Let Rivers Flow

Should Christians live aloof, isolated lives? How then would we love others? How would we be the light of the world? Jesus taught us that out of our hearts will flow rivers of living waters. Let’s examine John 7:37-39.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37 NKJV)

The benefits of water far outweigh other drinks. The benefits of true religion far outweigh counterfeits. According to WebMD [1], water keeps us slimmer, boosts energy and lowers stress due to dehydration, builds muscle tone and prevents cramps, reduces wrinkles from inside, aids regularity and reduces kidney stones. Water truly satisfies.

[1] http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-water-health

In a parched land, thirst is well-known. God promised Israel living water (Proverbs 18:4; Isaiah 58:11), living water for a thirsty land (Isaiah 44:3), water without price (Isaiah 55:1). Water is a powerful symbol of life. As water truly satisfies physically, belief in Jesus satisfies spiritually.

On the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles. Jesus announced, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” The Feast (Leviticus 23:33-36) commemorated the Exodus with leafy booths. The High Priest went from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam [2] and filled a container with water.

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam

The priest then re-entered the Temple through the Water Gate. With a wine offering, he poured the water from the Pool of Siloam onto the base of the altar. The water symbolized the Holy Spirit poured out upon people as it flowed down the Temple steps into the outer courts.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 NKJV)

A rule of desert survival is not to drink stagnant water, but to look for a source of running water, otherwise called “living water.” To drink from the living water that Jesus gives, requires living faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit flows from God to us and we are satisfied.

Christianity is not a selfish religion practiced in isolation from others. Apart from quarantine, detachment disobeys many of Jesus’ commands, like being a light, loving our neighbor and serving those in need. What we have received from God should flow out of us like living water, rather than staying still and becoming stagnant.

“Rivers of living water” is an Old Testament saying. Psalm 1 teaches us that those who delight in God’s law are like trees planted by rivers of water. Ezekiel 47:1-12 describes water flowing from the altar in the Temple in Jerusalem and making the desert to the south productive.

The Apostles often reinterpreted Old Testament history allegorically. Allegory helps us understand the Holy Spirit flowing from heavenly Jerusalem into and out of Christians as a blessing to our neighbors. Does the Holy Spirit flow from us to others? Do we love our neighbors and thereby quench their spiritual thirst?

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39 NKJV)

Modern Israel has fulfilled such prophesies physically, making the deserts bloom with agriculture. Jesus used these same prophesies and “spoke concerning the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit flows like rivers of living water from within. The Holy Spirit gives many gifts to believers, and first in 1 Corinthians 12 is wisdom.

Proverbs 18:4 speaks of the mouth being deep waters, which shares a very important spiritual gift, “The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.” It is in wisdom that the Gospel must be preached, and in wisdom that we gently lead our non-Christian neighbors to salvation in the Lord.

Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to drink. He comes into our hearts like rivers of living water, and must flow out. We can’t allow the river to stagnate. It must flow out. God gave us a gift that must flow like streams in a spiritual desert, and bring life to others. Whose thirst do you need to quench today?

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings

Acts 2:1-21 What kind of languages can people understand? Are tongues of fire visible today? What power was given?

Psalm 104:24-35 Who do we really have to thank for life itself?

1 Corinthians 12:3-13 What gift is top of the list? Why is this gift neglected while more showy gifts are pursued?

John 7:37-39 in Rhyme

On the last great day of the Feast
The day that Tabernacles ceased
“If someone’s thirsty,” Jesus cried
“Just come to me and I’ll provide

Believe in Me, say the Scriptures
Out of your heart will be rivers
Rivers of living water flow
The Holy Spirit will bestow

Those who believe He will provide
After Jesus is glorified

Who are We?

Who are we? What are we? Why do we exist? The Greek word for a human being is ἄνθρωπος (anthropos) and so this study of humanity deals with the topic of biblical anthropology.

Who are we?

First of all, we are the children of Adam. Adam was named for his origin, because his name refers to the ground from which he came.

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7 NASB)

In contrasting Adam and Christ, God reveals to us through Paul, the difference between our earthly inheritance and our heavenly hope.

The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven… And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 KJV)

The Bible also describes the origin of humankind as created in the image and likeness of God.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness… So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27 NIV)

Both male and female bear the image and likeness of God. So it obviously does not mean the bodily shape of one gender or the other. The phrase “in our image” (צֶלֶם, TSEH-lem) also means a resemblance. The phrase “according to our likeness” (דְּמוּת, de-MOOTH) also means similitude of external appearance.

