messiah]: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2).
The apostle Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).
g) He guides Jesus’ followers:
The Bible teaches us a lot about the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus and his followers. Here are four examples:
During his time on earth, Jesus himself was led by the Spirit of God: “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness...” (Luke 4:1).
Luke tells us in Acts 13:2-4 how the Holy Spirit guided the prophets and teachers in Antioch (modern south-east Turkey): “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.”
The apostle Paul clarifies the spiritual status of those who have received a new and eternal life from God’s Spirit: “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14).
To the Christians in Galatia (modern Turkey) Paul writes: “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).
Are you a follower of Jesus and do you experience the guidance of God’s Spirit in your life?
The Bible verse Ephesians 1:17 is quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.
d) He wants to produce a Christlike life in the followers of Jesus:
Last week we saw how the apostle John explains in his Gospel that God’s life-giving Spirit wants to ‘rebirth’ us as children of God: “To all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-- this rebirth comes from God” (John 1:12-13).
Today we want to meditate upon the fact that the new life, which is born in us through the action of the Holy Spirit, is actually the life of Jesus Christ!
The apostle Paul pleads with God on behalf of the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey). He asks God the Father that the Holy Spirit may increase Christ’ life in their hearts:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.
Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).
Paul reminds the Christians in Rome how God has filled their hearts with his love (i.e., Christ’s love): “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5).
The apostle explains to the Christians in Corinth (Greece) that God’s Spirit wants to produce a Godlike (i.e., Christlike) life in our hearts: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
To the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey) the apostle Paul shows what that Godlike or Christlike life looks like in practice: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
e) He wants to empower the followers of Jesus to overcome their rebellious past:
Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome just who it was that released them from their disposition to rebel against God: “The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2).
A few chapters further on, the apostle urges his Christian friends to allow God the Son (through the presence of the Holy Spirit) to reign over their lives:
“We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior.
Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.
But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:13-14).
To the Christians in Galatia, Paul says the same: “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).
f) He is the dispenser of God’s wisdom and counsel so that Jesus’ followers can know God’s will and serve him:
Not only is God’s Spirit the giver of a new, eternal and Christlike life. He also wants to entrust to Jesus’ followers God’s wisdom and counsel. Then they can live a life in obedience to God’s will.
The prophet Isaiah had already forseen that the Holy Spirit would reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to Jesus Christ [the Messiah]: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2).
The apostle Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).
g) He guides Jesus’ followers:
The Bible teaches us a lot about the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus and his followers. Here are four examples:
During his time on earth, Jesus himself was led by the Spirit of God: “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness...” (Luke 4:1).
Luke tells us in Acts 13:2-4 how the Holy Spirit guided the prophets and teachers in Antioch (modern south-east Turkey): “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.”
The apostle Paul clarifies the spiritual status of those who have received a new and eternal life from God’s Spirit: “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14).
To the Christians in Galatia (modern Turkey) Paul writes: “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).
Are you a follower of Jesus and do you experience the guidance of God’s Spirit in your life?
The Bible verse Ephesians 1:17 is quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.
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