Bellevue Foursquare Church: Podcasts & Services

As I have studied Pentecostal theology over these many years I must admit I have been dismayed at some of the stuff I read and see.

And so that was the motivation for these teachings on the Holy Spirit.

You see I do believe that as your pastor I am required to speak the full counsel of God’s word

Not only that I am constantly being exercised and burdened and do spend considerable time praying about how to help you become disciples of His

I know part of that is for you to know the Word of God – but not only to know the Word, but to actually be living it on a day by day basis

I am also acutely aware of the fact that without the power of the Holy Spirit present and evident in our lives we merely have an intellectual understanding and no power

And so today we will continue with the series I begun a while ago as we talk about The Spiritual Man.

Over the last few weeks I have been talking about the person of the Holy Spirit as we looked at the Book of Acts and the Book of Ephesians

And so today I want to take a look at the letter written in about 49 AD from Antioch to the churches in southern Galatia which were founded by Paul on his first missionary journey
As I previously have said – we are not going to get into the what I would call the fleshly excesses and such that you might have heard about

So relax and enjoy this time together and let us briefly pray

I want you to say this “ Father I open myself, my heart, my mind, my spirit to you today – teach me about the precious Holy Spirit

In Jesus name - Amen”

The Setting
The church at Corinth was established on Paul’s second missionary journey. Corinth was an ancient city rebuilt as a Roman colony after its destruction by the Romans following a rebellion in 146 BC.

It inhabited people from all cultures and grew to be one of the wealthiest cities in the empire boasting the most ornate theatres, palaces and temples, its wealth coming from pottery and brass industries and the commercial activities of its ports.

It became a military base, controlling the land and sea routes and was popular with the Emperors as an alternative home to Rome.

Paul was there for eighteen months (Acts 18:1-18) with Acquilla, Priscilla, Silas and Timothy.

Opposition from the Jews was strong, resulting in his being brought before the Roman tribunal.

Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, was beaten by fanatical Jews after the case collapsed.

The people appear to be a mix of Jews (7:18) and Gentiles (1:22-24) some poor and uneducated (1:26-29), some wealthy folk (1:11, 14) but also some slaves (7:21-23).

What does the author say about the Spirit?

Last week we spoke about what the Spirit does for the believer and today I want to talk about what the Spirit does through the believer

The Spirit:
• provides gifts (1:7; 12:4-7, 11, 27-31; 14:1, 12)
• empowers the believer (2:4)
• reveals wisdom (2:10, 13; 7:40)
• creates a corporate body (3:16, 17)
• is involved in the salvation of believers (6:11; 12:3, 13)
• inhabits a believer’s body (6:19, 20)

The Spirit provides gifts (1:7; 12:4-7, 11, 27-31; 14:1, 12)

You are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1:7)

Exposition
The term that is used for “spiritual gift” is charismata.

This is the first use of this term in 1 Corinthians and it strikes an important note for the purpose of the readers’ understanding of supernatural phenomena.

Paul is desirous that they recognize that any ability they have is a gift.

They are gifts of grace, given to the undeserving; not rewards or rights, but gifts.

Subsequently, it is expected that they will be administered gracefully, graciously and for the benefit of others.
.
The significance to the original readers

Paul has much to say by way of correction and guidance to the readers, some of which results in sobering reading.

Before he begins to deal with some of the major problems in the church, he concentrates on that which is positive, thanking God for them and for the potential that lies within them (1:4-7).

Consequent to this fact is their inability to assume that their giftedness is due to their progress as believers; there is no reason to boast or assume superiority over others as if they had deserved any gifts.

They have been provided with gifts by God because of his gracious activity towards them not because of their worthiness (1:4).

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (12:4-7, 11)

These verses commence a long section that explores the role of gifts in the Christian community.

Before he identifies specific gifts, he establishes a number of basic principles of importance to the correct use of the gifts.

The word he uses for “gifts” is again charismata.

To enforce the fact he is describing donations generously supplied by God to the church, not rewards deserved by believers, he incorporates a number of supportive aspects in these verses.

• He associates the gifts with the words “service” (12:5) and “working”

• Gifts are not for personal or selfish use. They are for service and to be equated with working, for the benefit of others.

• Every believer is described as being gifted (12:6, 7, 11). For some, this may be a permanent capacity to function in a particular way, though it is possible for all to function in any gift, depending on the sovereign plan of God who delegates the gifts when and to whom he wishes.

• The gifts are described as being manifested according to the will of the Spirit (12:7, 11

• The gifts are varied (12:4-6). Paul provides five major lists of gifts, including the one here in verses 8-10 (Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11; 12:28, 29 cf. 13:1-3; 14:6, 26), none of which are intended to be comprehensive but representative (cf. 7:7 which refers to the gifts of celibacy or being married).

• One of the main purposes of these lists is to demonstrate the diversity of gifts available to believers.

• The gifts are described as being given for the benefit of the corporate group (12:7). They are not to be administered selfishly but selflessly, not for personal gain but for the benefit of others.

The significance to the original readers

Although the number of inhabitants of Corinth are difficult to determine (it must have numbered in the low hundreds of thousands), there were more slaves than free citizens

The presentation of the sovereign nature of the gifts, their diversity and the emphases in usage are to be set against a backdrop of selfishness and individuality among the believers.

It appears that some of the believers were boasting because of their gifts (4:6, 7) and so Paul reminds them of the fundamental characteristic of the church.

It is to function corporately, individuals taking responsibility for the welfare of each other.

If they fail to recognize that they are a loving body of believers, they will fail to exist as a church, for the privilege of being part of the Christian community carries with it the responsibility of living in harmony with each other.

Paul is not asserting that uniformity should describe the church but harmony in diversity; not individuality, but a dynamic relationship with the Spirit resulting in deep relationships with each other.

The fact that these gifts are given by the Spirit should increase the sense of responsibility felt by those who are to administer them and, in particular, that they do so appropriately, as indicated by the nature of the giver of the gifts.

At the same time, there is an encouragement on the part of all the believers to recognize that they need not wait forlornly on the assumption that they have not been given a gift from the Spirit since Paul has explicitly stated the opposite.

The responsibility of individual believers, with the support of the others, is to help identify gifts received and to use them effectively in the community.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (12:27-31)

These verses provide the readers with a second list of gifts in the same chapter though there are differences in the gifts listed.

But the identity of the gifts or the fact that some of them are different to those referred to earlier are not central issues for Paul.

Whereas the chapter began with the fact that there are many gifts, it ends with the recognition that they are diversely distributed.

In particular, Paul records that not all believers are to be expected to function in one gift in particular.

The questions he asks all expect the answer “no”.

There is no need for any one to feel that they are deficient by not functioning in one of the gifts in particular.

This builds on that which he has demonstrated earlier that the gifts are sovereignly distributed.

Therefore, any absence of a gift in a believer is not due to the individual concerned; the donation of gifts is dependent on God.

The concentration of Paul is not on the gifts referred to or even on their diversity. Rather, it is on the diversity of distribution.

What is of central importance is that in this list of gifted people who have been given to the church and gifts that have been given to people in the church, there is a diversity of distribution, determined by God as he distributes gifts as he pleases.

It is mutual interdependency and diversity that Paul celebrates.

The significance to the original readers

Although the church in Corinth was not very large numerically, it clearly contained a number of dominant individuals (4:6; 8:1-13; 11:21) and division was rife (1:10-13; 3:3, 21; 6:1-6).

The previous section (12:12-26) dealt with issues of appreciation of and sensitivity to one another.

Now, Paul focuses on the implications of these factors for the gifts.

Judging from the way in which the questions are asked, it appears that some had been attempting to manipulate others into believing that all should function in one or more of the gifts, no doubt leading to pride on the one hand and guilt and insecurity on the other.

Paul’s assessment is clear.

The gifts of God are potentially for all.

He is not stating that some may never be used in a particular way but that that they need not feel marginalized if they do not since the decision is God’s.

That which they should do, insofar as it is within their capacity so to do, is express their gifts in the best way possible and especially for the benefit of others.

It is Paul’s contention that they should not be expected to function in any other gift than that which God has given to them.

Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (14:1)
So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (14:12)

The word that is translated “spiritual gifts” in 14:1 is pneumatika.

Thus, he encourages them to focus on the agenda of the Spirit as he works towards the development of the church.

The significance to the original readers
The objective of building up the church has been determined by the Spirit as has his agenda been established of using believers to accomplish it.

However, the Corinthians have locked him out of the development of that plan, instead instituting their own models of behavior and initiating their own programs.

In particular, in this chapter, they have decided that tongues suits their selfish purposes while Paul argues that the schedule set by the Spirit of strengthening the church is best suited by the gift of prophecy.

As always, the Spirit knows best and the readers need to learn this lesson.

The Spirit empowers the believer (2:4):
My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

Exposition

Here Paul proclaims that his preaching style and content may not have fulfilled the objectives of secular wisdom concerning oratory and its philosophical content, there was nevertheless, an associated power that evidenced the presence of the Spirit.

The significance to the original readers

In the Graeco-Roman world, education was largely for the rich, with fees needing to be paid for education either at home, via tutors, or in a private school.

Amongst Romans, practical subjects were most exalted; pragmatism not philosophy.

Education for them was basically to prepare children for the practicalities of life.
For the Greeks however, education involved the broadening of one’s mind as truth was explored and absolute certainties questioned.

Philosophy was the highest subject and issues about life and death, values and beliefs, God and suffering were explored.

Education was a journey to be enjoyed, with detours along the way where more information could be gathered.

It is this latter form of wisdom which was less developed practically and more engaged in philosophically that had influenced the Corinthians.

Paul refuses to employ the style of philosophers and to engage in speculation or preach in a convoluted way that would have implied to many the truthfulness of his message.

Instead, while not dismissing the value of carefully teaching the Gospel, he relies on another source of conviction, the Spirit.

It is his presence to convict and to convince in the delivery of Paul’s message and in the lives of his listeners that results in their coming to faith in Christ.

Against that kind of powerful conviction and empowering, no secular wisdom can compete.

