The Holy Spirit part 1

The Holy Spirit

 

Part one

 

Our men’s Bible study has been studying the Holy Spirit. In our last lesson, we were asked to name some people in the Old Testament who were filled with the Holy Spirit. King David and King Saul came to mind. Both were mightily filled with Holy Spirit and anointed King, but had entirely different results. David died and is forever remembered as “a man after God’s own heart” and the standard by which all Kings were measured. Saul died as a demonized man in rebellion apart from God. And a failure. How did this happen?

 

            In recent years I have noticed the same difference in those who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not dieing the same death as Saul, but never experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit we should expect.  I believe that we have more control over this than we think. In Ezekiel 47, the Bible speaks of water flowing from the temple. First, a trickle, then to the ankles, then to the knees, then to the loins, and eventually a river that totally immerses the writer. As the river flows, it sustains all kinds of life down stream.

 

     Water is sometimes symbolic of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. (John 7:37-39 and John 4:13-14) I believe that is the case here. This section of Ezekiel is speaking of the restoration of the Temple and God’s people. He speaks of putting things in order (the requirement of the different rooms and implements of service). He also speaks of the people repenting and turning from their idols. The preparation was essential before the Spirit filled the Temple. In the cases of King David and King Saul, the conditions of their hearts made the difference in their outcomes. Although not perfect, David’s heart was right before the Lord, he had true repentance. His filling lasted his whole life. He became the standard by which all kings were measured. Saul often walked in direct disobedience of the Lord and eventually the Spirit was removed from him. 1 Samuel 16: 14-15 “Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. And Saul’s servants then said to him, behold now, an evil spirit from the Lord is terrorizing you”.     Instead of true repentance, Saul had excuses. His heart was not fully given and it cost him.

 

     I have seen a number of people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and I have to ask “Why do the results differ from person to person?” To some believers (such as the original 120) it was a life changing event that changed their world and lasted a lifetime. To others it is like Saul’s, where the power is there in the beginning, but fades or disappears with time.

 

      In Luke 8:4-15, Jesus tell and explains the parable about the seeds. I think that some of the Church is in between the seed sown in the weeds and the seed sown on good ground. In seed sown on good ground, the result is obvious, as is seed sown in the weeds. Time will tell. In my own life, I have found that the more of this world I am willing to give up (TV, hobbies, and sinful behavior) the more of the Spirit I will walk in.

 

In John 14:16&17, Jesus speaks of the promise of the Holy Spirit. “Whom the world cannot receive”. As I read this, I wondered, “If I have too much of the world in me, am I hindering how much of the Holy Spirit I can receive?”

 

In a society filled with idols, are we trying to keep one foot in the world (in the weeds) and one foot on the fertile ground? If the Church wants a Pentecost type experience, maybe we should try to conduct ourselves as the original 120 did; In prayer, fellowship, devoted to the Word and breaking bread together. I know that God has so much more for me than I am experiencing now. I am determined to keep seeking until I find it. In Ezekiel 47: 7-12 the writer speaks of the great flow of the river sustaining life down stream and even making the sea fresh. This is what I see what started with the original 120 and spread throughout the whole world. If we are not content with ankle deep or calf deep filling of the Spirit, we can change that by our behavior. Verse 11 gives a warning that we should pay attention to. 11. But its’ swamps and marshes will not become fresh. They will be left for salt. A marsh is dead stagnate water that will not sustain life, Salt water will not sustain us either.  

 

Throughout the years I’ve read about great men of God who were mightily used by God. I find it very encouraging to read about these people. I ask myself, Why not me? Or, Why not my church or community? If the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and filled these saints’ lives in me, then why not me?  In Luke 24:49, Jesus said; “And behold I am sending forth the promise of my father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high”. They were blindly obedient to what Jesus told them to do and when the promised Holy Spirit came, the New Testament Church was born. I pray that this message encourages you to say, “Why not me”?  Yours in Christ, Marty