Introduction

From Shadow to Substance

Where is the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit today? We call ourselves Pentecostal yet lack so much of what the Holy Spirit can do in the church if only we would give Him the opportunity to move as He desires. Are we to pre-occupied with, programmes, systems, and relying upon modern day technology as a replacement for the Holy Spirit?

Over recent years it has become increasingly obvious that in many if not most churches there is little or no moving of the Holy Spirit in power. Possibly there are numerous explanations that can be given, from replacing the genuine move of the Spirit, to substituting what is nothing more than a shadow of reality rather than what is substantial based upon the scriptures, by providing man made methods, or nothing more than what could be called a stage show, that speaks of hypocrisy. Having spoken to a number of ministers from different denominations and other countries, plus reading several books written by equally concerned pastors, it is obvious that in most services a real moving of the Holy Spirit has been replaced by humanistic worldly methods. Surely it is time for the church to wake up to the fact that man’s plans, methods, holding so-called seeker friendly services, flashing lights, etc, can never take the place of The Holy Spirit, it is time to move from a SHADOW OF REALITY TO SUBSTANCE!

IS THERE A CRISIS IN THE CHURCH?

There is a real lesson to be learnt from Matthew.14:22-33, Disciples see Jesus moving in the realm of the supernatural, walking upon the sea. Peter wants to do the same, asks and is given permission by Jesus, steps out by faith leaving his natural element to walk towards Jesus on the sea, although he fails when he takes his eyes off Jesus, he is saved by Jesus, and walks on the water back to the boat. This is an object lesson to the church, Jesus has shown and made it possible for us to leave our comfort zones and move from the natural into the supernatural, it is all matter of hearing the Lord’s voice, trusting and responding obediently. Problem today is that we are afraid to trust Jesus and the Holy Spirit and take our opportunities when the time is right. We cling to man-made concepts and comfort, mistakenly thinking numerical and financial increase is the Lord’s blessing, when there is so much more the Holy Spirit desires to do.

ARE WE WILLING TO LEARN FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT?

 In Book of Revelation chapters 2-3, Jesus individually addresses each of the seven named churches. The Head of the church reveals He is fully aware of their spiritual state and commitment. Several things He says are common to each church. First “I know your deeds” or what is happening in this church!  Second “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” Third “He who overcomes”(any opposition by faith).

Notice the sequence above, Jesus reveals their spiritual state; He then shows them the answer “Listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you” for it is the work of the Spirit will enable the church and individuals to be victorious witnesses.

Using the church at Ephesus for an example, it was formed in Acts.19:1-20, through the ministry of Paul and the Holy Spirit A.D.54-57, Paul writes a letter to them A.D.61-62, explaining the blessings of belonging to Christ. By A.D.95, only 33 years later, they are being challenged and warned they have lost their “First Love” What has happened? Have they quickly reverted legalism or to using methods or plans that had worked on previous occasions. Effectively they have become self reliant, neglecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit, no longer listening to His voice who would have taught them to move forward as He would have led them, and at the same time making sure that their love of Christ did not become cold or waver. The problem at Ephesus they had lost “THEIR PASSION FOR JESUS AND THE MINISTRY OF REVELATION, POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

Similarly church today can lose sight of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, replacing His voice and ministry, with programmes, methods etc, borrowed from other sources. Today what is interpreted as the “Fire of the Holy Spirit” is frequently little more than “false fire” of emotion and human effort to give the appearance of the power of the Holy Spirit in action. Stage “smoke and strobe lighting” can never be a substitute for the Shekinah Cloud of Glory. It is easy to see and sense that some people are already preconditioned or primed to fall over; in a so-called experience of being “slain in the spirit” It has become the expected thing to do! Nor can it be denied that occasionally there will be genuine manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and some people will undergo a real life changing experience with the Lord. However! When someone goes down under the real power of the Holy Spirit, there must be radical changes seen in their Christian life. Paul’s life was totally transformed through his experience on the road to Damascus. John’s experience on the Isle of Patmos Rev.1:12-18, when he falls in a dead faint before the risen Lord, is followed by his writing the Book of Revelation, in which great difficulties and assurances to believers are mentioned as the world progresses towards the end times, until the final victory of Christ takes place with the total defeat of Satan.

THE THREE-FOLD MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In this series of studies regarding the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, it becomes very clear that there are three levels of experience and ministry of the Spirit that are available to every born again believer, to move progressively forward into knowing Him and His power that are available to us.

