On the topic of Holy Spirit, we know that the Holy Spirit, Jesus and God our heavenly Father are three separate "Persons" yet one God.The Bible clearly speaks of: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. But emphasizes that there is only ONE God. If we were to use math, it would not be, 1+1+1=3. It would be 1x1x1=1. God is a triune God.
Thus the term: "Tri" meaning three, and "Unity" meaning one, Tri+Unity = Trinity. It is a way of acknowledging what the Bible reveals to us about God, that God is yet three "Persons" who have the same essence of deity.
From the beginning we see God this way in Scripture. Notice the plural pronouns "us" and "our" in Genesis 1:26 -- Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,.."
Last week, we mentioned about entering the brand new year with His rest. We quoted the verse Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
But, you may argue that Jesus was offering His rest only at that time of His earthly ministry. How can He grant us His rest today?
Before Jesus went to the cross, this is what He told His disciples in John 16:5-7
5“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
If that is so, why didn't God sent them the Holy Spirit straight away to save them? Why must He send Jesus to go through all these humiliation, torturing and punishment before sending the Holy Spirit? Why go through the shedding of blood and death? God could have spared Jesus all those torments, isn't it? Or maybe not.
If you would examine the Bible carefully, you will notice that the Holy Spirit does not have a name. We know angels have names,like Angel Gabriel or Angel Michael. But, if you look closely, you will not find a single name that mention about the Holy Spirit. Why?
Because the Holy Spirit has not come to call attention to Himself. When we continue in John 16:13-15, this is what the Bible says:
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Spirit has come to call our attention to Jesus and what He has done for us at the cross. Amen! That is why Holy Spirit does not have a name.
Can the Holy Spirit save us without Jesus? The answer is no. Why? Because in this case, the sin is not dealt with, blood is not shed.
The Law of First Mention gives us a clue to the significance of this truth. Whenever a particular word or event is mentioned for the first time in the Bible (Law of First Mention), it carry the fundamental inherent meaning of the word or event.
The first time blood was shed is when Adam sinned against God. This is what God did (Gen 3:21)
21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
We cannot come before God when our sins are not removed. God cannot bless us when we still have sins in our lives. The basis of His blessing for us today is because of the cross! Amen! God is just and because He is just, He cannot anyhow bless us unconditionally. If He does, we should be worry.
Why? Because it make God inconsistent and unreliable. But today, God can and will bless us unconditionally! Why? Because His justice is fully met in the body of Jesus at the cross. Hallelujah! Amen! Our sins, past , present and future are all once and for all dealt with at the cross! And when the sins are removed from us, there is no more obstruction for God's blessings to come upon us! Amen! Hallelujah!
The Holy Spirit cannot replace what Jesus has done and only when Jesus is resurrected and ascended to heaven, then God can send forth His Spirit to help us and bless us. Amen!
Yesterday morning, after sending Brielle to nursery at Hougang. I took my usual walk from the nursery to Kovan MRT station. Along the way, I passed by this church, The Glad Tiding Church. As I was observing their nameboard, I notice a bible citation of a smaller character right below the name of this church. I would reckon this citation has something to do with their vision or protocol. The bible verse in reference is Acts 1:8. At that instance, I knew I need to find out what the verse say, and to my surprise, this is Acts 1:8
Wow, the moment I saw this verse, I said "Amen!" As much as I am drawn to the word "power", I am also drawn to the words "witnesses to Me". Notice the Holy Spirit came to enable us to know Christ through a new birth and to give us the power to live and share the abundant life which Jesus promised to all who trust and obey Him. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is so that we can be witness for Jesus. Hallelujah!
As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals His truth to us. Have you ever had this experience whereby when you read a certain passages of Scripture and all of a sudden, the passage comes alive to you. Why? Because the Holy Spirit makes the Word of God relevant and meaningful when we need it. It is a living Book inspired by the Spirit, and only Christians who are filled with the Spirit can understand the true meaning of God's Word.
The Holy Spirit is our helper -- We cannot expect God to answer our prayer unless we are walking in the Spirit. We cannot live a holy life apart from the help of the Holy Spirit for, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Amen!
It is impossible to even know Christ apart from the regenerating ministry of the Spirit. It was Jesus of Nazareth, Himself, who said, "Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." It is impossible for us to become a Christian, to understand the Bible and other spiritual truths, to pray, to live a holy life, to witness or do anything for the Lord Jesus apart from the person of the Holy Spirit of God. Amen!
Question: How then do we walk in the Spirit? We'll discuss that next week. Grace and peace be with you.
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