The Spirit reveals wisdom : (2:10-15; 7:40)
God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (2:10-15)
But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God. (7:40)

Exposition

In these passages, Paul is again combating the pervasive suggestion that the wisdom undergirding the message of the Gospel is insubstantial and inferior to the framework employed by the Corinthians for determining one’s life and spirituality.

Paul provides an alternative and distinctive framework of thinking and content of thought, the fundamental difference being that his is sourced from the Spirit.

The wisdom of the Spirit cannot be understood or received by unbelievers (2:14) though believers are able to appreciate its value and live by it (2:6-9, 13, 15) because the Spirit who imparts the wisdom resides within them (2:12).

The wisdom that is being referred to is that which determines the plans arranged by God.

It is a wisdom that is divine and therefore, by definition, superior to human thinking.

The significance to the original readers

It was commonly suggested that one could not walk down a street in Corinth without bumping into a philosopher.

Many schools of philosophy were based in the city and a highlight of any day would be to listen to an orator presenting a lecture according to the ancient rules of rhetoric or a philosopher expounding some belief.

People enjoyed theorizing and discussing issues and beliefs.

It was part of the entertainment and culture of the day.

It is with this background in mind that Paul responds to the clamor by the Christians for a Gospel that can be accommodated in the ideological setting of Corinth.

Paul says that the believers have available to them the Spirit who not only introduces them to God’s wisdom in the form of the Gospel but also provides himself as the inexhaustible source of wisdom for all areas of life.

The implications of this are remarkable.

The one whose wisdom is inexhaustible is present in the life of the believer to provide direction and facilitate growth.

The tragedy was that the potential was not being achieved as the Corinthians did not take advantage of the Spirit and his wisdom, resulting in Paul describing them as people living as if the Spirit did not exist or worse, living in opposition to the guidelines offered by the Spirit (3:1, 3).

They tried to develop their own wisdom when the wisdom of the Spirit was available to them.

The Spirit creates a corporate body: (3:16, 17)

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Exposition

The context is instructive as it relates to the development of the church that was established by Paul in Corinth.

His plea is that it be built carefully (3:10), on the foundation of the person and mission of Jesus (3:11) and with integrity (3:12-15).

His final exhortation in this matter provides him with the opportunity to identify the church in Corinth as God’s temple in whom the Spirit dwells.

Awareness of these issues assumes that anyone involved in the development of the church must be sensitive and conscientious.

These words are not intended to be an encouragement to the readers as to their association with the Spirit but a reminder of the implications of that relationship.
The term used for “temple” (naos) is often used to describe the central part of the Temple, the Holy of Holies

Because the English language does not easily distinguish between singular and plural forms of the word “you”, it is helpful to recognize that the verses may be translated in the following way to more clearly establish the force of Paul’s declaration:

“Do you (plural) not know that you (plural) are God’s (singular) temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (plural)? If any one destroys God’s (singular) temple, God will destroy him. For God’s (singular) temple is holy, and that (singular) temple you (plural) are.”

The significant aspect of his present thought is to inform the readers that they form a dwelling place of God as a community.

Together, they are a temple in whom the Spirit dwells, not individual temples of the Spirit.

This means that they cannot exist as if other believers do not matter.

They each have an important part to play in the corporate community and when they live in harmony and unity, the Spirit is best expressed.

Similarly, they cannot live as if their actions do not matter to the Christian community.

Not only is there a recognition of the need to bear good testimony to the secular community, but also there is to be an awareness that the church is a mystical entity, a sacred society, an association of the Spirit.

Actions in private, whether good or evil, may make waves throughout the church; thus, the temple is described as being holy.

Finally, they cannot live as if their actions do not matter to God.

Paul concludes by noting that negative activity towards the church, God’s temple, will result in serious consequences by God.

Although these are not identified, the warning is clear.

The significance to the original readers

Corinth housed a number of temples.

The temples in Corinth were thus associated with inappropriate worship to false gods coupled with illegitimate activities.

Similarly, the still existing temple in Jerusalem was associated with abuse of power and corruption.

Political deliberations, not spirituality, dominated the activities therein and accusations of injustice and bribery were common.

Paul’s words thus have poignancy therefore for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Both are acquainted with other temples that offer worship and determine lifestyles.

Paul reminds them that in Corinth, they function as a temple and are to worship and adopt lifestyles that are not only different but also acceptable to and initiated by the Spirit who dwells within.

Herod’s Temple was a monumental example of artistic and architectural grandeur taking over 80 years to build and measured about 500 x 400.

The Temple Mount itself could hold about 75,000 people. Similarly, the temples in Corinth were grand affairs.

The church in Corinth, the temple of the Spirit, was not expected to compete with them in terms of stately architecture and expensive settings.

However, it was expected to reflect the Spirit within.

The tragedy was that their worship and lifestyles were not accurate reflections.

Similarly, their individualism and lack of care for each other was not just resulting in harm to their witness in the community but to the church itself.

They were living without recognising the crucial importance of the issue of fellowship and unity.

Furthermore, their lack of recognition that they needed to amend their ways indicated that they assumed the Spirit was pleased with their lifestyles or worse that they didn’t care.

The communal nature of the church is crucial to Paul’s understanding of its identity.

If it exists in disunity, it loses an integral element of its raison d’etre.

The Spirit is involved in the salvation of believers (6:11; 12:3, 13):

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (6:11)

Exposition

Having expressed his distaste at the behavior of the readers who have been taking each other to court, he concludes his response by reminding them of the roles of Jesus and the Spirit in their lives.

In particular, he reminds them that they have been washed, sanctified and justified.
The meaning of these verbs is relatively straightforward.

Having been washed clean of their sinful lives, they have been set apart to live a different kind of life and justified in their new situation.

In all of this, the believers have been passive recipients.

The significance to the original readers

The inclusion of this information is not for the purposes of creedal formula so much as it is for practical theology.

The behavior of the Corinthians is unacceptable to Paul for a number of reasons.

However, the most telling argument against their practice is that it is illegitimate in the light of the activity of the Spirit on their behalf.

Despite their being washed, set apart to God and to be different, and made right before God, they are indulging in a practice that indicates their disunity and undermines all that has happened to them thus far.

Despite their new found position, they are living as they did before with the attitudes of their old lives dominating their lifestyles and determining their actions.

The Spirit has marked them and changed them; they are expected to take note of that which he has done for them and to respond accordingly.

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. (12:3)

Paul commences a long section related to spiritual gifts with a reference to the sources of supernatural phenomena.

The Corinthians would have been acquainted with such incidents because of the variety of religious experiences available to the first century worshipper.

That which they need guidance on relates to the identification of legitimate spiritual forces. Paul provides them with two tests that will guide them in this respect.

The tests are relatively straightforward. No one can state that Jesus is cursed and claim that they are functioning as the mouthpiece of the Spirit. Similarly, no one can claim that Jesus is Lord unless the Spirit has inspired that confession.

It is to be assumed that to claim that Jesus is Lord is more than a statement of mere words.

Rather, it is descriptive of a relationship-based commitment to the Lord, demonstrated by a lifestyle of obedience.

For a believer to make such a statement and to outwork it throughout his/her life would be to make a decisive break with the past, and probably at some personal sacrifice.

Conclusions that may be applied in a variety of settings include the acknowledgement that the Spirit and Jesus function in harmony and purpose and that to confess that Jesus is Lord and to live by that belief indicates the presence and inspiration of the Spirit in that person’s life.

The significance to the original readers

For people who were used to ecstatic and frenzied behavior in worship, the fear of being deceived and forced back into that way of life by demonic spirits would have been a concern.

Paul intends that they do not experience this uncertainty and identifies the Spirit as being different to the spirits associated with their previous lives.

At the same time, to make a statement that Jesus is Lord was for first century people, a major step, resulting in their being cut off by family members, friends and neighbors.

To become a Christian was sacrificial, because it demonstrated a decisive break with the beliefs of the contemporary society.

For such a courageous decision to be made, the believers are assured that they have been inspired to make it by the Spirit.

It has not been a mistake, the result of deception or force.

The same Spirit who will provide them with gifts, as described in the verses following, is the one who initiates their Christian walk.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (12:13)

Having explored the fact that the Spirit provides gifts to every believer (12:4-11), Paul commences a section that identifies the fact that they form a body (12:12-31) from which he draws a number of lessons.

As a basis for the reality that they are united into a body, Paul employs the metaphor of baptism, describing them as being baptised into the body (of Christ) by the Spirit.

He is using the concept of baptism in the way he uses it elsewhere to refer to a decisive break with the past and a commitment to a new destiny.

The concept of drinking of one Spirit is clearly a metaphor and most probably relates to receiving the Spirit at salvation, given the use of the aorist tense of the verb indicating a point in time when an action took place.

However, there is no reason to exclude the continuation of that action throughout the life of a believer.

The significance to the original readers

Not only does the Spirit treat them as individuals, affirming their roles and gifts, but also he places them in fellowship with other believers.

In a city like Corinth with its range of social levels ranging from the wealthy citizens and the intelligentsia to the slaves and beggars, the quest for camaraderie was ever present.

People, for example, gathered together in guilds related to their occupations and held regular banquets, identified with a particular temple or cult, or engaged in corporate activities

A sense of belonging brought peace of mind, stability and self worth.

Paul demonstrates that the Spirit also recognised the importance of a social dimension by incorporating individual believers into a corporate group with all the privileges and responsibilities that accompany that setting.

The concept of drinking would bring to mind refreshment, life-giving and life-enhancing properties and the preciousness of water, in an ancient era where it was less accessible than in the West today.

Also, of importance to Paul is the experiential nature of the Spirit’s involvement in the life of believers and these metaphors help remind them of the tangible relationship available to them with the Spirit.

Such is the commitment of the Spirit to believers that they are passive throughout, the Spirit taking the initiative in placing them in the body with other believers and providing himself as their everlasting resource.

The Spirit inhabits an individual’s body : (6:19, 20)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Exposition

Here, Paul is not describing the fact that the Spirit indwells the corporate community of believers but the individual believer.