Do these phrases about the image and likeness of God mean that our bodies are literally like God’s? Remember that descriptions of God reveal Him as everywhere at once and therefore not limited to a particular outward form.

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:24 KJV)

What the concepts of being created in the image and likeness of God do is set humanity apart from the animals, with a different purpose. Where Adam and Eve failed, we have the choice of fulfilling, putting on the new man, new self or new nature.

… and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 NKJV)

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:10 NLT)

There are several possible explanations of this. The more common views are that being created in the image and likeness of God means that we have a similar but limited ability to reason, to rule over the earth and we were created to have a relationship with God. This is why Adam was also referred to in a genealogy as the son of God.

Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God. (Luke 3:38 NLT)

Apart from rare and unfortunate genetic abnormalities, we are also male (אִישׁ, ish) and female (אִשָּׁה, isha), designating a difference in physical stature and strength, but not a difference in intellectual capacity or status before God.

“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. (Genesis 2:23-24 NLT)

What are we?

The English word soul is a very fuzzy word, with too wide a variety of meanings to be exact. It is used in different ways throughout different translations of the Bible, for a variety of concepts. Sometimes it translates a word meaning a life or living being, sometimes a person’s body, and sometimes a person’s spirit. We say in English that someone IS a nice soul, meaning the person, and we say they HAVE a body and soul, meaning physical and spiritual parts. One biblical example shows how the English word soul can mean the whole person.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7 KJV)

Other translations use the word “being” (NIV, NASB, NKJV), “person” (NLT), and “creature” (ESV) instead of soul. So the word soul is not a very exact word in English. That is why many people prefer to be more precise and use the word spirit when referring to the non-material part of a human being.

Most Bible passages use the word soul to mean the spiritual side of a person. The majority of biblical descriptions refer to us as essentially two components. In simple terms we could call it a material part and a non-material part, a body (physical) and a soul (or spirit).

Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NLT)

The Bible also refers to us as consisting of three parts, a body (physical), soul (in this case meaning a mind that can reason or think) and spirit (the non-material component).

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB)

The Great Commandments to love God and neighbor further suggest a four-fold union of heart and soul (psyche) and strength and mind. After Jesus had confirmed the first commandment, He said the second was like it.

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27 NIV)

All these are different ways of looking at the same thing, everything that we humans are.

Why are we?

Humanity was created to have a relationship with God, but as in all good relationships there has to be trust. Our most ancient ancestors failed a simple test of faithfulness in their first dealings with God, and all human history tells of the tragic consequences that we still experience because of that disappointment.

The breakdown in trust is told by way of a forbidden tree, God’s command and His warning to the first humans.

Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:15-17 KJV)

This event included the first couple’s disobedience, a serpent’s deceit, followed by the woman’s reasoning disobedience and then the man’s passive disobedience.

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. (Genesis 3:1-6 NLT)

The immediate result of the episode was their shame over their nakedness and desire to hide from God.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:7-8 NIV)

God then arrived on the scene to make his decision regarding the couple. He questioned the man.

“Where are you?”... “Who told you that you were naked?”... “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:9-11 NLT)

He questioned the woman.

“What have you done?” (Genesis 3:13 NLT)

He judged the serpent.

“Because you have done this, you are cursed…” (Genesis 3:14-15 NLT)

He judged the couple.

“By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:16-19 NLT)

He provided clothing in consideration of their embarrassment over their nakedness and banished them from His garden.

And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife… So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. (Genesis 3:21-23 NLT)

God instituted the death penalty for murder with the thought that humanity was made in the image of God, and despite humanity’s disobedience blessed them in their reproduction.

“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” (Genesis 9:6-7 NIV)

Ever since, human history has been cursed with a mixture of both good and evil.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. (James 3:9 NIV)

God was well aware of the possibility that our first parents would sin and had a plan all along in His Son Jesus Christ, who would become the firstborn of many.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29 NLT)

And so the marvellous and wonderful thing is this: God’s plan moves beyond the failures of our first parents and our subsequent human inadequacy, to bring about our full conformation to his image, in that we will bear the image of the heavenly.

Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49 NASB)

Who can save us from the snake that still continues his deception? There is good news in Jesus Christ, who is the image of God in a higher sense.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV)

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 NIV)

We are called to put on the new self, reborn in the image and likeness of God. We have taken off the old self,

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:10 NIV)

We are children whose inheritance has been to bear the consequences of our first parents’ decisions. They were created in the image of God, but fell short of their full potential. In Jesus, we have a far greater inheritance, to be regenerated in the fullness of the image of God. God loves His children and has a plan to save us. That’s who we are.

