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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the Holy Spirit and real disciples

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 9:51-10:24.  In this series of stories, Jesus and his disciples begin their journey toward Jerusalem.  Along the way, readers learn how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of real disciples.

  1. Real disciples are not surprised when their master is rejected.  They just try sharing his gospel elsewhere (9:51-56; 10:10-12).
  2. Real disciples put Jesus first, before personal desires and obligations (9:57-62).
  3. Real disciples surrender completely to the Father’s will – to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ [the number 72 suggested the nations of the world – Genesis 10] (10:1-12).
  4. Real disciples represent Christ, and rejoice over their relationship with him, not what they do for him (10:17-24).

LORD, teach us to be real disciples.  We want to answer your call to share the gospel where you send us, and to leave the results to your Holy Spirit.

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the Holy Spirit and the real Jesus

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 9:1-50.  The disciples had been sent out on a short-term missions trip, preparing them for obeying the great commission later.  Meanwhile, everyone is perplexed – like Herod – because it was hard to nail down who Jesus really was.

  1. Was he a resurrected prophet of old (8,19)?
  2. Was he the Christ, the chosen Son of God (20,35)?
  3. Was he the Son of Man who will come in the glory of his Father’s holiness (26,29)?
  4. Was he the Son of Man who was presently demonstrating God’s majesty by performing miracles (10-17; 37-43)?
  5. Was he the Son of Man who was about to be delivered into the hands of men for torture and death (22,44)?

All this time the Holy Spirit was revealing to the disciples aspects of Jesus’ true identity and mission.  The disciples did not have a complete Christology, but that did not stop them from following their master.

LORD, lead us to a more complete understanding of who you are – but until we get there, help us to put our faith in the you we know.

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fear of the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_Bible

Luke 8:22-56.  Each of these stories demonstrates the power and authority of Christ and proves that he is God’s Son. But each also reflects a very human reaction that we often have when the miraculous power of God’s Holy Spirit confronts us.

  1. After Jesus calmed the windstorm, the disciples were afraid (25).
  2. After he healed the demoniac, the Gerasenes asked him to depart their region (37).
  3. After being healed from her discharge of blood, the “fringe” woman hid in fear (44,47).
  4. Jesus told Jairus not to fear  after he discovered that his daughter was already dead. He promised that the girl would be resurrected (50).

The power of the Holy Spirit is real, and the miracles he did in the days of Jesus, Peter and Paul – he does now.  But fear of his work can significantly curtail it.  People of faith need not be people of fear.

LORD, forgive us for limiting the work of your Holy Spirit by fearing his power. We invite the WHOLE HOLY SPIRIT into our midst.

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the Holy Spirit–exposed

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 8:4-21.  How can we know that the Holy Spirit is actually at work in our lives, and that we are not simply deluding ourselves by religious talk and good wishes?  Jesus taught that a true Christian is not going to hide the light of the gospel she hears.  It will not remain secret, but will “come to light” (17).

When Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, Jesus told his followers that the ones who hear the word of God and do it are his spiritual mother and brothers (21).  These are the ones who “hold fast” the word “in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (15).  Persevering in obedience to the commands of Christ expose the Holy Spirit for the world to see him.

LORD, may we patiently portray your Holy Spirit at work in our lives by obeying your word.

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The Holy Spirit loves much

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

HolySpirit_Bible

Luke 7:36-8:3.  Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus into his house.  He respected Jesus as a teacher, and was curious to know what he had to say.  He had problems with the people that Jesus hung around with.  He probably tolerated those smelly Galilean fishermen, but he just could not stand those women.  They followed Jesus around, taking care of his needs and those of his apostles.  Simon probably thought if those women were spiritual, they would be home taking care of their husbands.

Jesus’ parable here told Simon that the Holy Spirit is going to work in all kinds.  But the hardest to enter the kingdom will be people like Simon – who think they are better than others.  The test of true discipleship is how much does the person love Jesus.

LORD, show us how costly our salvation is – make us extravagant lovers of Jesus.

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the Holy Spirit and this generation’s tune

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 7:1-35.  Jesus compared the people of his generation to children who refused to play with the others because no one would play the games that they wanted.  When they played the flute, nobody danced.  When they sang a dirge, nobody wept.  The problem was that the Holy Spirit was at work in people like John the Baptist, but since he would not dance to their flute, they rejected him (and God’s purpose for their lives) (30).

The Holy Spirit was at work in Jesus’ ministry, but many were content to keep the funeral going, even after Jesus raised the dead to life (15).  We Americans have a saying: “Get with the program!”

LORD, may our generation stop insisting that the Holy Spirit get in line with our program, and may we start following his.

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The Holy Spirit and tomorrow’s kingdom

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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Luke 6:17-49.  By this time, a “great crowd” of disciples had joined the usual multitude seeking healing and deliverance.  They recognized their need for Jesus, so came to him as poor, hungry and weeping (20-21).  Jesus taught them that their condition of dependence was not a mistake.  God has a kingdom that they can enter now.  Entering that kingdom now will mean “great reward” when he returns from heaven to set up that kingdom on earth (23, 35).

But preparing for tomorrow’s kingdom means a dramatic redirection of their lives.  Being Christ’s disciple means loving your enemies (27-36).  It means allowing the Holy Spirit to judge you, and change you instead of trying to change others (37-45).  It means building your house on the solid ground of Jesus’ words, so that tomorrow’s flood does not destroy it (46-49).

LORD, teach us to live in tomorrow’s kingdom today.  Change us so that we might reflect your love and integrity.

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