The context is of another example of how far the Corinthians have strayed from being an accurate reflection of God by their lifestyles.

Paul is addressing a situation whereby some were arguing that certain bodily activities did not necessarily affect one’s spirituality.

Bodily activity was deemed to be unimportant, restricted to this passing age.

What one did in one’s body was irrelevant in an eternal context.

One of the implications of such thinking is that any sin could thus be deemed to be unimportant to one’s Christian walk.

Paul’s response is to remind the readers that not only was the body not created for immorality but for the Lord (6:13) but that it was also the temple of the Holy Spirit.

To engage in irregular activity, be it sexual or otherwise, means that the Spirit is implicated due to the fact that he has committed himself to be present in the life of a believer.

Paul catalogues a number of important aspects that emphasise the illegitimacy of the action.

Thus, he identifies the Spirit as being in them, as being holy and as being from God.
The expected consequence of these facts is that they should glorify God in their bodies.

This is a sobering and challenging message.

The Spirit has dedicated himself to live with individual believers and yet they are living as if he is not there.

His presence in their lives does not appear to make a difference.

The Spirit who is holy is the unfortunate witness of unholy activity.

He who inspires holiness is being ignored in this respect. He who is God has to entertain ungodly acts.

The Spirit lives in the believer’s body, characterized as the Spirit’s temple with its implications of consecration and dedication, and yet, the believer practises immorality in association with that temple.

This is not an opportunity to consider how the Spirit indwells a body or where the Spirit lives in a body.

The purpose of this presentation is to emphasize the incongruity of such behavior in such close proximity to the Spirit.

It is illegitimate, inconceivable, unbelievable, a crime against the Spirit and all he stands for.

The tragedy is that Paul has to spell it out so graphically.

The significance to the original readers

A proverb of the era that helps explicate the thinking of the Corinthians was “while the tongue swears, the heart does not”.

The principle behind this maxim is that activities in the body do not affect the most important part of a person, the spirit that exists forever.

On the basis of such a view, it would be possible to engage in all kinds of illicit activity and be convinced that it did not affect the central part of a person, only the body.

It appears that the Corinthians have willingly or unwittingly been contaminated by such thinking.

So pervasive and persuasive is it that Paul rebuts it forcefully and again refers to the Spirit as the conclusive aspect of his argument.

The situation was exacerbated by the notorious immorality of the city.

For Paul, the worst element of the mindset of the Corinthians is that because of the commitment of the Spirit to the believer, whenever illegitimate activity is undertaken by an individual, he is also present, not being contaminated by the sin but, being an unwilling and close witness of that which is diametrically opposed to his person and mission.

The presence of the Spirit in the body is intended to affirm its importance as a vehicle for the glory of God and the role of the Spirit is to ensure that this potential becomes actualized.

Their actions are most regrettable, though the regret appears to be felt only by Paul and the Spirit.

Listen to what the Spirit says to the church

The NT explores many aspects of the Spirit that have a timeless relevance. The main ones are identified below.

May we each learn to appreciate the Spirit for who he is and what he wishes to do in us and through us.

• The Spirit is, by definition, set apart. That does not simply mean that he is sinless but that he is unique.

• The Spirit exalts Jesus and inspires worship and belief in the incarnate nature of Jesus in the believer.

• The Spirit is a personal, immediate, dynamic and perfect guide.

• He speaks and so must be listened to. This demands developing a personal relationship with him, walking with him, learning to recognize his voice and responding to the guidance he gives.

• The Spirit is committed to setting believers apart, pro-actively transforming them ethically and spiritually, inspiring and empowering them to follow his guidance.

• The Spirit is a comprehensive, limitless resource for the believer with regard to their salvation.

• His presence is the evidence that believers are authentic children of God, sealed and guaranteed for time and eternity.

• The Spirit provides resources and gifts for all believers and expects them to be used and to be used sensitively.

• He provides all the resources needed to complete every task he sets, diversely distributing gifts to believers to be used for the benefit of all in the development of the church, inspiring and initiating evangelism, preaching, prophecy and miracles.

• He brings liberty, inspires joy, wisdom, faith, truth and revelation amongst other gifts and believers must ensure that such a fountain of good gifts is never stopped.

• The Spirit expects transformation in the believer who needs to learn the daily experience of being controlled by him. This will result in his influential presence being experienced and one’s lifestyle increasingly becoming reflective of his character.

• The Spirit is committed to unity. Believers are therefore to realize the importance of maintaining unity, protecting it as a priceless treasure, recognizing that the aim of the Spirit is to welcome folk from all people-groups and backgrounds and to shed the love of God through each believer.

• The Spirit is committed to relationship with believers and to ensure that that relationship is inclusive of the Father and the Son.

• The Spirit is to be experienced and his presence to be enjoyed though such closeness has serious consequences including the possibility that believers may hurt him.

• The Spirit is eternal and, being omniscient, is available to guide believers as they gaze at God who beckons them come ever closer to enjoy the benefits of a remarkable salvation with the help of the remarkable Spirit.

SPIRITUAL MAN
God and Us – A life changing adventure
Ephesians

The Setting of the book

Over the next few weeks I want to continue to introduce you to the wonderful person of the Holy Spirit

I want to tell you about His ministry in our lives and through us into the world

Now don’t get nervous – I think you know me by now – we are not going to get into the what I would call the fleshly excesses and such that you might have heard about

So relax and enjoy this time together and let us briefly pray

I want you to say this “ Father I open myself, my heart, my mind, my spirit to you today – teach me about the precious Holy Spirit

In Jesus name - Amen”

If I was honest I would tell you that my appreciation for what the Spirit of God does for us was so small

I thought that the Spirit was interested in working through me and empowering me complete my purpose here on earth and that is true.

But little did I realize that the Spirit actually wanted to do so much for me.

Not only to use me for God’s glory, but also to bless me and that I found remarkable

And so I want to continue to explore both these aspects over the next number of weeks in our time together

The premise of my teaching is simply this – the Spirit does empower us but He also affirms us.

And that is is an often little known aspect of the Holy Spirit

And so because of a lack of teaching and understanding – the bible says in Hosea 4:6 “ my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge having rejected that knowledge.” - we live such mediocre, listless, uneventful, defeated Christian lives

But folks that is not what God intended for you

Yes, we live in a fallen world, the problems are there and will come - but in the midst of that – our God reigns

Not because we are particularly good – but because he is that kind of a God

And so by way of a lead-in for the message today, let me give you some background to this letter to the folk who lived in and around this very important city of Ephesus

Firstly we must bear in mind that Paul was under house arrest in Rome

Although his movements were restricted he continued to guide the early church through the letters he wrote to them.

Numerous local churches had sprouted up along the routes of Paul’s three missionary journey’s

After commencing the work in Corinth, Paul went to Ephesus (Acts 19:1) where he spent three years establishing the church (Acts 19:2-6).

It was a time of extraordinary miracles (Acts 19:11, 12), comprehensive teaching (Acts 20:27, 31) and significant suffering (1 Cor 15:32; 16:9).

In leaving them, he prophesied that divisive opposition would affect the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:28-30).

Tragically, by the time Timothy was sent to the church, the prophecy had been fulfilled (1 Tim 1:3ff) and when Timothy received his second letter, the consequences of the false teaching had exacerbated an already difficult situation (2 Tim 1:15).

Ephesus was one of the most important commercial centers in the Roman Empire, concentrating on international trade and controlling the financial affairs of western Asia Minor.

Important roads from the East ended at Ephesus, from where people and goods were transported to and from Rome.

It was comfortable with its political independence as a Roman free city, as a result of which it paid no tribute to Rome and acted relatively autonomously.

It was comfortable with the pomp and splendor that went with that privilege and was often visited by the emperors.

It had its own proconsul and all governors traveling East from Rome were required to land at Ephesus before moving further East.
It was the third largest city in the East after Antioch and Alexandria and the third most important in the Empire after Rome and Alexandria.

What does the author say about the Spirit?

Paul desires that they appreciate the incredible nature of the resources of the Spirit available to them.

In Ephesians 1 Paul speaks about the fact that the Spirit has been given to give wisdom.

And it is wisdom about God and I think that is amazing.

God is too big for us to understand and He knows that.

Let me ask you this – how do you explain eternity and the fact that one day we will be with the Creator of the universe

But it is as if he says I don’t want you to wait until then so I am giving you the Spirit – a Spirit of wisdom and revelation about God.

We might take that for granted but in the ancient world the god’s did not want you to get to know them

That was because people thought that if you knew the name of the god you could control the god and could use that god’s power and his resources just by knowing his name.

This is why some of people who listened to Paul wanted to know the name of Jesus so they thought they could use the power of Jesus

You may remember in the book of Acts some of the magicians thought they could use the name of Jesus against some demonic forces, but they soon realized you needed a relationship with Jesus not just His name

Let me just quickly give you an outline of this letter to the church at Ephesus

In the first three chapters, he explores the fact that the Spirit is very proactive in their lives while in the final three, he outlines the expected consequences on the part of the believers.

The Spirit:
• blesses the believer (1:3)
• seals the believer (1:13)
• acts as a guarantee (1:14)
• provides wisdom/revelation (1:17; 3:4, 5)
• provides ongoing access to God (2:18)
• built together (forms)believers into a dwelling place for God (2:22)
• strengthened with might (empowers) believers (3:16)
• provides unity between believers (4:3, 4)

Therefore, the believer:
• is not to grieve the Spirit (4:30)
• is to be filled with the Spirit (5:18)
• is to use that which the Spirit supplies (6:17, 18 )

So lets spend the rest of our time to next little looking at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives

The Spirit blesses the believer (1:3)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

It is not that the blessings are received by “spiritual” people, but that the Spirit blesses people.

Notice too there is no reference to material blessings as God does not guarantee us health, wealth and prosperity.

He is rather stating that, because of what Christ has done, the Spirit becomes the resource for the believer to lean into and on in every situation and circumstance of life

This is whether things are going well or whether you are in the midst of a struggle

Paul is referring to the believer being overwhelmed with blessings that are normally associated with “heavenly places”.

