the age of the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 17:11-37.   Jesus heals ten lepers, and only one comes back to give thanks.  Jesus takes note that this man is not a Jew, but a foreigner – a Samaritan.  His point is that the Jews should have recognized that the kingdom of God is presently in their midst (21).  But they are missing it.  Expecting an age of cataclysmic signs, they are missing the age of the Holy Spirit.  As in the days of Noah before the earth’s great flood – or the days of Lot before the destruction of Sodom by fire – it is business as usual.  Jesus was not denying that the day of his second coming would be cataclysmic.  He was lamenting the fact that the people who were asking for such a sign were not prepared for the judgment it will bring.

LORD, the sign we seek is for your Holy Spirit to work in our lives today, bringing us healing, release from bondage, and holiness.

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the Holy Spirit, the law, and the gospel

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

hsbLuke 16:1-17:10.   The rich men of Jesus’ day had created a religion that mocked the purposes of God.  They narrowly defined the law into traditions amenable to the rich alone, then forced strict obedience to that narrow tradition.  But Jesus said that mere duty makes someone merely a servant (17:7-10).

  1. He told a parable about a manager who was going to lose his job, so he made friends for himself so that he would be welcomed elsewhere once his livelihood was gone (16:1-9).  He was talking about Holy Spirit inspired evangelism – as opposed to just “doing the job” of obedience to the traditions.
  2. He told a parable about a rich man who is surprised to discover at death that he did not make it to Abraham’s bosom, but a beggar whom he had ignored as insignificant did.  Jesus’ point was not about the intermediate state, but that the rich man had the means to evangelize but he had stuck to his selfish interpretation of obedience – and thus lost everything.  His brothers had followed the same tradition, so they too were heading for disaster (16:19-31).

LORD, help us to make sharing the gospel with the lost a priority, and not to let our religious traditions get in the way of this work of the Holy Spirit.

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the Holy Spirit draws the lost

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 15.   In a series of three parables, Jesus responds to those who object to his acceptance of the tax collectors and sinners.  In each parable, someone seeks something lost [a sheep (3-7), a coin (8-10), and a son (11-32)].  In each, the lost is found and there is rejoicing (5,9,23).  Jesus experienced this joy over the rescue of the lost, and shared the joy with the Father and his angels in heaven (7,10). 

Evangelism gives us an opportunity to display the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us:

  1. love in seeking them out,
  2. joy when they respond to the gospel,
  3. peace that they are now reconciled to their judge,
  4. patience for all the times they refuse to hear the gospel, or respond to it,
  5. kindness toward them when they expect indifference or hatred,
  6. goodness when they mistreat us and expect retaliation,
  7. faithfulness in preaching the message of grace when they keep ignoring it,
  8. gentleness when they expect rebuke for their willful disobedience,
  9. self-control when they do things to provoke us.

LORD,  give us opportunities today to experience the joy of reaching the lost with the gospel – a joy we can share with you.

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renouncing all for the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 14.  Genuine discipleship is free to all by God’s grace.  It is bought by the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, and offered freely to all by those who proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (24).  But we must accept the invitation.  If anything else about our lives is more important than the eternal destiny that the Holy Spirit offers, we are not there yet.  We have only room in our treasure houses for resources to support one project.  It will cost all we have to build the tower of God’s kingdom in our lives (28).  So, anyone who does not renounce all cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

The lawyers and Pharisees of Jesus’ day would not surrender their religious traditions or their social position (1-11).  Others had business or personal goals that they would not give up (18-20).  The Holy Spirit will not live in a house dedicated to another besides Christ. 

LORD, cleanse the temples of our lives so that they can be dedicated completely to you.

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the Holy Spirit–a limited time offer

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 13:10-35.   Jesus dramatically demonstrated his power to free people from Satan’s bondage when he healed the woman with a disabling spirit.  Yet the hypocrites in the synagogue refused to be set free from their bondage to tradition (10-17).

Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was there among them in his person.  He was one man – like a small grain of mustard seed or a pinch of leaven.  But his kingdom would expand and permeate wherever it touched (18-20).

