The Amazing Dynamic of God, The Holy Spirit


By Pastor Dan Kennedy

© August 20, 2017

www.pastorkennedy.com


The Work of the Holy Spirit can be a mystery, but He is also the Most Powerful Dynamic in this world.  The Third Person of the Trinity.


Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)


Today we are going to look at some the Scriptural revelations of the Person of the Holy Spirit and how He has related to the world before Christ’s Coming and His relationship with us now.  Hopefully this will give us more insight and understanding of His dynamic Person and Work.


·      Has the Holy Spirit’s Presence always been revealed on the Earth in the same way as He is Today?


How did God manifest the Presence of His Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?


Prior to Jesus Christ’s Coming, Death and Resurrection, God sent His Holy Spirit to Accomplish His Specific Purposes and Empower Specific Individuals on Earth.  In the Old Testament, The Holy Spirit was “With” God’s People, but He was not resident “In” them in the same way as He was following His coming at Pentecost.


From Creation to Pentecost, the Work of the Holy Spirit is Recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures:


(see ENDNOTES for these sections below)


  1. At Creation (Gen. 1:2)


  1. Conviction, with Grief and Judgment over Sin

o   The Flood (Genesis 6:3-7; 11-13)


  1. Empowerment to Accomplish God’s Purposes (Craftsmanship) (Exodus 31:3; 35:31)


  1. Leadership of God’s People (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6, 19; Ezekiel 11:24; Micah 3:8)


  1. Supernatural Power, which may be given…and also taken away (Judges 16:20; Isaiah 63:10; 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalm 51:11)


  1. Spiritual Accomplishments (1 Chronicles 28:12; Nehemiah 9:20; Isaiah 63:14)


(See ENDNOTES for fuller Scriptural references for the above outline.)


There is no mention of “New Birth” in the Old Testament – The Holy Spirit came to be “with” those who were God’s People, but not “in” them, until after Pentecost.


Before Jesus Christ, the Messiah’s Sacrifice, Redemption and Resurrection, there could be no Pentecost, or New Birth and Spiritual Transformation for the Child of God.


John 14:16–17

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever17 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.


(Jesus gave this promise to His Disciples prior to Pentecost.  At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit would be IN them... in the bodies of those who are “Born Again.” Their bodies would become the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19-20)


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.


Why Didn’t The Holy Spirit Reside on Earth During the Old Testament, Before Jesus Came To Earth, as He Did After Pentecost?


The Holy Spirit could only come to earth after God’s Mystery and Redemptive Plan was revealed and completed through Jesus’ Sacrifice, Death, Burial and Resurrection. (Rom. 16:25-27; 1 Cor. 2:7-8; Eph. 3:2-6, 9-11; Col. 1:26-27, etc.)


1 Corinthians 2:7–8

7 No, 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.

Ephesians 3:4–6, 9-11

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.


9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Why did Jesus say He would have to Leave before the Holy Spirit Came?


John 16:7

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.


The Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father to take the place of Christ on earth, and transform each one Born Again by His Spirit.  He was sent for those who were Christ’s Disciples alive at the time of Pentecost, and for all of those who would become God’s Children and Christ’s Disciples – to the end of the age.


The Holy Spirit was sent by God to earth, at Pentecost, after the mystery of Christ’s Payment and Redemption for sin was accomplished, and Jesus broke the power of sin and death, through His Resurrection – all, when “the set time had fully come.”


Galatians 4:4–7

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

5 to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

6 Because you are sons,

God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son,

God has made you also an heir. (see also Rom. 5:6; Eph. 1:10)


·      Why did the Holy Spirit Come?


·      Conviction:  The Holy Spirit came to Convict those in the world of sin, righteousness, judgment and things to come, so we will turn to Christ, and turn away from sin.


John 16:7–11

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.


·      Transformation:  The Holy Spirit came to give New Birth and Transform those who put their faith in Christ.


John 3:3

3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”


John 3:5–8

5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


·      Teaching:  The Holy Spirit came to Teach us about Christ and the meaning of His Word.


John 14:26

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.


John 15:26

26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.


·      Comfort:  The Holy Spirit is called “The Comforter.”


Acts 9:31 (ESV)

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort3874 of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.


3874 παράκλησις [paraklesis /par·ak·lay·sis/] n f. From 3870; TDNT 5:773; TDNTA 778; GK 4155; 29 occurrences; AV translates as “consolation” 14 times, “exhortation” eight times, “comfort” six times, and “entreaty” once. 1 a calling near, summons, (esp. for help). 2 importation, supplication, entreaty. 3 exhortation, admonition, encouragement. 4 consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment.[1]


John 14:16

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor3875 (Comforter, Helper, Advocate) to be with you forever—


3875 παράκλητος [parakletos /par·ak·lay·tos/] n m. A root word; TDNT 5:800; TDNTA 782; GK 4156; Five occurrences; AV translates as “comforter” four times, and “advocate” once. 1 summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid. 1a one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate. 1b one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor. 1b1 of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins. 1c in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant. 1c1 of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.[2]


·      Guide:  The Holy Spirit came to Guide us in life’s direction.


Romans 8:14

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.


John 16:13

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.


·      Exaltation of Christ:  The Holy Spirit came to bring Glory to Christ


John 16:14-15

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.


·      Empowerment:  The Holy Spirit came to Empower us for Spiritual Service.


Acts 1:8

8 But 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.”


·      Restraint:  The Holy Spirit Came to Hold Back the spirit of antichrist until the proper time.


2 Thessalonians 2:6–7

6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.


·      Guarantee:  The Holy Spirit came to become the guarantee of our Eternal Inheritance!


Ephesians 1:13–14

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.


