Mystery, Wonder, Confusion, and Controversy. Romans 8

Good Day!

Mystery, wonder, confusion, and controversy … Why, about what?  The third person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit.  As we move forward in Romans, Paul is going to reference and discuss the actions of the Spirit, so let’s step back a moment, and refresh our understanding.

One of the last things Jesus said to his followers before he ascended into Heaven was, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth …”1

The Holy Spirit--WHO or WHAT is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a person, the third person of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is not some vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is a person, equal in every way with the Father and the Son. Jesus had a lot to say about the coming of the Holy Spirit:

John 14:16 – He [God] will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. - the world cannot accept him because it neither sees him or knows him,  but you know him for he lives with you and will be in you2   –The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you of all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.3 – Unless I go away the Counselor will not come to you.4    - But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own.  He will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”5   >>The Holy Spirit is a WHO.

WHAT does the Holy Spirit do?                                                        ~takes up residence in believers at the time of our conversion                  Prior to this point recorded in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit only empowered specific individuals for specific purposes—                              Jesus is telling them here in Acts 1.8 that each of them will receive the gift of the Spirit . . . amazing!                                                                                    So, what does the Holy Spirit do?

The Holy Spirit:                                                                                 ~breathes new life in us                                                                       ~initiates power for change in character->behavior - the fruits of the Spirit6 ~brings conviction and also comfort                                                       ~unites the Christian community -> creates the bond between 'brothers' ~equips believers with gifts7                                                                    ~gives guidance and direction through promptings                                    ~helps us to be effective witnesses                                                 ~intercedes for us - that is to say, he goes to the Father on our account.

'Need some encouragement today? Look up Romans 8.26.  Who is praying for you?______________________________

The ways of the Holy Spirit can seem mysterious at times, but we can know the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in our individual lives.  Look over the above list--is the Holy Spirit alive and working in you?

And if not, what force drives your life?

Christine

podcast:

1 Acts 1.8

2 John 14.17

3 John 14.26

4 John 16:7

5 John 16:13 – 16

6 Galatians 5.22-23

7 check out the lists of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12.6-8,      1 Peter 4.10-11, Ephesians 4.11-13)