He is describing blessings from heaven that come with salvation.

The verses that follow, which include explicit references to the Spirit, are descriptive of some of these benefits.

The significance to the original readers

The readers lived in a city that was used to spiritual phenomena and Paul uses language familiar to them.

They were used to spiritual forces that existed in heavenly places
However, the worship of these gods was associated with fear.

If the gods had been offended, the people could suffer punishment in the form of poor harvests, fire or other such calamities.

Similar today with many false religions – like the Hindu or Buddhist faith

Because of this, fearful servility to the gods was the common experience of many people.

Belief in the demonic also bred uncertainty amongst people living in the first century.

It was believed that demons caused many calamities, including illnesses, breakdowns in relationships as well as a range of personal problems.

And so Paul reminds them that they are the recipients of blessings that are associated with Christ who dwells in heavenly places

The Spirit seals the believer (1:13)

In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

Because of faith in Christ, Paul says the believer is sealed with the Spirit.

The concept of “sealing with the Spirit” provides Paul with an opportunity to explore the radical nature of their salvation.

The practice of sealing letters, objects (Rev 5:1-5) was common in the ancient world.

It is something that is not used in contemporary society

And so in order to appreciate the reason for using this term, it is necessary for us to revisit ancient society.

The seal represented a number of features:

a. The seal signified ownership; that which was sealed was owned by someone.

The fact that the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit indicates that the one who arranged for the sealing to occur, namely Christ, owns him.

In a society, which was quickly becoming inhospitable to Christians, it was of considerable encouragement to them to realize that someone had chosen to own them and had affirmed this by the presence of none other than the Spirit in them.

b. Secondly, the seal signified security.

In the commercial center of Corinth, buyers would seal goods that they intended to purchase by stamping them with a seal of some description.
It indicated that the goods were spoken for; they were no longer for sale.

The Spirit is described as functioning as security for believers.

Not only does someone own them; he also happens to be the one who owns all authority.

To seek to harm a believer would thus be equivalent to attempting to harm God.

c. The seal also signified a finished transaction.

The Spirit is God’s way of reminding believers that the initial act of salvation has been completed.

d. Finally, the seal signifies that the object sealed is valuable.

To a group of Christians who will soon experience persecution when they will be treated as worthless objects, Paul reminds them that they are valuable to God.

The Spirit acts as a guarantee (1:14)

(The promised Holy Spirit), which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Paul uses the word arrab?n (guarantee, down-payment) - always with reference to the Spirit.

It is a technical term for a first installment or guarantee.

In other words the Spirit is God’s down payment in the believer’s life

There was a great deal of uncertainty in the ancient world.

The famous Ephesian philosopher, Heraclitus, centuries earlier, had acknowledged the timeless fact, “No one can wash their feet twice in the same water because everything is changing”.

And so Paul says to the believers in Ephesus and also to us today - Christianity was not a distant religion in which a deity is absent – but rather the Spirit – the other Comforter Jesus spoke about has taken up residence within the worshipper.

The Spirit provides wisdom/revelation (1:17, 3:4, 5)

(I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him (1:17).
When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (3:4, 5)

A fundamental aspect of the Spirit is also to enable the believer to explore and get to know God - intellectually – experientially and intimately.

That has been Paul’s experience and his desire is that his readers will also not only realize that God is to be explored but also that the Spirit has been given to enable them to enjoy that journey into God.

This is in contrast to the pervasive belief of that day that the many Roman gods preferred anonymity.

This was because it was assumed by many that the power of the god was invested in its name.

If the name was known, the power of the god could be accessed

Thus, in magical practices, the name of the god was a carefully guarded secret for gods and magicians alike.

Paul’s perspective is that the God we serve does not want to remain hidden or distant.

The will of the gods was sometimes accessed by means of oracles, dreams or divination.

Generally, oracles provided responses to requests for information given through a devotee of a god, often based at a particular shrine.

Dreams were sometimes thought to reveal information and were generally interpreted or explained by priests.

Divination was also a common practice.

It was believed that the gods could communicate in everyday events, such as the flight path of birds or the casting of dice.

Such omens were identified by a special class of diviners and were taken seriously by many.

Paul indicates that believers have access to a much more dependable source of wisdom, mediated by the Spirit.

The Spirit provides ongoing access to God (2:18)

Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Paul is wanting to say something sensational to his readers

From 2:1, Paul has been exploring the radical change that had occurred in their lives because of their salvation.

They had been transferred from death to life (2:5), from following the prince of the power of the air (2:2) to being seated with Christ (2:6), and all this had been achieved by the grace of God (4-8).

This verse now concludes a section that commences with verse 14 in which Paul describes the reconciliation achieved by the Spirit between the readers and God and with each other as Jews and Gentiles.

Paul’s expectation is that they will realize the fact that they are constantly in the presence of God and learn to experientially enjoy it.

And it is the Spirit who makes this possible.

Paul uses the term, “access” (2:18) to describe that which the Spirit creates.

This word access describes :
- the concept of introducing people to others
- and / or providing an open door into the presence of someone important
-
In other words the Spirit of God gives us the access to God

And so we need to remember that we are not only in the presence of God, but are also :

- given the opportunity to serve him
- privileged to be received by him
- and enabled to enjoy a relationship with him.

The significance to the original readers

There are two things that stand out here :

a. In the heart of Ephesus was the agora (110 meters square – about 360 foot – the length of a football field square)

This was where many activities relating to politics, entertainment, education, religion and commerce took place – it was like the town square

However, the marginalized of society were refused entry.

b. In the ancient religions, access to the gods was via the priests.

Their fundamental role was a mediatorial one between the worshipper and the gods.

They officiated when the devotee brought a sacrifice to the gods and acted as the representative for the gods when advice was asked of them.

Paul says to the readers that believers have been granted personal access to God on an ongoing basis, the Spirit being the guarantee of that relationship.
Because of the work of the Spirit, all believers are granted this privilege.

Previous access to God was through the Temple; now, it is through the Spirit and therefore anyone can benefit, at any time, anywhere and continuously.

The Spirit forms believers into a dwelling place for God (2:22)

In whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Not only is God accessible to believers, but also the Spirit makes believers accessible to God.

Paul describes the readers as being part of a “holy temple in the Lord” (2:21).

The phrase “in the Spirit” (2:22), indicates that believers become the dwelling place of God

The significance to the original readers

There is significance in their being likened to a temple.

Clearly, the Temple in Jerusalem had an important part to play in Jewish history as that location in which God’s glory was believed to dwell

However, that role now belongs to the Church, to you and I individually and collectively who together make up the Church.

Paul writes like this because Ephesus was dominated by many temples, which acted as the earthly residences of various gods.

Chief of those venerated was the goddess, Artemis, (or Diana to the Romans), worshipped as the ruler over all and the mother of everything.

Her temple was rebuilt about 400 years before Paul reached the city on top of the ruins of a previous temple to her that was commenced about 550 BC.
This latest temple measured 70 by 130 meters and housed 70 columns, each 2 meters wide and 20 meters tall.

Given that many temples were no larger than a few meters square, functioning little more than shrines, this was huge and was designated as one of the wonders of the world.

But you and I - the temple of God is not built with beautiful sculptured stones but is formed by a community of ordinary members of society who have been transformed by the Spirit.

Significantly, temples were often used as vehicles of propaganda.

Victorious emperors, triumphant generals or newly elected politicians would dedicate temples to commemorate their successes.

They were high profile showcases and as such, highly valued demonstrations of the status of the one who instituted them.

It is a marvel that God entrusts himself to believers who are to act as the base of his operations in the world.

Temples were also used as banks in which were stored valuables belonging to individuals and cities.

The author encourages his readers to recognize that a commodity of inestimable value has been stored in them, none other than God himself.

The temple itself was fundamentally for the purpose of providing a location for the image of the goddess.

And most importantly - the Ephesian believers, who had no equivalent temple to house their God, were destined to be his temple themselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19

“do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own”

The Spirit empowers believers (3:16)

(For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…), that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man.

Paul now prays that the readers will be enabled to receive power to comprehend more fully the love of God and to be filled with God, acknowledging that this occurs because of the Spirit.

The significance to the original readers

Most ancient religions and cults believed that the gods empowered some people with supernatural powers, as a result of which, they were enabled to reveal secrets, provide protection from tragedies or receive answers to their prayers.

The concept of divine empowerment was thus common, sometimes harnessed through magic.

Ephesus was renowned for its magical activities (Acts 19:19).

Charms and special letters, known as Ephesian Letters, were purchased in the city, placed in small metal tubes or lockets and hung around the neck in the hope that disasters would be averted and desires would be actualized.

Eg St Christopher medal etc
The people of Ephesus were used to supernatural spirits and their ability to empower but Paul’s desire was that they know the Holy Spirit and his empowering.

The Spirit provides unity between believers (4:3)

(Be) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul states that the Spirit has already initiated their unity (4:3) but it is our responsibility is to “maintain” it.

They are already one body; now, they are exhorted to experience the benefits of such unity and guard it.

The quality of this unity is defined by the word “peace”.

It is described as a “bond of peace”.

Paul is suggesting that the unity will be displayed by their living in peace with each other

The significance to the original readers

Christianity was unique in that it offered the possibility of a close knit, egalitarian society.

Although notionally one Empire, the people who inhabited it were often fragmented.

Disunity was a feature of the era.

Not only were there political and geographically based rivalries between provinces and leaders, but also, more commonly there was much that indicated a society that was in danger of falling apart.

Huge variations in lifestyle were present and contrasts in status were evident.

Slaves existed in close proximity to wealthy folk; racial barriers were evident between Jews and Gentiles, Jews and Samaritans, Egyptians and Romans, indigenous people and immigrants.

Paul presents a gospel that supercedes such barriers between people.

The readers were the product of a divided city in economic terms.

The poorer members of the community tended to live outside the city, while the upper classes of people lived in the city precincts, the wealthiest citizens dominating the center of the city.

They also represented different racial groupings.

Paul encourages them to maintain the unity that the Spirit has initiated (4:3).

