God Speaks By The Holy Spirit (Part 2)

Greg Sawyer

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HCSB When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

1. Be Enabled by the Holy Spirit

The Bible has not always been available for mankind. Historically God related to his people through the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Bible whenever God wanted to give direction to a people he would place his spirit on them and enable them to perform his assignment. God led Moses by the Spirit ()God led the Judges by the Spirit (GideonThe Spirit of God was with David ()and from David forward the spirit of God worked though prophets to bring God’s word to his people.

HCSBbecause no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus began his public ministry. the spirit of God descended upon him like a dove. (luke 3:22) The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted (luke 4:1) Isaiah foretold that the Spirit of God would rest upon the Messiah (; )

HCSBDon’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works.

As Jesus prepared His disciples for his departure, he told them what the role of the Holy Spirit would be. Jus as Jesus had been dependent upon the working and guiding of the Holy Spirit in His life, the disciples had depended entirely upon Jesus for their instruction and guidance. Now that he was leaving. Jesus said he would pray and ask God to send another helper.

HCSBAnd I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

He would bear witness of Christ

HCSB“When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

HE will say what the Father says

HCSBWhen the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

He is present in the throne room of God and shares with believers whatever he hears.

HCSBBut as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.

Jesus told his disciples not to go anywhere until the Holy Spirit had come upon them.

HCSBAnd look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

Once this happened they would have all the resources they needed to carry out the Lord’s work.

HCSBBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

shows this where Peter could not have previously had a basic scripture understanding could now. lead 3000 to Christ in a single message.

2. Be Acquainted with The Holy Spirit’s Work

God speaks by the Holy SpiritGod speaks by His Holy Spirit. The names of the Holy Spirit help us understandhow crucial He is in our lives if we are to know when God is speaking to us. AHebrew person 's name indicated character. Several names given to the Spiritreveal the ways in which God the Father purposes to speak to us by His Spirit.The names he is given help us understand the nature of the character and nature of his presence in our life.

Helper

HCSBAnd I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

helper is another word used here. Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure by telling themthat the Father would send another Helper to them. The word another indicatedthat the helper would be of the exact same nature and character of Jesus.Throughout Scripture God revealed Himself as a '·help " to His people. Forexample , when the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and themurderous Egyptian army, God's help was decisive .In Acts, a new era began for the people of God. The Holy Spirit was to helpthe people in every way the Father and Son had. He would be just as practicaland powerful in the way He guided God's people (read

HCSBBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Teacher

One of the most common titles used for Jesus in the Gospel’s was “rabbi“ or, “teacher.“. In Jesus day, they were to school buildings. Instead, the disciples left with Jesus and went wherever he went. Many times the teachings came directly out of the experiences they’ve shared. Jesus is disciples listen and teach with fishing boat as well as run mountaintop. Experience teaching by example when Jesus washed do their feet. Jesus reminded them of the Holy Spirit would be their teacher and Guide.I reminded people who attend conferences where I speak that I am not the teacher. The Holy Spirit is their teacher, and he is present. People respond in different ways to the same message. Although everyone hears the same words audibly, the Holy Spirit personalizes the message to each individual in the lesson he or she needs to learn at the moment. Your pastor, Sunday school teacher, or well-meaning Christian friend is the means a spear uses to teach you, but only the Holy Spirit can teach his spiritual truth so that you understand it for that is personalized to who you are. Therefore when you think the pastor may be targeting you. It is unlikely. It is much more likely that the HS is working to help you see how the teaching is applied to your life at that moment.

Reminder

let’s face it. we forget. Unfortunately, Christians tend to forget with the teacher said. And the best of circumstances, the spirit will remind you of what God said to you previously (read , 26).

HCSBBut the Counselor, the Holy Spirit —the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

For missionary couple a difficult situation, the spirit may remind them of the time got called the additions. This person struggling with the decision, spirit may bring to mind the scripture that speaks directly to a situation. Do not take for granted those times when your mind remembers a passage of scripture or workout spoke to you. This may be the activity of the Holy Spirit reminding you what God has set already.

Spirit of Truth

Jesus is the Sprit of truth and now that we have the HS we have that spirit living in us. Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of truth " (read ).

HCSBHe is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.

Jesus was the "way, the truth , and the life" (), so now the Spirit is yourinfallible Guide to God's truth for your life. When Jesus stood at the tomb ofLazarus , only He knew the truth of that situation. Mary and Martha 's perspectiveof their circumstances was: "Lord , if You had been here , my brother would nothave died " (). In we find a devastating representation of whatour lives are like without the Spirit of truth. From a human perspective, asituation can seem hopeless . I believe that is why Jesus wept. He was grieved tosee how hopelessly His friends faced death, when He Knew there was hope andvictory even in the face of life's greatest challenge . Jesus knew that Lazarus wouldsoon be leaving the tomb. You do not know the truth of a situation until you have heard from the Spirit of truth.Jesus was the perfect counselor (read ).