However, the kingdom and the presence of the Holy Spirit who comes with it is a limited time offer – a narrow door that can easily be missed.  If people refuse this opportunity – suffering, shame and destruction in hell awaits – even if you are (like those synagogue hypocrites) physical descendants of Abraham (21-30). 

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem because they were missing their opportunity for salvation.  The next time they see him he will be coming in judgment.

LORD,  now is our time.  we repent of our sins and welcome your Holy Spirit. Use us to expand your kingdom.  May it permeate our lives.

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The Holy Spirit of disunity

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 12:49-13:9.   The Holy Spirit does not always bring peace and unity.  Because he answers to the Son, whose kingdom he is setting up in this universe, he assists in dividing families and bringing discord.  His goal is not peace at any cost.  His goal is protecting people from divine judgment and destruction.

 

  1. He would rather divide families than see all of them destroyed with the fire that Christ will cast on the earth (12:49-53).
  2. He urges people to settle with the divine judge – even if it means disharmony with others (12:57-59).
  3. He demands that people repent of perish (13:1-5).
  4. His patience is limited (13:6-9).

Is your family loyalty keeping you from joining Christ’s kingdom?

LORD, we commit ourselves to you and your kingdom – regardless of what anyone else does.

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the Holy Spirit empowers kingdom seekers

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 12:13-48.   Luke had just recorded Jesus’ warning to his followers that they would be brought before the authorities and questioned because of their faith.  He told them not to be anxious because the Holy Spirit would give them the right words to say in their defense (12:11-12). 

In today’s text, Jesus warns against getting sidetracked by covetousness.  Again, Jesus tells them not to be anxious about their needs.  The Father knows what they need.  The Holy Spirit will provide (30-31).  He empowers believers to seek the kingdom (31), to give to the needy (33), to prepare for the master’s arrival (35-40), and to take care of their fellow servants (42-43).  By staying true to our master, we ensure entrance into the kingdom, which has been promised us by the Father.  It is our treasure stored up for us in the heavens (33).

LORD, help us to keep our eyes off our stuff, and on your stuff.

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enemies of the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_Bible

Luke 11:37-12:12.  There are two kinds of religious person: friends of the Holy Spirit, and his enemies.  The Holy Spirit ministers through his friends – people who stand up for the truth about Jesus Christ – even if they are persecuted for doing so (12:11-12).

But religious people who are all about show of personal piety often find themselves on the wrong side.  Such was the case of the Pharisees and lawyers in Jesus’ day.  He warned them of coming judgment, because they had refused to enter his kingdom themselves, and “hindered those who were entering” it (11:52).  Such people are guilty of the unpardonable sin, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (12:10).

LORD, give us the wisdom and insight to know what you want to do in this world and support it.  May we be friends of the Holy Spirit within us.

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the Holy Spirit’s other gifts

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 11:1-36.  Jesus told his disciples to expect the Father to give them the Holy Spirit.  He is not reluctant, but eager to do so (5-13).  From this gift of an intimate relationship with God flows other gifts – and not just the ones we often call spiritual gifts.

  1. A daily fellowship with God where our prayers reflect his provision and how he has changed us (1-4).
  2. The authority to do spiritual warfare (14-23).
  3. Consistent deliverance and obedience (24-28).
  4. Recognition of the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection (29-32).
  5. The opportunity to light the darkness of this world by proclaiming the gospel (33-36).

LORD, thank you for your Holy Spirit and all of his gifts.  Help us to unwrap them and use them.

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how the Holy Spirit manifests

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

hsbLuke 10:25-42.  Luke puts together two stories from Jesus’ life in which the messages seem to be complete opposites.

  1. In the first story, Jesus explains to a lawyer that devotion to God is not enough.  In order to inherit eternal life, he will have to love his neighbor as well – and his neighbor is anyone who has a need.  He has a duty to them.
  2. In the second story, Jesus scolds Martha for getting herself distracted by doing so much to meet the needs of Jesus and his disciples (duty) that she did not take any time to sit at  his feet and learn of him (devotion).  Devotion comes first.

The Holy Spirit is going to manifest himself in genuine believers by duty toward neighbors in need and by devotion to God in Christ.  Devotion comes first, but duty is never absent.

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