Ephesians 1:18–21

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.


(Paul, realizing he was going to his impending imprisonment in Jerusalem and eventual death, called for the elders of Ephesus and committed the church to God and the Word of His Grace…)


Acts 20:31–32

31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


2 Corinthians 1:21–22

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.


Conclusion


·      In Whom does the Holy Spirit Reside? (review)


God’s Holy Spirit is residing in those who are “Born Again,” Who have been Redeemed by God’s Grace through faith; whose bodies have become the “Temple of The Holy Spirit” [1 Cor. 6:19; John 2:21].  He resides in you and me!


Three Scriptural Directives Regarding the Holy Spirit


1.    Do not Grieve God’s Holy Spirit


Ephesians 4:30

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (see also Luke 12:10)


2.    Do not Blaspheme God’s Holy Spirit


Mark 3:28–29

28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”


3.    Instead, Be, Being Filled, by the Holy Spirit, Evidencing His Precious Fruit


Ephesians 5:15–18

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.


Galatians 5:22–23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.


The Amazing Dynamic of God the Holy Spirit permeates the whole of Scripture

This study exposes only a thin layer of the profound ministry of the Holy Spirit’s work in the world and in our lives.  What a privilege to entrust ourselves to His care while living in a world entangled in a web of spiritual deception and carnal values.


May we allow the good work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us continuing depth of understanding and Spiritual maturity and precious fruit, as we grow in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord, preparing us for the day when we see our Lord and Master Face to face!


ENDNOTES


God's Spirit is "Omnipresent"

Psalm 139:7

7  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?


The Work of God's Spirit in Creation

Genesis 1:2

2  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.


The Grieving of God's Spirit through Sin brought Punishment and Destruction on the Earth.  The following are graphic examples:  the Flood and Sodom and Gomorrah


·      Conviction, with Grief and Judgment over Sin

The Flood

Genesis 6:3–7

3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

5 The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 18:20–21; 19:13

20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”


·      Skill:  God's Holy Spirit Endowed Individuals with Skill to Accomplish their Work on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness


Bezalel and Oholiab

Exodus 31:1–11

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”


Exodus 35:31

31  and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts --


·      Leadership of God’s People


Judges, Kings and Prophets of Israel, were Endowed by God with His Spirit to Minister to and Lead God's People.


The following are a sampling of His individual empowerment:


Judges 3:10

10  The Spirit of the LORD came upon him (Othniel), so that he became Israel's judge and went to war….


Judges 6:34

34  Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.


Judges 11:29

29. Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.


Judges 14:6, 19

6  The Spirit of the LORD came upon him (Sampson) in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.  19. Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power….


Ezekiel 11:24  The Spirit lifted me (Ezekiel) up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia in the vision given by the Spirit of God….


Micah 3:8  But as for me (Micah), I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.


Supernatural Power, which may be given…and also taken away (Judges 16:20; Isaiah 63:10; 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalm 51:11)


·      In the Old Testament, God's Spirit, when Grieved, would Depart


Judges 16:20

20. Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"  He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.


Isaiah 63:10

10  Yet they (Israel) rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.


After David had Sinned with Bathsheba, he was concerned that the Lord would take away His Spirit as He had with Saul - this was before the Holy Spirit had taken up Residence on the Earth at Pentecost


1 Samuel 16:14

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.


Psalm 51:11

11  Do not cast me (David) from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 

(King David repented of his gross sins and found forgiveness before God.  See all of Ps. 51 and related passaged, with God’s severe discipline of David.)


We sing a worship song based on this verse – from an Old Testament perspective:


“Create in Me a Clean Heart” from (Ps. 51) – (Old Testament perspective)


“Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, And renew a right spirit within me. (2x)

Cast me not away from Your Presence Oh Lord, And take not Your Holy Spirit from me!

Restore unto me, the Joy of my Salvation,

And renew a right spirit with in me.”


Why is this not from a New Testament perspective?


The Holy Spirit lives in God’s Children following Pentecost!


What happens when a Child of God, in the New Testament following Pentecost, is disobedient to God?


God Disciplines His Children.  No discipline?  – Not a Child.


Note Paul’s comments regarding those grossly sinning in the Corinthian Church. (1 Cor. 5:1-5)


God’s Discipline of His True Children


Hebrews 12:4–8

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

            and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

            and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.


In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit Left those who grieved Him and did not repent of their sin.


·      In Spiritual Accomplishments


Spirit Prompted Plans for the Jewish Temple


1 Chronicles 28:12

12  He (David) gave him (Solomon) the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.


The Israelites were Instructed, Led and Provided for by God’s Spirit


Nehemiah 9:20

20  You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.


Isaiah 63:14

14  like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.


·      Prophesy of the Spirit Empowered Coming Messiah


Isaiah 11:2

2  The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD --

Isaiah 42:1

1. "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.


Isaiah 61:1

1. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners….    


Luke 4:18

18  "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom

for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed….


·      The Holy Spirit’s Coming at Pentecost was Foretold


Isaiah 44:3

3  For 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.


Isaiah 54:13

13  All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.


Ezekiel 36:27

27  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.


Ezekiel 37:14

14  I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"


Ezekiel 39:29

29  I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD."


Joel 2:28, 29

28  `And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  29  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.


Zechariah 4:6

6. So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.


Zechariah 12:10

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.


·      The Birth of Jesus Christ was through the Spirit of God


Matthew 1:18

18. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.


Matthew 1:20

20. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.


Luke 1:35

35. The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.


·      Jesus' Ministry was in the Power of the Holy Spirit


Matthew 3:11

11. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.



“But 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 Amazing Dynamic of God, The Holy Spirit





[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[2] Ibid.