Discussion

Who are we human beings in relationship to God? What are we made of? Why is humanity in the plight that we are? How has a loving God provided for reconciliation and a wonderful future for us? Why has He given us the freedom to choose to seek Him or not?

Unity in God's Name

When Jesus prayed, what was central on His mind? We actually have a record of one of Jesus’ most important prayers and what He prayed about. Let’s look at what was on Jesus’ mind in His important prayer in John 17:1-11.

John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You…”

This is part of the Lord’s “high priestly prayer.” We don’t know how God inspired this record. The prayer’s emphasis is unmistakably Jesus, as he prayed for glory, eternal life and unity for his followers. “Glorify” means power, honor, praise and the exalted position that Jesus had from the beginning.

It means, “the glory which I had with You before the world was.” It includes the glory of the cross, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” It includes the glory of followers, “I am glorified in them.”

John 17:2-3 (NKJV) “as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Jesus can “give eternal life … this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” It includes knowing Him in Jesus and an intimate relationship. We receive Jesus’ words from God. Then we come to know and believe God.

John 17:4-5 (NKJV) “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

How is ignominious death on a cross glory? In an ethically bankrupt world, wealth, power and popularity are often gained through moral defeat - lying, cheating, stealing. The self-sacrificing are the real winners. All honor and praise and dignity forever goes to the cross and those who take up their crosses.

John 17:6 (NKJV) “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”

Jesus had emptied Himself (Philippians 2:5-8) taking on the form of a servant. The disciples were faithful followers of God as revealed in the Old Testament. Now, as the Father revealed Himself more fully in Jesus, He gave them to Jesus, even as they continued to keep God’s word.

John 17:7-8 (NKJV) “Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.”

Jesus prayed, “I have given to them the words [ῥῆμα, rhema] which You have given Me.” Some claim “rhema” is important and “logos” is not. Jesus says, “I have given them Your word [λόγος, logos]” (vs. 14) and “Your word [logos] is truth” (vs. 17) - “logos” and “rhema” are interchangeable.

John 17:9 (NKJV) “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.”

Does God not love the whole world? Verse 21 explains, “that the world may believe that You sent Me” and verse 23, “that the world may know that You have sent Me.” As “Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14), Jesus normally prayed for all, just not this time.

John 17:10-11 (NKJV) “And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”

Did Jesus’ prayer fail, or are Christians really one, despite different denominations? Are we really one, perhaps not in partisan bigotry and human organization, but in God’s Name. Do we live so that Jesus is glorified in us? How are we in the world but not of the world?

When Jesus prayed, He prayed mostly about unity and that should inspire us to think about how we can work for greater unity and how it is found not in our worldly institutions but in the Father and the Son. When we promote our denominations, we are not promoting a unifying message. When we promote the Father and the Son, then we are one in ministry.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings

Acts 1:6-14 Have we received power to be witnesses? Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 Let the righteous be glad… a Father of the fatherless, a Defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Do we think that fiery trials are a strange thing?

John 17:1-11 in Rhyme

Then Jesus vocalized
And Lifted up His eyes
Looking up to heaven
He voiced in expression
Father, the hour has come
So, glorify Your Son

That He may then thereby
Also You glorify
You gave authority
Over all flesh to Me
To give life evermore
To those You gave Me for

This is life immortal
To know You, God truthful
And Jesus Christ You sent
Honoring You I went
I’ve done the work You gave
My past glory I crave

Your name to those I showed
From the world You bestowed
Yours, You gave them to Me
They have kept Your decree
They’ve known what You gave Me
From You ultimately

Your words I gave to them
And they have received them
And know this to be true
That I came forth from You
They believe You sent Me
My prayer for them would be

For the world’s not my plea
But for those You gave Me
For they belong to You
All that’s Mine is Yours too
And all Yours are My men
I’m glorified in them

I’m no more in the world
But these are in the world
To You I come again
So keep them through Your name
That those You’ve given Me
May be one just as We

Who are the Angels?

Who are the angels? Are there kinds of angels? Do they help us? Are Satan and demons angels? Are we at war with them? The word angel comes from a Greek word ἄγγελος (angelos) meaning a messenger. The study of angels is thus called angelology.

Who are the Angels?

Heaven’s angels were created by God.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 NIV)

One of their most important jobs is to be ministering spirits serving the heirs of salvation.

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14 KJV)

Angels are often collectively referred to as the heavenly host, or heaven's armies.

Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. (1 Kings 22:19 NASB)

… you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. (Hebrews 12:22 NLT)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)

Both humans and angels are called sons of God.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12 KJV)

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14 NASB)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 NASB)

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. (Job 1:6 KJV)

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. (Job 2:1 KJV)

The angels in heaven are also called holy ones or saints, a title which can also apply to human beings.

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. (Psalm 89:5-7 NIV)

Angels are individual persons who can have curiosity.

To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12 NKJV)

Angels shout praises.

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God… (Luke 2:13 CEV)

Angels have free will because some chose disobedience.

And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. (Jude 6 NLT)

Angels are a slightly higher created order than human beings.

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:4-5 NKJV)

Angels are unable to have children.

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (Matthew 22:30 KJV)

Like us, angels are also inferior to Christ.

But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:1-14 NKJV)

Are there Kinds of Angels?

Head angels are called archangels.

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9 NIV)

At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. (Daniel 12:1 NLT)

And we know of at least two other classes. One is called seraphs, or using the Hebrew plural ending seraphim.

Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. (Isaiah 6:4 NASB)

And another class is cherubs and other unusual creatures.

After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24 NIV)

There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. (Exodus 25:22 NIV)

… Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings… (Ezekiel 1:4-28 KJV)

… And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle… (Revelation 4:4-8 KJV)

Some angels even look after people and are commonly called guardian angels.

Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. (Matthew 18:10 NLT)

Do Angels Help Us?

The angels served the saints of the Old Testament period.

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. (Genesis 19:16 NLT)

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11 NIV)

They served Christ during his earthly ministry.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin… (Luke 1:26-38 NKJV)

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. (Mark 1:13 KJV)

And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43 ESV)

Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53 NASB)

Angels rejoice in the salvation of believers, serving, protecting, encouraging and relaying God’s will to them.

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10 NKJV)

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14 NIV)

And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. (Acts 12:7 NASB)

For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24 NLT)

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26 NIV)

Evil Angels

Not all angels are good. Some have rebelled against God.

For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. (2 Peter 2:4 NLT)

Jesus spoke often of the devil and demons.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)

The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. (Matthew 13:39 NLT)

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. (Matthew 25:41 NLT)

And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. (Luke 4:41 NKJV)

Spiritual Battles

We are in a constant state of war with spiritual adversaries, but through Christ we have the victory. We don’t need to fear. Resist the devil and he will flee from us.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8 NIV)

It is spiritual warfare.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God… (Ephesians 6:12-18 NIV)

The battle is won on God’s side, with Christ who is far above every power. Let’s just be sure whose side we are on.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:20 NLT)

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1 NKJV)

… Christ… far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:20-22 NASB)

Thank God that Jesus has already won the battle. Thank God that in Jesus, we win, and the righteous Angels who are loyal fellow servants of the Most High God, win with us. Next time we’ll explore God’s purpose for humanity.

Our Advocate

What hope do we have of ever being loved by God? Is God really on our side or are we just cosmic orphans? Let’s look at how the Holy Spirit stands with us in John 14:15-21.

John 14:15 (NKJV) If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Assuming that the word “commandments” always means the Ten Commandments is a wrong inference. Obedience to JESUS’ commands proves that we love HIM. He said, “IF you love [who?]” Jesus said, “If you love ME, keep MY commandments.” In this context Jesus commanded, to “believe also in Me” (verse 1).

The natural reading is not the Ten Commandments but HIS commandments. Jesus reminded us of OTHER commandments, outside the ten, like love God and neighbor. Jesus’ commands do not dismiss ANY Old Testament commandments. They DO dismiss a legalistic, letter-of-the-law approach, by fulfilling the spirit of the entire law through faith.

John 14:16 (NKJV) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever

Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father or the Father and the Son? This verse seems to say that the Father sends the Spirit on behalf of the Son. Yet on another occasion we read, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

The Greek word variously translated as Advocate, Helper, Comforter is παράκλητος (paraklétos), a legal term for a trial lawyer who advocates for us. It also has a broader meaning of someone called to our side to help us. This means that the Holy Spirit is on OUR side, defending us.

John 14:17 (NKJV) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of Truth.” It should be no surprise that our best arguments often fail, because “the world cannot receive” the Spirit of Truth! Let’s simply trust the Holy Spirit to do His job. “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

John 14:18 (NKJV) I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The word is orphans, not “comfortless.” The context is “Little children...” (John 13:33), so here “come” refers to Jesus’ presence through the Holy Spirit. We are not orphans. He is with us. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

John 14:19 (NKJV) A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

Jesus spoke of eternal life, “Because I live, you will live also.” This refers to the higher Christian life in Christ independent of death. Because He lives, we are partakers of life now and forever. This indicates that our eternal life is dependent directly on Jesus giving it to us.

