The Fulness of the Holy Spirit, March 4, 2007

The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Sunday, March 04, 2007

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"15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them." (Luke 3:15-18, NIV)

"²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. ²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. ²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples ² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. ⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all. ⁸ Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. ¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. ¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. ¹⁷ When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸ Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. ¹⁹ A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰ In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power." (Acts 18:23-19:20, NIV)

"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. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-20, NIV)

Introduction

As we have learned thus far in our study of the life of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, after his baptism in water at the river Jordan and his baptism in the Holy Spirit, Jesus went throughout Galilee and Judea, preaching the good news about the Kingdom of God and openly confronting the kingdom of Satan. Everything He did in both public and private ministry was through the power of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to do the works that He did and we can only do that through the help of the Holy Spirit.

And so today, after dealing with the reality of the demonic world over the past three Sundays, I feel strongly and specifically that the Lord would have me to draw our attention to the words spoken by the one who was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, the last and greatest Old Testament prophet, John the Baptist.

1. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

" ¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Galatians 5:16, NIV)

2. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to overcome the powers of darkness.

"¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

"¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… " (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)

3. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of others.

"⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV)

Do you want to receive the fullness of the Spirit, including HIs gifts?

These Ephesian believers had heard John’s message about Jesus, but apparently not John’s promise about the baptism with the Spirit. Luke calls them “disciples.” They had been instructed by Apollos, a mighty Bible preacher, who clearly understood and articulated the personal work of Jesus Christ, including His death and resurrection. Apparently, though, Apollos had never experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit, including His charismatic giftings, or at least did not know how to minister that fullness to others. Note that Paul did not tell these Ephesian believers that they needed to repent or be converted. They were already born of the Spirit, but had not yet been filled with the Spirit.

1. Come to Jesus with a thirsty heart.

"³⁷ On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” ³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:37-39, NIV)

2. Come to Jesus with an obedient heart.

"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. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-20, NIV)

3. Come to Jesus with a caring heart.

The gifts of the Spirit are not just about you! They are about helping you meet the needs of others!

"¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14, NIV)

4. Come to Jesus with a worshipful heart.

On the Day of Pentecost they worshipped God in Spirit inspired languages.

"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? … ^.10 … we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”" (Acts 2:5-12, NIV)

In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of “singing” in the Spirit.

"¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." (1 Corinthians 14:15, NIV)

Note that more literal translations, including the New American Standard Bible and the King James Version, etc., specify Paul is describing singing with “the” Spirit (as in, “the Holy Spirit”) instead of singing with “his” human spirit alone. This is clearly supernatural in character.

5. Come to Jesus with an expectant heart.

"³⁷ On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” ³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:37-39, NIV)

Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 14 to pray earnestly for the “best” or “greater” gifts, then infers which gifts are best suited to which context. The best gifts are those which are best suited to meet the need at hand. If someone is sick in their body, for instance, prophecy is not better than healing…! Rather, Paul’s particular concern in 1 Corinthians 14 is to draw a distinction between what edifies in private and what edifies in public.

"³¹ But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:31, NIV)

" Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. ² For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. ³ But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified." (1 Corinthians 14:1-5, NIV)

· Pray for the ability to speak to God through a private prayer language in private. This gift is the only one of the nine examples Paul gifts that will directly edify you personally.

· Pray for the ability to speak to others prophetically in public, whether through words of wisdom, knowledge, tongues accompanied by interpretation, etc.

As you come this morning, understand that there is no need for any particular display of emotion. No need to deserve or merit these gifts, just to receive them.

Remember, you have come in faith to your Savior, Jesus. You have nothing to fear and you can do nothing wrong…!

"⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 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!”" (Luke 11:9-13, NIV)