TURN ON THE FAUCET! 2
Good morning and welcome back to our discussion about the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us as we each learn how to turn the faucet on!
As we endeavor to experience the anointing and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit within us, there is a need in this reflection to provide some theological background with you. I’m gonna share with you a simple definition of the Holy Spirit based upon scripture with our reflection today.
Here is my definition of the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, based on Scripture:
“The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who empowers, guides, comforts, and convicts believers, dwelling within them to enable a deeper relationship with God, as well as for the manifestation of spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church.”
Here are several Scripture verses that inspired my definition above: (it is always important when you formulate theological beliefs, or doctrines , to ensure they are grounded in the Word of God!)
1. John 14:26 (NIV): “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.”
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
3. Romans 8:26 (NIV) “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.”
4. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV): “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
5. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
6. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV): “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
7. John 3:5-6 (NIV): “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'”
QUESTION: What do you think of the definition I provided you about the power of the Holy Spirit? Did you enjoy reading the scripture verses? Does my definition resonate with you? If so, why or why not?
PAUSE: Before I share with you some key aspects of the Holy Spirit, let’s just pause: we are in a sacred place right now with the Lord and this is not a time to rush, even as I share this with you, I feel the need to just slow down and ponder.
As I battle brain cancer, I need you to know it is the power of the Holy Spirit, His anointing, His presence, His strength and His healing, that provides me daily with the greatest gift that God could give me—presence of His Spirit! And yet the challenge I have, perhaps even you too, is learning to live in the light of HIM, with the faucet on each and every day!
My definition does provide us with key aspects or roles of the Holy Spirit which I want to leave with you to ponder on, as you conclude this pastoral reflection today:
– Empowers: Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”
– Guides: John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
– Comforts: John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”
– Convicts: John 16:8 – “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”
– Dwells within: 1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Don’t you know, that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