John 14:20 (NKJV) At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

“In that day” when the Spirit of Truth dwells in you, i.e. Pentecost, His disciples “will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” This mystical personal relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit is what the resurrection life is all about.

John 14:21 (NKJV) He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.

Jesus' words “keep My commandments” includes the mutual indwelling of Father, Son and Holy Spirit with us through faith. Jesus promises that He will love us and manifest Himself to us. Is this revelation a “coming” different from His Second Coming? Is it the manifestation of Christ in the Spirit?

We don’t need to be a part of an exclusive church to be loved by God. The Holy Spirit has come to confirm God’s love for us. Where is the Church? It is WHEREVER Jesus dwells through the Holy Spirit, WHEREVER His love lives in people.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings:

Psalm 66:8-20 Though life contains suffering, what has God promised us?
Acts 17:22-31 How do we talk about the gospel in a skeptical world?
1 Peter 3:13-22 What defense of your hope would you give?

John 14:15-21 in Rhyme

If you love Me, keep My commands
I’ll pray that from the Father’s hands
He’ll give you another Helper
To abide with you forever

Spirit of truth, the world can’t take
To His presence it’s not awake
But you know Him, He dwells with you
What men can’t see will be in you

I won’t forsake you as orphans
I’ll come to you, you’ve importance
Soon the world will see Me no more
But you will see Me, that’s quite sure

Because I live, you’ll live also
And when that day comes you will know
I in My Father, you in Me
I’m in you, so keep my decree

He who has and keeps My commands
He loves Me and is in God’s hands
He’s loved by My Father above
To him I’ll show Myself in love

Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 2

What is the Holy Spirit’s work? What does He do in the world today?
What is the Work of the Holy Spirit?

The holy men of God spoke and wrote as they were carried along or moved by the Holy Spirit. This is not dictation in every case, but inspiration. This should be a lesson for us. If a preacher teaches from God’s word we can be fairly safe. If he doesn’t preach from God’s word, beware!

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT)

The Holy Spirit comes to us today and teaches us to know the things of God. Traditions and fads are often mere human wisdom. We need to check doctrines against the Scriptures, where we can be guaranteed to find Spirit-taught words.

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 NIV)

The Holy Spirit has contributed to God’s work throughout history and continues today.

In the Old Testament

The Holy Spirit has been involved in creating and sustaining all things, and even helps us create a better environment, turning deserts into productive land, and thus figuratively fill empty hearts with good things.

When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. (Psalm 104:29-30 NIV)

When the Spirit is given to us from heaven, deserts will become orchards thick as fertile forests. (Isaiah 32:15 CEV)

The Holy Spirit was involved in gently leading Israel and was sad when they rebelled.

You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. (Psalm 143:10 CEV)

Then the Lord’s people turned against him and made his Holy Spirit sad. So he became their enemy and attacked them. (Isaiah 63:10 CEV)

The Holy Spirit gave special gifts or abilities to Old Testament leaders, to build the tabernacle.

See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. (Exodus 31:2-5 NASB)

The Holy Spirit gave Zerubbabel the ability to finish the second temple.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. (Zechariah 4:6-9 ESV)

The Holy Spirit gave men the ability to prophesy.

“However, You bore with them for many years, And admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets, Yet they would not give ear. Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. (Nehemiah 9:30 NASB)

Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:1-2 NASB)

The Holy Spirit gave some men the ability to lead a nation. Joseph was recognized as such a man, by the king of Egypt, who then promoted him to national leadership.

So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38 NIV)

God chose 70 national leaders for Israel and gave them some of the Spirit that was on Moses.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. (Numbers 11:17 NIV)

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. (Numbers 11:25 NIV)

Moses' successor was also given the same ability to lead the nation through the Spirit.

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9 NIV)

Military ability was given to Othniel by the Spirit.

The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. (Judges 3:10 NIV)

Military leadership ability was given to Gideon by the Holy Spirit.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. (Judges 6:34 NIV)

Military leadership ability was also given to Samson by the Holy Spirit.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father’s home. (Judges 14:19 NIV)

During Jesus’ Earthly Ministry

The Holy Spirit powered the miraculous conception of Christ.