The first is being SEALED, by the Holy Spirit, which automatically takes place the moment someone truly accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savour, and enters into the Kingdom of God.

Secondly there is the opportunity to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, a progressive experience that can and should be the desire of every Christian to have, unfortunately some have gone no further than their initial SEALING.

The third stage is to become FULL of the Holy Spirit, this I believe is conditional to the believers personal commitment and desire to move forward under the anointing of Holy Spirit’s leading as he or she continues to grow in the “grace and knowledge” of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2.Peter.3:18. An explanation concerning what is it means to be FULL will be given later.

1. “SEALED” In order to understand what this means, additional reference should be made to Romans.4:9-17. Which speaks of Abraham as having the “seal of righteous through faith” following circumcision. Although already declared righteous as the following paragraph reveals, it is through his faith and continued obedience that he is again declared righteous.

Romans.4. Abramham had already been declared righteous when he was uncircumcised, practically he was then a Gentile, Gen.15:6, Some 14 years later at 99 years old he is circumcised Gen.17:23-27. IT WAS A SIGN AND A SEAL, Rom.4:11. The SIGN was in the form of physical evidence he belonged to God and was in a covenant relationship with Him, the promises The Lord had given to Abraham and their fulfilment was the SEAL. Circumcision did not add to Abraham’s salvation it was a witness to it.

At conversion to Christ believers are, SEALED by the Holy Spirit Eph.1:13-4, and 2.Cor.1:21-22. They have experienced a spiritual circumcision of the heart, through faith not the flesh.Col.2:9-12. It is through faith in Christ and identification with Him in His physical death, burial and resurrection, believers are accounted as being spiritually dead, buried and resurrected with Christ, that the Holy Spirit SEALS a believer into a covenant relationship with God, simultaneously placing them into the Body of Christ the Church. 1.Cor.12:18. “He has placed each one of us into the Body of Christ (the church) has it has pleased Him (God)

Romans.8:16. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit gives us the assurance that by faith in Christ we are also SEALED into a New Covenant relationship with God, and according to the Word of God Romans.8:1-14, we receive the necessary SIGN that we are to walk within the promises of His Word.

John.20:19-22. This took place in the evening of the first day Jesus rose from the grave. It is the first time that the disciples really believed that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Also it is important to note that Christ had to have been raised into resurrection life, He being the “first-fruits” to rise from the dead, 1.Cor.15:20-23, until this had taken place no one could be born-again of the Spirit, John.3:3 & 5,Jesus literally was being born-again.

What actually took place with the disciples when He breathed on them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit” or the Holy breath of God? To understand what is happening look at Genesis.2:7, when the original man Adam was created he became a living soul as God breathed into him THE BREATH OF LIFE. Likewise the disciples are entering into New Testament salvation, becoming a new creation in Christ, through and by the resurrection “breath of life” given to them by Jesus. 

“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (or a living soul ) niv. John.20:18-22, is describing what Paul wrote in 2.Cor.5:17. “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation old things are passed away and all things have become new” Practically this means whosoever accepts Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour through faith, are literally re-created and given a completely fresh start in their new life in Christ.

It is clear from the word that John.20:19-22, is a picture of the SEALING of the disciples by the Holy Spirit at their salvation in N.T terms of conversion and regeneration. And is the first step towards receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or Infilling of the Spirit. In John.7:37-39, Jesus had spoken about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, however, in v39, He clearly states that the Spirit could not be given until after He had been glorified, which speaks not only of His resurrection, but also refers to His Ascension and His Glorification to His Father’s right hand in Heaven. It is after this latter event that the Holy Spirit is given for Jesus to pour out upon the waiting disciples. Acts.2:32-33. Joel.2:28-29.

2. FILLED - The Baptism/infilling of the Holy Spirit

This took place 50 days later during the Feast of Pentecost, exactly as the Lord God Joel.2:28-29, and Jesus promised to the disciples following His resurrection Luke.24:49, Acts.1:5 & 8.

There is an immediate effect that can be clearly seen. Firstly the disciples began to speak in other Tongues, Paul in 1.Cor.13:1, says that he spoke in both the tongues of known languages and also in the unknown tongues of Angels. It is possible that these disciples could have spoken in both the known or human languages and also the unknown ones of heaven. There is nothing to indicate in scripture to say the tongue speaking was only in known languages, it could have been both! However many people from various countries heard the disciples glorifying God in their own languages.Acts.2:5-12.