And so in the light of The Spirit of God living in us what are our obligations?:

The believer is not to grieve the Spirit (4:30)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

This is one of the most serious aspects relating to the presence of the Spirit in believers.

The fact that this is the only time where Paul describes the Spirit as “the Holy Spirit of God” (4:30) is a graphic reminder of the one of whom he is speaking.

The concept of not grieving the Spirit, is only recorded here in the NT.

The clearest OT reference is in Isaiah 63:10 in which Israel’s rejection of God is described, in terms of their “grieving his Holy Spirit.

The meaning of the term relates to the concepts of “to hurt, cause pain”

The parallel with the OT passage is clear.

In the verses in Isaiah it says that the children of Israel rebelled against God

And so Paul is saying thatfor believers to hurt the Spirit is an inconceivable act.

Also, Paul is concerned that his readers do not commit the kinds of sin that undermine that which the Spirit is seeking to achieve.

The Spirit is seeking to unite the people; if by their actions, they bring about disunity and hurt to the body of believers, they will also be hurting the Spirit.

The significance to the original readers

The readers would have been used to the possibility of the gods being offended by the actions of people.
Most public disasters would have been assumed to have been caused by a breakdown in relationship between the gods and humanity.

Thus, as far as the official religions were concerned, it was important to placate the gods by sacrifice and to obey them.

Any vows offered to the gods were to be fulfilled while all offensive actions were to be avoided.

Otherwise, there was the possibility that the gods would become hostile.

Opportunities for grieving the Spirit abounded in Ephesus.

The temples provided opportunities for idolatry and other excesses while the secular society accommodated the possibility of indulging in many kinds of immoral practices; in the center of Ephesus, opposite the library of Celsus (large enough to accommodate 12,000 scrolls) and next to the Temple of Hadrian, was a two storeyed brothel.

However, the sins that appear to be particularly injurious, as recorded in the following verses, are those associated with the tongue.

These sins break fellowship, destroy friendships, undermine unity and thus, grieve the Spirit.

The Spirit indwells believers in order that they be sanctified.

When this is not fulfilled and an evil lifestyle is reflected instead, the objectives of the Spirit are not realized.

The message offered by Paul is that the Spirit can feel.

The Spirit is affected by the journey of the created when it does not lead to the destiny planned from the start.

The believer is to be filled with the Spirit (5:18,)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit

Rather than allow a sinful agenda to control the lifestyle of the believer, Paul encourages his readers to ensure that the Spirit is the dominating force in their lives.

Verse 19 contextualises the outworking of being “filled with the Spirit” in corporate worship and life.

The evidence of their being filled with the Spirit is that their corporate life will be characterized by worship (5:19), thanksgiving (5:20) and submission to one another (5:21-6:9).

Because the verb “filled” is placed in the present imperative form, the meaning is that of a continuing filling.

The potential consequences of such a Spirit-controlled life are radically important for the individual and corporate lives of the believers.

The significance to the original readers

A major significance of being drunk is that one is no longer in control of oneself; the drink becomes the controlling force.

Thus, Paul is saying that if they are filled with the Spirit, the result will be, not debauchery, but his influencing of their lives in worship, thanksgiving and the personal circumstances of their lives

The believer is to use that which the Spirit supplies (6:17, 18)

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Paul’s final two references to the Spirit are set in his description of the armor with which believers are to clothe themselves (6:10-20).

The imagery of the armor would have also been familiar to the readers because it was similar to that which was worn by the Roman legionaries.

And so Paul using this imagery speaks of us clothing ourselves with the armor of as our protection against evil and the evil one

The second reference to the Spirit is in the context of “praying in the Spirit”.

The meaning of the sentence relates to the empowering of the Spirit in one’s praying.

This may include praying in tongues but seems more likely to refer to the practice of praying in cooperation with the Spirit, when the Spirit assumes a significant/central role.

Thus, Paul is reminding the readers that the role of the Spirit in prayer is to be the initiator of their prayers.

Prayer is not to be viewed as an opportunity to instruct or advise God as to the best outcome but an opportunity to listen to the Spirit who will advise the believer how best to pray.

Last word :

The consequences :

….of the Spirit being in us and

….of us being in the Spirit

is that we should be different

SPIRITUAL MAN
God and Us – A life changing adventure
The Book of Acts

Introducton :

I come from a tradition where I came I thought I knew everything about the Spirit – but sadly I did not.

And unfortunately with the lack of solid biblical teaching in these days much of the church today does not know much about the Holy Spirit.

In fact just this week I listened to a teaching by someone – the title of the message was the “The Power of the Holy Spirit”

The only thing I can say was he made me laugh – a little – but there was no substance to the message

I am sorry to sound critical but you know it does say in James that a teacher of scripture is to be held doubly accountable for what he teaches.

Furthermore, if we are not making disciples then we who stand in the pulpit are failing

And so over the next few weeks I want to introduce you to the wonderful Holy Spirit - His ministry in our lives and through us into the world

Now don’t get nervous – I think you know me by now – we are not going to get into the what I would call the fleshly excesses and such that you might have heard about

So relax and enjoy this time together and let us briefly pray
I want you to say this “ Father I open myself, my heart, my mind, my spirit to you today – teach me about the precious Holy Spirit

In Jesus name - Amen”

And so my appreciation for what the Spirit of God does for us was so small

Over a period of time the fact of the matter was that I had become kind of cynical about what I call the “show and blow” - the junk that I had begun to see being evidenced in the many of the circles I was in

I had also thought that the Spirit was interested in working through me and empowering me complete the vocation and that is true.

But little did I realize that the Spirit actually wanted to do so much for me.

Not just to use me for God’s glory, but also to bless me and that was remarkable

And so I want to explore both these aspects over the next number of weeks in our time together

The premise of my teaching is simply this – the Spirit does empower us as well as affirm us.

Again as I have said – I honestly think so much of the church today is grossly under taught in this area and we do not know that He not only wants to empower us, but He wants to affirm us

And so because of a lack of teaching – the bible says in Hosea 4:6 “ my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge having rejected that knowledge.”

As a result, unfortunately as a consequence we live such mediocre, listless, defeated Christian lives

Folks that is not what God intended for you – yes as we have heard previously the problems are there and will come - but in the midst of that – our God reigns

Not because we are particularly good – but because he is that kind of a God

And so today I would like to give you a brief overview of who the Spirit is in the bible

When Paul comes to speak about the Spirit one might wonder where does he get his information from

Well, some of the information comes from his knowledge of the OT – remember he was a man well versed in the scriptures

However, what we will discover is that the information in the OT about the Spirit is not the full story

And so when Paul writes his letters he tells his readers much more about the Spirit

If those readers are Jewish they will learn information about the Spirit which they did not know before

The most important aspect about the Spirit is that He is in control
And that means we are safe and this is particularly important for the readers of Paul’s letters because they live in an empire that marginalizes them

Their Christianity is a threat to the empire

On top of that the intellectuals among the people think they are crazy and the gospel does not make sense

There are carvings in the catacombs in Rome which show Christians worshiping their God.

And their God is a man on a cross but the head of the man on the cross is a donkey

Because in Greek and Roman society the donkey was thought to be stupid.

So when the people of Roman society thought of Christians they thought of them as stupid

Not only that - to be a Christian in the first century was dangerous

And by the time Paul writes his letters the Christians are experiencing new emotions

They are adding new words to their vocabulary – words like fear – anxiety

The great persecution is coming to the Roman Empire.

40 or 50 years earlier Jesus said he was coming back and he has not yet come back
And so many people are wondering whether they should have become Christians

And Paul and Peter - the writers of the NT have one central message they have to present to these people – God is in control

Paul builds on that and says it is not just God who lives in heaven way up there – but he has come into your life in the form of the Holy Spirit

He controls your destiny – He is not a million miles away

This is a vital message to Paul’s readers

And when Paul talks to us about the Spirit he talks to us and encourages us because he knows the world we are living in today

The fundamental role of the Spirit in our lives – just as those Christians in the first century - is to make us feel safe and secure

He wants them to know that the Spirit of God is always with them

And so think about that for a moment – the Holy Spirit is here right now – in you

Old Testament :

So let me briefly talk to you about the Spirit in the OT

In the OT to the Jewish people the Spirit is equivalent to God

For us now we know there is God the Father , Jesus and the Holy Spirit

For the Jews he is described as having a number of features or characteristics

And so when Paul in his letters speaks of the Spirit his readers will remember the descriptions that was written in the OT

One of the important aspects of the HS in the OT is that he is associated with power.

So when the judges are looking after Israel the Spirit gives them wisdom

And when the prophets speak on behalf of God the Spirit gives them the ability to prophecy

And when Daniel speaks through the emperor the spirit gives him the words to say

So when you see the spirit in the OT you know the person is going to be empowered somehow

In OT the spirit is rarely associated with miracles – he is mainly associated with prophecy – when King Saul prophesied the people said
“ the spirit has come on him”

And when the prophets speak of the spirit they are referring to the Spirit coming on them

And so when Paul speaks of the Spirit in the NT they think it is as it was in the OT

But there were some changes

In the OT the spirit came on a person for a short time and then left
As I previously said the Spirit had two fundamental roles in the OT :

1. He authenticates people – eg Samuel laying hands on David – the
shepherd boy

2. He empowers people – again David killing Goliath

That is different to the NT

Remember when Jesus said “ it is necessary that I go so another comforter may come and he will never leave you nor forsake you”

Can you imagine what a big deal that was ?

Paul then talks about the Spirit living in us – not only the leaders – but ordinary people like you and me as well

This was huge

New Testament :

You must remember that each of the books of the NT were written to different audiences who often had different needs to one another.

Thus, the authors often wrote with different agendas.

These factors should encourage the contemporary reader to treat the books and their contents separately, with an awareness on the original setting.

I have tried to stay rooted in the text, focusing specifically on one main question : Why has the author included information on the Spirit?

Here are the answers :

• The issues concerning the Spirit referred to by the authors are often reflected in the lives of believers today.

• I want to encourage you to see yourself and your situations in the writings of the NT authors to their first century readers.