HCSBJesus, however, would not entrust Himself to them, since He knew them all and because He did not need anyone to testify about man; for He Himself knew what was in man.

The Holy Spirit is the perfect counselor. There is no one who can more effectively address the deep needs of your life than the Spirit of God . The Spirit will not always tell you what you want to hear , but He will tell you the truth concerning your life and church .

Spirit of Conviction

Those of us who know that Jesus is Lord are fully persuaded that only the Spirit of God could guide us to such a conviction. There are times we all need to be reminded that only the Spirit can convict people (read

HCSB No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Christians recognize the voice of the Spirit when He convicts us regarding sin, Many of us have experienced the Spirit's work during a worship service; we were strongly convinced that Jesus was Lord and worthy to be praised. Some of us have felt the convicting work of the Spirit so powerfully that we wept in our desire to be made right with God. Others have felt called to missions. Still others have been convicted by the Spirit to forgive someone who has wronged them. Are you presently experiencing conviction? Do you realize this is God speaking to you? What is He saying?

Guide

When bewildered and searching for direction for myself, my family, or my church, many times I have opened my Bible and prayed, "Oh Spirit of God, guide me so I will know the truth of this situation!" Immediately Scriptures came to mind giving me a clear answer. I bowed in thanksgiving to God who had done such a wonderful work in me. Of course, my immediate obedience to the Holy Spirit was crucial to experiencing God. Christians are often taught that God does not give specific direction for people's daily lives. The problem with this teaching is that it is not biblical. God never came to anyone in Scripture to ask them what they would like to do for Him. God always confronted people with His agenda for their lives. Those who, adjusted their lives to God's will experienced God working in and through them in a dimension they never could have anticipated. 1 ·•ttA clear word of guidance in my life has come from two passages in and 65:24.

HCSBand whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

HCSBEven before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.

both of these verses assure us that God wants to give us clarity in life.

Glorify Christ

Scripture affirms that when we obey God's commands, He is glorified. Jesus said when we obeyed Him, God would be glorified (read ). Jesus also said that if we would pray, He would answer and the Father would be glorified (read ).

HCSBEverything I have is Yours, and everything You have is Mine, and I have been glorified in them.

Jesus affirmed that the Father would reveal Himself in and through His disciples and as people saw Christ in them, the Heavenly Father would receive glory. One of the roles of the Spirit is to bring glory to Christ through His activity in your life. There is nothing more inherent to your nature or more deeply satisfying than bringing glory to God.

HCSBIn the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

When they see us they glorify God

3. Be Filled with The Spirit

Since he holy Spirit is Gods’ provision to guide us in knowing and doing his will, it is important that we have a deep relationship with Him. In many ways it is like any other relationship. Only far more significant in outcome. Like a marriage. Since you asked God what do you want the most from me He would not answer in a task or something. It was simply ....

HCSB“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

HCSBHe said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

HCSBLove the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

HCSBHe answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

No wonder Paul urged the believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit” with that kind of connection it’s imperative that we connect with God intimately to be Baptized. That means to be personally, intimately, deeply related in every way to the spirit of God. He will be to you what Jesus was to the Disciples. Jesus Promised that Baptism.

HCSBWhile He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

HCSBBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

People who are immersed in the Holy Spirit are personally and intimately engaged in Him. They always1. Knew when God was speaking2. Knew what God was saying3. Were enabled to obey all God said. In the New testament the Holy Spirit is a promise to every believer. -; , -14God speaks to us though his spirit and gives wisdom, understanding Counselpower, knowledge and fear of the Lord.

HCSBThe Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

4. Be Led By The Spirit

Paul urged, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh"(). Like marriage, when you live daily in harmony with each other, the fullness of each life is shared and experienced by the other. This is true in the entire family as well. When you walk in harmony, love, and complete sacrifice of yourself to your family, each person experiences all you are and have to offer day after day. Each life is enriched. The expressions, in Christ and in the Spirit mean in complete union with. Jesus spoke of being in the Father and the Father in Him (see ). Jesus expressed this in a wonderful way, indicating His walk with the Father was the pattern for our walk with Him ().So it is with the Holy Spirit. We are to walk in the Spirit. If we do, the fullness of the Spirit will be real and active in us. Jesus expressed the magnitude of this relationship in

HCSBWhen the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you.

As the Holy Spirit works in your life, He will do two things which enable youto receive all the Father wants to give to you.1. The Spirit will make you AWARE of the enormous riches God has at your disposal

HCSBThe Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

God loves you and desires to share with you the resources of heaven. The Spirit's role is to make you fully aware of the enormous resources available to you from the Father. It is possible to live a Christian life in defeat, joylessness, and fear because you are not aware of all that is at your disposal as a fellow heir with Christ2. The Spirit qualifies you to receive what the Father wants to give you

HCSBFor the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.