Why tongues? An answer is found in James.3:3-12, reveals that the Holy Spirit can take control of the most unruly member of our bodies, the tongue. Also reveals the disciples were submissive in giving control of their tongue to the Holy Spirit. This may also indicate why some believers have difficulty in receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, because in their mind they find it difficult to surrender the tongue, asking why should I allow the Spirit to take control of my speech? The mind and humanistic or natural thinking becomes a barrier to reception of the Holy Spirit.

A further reason that Holy Spirit Baptism is clearly a separate experience is that the experience will be accompanied by speaking in Tongues giving a clear SIGN by confirming that believers have been previously SEALED by the Holy Spirit at conversion.  Simultaneously following Holy Spirit baptism we are empowered by the Spirit with a potential ability to walk in victory, and to become a powerful witness of new life in Christ.

In Acts.4, and following Peter and John’s examination before the Sanhedrin Council, and were commanded not to speak or teach about Jesus. They return to the other disciples and in v.29-31, ask for more power and authority, all the disciples present including the Apostles experience a new fresh INFILLING of the Holy Spirit. This clearly indicates that believers need to be repeatedly FILLED again and again. Ephesian.5:18c “But be filled with the Spirit” The verb “filled” is in the present tense, literally meaning “keep on being filled”  Unfortunately we have the tendency to leak and constantly need to be refilled with the Holy Spirit.

To briefly explain Eph.5:18, where Paul says “Do not be drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit” Paul is possibly comparing to an outward visible effect upon someone who has had too much to drink. Saying that the effect upon a believer being filled with the Holy Spirit should also be equally noticeable, the anointing should not be hidden but be both clearly seen and heard, as the Holy Spirit takes control of that person’s life in Christ. The transforming power of the Spirit must be visibly seen, and experienced. 2.Cor.3:18.

Acts.4:13, during examination by the Sanhedrin, it was clearly evident that the Apostles had been with Jesus, the IN-FILLING and anointing of the Holy Spirit, their new found authority and boldness could be seen and heard by all present. The unsaved people of the world are today’s Sanhedrin Council, judging and criticizing the church and believers that is why Christians also need to be filled and full of the Holy Spirit so the unsaved may also say, “we can see these man and women have been with Jesus”

3. FULL.

There are a number of instances in the N.T, where various believers are named as being full of the Holy Spirit. In Acts.6:6:1-7, v.3. Qualifications for deaconship, was to be “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” Acts.6:8. Stephen one of the first deacons is described as being “full of God’s grace and power” and at his death by stoning Acts.7:54-60, it says, “But Stephen full of the Holy Spirit ----is able to say, “Lord do not charge them with this sin” Peter and John, in Acts.3, not only display the power of the Holy Spirit in the lame mans healing, they also show compassion by responding to his appeal for help, not in the way he had expected.

Therefore it is possible to see that to be “FULL” of the Holy Spirit, requires a combination of both the anointing, plus “Gifts of the Spirit” 1.Cor.12:5-11 and also the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” Galations.5:22-23. That is evidence of a balanced life in Christ.

These days there are many Christians who are “SEALED” SOME WHO ARE “FILLED” few who are “FULL” of the Holy Spirit.

“MINISTRY NOTES BASED UPON THE PROCEEDING OBSERVATIONS”

(Abbreviated for ministry purposes)

“Sealed! - Filled! and Full of the Holy Spirit!” Pt.1.

The purpose of these Bible Studies is to further explain the three levels of experience of the Holy Spirit that are available to every born-again Christian. The first is being SEALED by the Holy Spirit this automatically takes place the moment we are truly re-born into the Kingdom of God, the second is a desire to be FILLED, the third experience to be FULL is dependent upon the believer’s desire and willingness to move on from being FILLED into the FULLNESS of the Holy Spirit..

 

Introduction:-  2.Peter.3:18. Peter’s final words to believers to keep on growing in the Lord.

v.18a. “Grow in grace” – Romans.5:1-2. In the favour of God with which He has blessed and provided for us – This has much to do with developing Christian character in all areas of life and ministry.

v.18b. “Grow in knowledge of Christ” Eph.1:17-18.

The emphasis is upon “grace and knowledge” together they bring about a balanced Christian life. To achieve this balance the ministry of the Holy Spirit is necessary in our lives.     

Peter is at times unpredictable in his walk with the Lord, the positive will be followed by the negative. Towards the end of Jesus physical life on the earth, Peter is ready to die with Him, and as prophesied, shortly after deny Him three times, a little later on Peter is restored by Jesus, John.21. To become the leader Christ had seen in him.