• At the same time, I hope that each of us can identify lessons relating to the person and work of the Spirit and apply them to our own situations.

• Fundamentally, the message of the NT is that the Spirit is dedicated to the development of the life of the believer.

• And so the Spirit is the focus of attention

• And so as believers, you and I are to ask the following very important questions regarding the Holy Spirit :

o Why is the Spirit given and how can we be influenced by him?

o What does he do for / in believers and how can we take advantage of his resources for our growth?

o What is he like and how can that influence our response to him?

o Whether there is a divine hierarchy in the Godhead, how the Spirit differs from the Father and the Son and what relationship Jesus had with the Spirit were issues discussed by later theologians.
o The NT authors were more interested in the practical application of a knowledge of the Spirit and so that is what will concern us as well

So for the next little while lets take a look at the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts :

The Book of Acts :

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts is of course the description of the start of the church

Remember I previously said the church was living in a hostile environment

They needed to know someone was in control so in the very first chapter Luke who is one of Paul’s co-workers tells us that the Spirit is in charge

Acts 1:8 “you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem / Judea / Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth”

This is the agenda of the Spirit – he has a plan

The church is not established by Peter or Paul or James – it is established by the Spirit

The people who knew their OT know that the Spirit has empowered
people to fulfil the objectives God has set for them

And they know the Spirit can be trusted

Of course some of the people who are reading the book of Acts are not Christians and they would be reading the book to see if it would work out as it was planned from the beginning

Will the church succeed – remember the Christians are not only living in a hostile environment – but the world of those days was populated by very many god’s ( small g)

The people don’t need anymore god’s

And certainly they would not have had much time for this new thing when the leader of it was crucified as a criminal

So how on earth can it succeed ?

So Luke says in chapter 1 verse 8 that the spirit has set the agenda and is in control

And I, when I come to read the book of Acts, I am reminded throughout it that the Spirit is able to control my destiny

You will notice that it says in this verse that the Spirit is going to empower the believers to be living testimonies of the working of God in our lives

Unfortunately many people forget the context of this verse

They claim that it refers to the Spirit enabling them to go into the streets and just talk to them about Jesus

What they do not realise that when these people talk about Jesus in the streets they would be rejected – they would be persecuted and maybe their lives would be in danger as well
When Luke says power will be given to you it is because the people need power – they need courage – they are just ordinary people like you and I.

And so the Spirit says I am coming with you – it is not just you going – I am going with you

It is in fact only a few chapters later that we read about Stephen being martyred. Her is in fact not the only one – he is one of many

And so we need to always remember the context of these NT scriptures

It was written many times to people who had in fact had to make some very difficult choices knowing that because they were Christians they more than likely would be ridiculed and even be killed for their faith

And yet they remained faithful

Folks just think how easy we have it here in the USA and yet the church is rapidly losing ground as our witness and effectiveness is being eroded

And so we need to remember that the Spirit is with us – in every situation and under every circumstance

Whatever you are going through today – know that He is with you

So throughout the book of Acts you will see that the Spirit is the controller of the mission

So first of all he will empower Peter to preach in Jerusalem – the very city that killed Jesus a few months earlier

Where does he get his courage – he knows Jesus has risen from the dead
And the other comforter as Jesus called him would be present with them
always

Then in Chapter 8 we see the Spirit guides Philip to the Samaritans
Again remember that the Samaritans and the Jews were moral enemies

And here the Spirit guides him to these people who accept this good news.

And so the Spirit is not there just to keep us safe or achieve the destiny God has for us – but the Spirit will do his part to see that your destiny is fulfilled

Let me give you an example – for most of my life as a Christian I thought that my walk with God developed on the basis of my commitment to God

It was up to me - it was base on my discipline

And of course to some extent that is true – but what I learnt from Paul is that Spirit is more committed to my development even more than I am

It is not that he will just help me do my best – he is going to work in me as well – not just when I am in church but all of the time

It is not me changing myself or even me changing myself with his help – it is him working in me all the time

2 Corinthians 3:18 “changed from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the living God”

Paul and Barnabas –

And for the middle part of the book of Acts we see Paul preaching the gospel throughout the Roman Empire

So here is this man Paul – a learned Jew who knew about the Spirit in the OT – the spirit empowered a few people – Jews only – people who had attained a high level of spirituality

And now he discovers that the Spirit can come on all people

Men and women – young and old –

The trouble with most people is that two conditions exist – we either do not know much about the Spirit of God or simply it is not a remarkable fact any more.

We take the things of the Lord for granted as opposed to being delighted / startled / and surprised by the Spirit of God

And so I want you to understand today the remarkable ministry of the Holy Spirit in the earth today – but not only in the earth today – but in your life as well

And I never want to lose sight of that again and what He can do through me – if I would just allow him

He is in control

The Spirit is in Control :

Map

This is a descripton of Paul’s final journey

The last two chapter of the book of Acts to describe this

This is the last thing Luke will say about the life of Paul

Take a look at the journey Paul takes – he is on his way to Rome

In today’s world a sea voyage is not very special

However in those days it was different

Let me explain to you a little about what the people in those days thought of the sea

In the ancient world people learnt much from Homer and Virgil – these were their text books

So the people who were reading the book of Acts would know these works of these two authors

The significance of both of these stories is that they tell of a sea voyage

The first is a story of Odysseus and he overcomes many supernatural forces who want to prevent him from going to Rome

Many gods and goddesses try and resist him

The second story tells of a man by the name of Aenead - who also goes on a great sea voyage and when he gets to the end of his voyage he establishes the city of Rome

He also goes through great trials on his voyage- but the god who is on his side assures that he achieves his objectives

This sea voyage now that is written about concerns an unknown man called Paul

No one special – he is just a little Jewish man

And so Luke takes two chapters to tell of this voyage

You may know what happened – there was a great storm – a shipwreck – he nearly drowns – when he lands a snake comes out of the fire and bites him –

Everyone says “ the gods are against him – he will surely die ”

But Paul gets to Rome – his final destination – against all the odds

But who was on his side – the Spirit

And so lets read the very last verse in the book of Acts -

Chapter 28:31 – the last word in this book is in Greek –

Remember the agenda that Luke presented in Acts 1:8

The Christians are moving out of Jerusalem – they are scared – who is going to believe us – we have not been to seminary – who is going to believe us?

So Luke says – you are not going on your own – the spirit is with you

And then the Spirit says this is what we are going to do

Spread the news in Jerusalem then Samaria – then the rest of the world and Paul goes to the end of the world – he goes to Rome
Two thousand miles from Jerusalem and the spirit takes Paul on the most hazardous route possible – across the sea.

In this time this sea was known as the Greek sea because the Greek gods were in charge of this sea

Paul does not serve a Greek god – he serves the God of all gods –

And so nothing can stop Paul getting to Rome because the Spirit has set the agenda

And it is no surprise that when we get to the last word in the book of acts the word is unhindered

Nothing can stop the gospel from going to the uttermost parts of the earth

Paul in getting to Rome has fulfilled what was required of him

It has not been a smooth journey – the sun has not been shining all the time

There have been times of pain and suffering

There have been times of worry

But when he looks back Luke can say - the Spirit guided Paul through his life

This is the same Spirit who is in charge of our lives

PRAYER

SPIRITUAL MAN
God and Us – A life changing adventure
The Book of Acts

Introducton :

I come from a tradition where I came I thought I knew everything about the Spirit – but sadly I did not.

And unfortunately with the lack of solid biblical teaching in these days much of the church today does not know much about the Holy Spirit.

In fact just this week I listened to a teaching by someone – the title of the message was the “The Power of the Holy Spirit”

The only thing I can say was he made me laugh – a little – but there was no substance to the message

I am sorry to sound critical but you know it does say in James that a teacher of scripture is to be held doubly accountable for what he teaches.

Furthermore, if we are not making disciples then we who stand in the pulpit are failing

And so over the next few weeks I want to introduce you to the wonderful Holy Spirit - His ministry in our lives and through us into the world

Now don’t get nervous – I think you know me by now – we are not going to get into the what I would call the fleshly excesses and such that you might have heard about

So relax and enjoy this time together and let us briefly pray
I want you to say this “ Father I open myself, my heart, my mind, my spirit to you today – teach me about the precious Holy Spirit

In Jesus name - Amen”

And so my appreciation for what the Spirit of God does for us was so small

Over a period of time the fact of the matter was that I had become kind of cynical about what I call the “show and blow” - the junk that I had begun to see being evidenced in the many of the circles I was in

I had also thought that the Spirit was interested in working through me and empowering me complete the vocation and that is true.

But little did I realize that the Spirit actually wanted to do so much for me.

Not just to use me for God’s glory, but also to bless me and that was remarkable

And so I want to explore both these aspects over the next number of weeks in our time together

The premise of my teaching is simply this – the Spirit does empower us as well as affirm us.

Again as I have said – I honestly think so much of the church today is grossly under taught in this area and we do not know that He not only wants to empower us, but He wants to affirm us

And so because of a lack of teaching – the bible says in Hosea 4:6 “ my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge having rejected that knowledge.”

As a result, unfortunately as a consequence we live such mediocre, listless, defeated Christian lives

Folks that is not what God intended for you – yes as we have heard previously the problems are there and will come - but in the midst of that – our God reigns

Not because we are particularly good – but because he is that kind of a God

And so today I would like to give you a brief overview of who the Spirit is in the bible

When Paul comes to speak about the Spirit one might wonder where does he get his information from

Well, some of the information comes from his knowledge of the OT – remember he was a man well versed in the scriptures

However, what we will discover is that the information in the OT about the Spirit is not the full story

And so when Paul writes his letters he tells his readers much more about the Spirit

If those readers are Jewish they will learn information about the Spirit which they did not know before

The most important aspect about the Spirit is that He is in control
And that means we are safe and this is particularly important for the readers of Paul’s letters because they live in an empire that marginalizes them

Their Christianity is a threat to the empire

On top of that the intellectuals among the people think they are crazy and the gospel does not make sense

There are carvings in the catacombs in Rome which show Christians worshiping their God.