The Promise is that "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." This being so, the Spirit is determined to help you "walk uprightly" so that you can receive God's best for your life (read ). The Spirit will guide and convict you, preparing you to receive all that your Father has to give.How important is it to walk in the Spirit? If you are walking in the Spirit, then all that belongs to Jesus will also be available to you. How do you do this?

Believe - Come to Christ - Hear - Obey - Experience

Allow the Holy Spirit to Produce Fruit

Henry Blackaby’s story of His Children: to Saskatoon, my children discovered a garden in our backyard. It was springtime, and my four boys were curious to see what would once the snow melted. In the corner of the garden was a strange looking plant with large leaves and a red stem. Unknown to Marilynn and me, my children began to wonder if the plant was poisonous. They decided to conduct scientific experiments" to see whether it was dangerous. After extensive "research" (involving pulling off leaves, stepping on it, and hitting it with a stick), they concluded it was poisonous and should be destroyed! They then tore the poor plant to pieces! To their surprise, several weeks later they discovered that this plant had not died and was now lush and full. They then learned that it was not poisonous but was a delicious fruit called rhubarb. With our limited Income, our family could not afford much dessert, but Marilynn became an expert rhubarb pie baker! If it had not been for the determination of that plant to produce fruit, my family would have had many meals without dessert!

When the Spirit of God enters the life of a new Christian, His assignment is to produce spiritual fruit in that life. The more fruit that is produced, the more like Christ that person becomes. describes the kind of fruit the Spirit is seeking to produce in every believer. Read those verses. Just as the rhubarb plant was determined to produce fruit in our garden, the Spirit of God is absolutely committed to producing fruit in your life.

HCSBBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

5. Be Obedient to the Spirit

Because we are commanded to be immersed in the Holy Spirit and to followHim as our Guide and Counselor, we are confronted every day with the decisionto obey or to disobey Him. The Bible explains that rejecting the words of theHoly Spirit for your life has consequences. The following are ways you can bedisobedient to what God tells you by His Spirit Is there any way in which you may presently be resisting what the Holy Spirit is saying to you? If so, what is He saying to you that you are resisting?

Resisting the Holy Spirit

At times, the word that comes from the Holy Spirit will be difficult. The Spirit will act like a surgeon, delicately removing from your life that which is making you spiritually sick. The Spirit may challenge your pride or confront you with how you have been wrong in your dealings with others. At times He will give you a clear direction as to what you should do in order to avoid anything that might lead to your destruction...

HCSBThere is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

The Spirit will lead you to make necessary corrections in your life so that you do not miss the immeasurable blessings God wants to give you. There may come a time when you will be unwilling to obey God's word. I have seen the devastating results in the lives of people who resisted the Holy Spirit. At first, resisting may not be easy to do. The word comes to your life; you know what you should do, but you resist. Then a new word comes, and you resist again. After a while, your heart that was so tender to a word from God becomes hardened. It becomes easier and easier to resist until you are no longer sensitive to God's word.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

HCSBAnd don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.

Paul said this in the middle of a number of commands he had given regarding the Christian life. It appears in this context that Paul was concerned about those believers who knew what God wanted them to do but were unwilling to obey.Resisting the Spirit focuses upon our disobedience; grieving the Holy Spirit focuses upon the result of our disobedience. If you consider your sin to be nothing more than breaking a rule, you may justify yourself by saying, "no one's perfect." If you view your sin as the failure to live by certain principles, you may take comfort in knowing that you can strive harder in the future. But, realizing that sin is an absolute betrayal of the Person who loves you deeply and sacrificially throws a whole new light on your sin.One of the most vivid examples for me is the life of Hosea. Gomer, Hosea's wife, turned her back on the one person who had truly loved her in order to pursue those who only sought to use her. She resumed her immoral lifestyle. In one of the greatest chapters about love and forgiveness found in literature, God told the betrayed and rejected prophet to go and purchase her back from the slave block, returning her to his home, and love her. What an incredible assignment! Yet, God was making a profound statement. God was saying, "Hosea, now you know how I feel every time My people, whom I have loved, reject Me and pursue their own desires." I tremble at such a word! To know that every time I sin, God views it as a rejection of Him personally. That causes me to be heartbroken over my sin, for I realize that I have not just broken a rule, I have grieved the Holy Spirit.

Don’t quench the Holy Spirit

ESVDo not quench the Spirit.

The word quench means, to put an end to, stop, drown out, put out, cool suddenly. Although the Holy Spirit is present in a believer's life, His freedom to work and speak can be limited by the condition of the believer's heart. The Spirit of God is a Holy Spirit, He works most freely in a holy life. When you allow sin to fill you, the Spirit’s work is "quenched." When you find the Spirit's activity and words to you becoming increasingly rare, you need to examine the condition of your heart.

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