Acts.2:1-4. After Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit he became a changed man, moving in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. On many occasions the fullness of the Holy Spirit can be seen in him, Acts.3 & 4, yet he occasionally reverts back to his old nature. For instance in regard to food, Galations.2:11-21, where he is is rebuked by Paul for compromising his faith so not to offend any Jew. Another example is Acts.10:1-48, in this passage the Holy Spirit has to minister to Peter in a vision (trance) prior to him going to minister to Cornelius and other Gentiles. It is by means of the Holy Spirit revelation that Peter is able to overcome, his inbuilt prejudice as a Jew towards Gentiles. Amazingly it is by using a vision of non-kosher food that Peter is taught and convinced that God has no favourites, no culture in Christ other than all believers are citizens of the Kingdom of God. v.34 & John.3:16.

v.18c. The result of spiritual growth is:- “God is glorified in our lives”. This can and will equally apply to a church willing to grow in “GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE” of our Saviour Jesus Christ the Lord by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and direct its activities.

 

The three important stages for a believer in regard to the Holy Spir

A. “Sealed”       Ephesians.1:13-14 & 2.Cor.1:21-22

Sealed – This occurs at conversion to Christ. The believer is marked with the seal of ownership by the Holy Spirit who has been instrumental in leading the person to Christ.

1.Cor.6:20 “You were bought with a price”      1.Cor.7:23

B. “Filled – with the Holy Spirit” Acts.1:8, 2:1-4, 10:44-48 & 19:1-7

This describes the initial infilling of the Holy Spirit including the Apostles.

John.20:21-22. Describes the occasion on Christ’s resurrection day when they were being born again. John.3:3 & 5. n.b. No one could be born again prior to the resurrection of Christ, He is the first fruits, 1.Cor.15:20-23, Col.1:15 & 18.

C. “Full – of the Holy Spirit”   Acts.6:1-7, v3. Qualifications for Deaconship, they had to be “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” Stephen is singled out in v.5. as being “full of faith and the Holy Spirit”.

Characteristics of the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Acts.6:8. “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people”

Acts.7:54-60, v55-56 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Stephen – Marked by being - Full of the Holy Spirit! Wisdom! Faith! Grace! Power! Performs miraculous wonders and signs! Receives revelation! Boldness in adversity! Plus the Fruit of forgiveness!

Acts.8:4-13 Phillip - Used in the miraculous by the H.S. Acts.8:26-40. Led to the Eunuch – Ministers Christ, baptizes him. Taken in the Holy Spirit to Azotus, then to Caesurea.

Acts.11:19-26. Barnabus – v.24. Full of the Holy Spirit – Mentors Paul. Combination of the Gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Conc:- Ephesians.4:11-16 v.13. Purpose of the Gift Ministries is to mature the church

                a. Unity in faith

                  b. Knowledge of the Son of God

                  c. Maturity

                  d. Whole measure of the Fullness of Christ.

Fullness of Christ surely must include both the gifts 1.Cor.12:4-11 and fruit Gal.5:22-23, of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a completeness and balance. This is where 1.Peter3:18 to “grow in grace and knowledge of Christ” is so important.

What is very obvious from the teaching of Paul, 1.Corinthians chapters 12 and 14, is that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are distributed amongst the believers as the Spirit wills 1.Cor.12:7-11. Not everyone has the same gift/s, this is why it is necessary that we should all seek to be used in whatever way the Holy Spirit wishes to use us, complimenting each other’s ministry so that the Fullness of the Holy Spirit can be seen in the Body of Christ the church.

    

Sealed! Filled! and Full of the Holy Spirit! Pt.2

Introduction. Romans.8:15-17.

    Sealed with the Spirit of Promise.     Ephesians.1:13-14.     2.Cor.1:21-22

v.13.    a.  A Finished transaction.

b.  A Mark of ownership – Illustrate - Cut timber marked with owners seal – floated down river to Ephesus.

c.  Security.      i.          Daniel – Lions Den – Sealed Daniel.6:17

                        ii.         Christ’s tomb – Stone also sealed. Matt.27:17.

                        iii.        Mark of authenticity/identity – sealed documents.

            v.14.    Holy Spirit guarantees our future INHERITANCE. 1.Peter.1:3-5.

                        Eph.4:25-32 v.30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit” Lit: To bring                           sorrow to!