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18 NLT)

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35 NLT)

The Holy Spirit confirmed Christ’s messianic ministry and anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom.

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22 NASB)

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:14, 18 NASB)

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1 NIV)

The Holy Spirit was with Jesus during his entire earthly ministry.

For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. (John 3:34-35 NLT)

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28 NIV)

Speaking against the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus, the Pharisees got uncomfortably close to unforgivable blasphemy of the Spirit.

But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and replied… “Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” (Matthew 12:22-32 NLT)

At Christ’s Death and Resurrection

The Holy Spirit helped Christ with the power to offer himself as an unblemished sacrifice for us.

Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 9:14 NLT)

The Holy Spirit helped raise Jesus from the dead and thereby declare Him to be the Son of God.

and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4 NLT)

Jesus was vindicated or justified by the Spirit.

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16 NLT)

Jesus was and we will be made alive in the Spirit.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18 NIV)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11 NIV)

The “Spirit of Christ”

The Holy Spirit was on Christ.

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1 NIV)

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter who proceeds or comes from the Father.

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me (John 15:26 NASB)

The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Christ.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:9-10 NKJV)

In the Church

The Holy Spirit’s vitally important role in salvation and the church will be explored in later discussions on those topics. Next time we’ll discuss Angels. Until then, God bless you!

Epexegesis

Is adding our own words in explaining the Bible a contradiction of Bible instructions such as the following?

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV)

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19)

We absolutely add to the Bible man-made commandments and traditions not expressly taught there. All churches are guilty of that sin. However, when we add words to explain the Bible, that is not forbidden here. In fact, it is encouraged by Nehemiah's example.

"So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading." (Nehemiah 8:8)

Notice that Nehemiah's purpose was NOT to add vain traditions or rules made up by men, but to give the sense and help people understand. That requires additional words. The proper interpretation of any writing is called exegesis, explaining what it means. The wrong interpretation of scripture is called eisegesis, adding thoughts or ideas to the text that are simply not there. Adding appropriate words to clarify the meaning is called epexegesis, and is what every preacher ought to do every Sunday.

An example of an often twisted scripture is Matthew 16:18. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." To say that the grave will never kill off the church is exegesis. To say that this proves Peter is the first pope is eisegesis. It does not say that. To add that the early church fathers had three different understandings of this verse and to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their logic is epexegesis.

A Place for You

Do we sometimes feel like we don’t belong? We really belong somewhere else, somewhere wonderful. How do we get there? Let’s find the way to the place where we truly belong in John 14:1-14.

John 14:1-2 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Jacob called Beth El God’s house (Genesis 28:15-22), as were the tabernacle, temple, and the people of God (1 Corinthians 3:8-10). We are promised an eternal abode with God. In Greek μοναὶ (monai) is “an abiding dwelling-place.” Our homes here are temporary. There’s room in eternity for all.

John 14:3-6 (NKJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus is preparing a place for us. He is the way. God first gave life (Genesis 2:7). Jesus is the way to everlasting life (John 3:16), the prince of life (Acts 3:15), eternal life is in Jesus (Romans 6:23), in God’s Son (1 John 5:11).

John 14:7-11 (NKJV) “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

God is portrayed as Father in the New Testament far more than the Old. Is hatred of patriarchy an evil plan to destroy manhood and stop people coming to God? Our world needs fathers and the Father we need most is God. Jesus is the way to God the Father.

John 14:12-14 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

What did Jesus mean by greater works? Andrew evangelized Constantinople, Ukraine, Romania and Russia. Peter and Paul evangelized Antioch and more. James the Greater evangelized Spain. John preached at Ephesus. Philip evangelized Greece and Syria. Bartholomew (Nathaniel) evangelized India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia and Armenia. Matthew evangelized Caucasia, Macedonia, Persia and Parthia.

Thomas evangelized Parthia and India. James the Less evangelized Lower Egypt. Judas Thaddeus evangelized Judea, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. Simon the Zealot pastored Jerusalem and traveled to Africa and Europe. “Greater works” was one of Jesus’ greatest promises. There’s more to do. What does Jesus want you to do?

