What does the Holy Spirit Do?

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' 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 5-8

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Jesus says that physical birth is not enough - we need to be born of the Spirit When we are born again spiritually, we are born into a Christian family - with a family likeness Until we become Christians, the Holy Spirit’s work is primarily to convict us of sin and of our need for Jesus Christ … … but there’s much more! “Born Again”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? We become children of God by being born of the Spirit. Those who receive Jesus are given the “right to become children of God” John 1 12 The Spirit within us cries out, “Abba, Father” Romans 8 15 We are children of the King! Children of God

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Children of God The experience of Billy Bray - Cornish tin-miner and drunkard turned evangelist  born 1794  always involved in fights and domestic quarrels  at 29 became a Christian  told wife he would never get drunk again  saw many become Christians, remarkable healings  favourite expression: “I am the son of a King!”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? As children we have intimacy with the Father Children of God John Wesley, concerning his conversion: “I exchanged the faith of a servant for the faith of a son”.

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Spirit gives us the deepest possible experience of God Children of God The experience of Bishop Bill Burnett, at one time Archbishop of Capetown …

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Spirit gives us the deepest possible experience of God Children of God “When I became a bishop I believed in theology, but not in God. I was a practical atheist. I sought righteousness by doing good.” (After preaching on the Holy Spirit) … “What I preached about happened. I experienced electric shocks of love”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Spirit helps us develop our relationship with God “Through (Jesus) we … have access to the Father by one Spirit” Ephesians 2 18 The Spirit helps us pray Romans 8 26 The Spirit helps us understand what God is saying to us ”I (ask) that … God … may give you the Spirit … that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” Ephesians 1 18 A Developing Relationship as Children of God

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? A Developing Relationship as Children of God Anselm of Canterbury: “I believe in order that I might understand”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Family Likeness “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5 22

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Family Likeness Malcolm Muggeridge “The most characteristic and uplifting of the manifestations of conversion is rapture - an inexpressible joy which suffuses our whole being, making our fears dissolve into nothing, and our expectations all move heavenward”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Family Likeness Richard Wurmbrand “Alone in my cell, cold, hungry and in rags, I danced for joy every night … sometimes I was so filled with joy that I felt I would burst if I did not give it expression”

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Family Likeness “wholeness”, “soundness”, “well-being”, “oneness with God” “While the Emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief and envy. He cannot give peace of heart, for which man yearns more than ever for outward peace.” Epictetus

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Unity in the Family Jesus prayed for unity among his followers John 17 Paul pleaded for Christians to “keep the unity of the Spirit” Ephesians 4 3 He says there is “one body and one Spirit … one hope … one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all … Ephesians One church … many congregations!

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Gifts for All the Children People are different - each Christian has different gifts Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues 1 Corinthians apostles, teachers, helpers, administrators; evangelists, pastors; serving, encouraging, giving, leadership,, showing mercy; hospitality, speaking 1 Corinthians ; Ephesians 4; Romans 12 7 ; 1 Peter 4

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? Gifts for All the Children All have gifts They are to be used! We are to desire more!

What Does the Holy Spirit Do? The Growing Family The Spirit equips us to be witnesses This is both in terms of desire … … and ability