                        v.25. Lying! v.26-27. Anger! v.28. Stealing! v.29. Corrupt speech! v.31.                                         Bitterness!

            2.          Filled with the Holy Spirit – Purpose - Effectiveness in the “Kingdom                     of God”

                        How to deal with the devil on his territory!

                        a. Luke.24:49. & Acts.1:8  “To be clothed with power(ability)” Become a                               witness.

                        b. Luke.4:1-14. Victory over devil’s temptation to weaken, destroy                                         effectiveness.

                                                i.          He makes suggestions satisfy the flesh.

                                                ii.         He distorts the Word of God.

c.   Romans.8:26-27. Prayer life becomes more effective

3.          Full of the Holy Spirit. – An effective, Powerful Ministry

            To be Filled and Full = Combination of the Gifts and Fruit of the Holy                     Spirit

            Both these attributes are seen in the ministry of Jesus.

            John.1:14 & 17. FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH, and COMPASSION

Acts.3:1-10 Lame man healed – We see the FULNESS OF THE SPIRIT at work in disciple’s ministry – COMPASSION FOR THE MAN – POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT TO HEAL.  Question – How many times had they walked past this man in past?

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sealed - Filled and Full of the Holy Spirit. Pt.3.

(The Fullness of the Holy Spirit)

Intro:-Col.1:15-20. v.19 “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him”

Col.2:9-10. v9.”For in Christ all the FULLNESS of Deity lives in bodily form”

Fullness Gk = Pleroma = The total sum of all that God is. All of His being and attributes.

1.John.1:14 & 17 Jesus came “FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH”  John.14:6. “The Way and the Truth and the Life“

            JOHN.1:29-34. v.33. “The Spirit came down and remained on Him”

n.b. This marked the difference between Jesus and the O/T Prophets, with them the Holy Spirit would come upon them temporarily and then depart.

John.3:34-35. v.34. Jesus Given the Spirit without limit – Yet He must go through same process of receiving and testing as we do Luke.3:21-22 & 4:1-14. Hebrews.2:18 & 4:15. Tempted in all areas as we are, yet overcame to become our Great High Priest.

Why? Because Satan immediately and continually will try to stop the FULLNESS OF CHRIST – Becoming available to all in this world – Initially through Christ and now by  the ministry of the CHURCH – HIS BODY. As Jesus set the example we also need to overcome and defeat the devil and his schemes by faith! 1.John.5:4-5.

2.Eph.3:1-11. v.4 Paul is saying he was given revelation of the manifold(varied) wisdom of

God, that through Christ and to the church this hidden secret was given, to declare to heavenly forces or powers that in Christ Jew and Gentile can be brought together in unity as one church. This teaches that there is no place for any other culture or so-called class differences in the church and that all are required to submit to the Lordship and Headship of Jesus Christ.

3.Eph.4:11-16. The Five-fold ministry gifts of the Ascended Christ to the church.

1.Cor.12:12-31. Romans.12:3 The Church is comprised of ONE BODY, with many different parts and ministries designed to complement each other.

Eph.4:11-16. Defines the purposes of the Lord more clearly:-

v.11.Why 5-Types of ministry? It is impossible for any one person to have all. The only exclusion to this is Jesus Himself – He is all things to all men. Ex.3:14.”I am”

v.12. To prepare God’s people for works of service, by teaching the word of God.

v.13.  a. Until we ALL reach unity in the faith. Ps 133:3

        b. And in the Knowledge of the Son of God.

c. And become mature (nkj. to a perfect man) – Division criticism are signs of disunity.

        d. Attaining (growing) to the whole measure of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST!

v.14. Then we will no longer be deceived by teachers of false doctrine etc.

v.15. Instead speaking the TRUTH IN LOVE = GOD’S WORD, GROW UP IN HIM WHO IS THE HEAD, THAT IS CHRIST. Lit:- The body of Christ becomes subject to its Head Christ Jesus in all things.

v.16. Growth comes when every part is in SUBMISSION to the HEAD (CHRIST) CONTRIBUTING MINISTRY INTO TO THE CHURCH AS EACH MEMBER FULFILS THEIR MINISTRY ROLE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Obviously none of the above is possible if the Holy Spirit in not working in the life of the CHURCH, plus in and through each member of the church.

Lesson:- The tremendous power there is in UNITY. PSALM.133. Equally important is to realise that the Holy Spirit wants everyone to move into the Fullness of the Spirit, which in turn will enable us to experience the FULLNESS OF CHRIST.