And their God is a man on a cross but the head of the man on the cross is a donkey

Because in Greek and Roman society the donkey was thought to be stupid.

So when the people of Roman society thought of Christians they thought of them as stupid

Not only that - to be a Christian in the first century was dangerous

And by the time Paul writes his letters the Christians are experiencing new emotions

They are adding new words to their vocabulary – words like fear – anxiety

The great persecution is coming to the Roman Empire.

40 or 50 years earlier Jesus said he was coming back and he has not yet come back
And so many people are wondering whether they should have become Christians

And Paul and Peter - the writers of the NT have one central message they have to present to these people – God is in control

Paul builds on that and says it is not just God who lives in heaven way up there – but he has come into your life in the form of the Holy Spirit

He controls your destiny – He is not a million miles away

This is a vital message to Paul’s readers

And when Paul talks to us about the Spirit he talks to us and encourages us because he knows the world we are living in today

The fundamental role of the Spirit in our lives – just as those Christians in the first century - is to make us feel safe and secure

He wants them to know that the Spirit of God is always with them

And so think about that for a moment – the Holy Spirit is here right now – in you

Old Testament :

So let me briefly talk to you about the Spirit in the OT

In the OT to the Jewish people the Spirit is equivalent to God

For us now we know there is God the Father , Jesus and the Holy Spirit

For the Jews he is described as having a number of features or characteristics

And so when Paul in his letters speaks of the Spirit his readers will remember the descriptions that was written in the OT

One of the important aspects of the HS in the OT is that he is associated with power.

So when the judges are looking after Israel the Spirit gives them wisdom

And when the prophets speak on behalf of God the Spirit gives them the ability to prophecy

And when Daniel speaks through the emperor the spirit gives him the words to say

So when you see the spirit in the OT you know the person is going to be empowered somehow

In OT the spirit is rarely associated with miracles – he is mainly associated with prophecy – when King Saul prophesied the people said
“ the spirit has come on him”

And when the prophets speak of the spirit they are referring to the Spirit coming on them

And so when Paul speaks of the Spirit in the NT they think it is as it was in the OT

But there were some changes

In the OT the spirit came on a person for a short time and then left
As I previously said the Spirit had two fundamental roles in the OT :

1. He authenticates people – eg Samuel laying hands on David – the
shepherd boy

2. He empowers people – again David killing Goliath

That is different to the NT

Remember when Jesus said “ it is necessary that I go so another comforter may come and he will never leave you nor forsake you”

Can you imagine what a big deal that was ?

Paul then talks about the Spirit living in us – not only the leaders – but ordinary people like you and me as well

This was huge

New Testament :

You must remember that each of the books of the NT were written to different audiences who often had different needs to one another.

Thus, the authors often wrote with different agendas.

These factors should encourage the contemporary reader to treat the books and their contents separately, with an awareness on the original setting.

I have tried to stay rooted in the text, focusing specifically on one main question : Why has the author included information on the Spirit?

Here are the answers :

• The issues concerning the Spirit referred to by the authors are often reflected in the lives of believers today.

• I want to encourage you to see yourself and your situations in the writings of the NT authors to their first century readers.

• At the same time, I hope that each of us can identify lessons relating to the person and work of the Spirit and apply them to our own situations.

• Fundamentally, the message of the NT is that the Spirit is dedicated to the development of the life of the believer.

• And so the Spirit is the focus of attention

• And so as believers, you and I are to ask the following very important questions regarding the Holy Spirit :

o Why is the Spirit given and how can we be influenced by him?

o What does he do for / in believers and how can we take advantage of his resources for our growth?

o What is he like and how can that influence our response to him?

o Whether there is a divine hierarchy in the Godhead, how the Spirit differs from the Father and the Son and what relationship Jesus had with the Spirit were issues discussed by later theologians.
o The NT authors were more interested in the practical application of a knowledge of the Spirit and so that is what will concern us as well

So for the next little while lets take a look at the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts :

The Book of Acts :

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts is of course the description of the start of the church

Remember I previously said the church was living in a hostile environment

They needed to know someone was in control so in the very first chapter Luke who is one of Paul’s co-workers tells us that the Spirit is in charge

Acts 1:8 “you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem / Judea / Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth”

This is the agenda of the Spirit – he has a plan

The church is not established by Peter or Paul or James – it is established by the Spirit

The people who knew their OT know that the Spirit has empowered
people to fulfil the objectives God has set for them

And they know the Spirit can be trusted

Of course some of the people who are reading the book of Acts are not Christians and they would be reading the book to see if it would work out as it was planned from the beginning

Will the church succeed – remember the Christians are not only living in a hostile environment – but the world of those days was populated by very many god’s ( small g)

The people don’t need anymore god’s

And certainly they would not have had much time for this new thing when the leader of it was crucified as a criminal

So how on earth can it succeed ?

So Luke says in chapter 1 verse 8 that the spirit has set the agenda and is in control

And I, when I come to read the book of Acts, I am reminded throughout it that the Spirit is able to control my destiny

You will notice that it says in this verse that the Spirit is going to empower the believers to be living testimonies of the working of God in our lives

Unfortunately many people forget the context of this verse

They claim that it refers to the Spirit enabling them to go into the streets and just talk to them about Jesus

What they do not realise that when these people talk about Jesus in the streets they would be rejected – they would be persecuted and maybe their lives would be in danger as well
When Luke says power will be given to you it is because the people need power – they need courage – they are just ordinary people like you and I.

And so the Spirit says I am coming with you – it is not just you going – I am going with you

It is in fact only a few chapters later that we read about Stephen being martyred. Her is in fact not the only one – he is one of many

And so we need to always remember the context of these NT scriptures

It was written many times to people who had in fact had to make some very difficult choices knowing that because they were Christians they more than likely would be ridiculed and even be killed for their faith

And yet they remained faithful

Folks just think how easy we have it here in the USA and yet the church is rapidly losing ground as our witness and effectiveness is being eroded

And so we need to remember that the Spirit is with us – in every situation and under every circumstance

Whatever you are going through today – know that He is with you

So throughout the book of Acts you will see that the Spirit is the controller of the mission

So first of all he will empower Peter to preach in Jerusalem – the very city that killed Jesus a few months earlier

Where does he get his courage – he knows Jesus has risen from the dead
And the other comforter as Jesus called him would be present with them
always

Then in Chapter 8 we see the Spirit guides Philip to the Samaritans
Again remember that the Samaritans and the Jews were moral enemies

And here the Spirit guides him to these people who accept this good news.

And so the Spirit is not there just to keep us safe or achieve the destiny God has for us – but the Spirit will do his part to see that your destiny is fulfilled

Let me give you an example – for most of my life as a Christian I thought that my walk with God developed on the basis of my commitment to God

It was up to me - it was base on my discipline

And of course to some extent that is true – but what I learnt from Paul is that Spirit is more committed to my development even more than I am

It is not that he will just help me do my best – he is going to work in me as well – not just when I am in church but all of the time

It is not me changing myself or even me changing myself with his help – it is him working in me all the time

2 Corinthians 3:18 “changed from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the living God”

Paul and Barnabas –

And for the middle part of the book of Acts we see Paul preaching the gospel throughout the Roman Empire

So here is this man Paul – a learned Jew who knew about the Spirit in the OT – the spirit empowered a few people – Jews only – people who had attained a high level of spirituality

And now he discovers that the Spirit can come on all people

Men and women – young and old –

The trouble with most people is that two conditions exist – we either do not know much about the Spirit of God or simply it is not a remarkable fact any more.

We take the things of the Lord for granted as opposed to being delighted / startled / and surprised by the Spirit of God

And so I want you to understand today the remarkable ministry of the Holy Spirit in the earth today – but not only in the earth today – but in your life as well

And I never want to lose sight of that again and what He can do through me – if I would just allow him

He is in control

The Spirit is in Control :

Map

This is a descripton of Paul’s final journey

The last two chapter of the book of Acts to describe this

This is the last thing Luke will say about the life of Paul

Take a look at the journey Paul takes – he is on his way to Rome

In today’s world a sea voyage is not very special

However in those days it was different

Let me explain to you a little about what the people in those days thought of the sea

In the ancient world people learnt much from Homer and Virgil – these were their text books

So the people who were reading the book of Acts would know these works of these two authors

The significance of both of these stories is that they tell of a sea voyage

The first is a story of Odysseus and he overcomes many supernatural forces who want to prevent him from going to Rome

Many gods and goddesses try and resist him

The second story tells of a man by the name of Aenead - who also goes on a great sea voyage and when he gets to the end of his voyage he establishes the city of Rome

He also goes through great trials on his voyage- but the god who is on his side assures that he achieves his objectives

This sea voyage now that is written about concerns an unknown man called Paul

No one special – he is just a little Jewish man

And so Luke takes two chapters to tell of this voyage

You may know what happened – there was a great storm – a shipwreck – he nearly drowns – when he lands a snake comes out of the fire and bites him –

Everyone says “ the gods are against him – he will surely die ”

But Paul gets to Rome – his final destination – against all the odds

But who was on his side – the Spirit

And so lets read the very last verse in the book of Acts -

Chapter 28:31 – the last word in this book is in Greek –

Remember the agenda that Luke presented in Acts 1:8

The Christians are moving out of Jerusalem – they are scared – who is going to believe us – we have not been to seminary – who is going to believe us?

So Luke says – you are not going on your own – the spirit is with you

And then the Spirit says this is what we are going to do

Spread the news in Jerusalem then Samaria – then the rest of the world and Paul goes to the end of the world – he goes to Rome
Two thousand miles from Jerusalem and the spirit takes Paul on the most hazardous route possible – across the sea.

In this time this sea was known as the Greek sea because the Greek gods were in charge of this sea

Paul does not serve a Greek god – he serves the God of all gods –

And so nothing can stop Paul getting to Rome because the Spirit has set the agenda

And it is no surprise that when we get to the last word in the book of acts the word is unhindered

Nothing can stop the gospel from going to the uttermost parts of the earth

Paul in getting to Rome has fulfilled what was required of him

It has not been a smooth journey – the sun has not been shining all the time

There have been times of pain and suffering

There have been times of worry

But when he looks back Luke can say - the Spirit guided Paul through his life

This is the same Spirit who is in charge of our lives

PRAYER

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”—Psalm 147:3.

