Review and reflect on the power and presence of the Spirit in Scripture. Answer the questions that follow.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22.17
Today, awareness of the activity of the Holy Spirit is as vital to the Church as it has ever been. The Spirit invites us to an infilling, a deep drink, of the living water Jesus offers us.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit” in John 20:21-22. As we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit today, there will be parties of salvation and joy (Acts 2:1), a few things will get moved around (Acts 2:2), we’ll be filled with the fire of love for others (Acts 2:3), and we’ll be empowered with gifts for the mission of loving the world to life in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:4-8,11b).We learn from the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible), that the Holy Spirit is the Breath of God (ruakh) and the Original Artist (Gen. 1:1), bringing beauty from chaos (Gen. 1:2), animating human life (Gen. 2:7), and sustaining all things seen and unseen (Gen. 2:1). The Holy Spirit speaks to people (Gen. 15:12a), helps us obey (Gen. 22:1-2), rushes to a humble heart (1 Sam. 16:13a), and renews us in worship (Ps. 51:10-12).
The Holy Spirit is with us everywhere (Ps. 139:7-10), leading us to the good life (Ps. 143:10), stirring praise in our spirit (Exo. 15:19-21), and welcoming us to awakening moments (Exo. 3:2-4). The Spirit gives us prophetic discernment (Gen. 41:38), works through our skills (Exo. 31:1-6), orchestrates such-a-time-as-this moments (Est. 4:12-14), and uses God-hearing leaders (Jud. 4:14). The Spirit gives us a heart of flesh ( Eze. 36:26-27), calls a kingdom of priests (Exo. 19:4-6a), pours out God’s presence (Joel 2:28-29;32a), and rests on the Messiah (Isa. 11:1-3). The Holy Spirit empowers the Good News that sets captives free (Isa. 61:1-2a), and gives us life (Job 33:4).
We learn from the New Testament that Jesus was with the wind (pneuma) of the Holy Spirit at creation (John 1:1-5), and the Spirit gives us the strength to obey (Luke 1:35)—working powerfully through a person aware of the Father’s love (Matt. 3:16-17). The Spirit makes us born again (John 3:5-8), is our Helper (John 14:16-17), reveals Jesus (John 15:26), and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit glorifies Jesus (John 16:14-15) and reveals to us the depths of God (1 Cor. 2:9-12). The Spirit always builds up the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-14), empowers us with the Father’s love (Rom. 8:14-15), and teaches us what to say when we need to declare our faith (Luke 12:11-12). By the Spirit we learn how to walk on the path of life (Gal. 5:16-17), experience freedom (2 Cor. 3:17), gain the fruitful character of Christ (Gal. 5:22-25), quench our spiritual thirst (John 7:37-39), and come out of deserts with power (Luke 4:1-2;14-15).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus’ Resurrection within us (Rom. 8:11), lavishly given by the Father (Luke 11:13), showing us the way of love (1 Cor. 13:1-6) and equipping us for ministry with profound spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-3). That Great Symphony of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7) is expressed through the Church, and gifts are distributed to all (1 Cor. 12:4-6), many and abundant (1 Cor. 12:7-11), for the building up of the local church (Rom. 12:4-8).
The Holy Spirit strengthens the Body through gifted leaders (Eph. 4:11-13), speaks to us through the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:14-17), through impressions and intuitions (Acts 20:22-23), through gifts of wisdom (James 3:13,17; Col. 1:9-12), and through the Body of Christ (Acts 13:2-4; Rom. 12:5). The Spirit is a deposit and guarantee of resurrection and the New Creation to come (2 Cor. 5:5), helping us wait in hope (Gal. 5:5), giving us divine perspective (Ps. 73:16-17), and opening us to the Father’s love (Gal. 4:6).
We are strengthened inwardly by the Spirit (Eph. 3:16-19), and invited to partner in the healing of the world (John 16:7). The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word (Eph. 6:17), and worship is to flow from us in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). The Holy Spirit gives us righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17), fills the temple of the Church (1 Cor. 3:16), and helps us in our weakness (Rom. 8:26-27). And the Holy Spirit does much, much more. While experiences with the Holy Spirit can’t be manufactured, they can be nurtured. Breathe deeply of the Holy Spirit, and drink deeply of the living waters Jesus promised. The Church of Jesus Christ is given the gift of the Holy Spirit—for the sake of the world.
(excerpt from Seedbed. Used with permission)
Where do you see the Spirit at work in and through our Faith Family? Where do you sense the Spirit at work in your family? Where are you desperate for the Spirit to be at work?
Read John 3.16 and 1 John 3.16. How do you see these verses stand alone? How do they complement each other? Reflect on John 3.16. How have you experienced the truth of this verse? Reflect on 1 John 3.16. How are you experiencing the truth of this verse?
What is the primary role or purpose of the Spirit in our world, our church, and your life today?
Reflect and respond to the role of the Spirit in moving from a transactional relationship to a transcendent reality.
The primary purpose of the Spirit’s work in our lives is to move us from a transactional relationship with God to a transcendent reality of Christ in us, the hope of glory. The Spirit’s role in our lives is to lead, guide, direct, advocate, and comfort. Additionally, the Spirit animates and motivates believers in living in the transcendent reality of the Gospel. Ultimately, for the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and for our Faith Family the Spirit’s role is to lead us to become love – the love made manifest in the Gospels.
Reflect and respond to the role of the Spirit in leading you toward “profound love.”
The (second half) Gospel is about becoming the love of God. A love that becomes a burning bush that is on fire, but not being consumed. A love that’s not so much discovered out there, as it’s summoned – from deep within. A love that is called forth – like Lazarus – a raised from the dead kind of calling, “Lazarus, come forth.” A love then, that is willing to lay anything and everything down for the sake of others. A profound love for God and a profound love for others. Profound love is the end and the means of the Gospel – a transcendent vessel of God expressing His love on earth, as it is in heaven. That’s the work of the Spirit.
Read Romans 8.1-4 and answer the following questions.
- In your own words describe what Paul is communicating regarding the Spirit.
- The text begins with “Therefore.” Read Romans 7 to more fully understand the purpose of Romans 8.
- After reading Romans 7 what do you sense is the primary purpose of this text? What verses most resonate with you?
Read Romans 8. What do you sense is the primary purpose of this text? What verses most resonate with you?
Summarize the primary difference between Romans 7 and Romans 8.
Where and how is the Spirit leading you today?
Spend a few moments praying through the chorus, “Spirit of the Living God.”
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
