HS 2 - Who is the Holy Spirit

H.S. #2 “Who is the Holy Spirit”?

Intro – Series on the Holy Spirit

#1 – People might think we are weird

Part 2

Who or What is the Holy Spirit?

Supernatural Power
A force, spiritual electricity
Divine Emanation – something coming from a source of power

Our answer will determine our attitude toward and how we experience the Holy Spirit

Indistinctness of the Spirit

The nature is not an easy answer
In the Bible & our experience there is a lot of vagueness about the Spirit’s nature

Water in the desert –

Is 44:3-4 - 3For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

· Dove upon Jesus

Lk 3:22 - and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.

· Pentecost like wind and fire

Ac 2:1-4 - When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Our own experiences

· Two weeks ago

o Amy – Voice telling her

o Kelly – mystery

o Ravina – warmth of healing

o Justin – rush of love

o Worship can move the Spirit

o Bring Conviction

· Spirit and Truck

So what or who is this experience that shows up

With God & Jesus it is not as vague

God was face to face with Moses as a friend
Jesus walking on this earth, hanging out…

Even though I have not seen either I feel like I can wrap my arms around them.
… but the Spirit, that is another story

It is very easy to think of the HS as this force coming from God – just like light & heat radiate from the sun

A key to the Spirit is to not think of Him as spirit…

… Holy Spirit

Bible talks about attributes of the HS

Characteristics of personhood

Ro 15:30 – by the love of the Spirit (Love)
1 Co 2:10 – revealed to us by His Spirit (Discernment)
1 Co 2:11 - no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (Understanding)
1 Co 12:11 - All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (Will, can make decisions)
Eph 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… (Grief)

Holy Spirit is given positions for only a person

Jn 14:16 - and he will give you another Counselor… the Spirit of truth. (Counselor)
Jn 14:26 - … the Counselor, Holy Spirit… he will teach you all things (Teacher)
Jn 15:26 – …when the Counselor comes… he will bear witness to me (Witness)
Jn 16:8 – He will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and Judgment (Judge)
Ro 8:14 – For all who are lead by the Spirit are sons of God (Leader)

Some of these positions the Spirit has replace what Jesus was doing

Counselor
Teacher

Thus the Spirit is Divine as well
More on this with the Trinity next wk

Personhood is the foundation of this teaching

Why is this so vital
Why is this core before we talk about the filling of the HS

R.A. Torrey “If you think of the HS as so many, even among Christian people do today, as a mere influence of power, then your thought will constantly be, ‘How can I get hold of the HS and use it?’ But if you think of Him in the Biblical way, as a person of divine majesty and glory, you’re thought will be, ‘How can the HS get hold of me and use me?’

First thought – one of spiritual pride

Ac 8:18 - When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Seduction to use the HS power

Temptation to look for more – repeat the same thing (Mark Soodsma’s talk)
Brad Long’s story
Misuse at Retreats
Satan loves to use our egos

Perhaps Elijah's greatest virtue was his zeal. Indeed, we shall see that twice in his communication with God, Elijah speaks of having been "very zealous" for the Lord. But zeal, unattended eventually becomes its own God; it compels us toward expectations, which are unrealistic, and outside the timing and anointing of God. To remain balanced, zeal must be reined in and harnessed by strategic encounters with the living God. We otherwise become frustrated with people and discouraged with delays. We step outside our place of strength and spiritual protection. Many of us become so consumed with our battles that we are no longer aware of the presence of Jesus. We have been traveling in our own strength. [Francis Frangipane]

Growth in the Spirit will equal temptation

Growth will be subtle and not so subtle
Personhood is anchor for fighting this temptation
Because HS is person – invited in relationship

Also with God the Son & Father
Lead to Trinity – Benediction/Communion