Sermon: Wonderful Holy Spirit   Theme: Kingdom power – empowered to shine Date: 22 July 2012 – morning and evening services Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk Introduction During the first part of the year we devoted much time, and rightly so, to better understand our wonderful King and His Kingdom, and also to come to grips with the values of the Kingdom. It has been time well spent! Now it is necessary to turn our attention to the part where we live out what we have learnt on a daily basis – for this we need God’s power! God’s Word states that His Kingdom is not reflected in words, but in power. The emphasis should not be on theory and philosophy, but rather on living life in His power. There comes a time when we must add to our knowledge the experience of God's power and that time is now!

Wonderful Holy Spirit This is a call to invest in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, who carries the power of God, and to trust with me that we will see a clear increase of His anointing and power in us. As we focus on our relationship with the Holy Spirit, He will empower us to live the Kingdom life ‒ shining brightly in this world.

John 14:26 (TNIV) ‘But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’ Text: John 14:26 (NIV) ‘But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’

Wonderful Holy Spirit Who is the Holy Spirit? The function of the Holy Spirit. Building friendship with Him. Let’s look at the following:   Who is the Holy Spirit? The function of the Holy Spirit. Building friendship with Him.

Trinity God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit Main points Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. This means God exists in three parts. There is one God but three persons, namely God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Trinity example Egg shell Egg yolk Egg white Let me explain this by using the image of an egg. One egg has three parts ‒ the egg shell, egg yolk and egg white. We are called to fellowship with the Trinity as a whole. In this context the part of the Trinity that is mostly neglected, in terms of personal connection and friendship, is the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Holy Spirit was sent by God to empower us to live life His way. Is it possible to have the Holy Spirit as our best friend? It definitely is. I will go as far as to say that God wants that for you! God the Father is in heaven and God the Son is at His right hand. God the Holy Spirit was sent to earth to be with us where we live our daily lives, making friendship with Him vital. Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit is a person and not just a force? It is all about relationship. It is very difficult to build a relationship with someone unless you have personal contact. Just think of the difference between a telephone conversation with someone, versus face to face interaction. You can learn volumes about a person when you meet them personally. It is no different with the Holy Spirit. Building a relationship with the Holy Spirit is much easier when you realise that He is a person in His own right. From this realisation a relationship with Him can be pursued. Will you make an effort to get to know the wonderful Holy Spirit and His nature? He is a person with an identity, feelings and emotions and not a force or mystical power. Make it your mission to know Him personally. We get a good look at the nature of the Holy Spirit through the fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV), ‘… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ This is exactly what He looks like! Egg white

He is known as the: Helper Comforter Counsellor Spirit of truth Guide Teacher In the Bible He is identified as the Helper, Comforter and Counsellor (John 14:16,26); the Spirit of truth (John 14:17); the Guide (John 16:13) and Teacher (John 14:26). What makes a person is not what is on the outside. Personality is what is on the inside. When you look at a body in a casket at a funeral, you can clearly sense it is only a shell ‒ there is no life once the spirit has left. The Holy Spirit feels, perceives and responds. He can be grieved and hurt. He has the ability to love and to hate. He has His own will and He speaks to us. We need to regard Him as a person. He is waiting to build friendship with us.

He has come to: Help Comfort Councel Lead in truth Guide Teach Fill us with God’s love Give power and gifts Manifest God’s character Transform Help Comfort Councel Lead in truth Guide Teach 2. The functions of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit has come to:   Help us to pray, and to execute the will of God. Comfort us and give us support in difficulty. Counsel us (Advocate). Lead us in all truth (He gives us revelation in terms of God’s Word). Guide us in everyday life to apply God’s Word and will. Teach us God’s Word and to remind us about His words. He teaches us the ways of the Lord. He has a voice and He speaks! Fill us with the Father’s love and make it real to us (Romans 5:5). Give us power to be witnesses and gifts to show God’s power. Manifest God’s character in us (fruit of the Spirit). Transform us into the image of Jesus. In all of these wonderful functions we are to take care that we do not treat the Holy Spirit on a ‘pick-and-pray’ basis. He fulfils these functions as we commit to friendship and cultivate a relationship with Him.

Power example command execute power He is the power of the Trinity. To understand the job of the Holy Spirit, we first need to understand the work of the Father and the Son. God the Father gives the command – He says, ‘Let there be …’ God the Son performs the command. Scripture teaches us that Jesus came to earth to do the Father’s will. And finally, God the Holy Spirit is the power behind the command. The following illustration explains it well:   When I ask you to turn on the light in a room, three forces are involved ‒ I give the command, you walk to the switch and flip it (making you the performer of the command) but, finally, what causes light is not me or you, but the power (electricity) that produces the light. This is what the Holy Spirit does. He brings the power.

Power example God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit Commander Executer Power This is how it all works together ‒ God the Father is the Commander; God the Son is the Executer and God the Holy Spirit is the One who empowers!

2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) ‘The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.’ 3. Building friendship with Him ‘The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.’ 2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) Let’s invest in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. How do we start a friendship with the Holy Spirit? The simple answer is to start to speak to Him from your heart as you would to a trusted friend. Some other practicalities:   Make space for the Holy Spirit to speak. Train your spirit to live with a greater God-consciousness. (Later in the term, we will have a practical sermon to help with this.) Allow Him to lead. It starts with the willing submission of your whole life ‒ thoughts, words and actions ‒ to the Holy Spirit. It must become a lifestyle. Listen for His still small voice. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead, and then listen for His instruction. Train your ear to hear His voice. This develops by dedicated listening. Ultimately the Spirit-led life is only possible if you can hear His voice. Be sensitive to what He feels. Let your heart beat in unison with His. Be quick to repent if you have ignored or disobeyed Him. Seek His guidance in all things by firstly asking for His input. Life application: Are you ready to meet the Holy Spirit intimately and personally? Do you want to hear His voice? Are you prepared to know Him as a person and a friend?

Friendship prayer: Holy Spirit, please become my best friend? I will submit to do Your will. I will ask for Your input and wait for Your guidance. I will listen for Your voice and trust You as You speak to me. Amen. Friendship prayer: Holy Spirit, please become my best friend. I will submit to Your will. I will ask for Your input and wait for Your guidance. I will listen for Your voice and trust You as You speak to me. Amen.