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Spirit

We all have a story that has brought us to this point together today:  a family story, a spiritual story, a church story. 

Psalm 37:23
Psalm 139:16
Proverbs 20:24

Our story has shaped our perspective. 

My story:  not raised in church, no church tradition to uphold.  I met Jesus in a power of God environment, and most of my 34 years of Christianity have been in Charismatic tribes - and I have mostly tried to be a Bible guy.

Occasionally – we have to stop and try to put on “fresh eyes.”  Wipe the lens clean and look again at the Holy Spirit - the mystery, the power, the dynamic, the person. 

Whatever perspective you are coming from:  dispensational cessationist, or charismatic… let’s look with fresh eyes. 

Because of extreme cases we tend to completely shut things out.   But an abusive dad or husband doesn’t make all men bad; a bad church experience doesn’t invalidate all churches. 

Let’s face it – there are some extremes in Charismatic circles, just as there are in Baptist or Catholic or Methodist circles.  Some of those extremes have caused me to distance from the Charismatic tribe. 

Is it possible to embrace a relationship with the person of the Holy Spirit and not get bizarre and weird about it?

There are two extremes we can gravitate towards:  Either get bizarre – where the weirder the more spiritual – or get so natural, safe, contained, and compartmentalized that all the spiritual and supernatural is taken out.

Now I have to say:  I love the Holy Spirit.  I have a spiritual prayer language – use it every day – all day.  But I am tired of letting an experience with the person of the Holy Spirit get hijacked by bizarre, outlandish behavior. 

A lot of what we do is simply learned and copied – and not necessarily validated by the Word of God.  Everything we do, everything that we’re thinking, every practice in which we engage has to go through the filter of the Word of God!

We all know the story – the church is about to be birthed: 
Acts 1:4-8

He will help you. 

The life we’re called to lead, the mission we’re called to fulfill, the opposition we’re going to face – with all the roles in life - we need all the help we can get!!!

Jesus said He was sending someone to help.  You’re going to receive a dynamic power that is greater than you! 

John 15:26
John 14:26

God is a helper:
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 121:12

God is for you.  He is on your side.  He is God – you are not.  And He wants to help you in life! 

He will testify about Jesus. 

The Holy Spirit will keep the focus on Jesus.  He is always pointing toward Jesus.   Anything that draws attention to ourselves - and away from Jesus - is not the Holy Spirit. 

Nothing wrong with a little decency and social grace.  When we’re all shouting – shout in keeping with everyone else.

He will teach you all things.

John 16:13

He will help you in all arenas of life: spiritual, family, parenting, business.  Listen – be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. 

He will bring things to remembrance.

Acts 1:5
Mark 1:8

To be baptized in the Holy Spirit – “Baptizo” – literally means to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. 

I’m going to immerse you with dynamic power.
I’m going to immerse you with help.
I’m going to immerse you with insight and remembrance.

Let’s just enter in to all God has for us!

Luke 11:13