baptism with the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 3:1-22.  John came proclaiming a baptism (in water).  Those who submitted to John’s baptism signified that they have repented from their sins.  god’s wrath is coming to destroy all sinners and he will not spare sinners who happen to be physical descendants of Abraham.  Real repentance is to be followed by changed lives:

  1. Those who have more should share with those who have nothing (10-11).
  2. Those with authority should not use it to procure wealth (12-13).
  3. Those who have power through strength should not use it to steal from others (14).

John admitted that he was not the Christ.  When Christ comes, he would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus would reveal the truly repentant by destroying the chaff with fire, and preserving the wheat. The Holy Spirit would make the change in hearts necessary for repentance promised to become holiness possessed.

LORD, we surrender to your will.  We have promised to change and signified the promise by baptism.  Change us with your indwelling Holy Spirit.

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the Holy Spirit at the Jerusalem temple

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 2:22-52.  These stories highlight how the Holy Spirit was manifesting himself at the temple in Jerusalem.  He was not in the greatness of the buildings nor the glory of the worship.  It was the humble faithfulness of an old prophet and an old widow woman.  It was the unusual devotion of a boy who is earnestly listening and talking with the teachers.

His parents seek for him throughout the city, but it was here at his “father’s house” that they should have known to look.  The Holy Spirit is present wherever the faithful wait for the Son, and the anxious who seek him will find him there.

LORD, teach us to wait in faithfulness for your salvation – your Son.  When others are seeking him, help us to direct them to your house, where we know he is.

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words from the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 1:57-80.  The message of a prophet burns in his spirit.  He cannot wait to say what God has revealed to him.  Zechariah had been made deaf and mute because he would not believe Gabriel’s message.  He was not free to speak again until he confirmed in writing the words of his wife, Elizabeth.

Filled with the Holy Spirit (67), he broke the silence with these prophecies:

  1. God will fulfill the Davidic covenant through Christ (69).
  2. God will fulfill the Abrahamic covenant through Christ (73).
  3. God will use John as his prophet to guide the Israelites out of their darkness so that they may see Christ (78-79).

LORD, forgive us for not believing your gospel enough to share it.  Break the silence in our lives.  Help us to guide our world to its Savior.

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the Holy Spirit is the answer

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 1:26-56.  Mary was amazed to find that she had been chosen of all women to give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God.  Her question was not “why me?”  because she knew that any time God works among humans it is by grace.  She was aware of her own “humble estate” (41).  Her question was “How will this be?” and Gabriel’s answer was “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” (35).

God also provided confirmation of what Mary already believed (45) by sending Elizabeth. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and told Mary that she was “blessed among women” (42).

LORD, if ever we are inclined to doubt how things are going to work out for us – remind us of Mary and Elizabeth.  remind us that the Holy Spirit is the answer.

Posted in confidence, courage, dependence upon God, grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, trust | Tagged | 2 Comments

return of the Holy Spirit

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_BibleLuke 1:1-25.  The ESV Study Bible comments on this text: “most Jews believed that for more than 400 years the Holy Spirit had not been active in Israel.”  Notice the circumstances that connected to bring about revival and the move of the Holy Spirit:

  1. Herod, the counterfeit king had a date to meet his authentic counterpart (5).
  2. God’s people were praying (10,13).
  3. There was a man whose life would be devoted to the LORD from his mother’s womb (13-15).
  4. He had a ministry to reform the hearts of his people – so that they would be ready for their Messiah (16-17).

LORD,  we long for your Holy Spirit to return to our generation – so that we might introduce this world to its Savior.

[Note: This is our second reading of the book of Luke this year.  This time we will be concentrating on what Luke has to say about the Holy Spirit. The study will conclude on October 3rd].

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a sure promise

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

clock12 Peter 3.  Peter’s “last lecture”  to his readers affirms the sure promise of Christ’s second coming in the face of future heretical doubts.

  1. To those who say that nothing ever changes, Peter reminds them that there was a creation day, a Noah’s flood day, and there will most certainly be a destruction by fire day (1-7).
  2. To those disappointed that Christ has not come yet, Peter reminds them that his timetable is different than theirs (8-13).
  3. To those inclined to argue theology, Peter admits that some Scriptures are hard to understand, and made harder by the ignorant and unstable who twist them,  but the second coming is plain and relevant biblical teaching (14-18).

LORD, thank you for the sure promise of your return. May we hasten the coming of your day by growing in grace and knowledge so that when you come we will be found by you without spot or blemish and at peace.

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a sure destruction

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

muddy pig2 Peter 2.  Having recommended the sure word of Scripture to enlighten his readers in the dark age until Christ returns, Peter speaks of the false prophets who will keep seeking to lead people away from Christ.  They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them.  Peter warns his readers not to follow them.  They are on the path to sure destruction.

  1. Just like the fallen angels who deceived the world during Noah’s time, and are now chained in Tartarus, awaiting judgment and destruction (4).
  2. Just like the world who rejected Noah’s gospel – so saw destruction in the flood (5).
  3. Just like the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (6-10).
  4. Just like dogs returning to their vomit, or sows returning to wallow in the mire (22).

LORD, protect us from the words of those whose Christian profession is not genuine.  They are heading for annihilation, and we do not want to join them.

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a sure word

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

open_bible2 Peter 1:12-21.  Peter had no doubt that the scriptures would be fulfilled – that he would see Christ come in his glory someday.  He had, in fact, seen a supernatural preview of that coming attraction when he personally observed the transfiguration of Christ (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).  If his readers had not yet come to their own spiritual “aha moment,”  Peter encourages them to trust in the more sure prophetic word.  It can serve as a lamp shining in their lives to keep them from stumbling – until the day (of Christ’s return) dawns.  Then their hearts will know no confusion.

Trust the scriptures.  They are the work of the Holy Spirit, not men.  He will see to it that they are fulfilled.

LORD, we have not seen you on the mountain, but we choose to trust your word.  What you say, you will do.

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a sure calling and election

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC133332 Peter 1:1-11.  Peter affirms what the whole Bible attests to: that God calls believers to eternal life through the gospel, and chooses (elects) them for all eternity.  From God’s standpoint, all believers have already obtained faith that saves, procured by the righteous sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (1).

But Peter is writing to churches that are in danger of falling away from their profession (10).  There are false teachers in those churches who seek to entice people away from Christ.  So Peter encourages believers in God’s grace to take advantage of all that grace has to offer.  If they want to make their calling and election sure – they will cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who is supplementing their faith with qualities that reflect the divine nature (4).  Ever-increasing holiness makes the Christian life stable, effective and fruitful (8.).

LORD, we have accepted your grace for our justification.  May we keep accepting it for our sanctification.

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living witnesses

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

aring1 Peter 5.  The ESV translates Peter as if he is drawing attention to the fact that he personally observed the suffering of Jesus – and he did.  But the Greek has no indefinite article, so Peter probably was not drawing attention to one characteristic that only he had. He was saying in 5:1 that he shared three things with the elders to whom he was writing:

  1. He was also called to be an elder,
  2. He was also a witness (testifier) of the sufferings of Christ,
  3. He was also a partaker in the future glory.

Peter was continuing to exhort believers to persevere through suffering in humility and integrity.  The fact that all Christians will suffer at the devil’s hands is made clear in 5:6-11, where Peter encourages Christians to cast their anxieties on God, resist the devil, and God will restore them to eternal glory.  The pattern is the same as Christ’s life: called, suffered, glorified.  We are all witnesses of this.

LORD,  as we suffer,  help us to witness to your sufferings by casting our cares on you, and resisting the devil until we too are glorified at your coming.

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