Our real home is with our heavenly Father and our heavenly mother is Jerusalem above. We will live with our Father in heaven forever in a place so wonderful that words fail. We belong with Him. Jesus came to show us the way home.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings

Acts 7:55-60 Stephen forgave his murderers
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 God is our refuge
1 Peter 2:2-10 let’s be living (workable) stones in the master builder’s hands

John 14:1-14 in Rhyme

In My Father’s house there’s much room
I go to make a place for you
I’ll come again and receive you
That where I am, you may be too

And you all know where I’m going
And the way you should be knowing
Thomas said, “We don’t have a clue
And don’t know where you’re going to

Jesus told him, “I am the way
The truth, and the life let me say
Nobody comes to the Father
Except through Me and no other

If you’d known Me, you’d have known Him
From now on you’ve known and seen Him
Philip said, show us the Father
That suffices; that we’d rather

Jesus said, “Have you not known Me?
In Me the Father you have seen
I’m in the Father; He’s in Me
I speak with His authority

Believe Me because of the deeds
Greater works does he who believes
So ask anything in My name
And I will do it just the same

Who is the Holy Spirit? Part 1

Is the Holy Spirit a universal force or a person? Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His work? What does He do in the world today? A Greek word for spirit is πνευμα (pneuma) and so a study of the Holy Spirit is called Pneumatology.

Is the Holy Spirit a Person?

He has a will and makes choices. We read that the giving of spiritual gifts is a decision made by the Holy Spirit.

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT)

The Holy Spirit taught and reminded the Apostles what to write in the New Testament.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 NLT)

The Holy Spirit guides people into truth loyally passing on what He received from Jesus.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. (John 16:13-14 NLT)

The Holy Spirit glorifies and reveals Jesus.

He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (John 16:14 NASB)

The Holy Spirit reproves or convicts of sin.

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8 KJV)

The Holy Spirit anointed or commissioned us, placed a seal or impression upon believers and is a guarantee.

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit can be grieved or brought to sorrow.

Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. (Ephesians 4:30 CEV)

The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed.

So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven--except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. (Matthew 12:31 NLT)

The Holy Spirit possesses a rational mind, helping and interceding for us, even giving us the right words to say, like He inspired the apostles to preach and write the Bible.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27 NIV)

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (1 Corinthians 2:11-13 NIV)

The Holy Spirit can be lied to.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 5:3-4 NLT)

The Holy Spirit can be stifled or thwarted.

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV)

The Holy Spirit can be resisted.

You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! (Acts 7:51 NLT)

The Holy Spirit is distinguished from yet related to the Father and the Son.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV)

Is the Holy Spirit God?

As we just read, the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son, and He is treated equally with the Father and the Son.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14 NASB)

The Holy Spirit performs the works of God. For instance, he inspired Scripture.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed… for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:2-21 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit regenerates or gives new birth to us.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 NASB)

The Holy Spirit creates, sustains, and gives life to all things.

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2 NKJV)

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful… (Job 26:13 NLT)

If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. (Job 34:14-15 NIV)

You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:29-30 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11 NIV)

The Holy Spirit is regarded as God. For instance, He is eternal.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14 KJV)

The Holy Spirit is omniscient, knowing everything, exactly like God.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11 NASB)

Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit… You weren’t lying to us but to God!” (Acts 5:3-4 NLT)

We are God’s temple because God’s spirit lives in us.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)

Pictures of the Holy Spirit

Wind

The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We cannot physically see where He comes from or where He will go next in a person’s life.

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8 NASB)

Water

The Holy Spirit is like living waters flowing from within a person.

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit (John 7:37-39 NKJV)

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3 NIV)

until at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven (Isaiah 32:15 NLT)

I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. (Isaiah 44:3 NIV)

I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel (Ezekiel 39:29 NIV)

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people (Joel 2:28-32 NLT)

Dove

The Holy Spirit was like a dove descending on Jesus.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him (Matthew 3:16 ESV)

Power

The Holy Spirit is a source of spiritual power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8 KJV)

Guarantee

The Holy Spirit is like a guarantee or a pledge.

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. (Ephesians 1:14 NLT)

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)

Fire

The Holy Spirit is like fire, as at Pentecost.

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. (Acts 2:3 NLT)

God is often pictured in fire.

So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:3-5 NIV)

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:21-22 NIV)

To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. (Exodus 24:17 NIV)

Next time, part 2

John 10:1-10 The Gate

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10.

Background

By way of background to Jesus’ lesson let’s learn a few essentials about sheep.

Sheep are social, flock together and readily follow a good shepherd. Healthy lambs feed frequently. A lamb that bleats all the time is probably hungry. Lambs remain close to their mothers but curiosity can get them into trouble. Sheep have excellent memories and trust a shepherd who handles them gently.

Sheep are generally docile, but rams can be aggressive during breeding season, headbutting to dominate. Ewes may become aggressive to protect their young. Shepherds can train sheep by voice command. Like shepherds, church leaders assemble God’s sheep to tend the flock. Sheep instinctively know that they are better off together.

