Power from God – the Presence of the Holy Spirit John 16:5–15 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © May 27, 2012 www.pastorkennedy.com (See other messages on the Amazon Kindle book reader) Where does the power for the Christian come from? • Power to face vast and diverse extremities of life. • Power to exercise the gifts that God has given us. • Power to face serious illness. • Power to face disaster – known and unknown. • Power to reach out to others with the Gospel of Christ. • Power to accomplish God’s will. • Power to see God’s healing in our lives. • Power to forgive. • Power to understand the Word of God. • Power to share God’s Word effectively. • Power to resist evil and have its power broken in our lives. • Power to live a life pleasing to God. • Power to grow into Spiritual maturity in the fullness of the image of Christ. • Power to bear Spiritual Fruit, which reveals our Spiritual life. • Power to face death. • Power to have the hope and assurance of Eternal Life. For a Believer in Christ the power to do these things and more, comes from within…from the resident power of the Holy Spirit. This weekend is not only Memorial Day weekend, but today is also the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. When it comes to the celebration of Jewish feast dates, sometimes our more modern calendar dates are different from the Jewish lunar calendar, since we do not adjust our calendar according to the phases of the moon. Not so today. The calendars coincide exactly. Today is the Jewish feast day of Pentecost (known to the Jewish today as “Shavuot”, or “weeks”, descriptive of the seven weeks between Passover/the Feast of First Fruits and the end of the harvest 50 days later - Pentecost). Pentecost I believe it is appropriate that today the passage, which we are studying in John, is about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to reside on the earth at the celebration of the Jewish Feast day of Pentecost. Christ’s Power through the Holy Spirit has transformed the world. Acts 2:1–13 The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost 2 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. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Why did the Holy Spirit Come to Earth at Pentecost? First we must understand that Jesus is the “the firstborn” over all creation. Colossians 1:15 15 He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Jesus Christ is “firstborn” because He was the first one in all creation to be “Born” into the world as God dwelling within a human form. This began the revelation of the mystery of God dwelling in mankind – in the Children of His Kingdom. John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (See also Galatians 4:4-7; Philippians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 4:2-3 ) The Profound Mystery of “Christ in You”! God dwelling in His Children The Coming of the Holy Spirit brings “New Birth” to mankind – the profound ability for a human person to have God, through His Holy Spirit, to indwell and transform his or her being… This transformation by the Holy Spirit is only for a person who had been Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God. It was necessary for Jesus to come as God’s sinless sacrifice (God in flesh) and redeem us from our sins before the Holy Spirit could come and “New Birth” could take place. “New Birth” transformation was not evident until Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit. God’s Mystery Hidden for Millennia We who have been cleansed by Christ’s Blood, and “Born Again” by the Power of God’s Holy Spirit to be Children of the Most High God, are now the earthly Temple for God's Spirit. Colossians 1:26–27 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own… John 14:16–17 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. 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. (Christ spoke this in anticipation of the coming at Pentecost.) John 7:27-39 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (Christ spoke this in anticipation of the coming at Pentecost.) Ephesians 3:20-21 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Romans 8:9-11 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. This spiritual mystery (Col. 1:26-27) was meticulously kept hidden by God until the fullness of time when Jesus Christ, God’s Son became man and was crucified. Had the rulers of Jesus’ day (those who were seen and those who were spiritual forces unseen – Col. 1:16), had they known of this mystery, they would not have crucified Christ, the Lord of Glory. God kept His Secret so that sinful mankind could have an unfettered way of redemption and reconciliation with Himself. 1 Corinthians 2:7–8 7 …We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Today’s Text: John 16:5–15 Jesus is speaking in this passage about the coming of the Holy Spirit…but the Holy Spirit could only come following Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to God His Father. The Work of the Holy Spirit John 16:5-15 5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Revealed in this Passage A. The Holy Spirit Convicts the world and brings Guilt 1. Of Sin – because of unbelief in Christ. 2. Of Righteousness – Jesus Christ is Righteous and He is now with His Holy Father. He is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One; the Redeemer from sin! 3. Of Judgment – Satan and his works are judged and he now stands condemned because of Christ’s redemption of the world from sin on the cross. Jesus broke the power of the prince of this world. B. The Holy Spirit Teaches us. 1. He will guide us into all Truth (v. 13); Comforts and Counsel us. 2. He will tell us what is yet to come (v. 13). 3. He brings Glory to Christ (v. 14). 4. He takes what is Christ’s and makes it known to us (v. 14). The Problem of Rivalries over Power Whenever power is evidenced, such as the Power as great as that of the Holy Spirit, there are always struggles about who has a grasp of that power. For centuries, rivalries have been rampant in the Church over power – Spiritual power and carnal power! Is there any wonder why there has been such controversy throughout the centuries over the work of the Holy Spirit? Our enemy wants extreme controversy to try to cloud and diffuse the greatest Power in the world. How Do We Receive the Power and Transformation of the Holy Spirit? What does the Scripture tell us? On the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. A sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the place and they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them, communicating the truths of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and the Gospel of Christ to many people in their own language. Peter preached a message on Pentecost declaring what had been prophesied in Scripture about that day and about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, declaring Christ to be the Messiah and Savior of the world. When the people who had gathered around the disciples the day the Holy Spirit came on them, asked Peter, at the close of his message what they should do, Peter told them: Acts 2:37–39 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Jesus Christ gave us this instruction regarding the Holy Spirit whom He was to send: Luke 11:10–13 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” God’s mystery of “New Birth and Living Water” had begun at Pentecost…just as Jesus had promised them before He ascended into heaven: Acts 1:8-9 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. The Holy Spirit is the “power” (the only Power) to reach out into the world, with the Gospel of Christ…and this Power is within us! But we can also become defeated Christians…. How Does the Power of the Holy Spirit within us become Broken Down? Grieving the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30–32 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Read all of Ephesians 4 in relationship to “grieving the Holy Spirit”, especially 4:17-32. Conclusion Review of Two Essential Things There needed to be two things, which took place before mankind could be spiritually transformed so that Christ could live in them: God’s Mystery Revealed: 1. It was necessary that mankind receive the atonement necessary through Jesus’ Death on the Cross, so God would be justified in reconciling man…(this included Jesus’ subsequent resurrection and ascension into Heaven). 2. The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. THEN: God Makes His Home within the bodily Temple of those Born Again… “Christ in You the Hope of Glory”! Acknowledging the Power of the Holy Spirit gives us the Strength and Ability to live a life pleasing to God: • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to face vast and diverse extremities of life. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the ability to exercise the gifts that God has given us. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to face serious illness. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to face disaster – known and unknown. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the ability to reach out to others with the Gospel of Christ. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the power and authority to accomplish God’s will. • The Power of the Holy Spirit with gives us the power to see God’s healing in our lives. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to forgive. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us understanding of the Word of God. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the ability to share God’s Word effectively. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to resist evil and have its power broken in our lives. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the ability to live a life pleasing to God. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to grow into Spiritual maturity in the fullness of the image of Christ. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the ability to have Spiritual Fruit, which reveals our Spiritual life. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the strength to face death. • The Power of the Holy Spirit within gives us the hope and assurance of Eternal Life. For a Believer in Christ the power to do these things and more comes from within…from the resident power of the Holy Spirit. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

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