The heart or the spirit is the source of our life.

It is the centre of our being.

If the spirit is damaged, wounded or corrupted in any way, (and the Bible says it can be) our ability to relate normally to others, to ourselves and to God is hampered.

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard (your heart), for out of it flows the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Varying degrees of damage to the human spirit can be incurred.

For a small minority of the wounded the damage is only slight; they are able to get on with their lives with the hurt causing only a minimum of irritation or inconvenience.

Many more of the wounded are more affected and limp through life.

They survive a relatively normal life but fail to realize their full potential in their friendships, in their marriages or in their day to day relationships with others.

Then there are those with extreme or severe damage to their spirit.

These people are greatly incapacitated; dysfunctional with all manner of emotional, psychological, physical and social disabilities.
These people are forced to crawl or need to be carried through life.

Broken hearts and damaged spirits can also be brought about by the actions of our families, friends and close acquaintances.

Our own actions can also contribute.

When we are afflicted by a wounded spirit we are unable to step out boldly to obey the Holy Spirit, and therefore so much of God’s purposes for us are lost in our inability to release faith in a consistent manner.
The subject of a wounded spirit is an important one, as it affects so many people.
Many don’t even understand what it is, or how it affects us.
Proverbs 18:14 says “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity (“sickness, disease, weakness”), but a wounded spirit who can bear?”
We can endure all kinds of physical affliction, but when our spirit is wounded – and a wounded spirited person is someone who has been hurt and bruised and/or damaged in their spirit – it can be very painful.
And so many of us have spend a large portion of our lives in a world where we were punctured and emotionally battered.

As a result of the breach in our spirit the our spirit the enemy came in like a flood charging right into the center of our lives and as a result we have become like oysters producing of ourselves to cover the hurt so eventually it was so hidden within us that we could not detect it even.

I said this last week and some may think it is a controversial statement – but please listen to me – a counselor can never heal you.
While they serve a valuable role in health care spectrum and often a vital asset - their role is and cannot be to heal you – they cant.

They can explore how you are where you are at and then help you cope

The only thing that matters is Christ and His fullness because it is only through Him that we will truly be able to totally healed in our souls

You see we need to come to the place where we understand that through Christ each one of us have what we need so that we can live in today

Let me also say - the pursuit of a painless life is vain pursuit – we live in a fallen world and unfortunately we will experience trials and tribulations

Jesus in John 16:33 says this :

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

You are not an example of perfection, but you are an example of what it means to survive the stuff of life

And so let us take a look at the scriptures that will speak to you so that you can live in Emotional Health

Verse 1-21:

From verse 1 to verse 21 we have a list of God’s patterns so that we might have the results that He and you want from your life as a Christian

Let me give you an example of what I am talking about.
Say you had a pattern for a pair of pants there is not way, whichever way you cut that pattern that you will get a coat out of it

You have to use the right pattern to get the right result

So it is just the same with regards to living a Godly life – you cant think in terms of worldly patterns and then produce a Godly result
I chose to take a look at Romans 12 because it clearly outlines the way we can not only receive emotional healing, but live in that place of being emotionally healed
So let me briefly outline how this chapter breaks out
Chapter 12 begins to describe this life and call us to it.
First Paul deals with our life as worship toward God.
Then he deals with humility and lowliness in relation to ourselves (v. 3).
Then he deals with our relations with each other in the church (v 4-13).
Then he deals with our relation to our enemies (v14-21).
Digging a little deeper :
Verses 1-2 is talking about us changing and tells us the way to do that
Then in verses 3 tells us how we in fact should think of ourselves
The Body of Christ
Verse 4 -5 speaks of our relationship as part of something bigger than ourselves – Paul uses the analogy of a human body and says each of us are part of a living body
What this means is that the church is like a human body with arms and legs and hands and feet and eyes and ears and tongue and nose and neck.
“So we who are many are one body.”
The church has a unity in diversity the way the human body is one with diverse limbs and organs.
“So we who are many are one body.”
But Paul goes further than that in what he says about the church as a body.
The point is not merely unity in diversity, but also profound interconnectedness.
He says, “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
What does “individually members of one another” mean?
It means that our unity is more profound than just belonging to the same body.
We belong to each other.
The unity of the church is more profound than being part of the same organic whole.
It is being part of each other. “Individually members of one another.”
But what does that mean?
It means that my left shoulder and my right hand are not merely parts of the same body.
It means that the organic connection in one body involves a deeper unity that Paul describes as the shoulder being a member of the hand and the hand being a member of the shoulder.
You can see the significance of this if you just picture what would happen if say I hurt my left shoulder.
My right hand would immediately and instinctively reach for my left shoulder – just as immediately as if my hand itself felt the pain.
The members of my body are members of each other because they are so much a part of each other’s pain and pleasure.
Spiritual Gifts
Verses 6-8 - he talks about the Spiritual gifts that each one of us have been given
Yes these are freely given – but I believe that us being able to recognize that and this will only be evident for us as we renew our minds
In verse 6 Paul tells us how this profound interconnectedness is supposed to work.
He says, “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.”
In other words, the benefits that flow from one member to another flow in the form of unique gifts that each member has.
Giftedness determines much of the way one member graces another member.
My hand serves my wounded shoulder differently from the way my feet serve my shoulder or the way my eyes serve my shoulder.
The hand has different gifts than the feet and eyes.
Paul lists seven kinds of gifts in verses 6-8: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, mercy.
What’s amazing about this list is that at least four of them are virtues that all Christians should have – and I would say must have – in order to be obedient Christians.
· “Service” – since Paul calls all Christians to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).
· “Exhortation” – since Hebrews 3:13 commands all Christians to “exhort one another day after day.”
· “Giving” – because Paul calls all Christians to “share (same word in Greek) with him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).
· “Mercy” – because Jesus says to all Christians, “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
What does this teach us?
It teaches us that gifts are not tidy categories distinct from each other and possessed wholly by one person and not at all by another.
Rather gifts are varying measures of grace which God has worked in different proportions in different lives.
You see that in the key word “grace” in verse 6: “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.”
Gifts (charismata) are the ways of blessing others with the grace (charis) that God has given to us.
He then begins the next verses by talking about love.

Love and abhor
Verses 9-10
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor
In an article written by William Bennett.
Many of you know who William Bennett is.
He has become famous as the editor of The Book of Virtues and The Moral Compass and as the former Secretary of Education under President Reagan.
In this article he was writing about how the courts in America, especially the Supreme Court, are finding various rights in the Constitution that the framers of the Constitution never dreamed of
Then he said was that this problem with the courts today is not the main problem in America.
He said, “The problem is not simply with the Court; the problem is also with the citizenry itself. It seems to me that that is the heart of the matter: a culture of acedia (Latin) has taken deep root in the soil of late twentieth century America, which has led to acquiescence and passivity. Have we lost our capacity for justifiable outrage? Can we be roused to act against the spread of foul and wicked practices?”
So I looked up “acedia” in the Dictionary and it simply said, “Apathy, boredom.”
So he is saying that a culture of apathy and boredom has taken deep root in America.
This is different from fear.
It’s also different from disinterest in moral issues that comes because one has a passion for something else.
This is a cultural yawn.
“Acedia” = Boredom, Apathy
It’s the sort of mood that explains the incredible prevalence of sports and video games and movies that explode with tension and danger and risk and close calls, and stunning explosions and feats of daring.
In all these things we see the attempt of a culture to find excitement and adventure and strong feeling in a workaday world that is just plain boring.
It’s as if we were made for exploits and adventure and exertion and passion and risk-taking in some great cause, and instead what we do all day is sit in front of a computer or shuffle papers or make deliveries or drive a bus or clean a room or sell a product or shuffle portfolios or prescribe medicines or fix gadgets.
Life in the real world seems to fall so far short of what our hearts cry out for that the best we can do is create substitute, artificial exploits—football, basketball, hockey, explosive movies, shocking video games—anything to transport us out of the boredom of the real world, and give us a little taste of passion and zeal and daring and energy and strategy and courage—even if it is an artificial world.
Somehow it seems to help satisfy the craving of our hearts.
We are not excited with real life.
We are desperately waiting for the weekend when we can play, because real life is just not connected with any great cause that inspires in us exploits of courage or daring or risk or adventure or strategy or dreaming or deep camaraderie.
We wonder why our relationships are so feeble and thin and fragile.
And deep down we know that part of the reason is that relationships go deep when arms are linked in a great cause that you are ready to lay down your lives for.
Deep relationships are not cultivated by watching television or going to movies.

The words used in verse 9b are strong words.
Really strong. “Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” “Abhor” and “cling” are not your ordinary, workaday words for dislike and like.

They are not acedia words.

They are words that say, GET UP!

Think about this!

Look at this!

Is this evil?

Well if this is evil, abhor this.

Feel intensely about this!

Don’t abhor people, but abhor evil.

Abhor this evil!

And cling to the good.

Christianity is diametrically opposed to the culture of acedia—the culture of boredom and apathy.
Slothful and Fervent in Spirit
Verses 11
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Paul is saying: when it comes to serving Christ, half-heartedness, lukewarmness, laziness, sluggishness, slothfulness are utterly inappropriate.

Laziness is the great vice.

Be eager and earnest and zealous to get things done for the Kingdom

The great virtue is efficiency and hard work.

Being saved by Jesus Christ is the greatest thing in the world.

It means having eternal life.

Not to be passionate about Christ and caring for what He cared about is this is a sign of serious Spiritual blindness or emotional disability.

Serving Christ is the highest privilege in the universe for human beings.

So let’s ponder what it means to be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord.

Rejoice and patient

Verse 12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Remember what verse 2 said – that we are to be transformed

In this way Christ—the ground and goal of it all—becomes more visible and more real and more convincing in the world.

In fact this verse is a description of the Christian life: rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer

I