The idea of “dumb sheep” is a complete myth. They are very intelligent animals. They can remember up to fifty other sheep and ten humans. Sheep find their way out of mazes quickly and are smarter than humans with instinctive ability to find the plants they need for herbal cures.

English sheep taught themselves to roll across cattle grids to feed on neighboring pastures. After meeting a group of people, sheep remember who brought the food. They know by instinct that togetherness is the best defense against predators. They gladly follow a shepherd that they trust. Let’s begin the lesson.

John 10:1-3 I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

There are many voices in the Christian world, popes and patriarchs, theologians and evangelists, reformers and pastors, but none of them is the Great Shepherd. We can tell if the Great Shepherd speaks through those voices, because it is consistent with God’s written word, not the words of the world.

John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

Is the voice of Jesus harsh and authoritarian, or soft and effeminate? Neither. The Bible pictures Jesus’ voice as one the sheep hear. People listen to all kinds of voices. Yet Jesus’ sheep listen to His. Others are not trusted. Jesus’ sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A shepherd leading a flock of sheep calls each by name. The sheep won’t follow another. A sheep farmer is not a shepherd. His is the un-recognized voice of a stranger. We recognize the voice of Jesus, because as the Word, He is always consistent with His inspired written word.

John 10:5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.

How do we get to know Jesus’ “voice?” Some Christians don’t like Jesus as Lamb, while others don’t like Him as Lion. Yet, both Lion and Lamb are Jesus’ true “voice.” In order to get to know the “voice” of the Word, we need to be familiar with His inspired written Word.

John 10:6-7 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

How is Jesus the door or gate? Picture a shepherd resting at the entrance to a sheep pen. There is no wooden gate. He is the gate. If anyone does not enter by the legitimate gate then he is a thief and a robber. They have also been called heretics.

The only legitimate way to enter the Church is through Jesus. We do not enter the sheepfold via the Pope, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Moses, Paul, Luther, Calvin or Wesley. These great servants of God are not the gate. So, when is a gate a gate? When that gate is Jesus.

John 10:8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

In one sense are even great leaders of the faith thieves and robbers? Is a particular church the door? Claims of who is one true church are everywhere, but they can’t all be right. Are all who claim to be the door into the sheepfold, except Jesus, thieves and robbers?

John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

Jesus is the gateway or gatekeeper for the sheepfold. His voice leads to safety, not the voice of vain traditions or modern heresy, but the voice of the gatekeeper, Jesus. Inside the gate is safety. Outside the gate is freedom to run in green grass, because the Shepherd leads us.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Jesus is contrasted with the thief who enters “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Some churches have allowed thieves to rise to prominence. They steal sheep for ancient and modern heresies, many of which are in reality regressivism, because they have returned to naturalism and ancient licentious heresies.

Modern cultural deceptions have brought about spiritual and family destruction. Divorce and crime are direct results of our hedonistic lust for power and wealth. The thief has come and stolen and killed and destroyed us. Will we heed the voice of the Great Shepherd, and follow Him to nourishing pasture?

Let’s study the teachings of Jesus, so we can learn to recognize His true voice and distinguish it from the voices of thieves. He sits at the door as gatekeeper to the sheepfold. Let’s come in and go out through Him to find spiritual pasture and life to the full.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Readings

Acts 2:42-47

Devoting ourselves to a church and sharing things in common are strange concepts in a selfish, modern society, but it is the example set for us by the early church, and is worth thinking about.

Psalm 23

The shepherd’s Psalm reveals sheep lacking nothing, having abundant provision, refreshed souls, being on the right track, fearlessness in dark times, even when the shepherd disciplines, overflowing blessings despite enemies around, and joy in God’s house forever.

1 Peter 2:19-25

We patiently endure wrong for doing good, because our shepherd left an example of suffering without complaining. Once we were like stray sheep, but now we have a shepherd whose example we follow.

John 10:1-10 in Rhyme

If someone sneaks over the wall
Dodging the gate of the sheep stall
Must be a thief and a robber
The gate is the way that’s proper

Through the gate is the shepherd’s choice
And the sheep recognize His voice
So He calls his own sheep by name
And to follow Him is their aim

A stranger they just won’t follow
Deceptive voices won’t swallow
But for them His words were too deep
He said, I’m the gate for the sheep

Before me were robbers and thieves
Their words any true sheep just leaves
Those who come through me will be saved
And the abundant life they’ve craved