Most of us have failed to obey the Holy Spirit's leading, because we've never been trained to hear His voice. The Lord is always endeavoring to lead us, but we have been led by the five senses for so long that we haven't listened very much to the Spirit of God.
Many have decided that only a very few persons can actually hear or know His voice. Hearing and following His leading requires training our spirit to listen beyond our five senses. Jesus told us that, "God is a Spirit." Genesis 1:26 says we were "Created in His Image and Likeness" and that we are truly "spirit beings." We were born with a flesh and blood body to live in, just like Jesus was. This body is to have contact with the natural earth and with nature, but we were always meant to be led and raised by the Spirit.
Since we are now (and were from the beginning), a spirit in His Image, our spirit is the way His Presence must be reached and understood. We can only come to a mental ascent to His presence, without contacting God by our spirit. God's Word is also Spirit, according to John 6:63 (Amplified) where Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no proof in it) The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
His Words (the entire Bible) are Spirit. God speaks to us by His Spirit and His Word. If only we would allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Word into our spirit, instead of trying to understand it with our carnal minds. The only way to understand its truth is by our spirit, because His Word is Spirit and Truth.
The Holy Spirit is the Only One Who can reveal the depth of the Father's heart and intent. 1Corinthians 2:13-14 (Amplified) tells us, "And we are setting these truths forth in Words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language (to those who possess the Holy Spirit)." Verse 14 goes on, "But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and revelations and teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated."
If someone tried telling you that you can simply lay hands on the sick and they would be healed, then your carnal mind would dismiss it as foolishness. Anything that has to do with the supernatural things of God in this natural world, seems to be foolishness to the natural man.
There has been a division within the Body of Christ over these spiritual truths. Some seek to believe, but fail, because we won't accept by our spirit. Some truly believe that God can do anything, but they cannot believe that He will. All have received the truth from the Holy Spirit, as far as they will Him to take them. When we stop receiving in our spirit, we stop in our quest of understanding our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said that, "I and the Father are One" and then He prayed in John 17:21 (Amplified) saying, "They (those who will believe in Him by the words of the disciples) all may be one (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be One in us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me."
The Oneness that Jesus and the Father had (even while Jesus was a Man in the flesh), is the same Oneness He prayed for us to have. If there was ever a Person Who had His prayers answered, then it would be Jesus. You know that God has answered Jesus' prayer for us to be one with Him and our Father. The same potential to hear the Voice of the Spirit that Jesus had, is ours too.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Lesson 89 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We've discussed prior to this, how the Holy Spirit's main ministry is revealing Jesus as our Savior to the world and revealing God as our Father to the Church. He reveals Jesus to the world as the sin bearer and the only way to salvation. And, He reveals the Father and His new covenant to God's "new creation" family.
The Church still views God as the Old Testament God, without the Holy Spirit's revealing Him as Father. We seem to return to the Law instead of grace and we try pleasing God by our works. This part of the Holy Spirit's ministry has probably been the most difficult part of His job.
It's difficult for us to view God as Father, even though we refer to Him as Father. We seem to understand more about Him as our Father, but less about us as being His family. We carry around the Image of the way He dealt with man in the old covenant, more than the Image of how He deals with His family in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit has worked for more than two-thousand years, trying to teach man that Jesus is the Only Way to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we witness Jesus' attitude towards the people, we see the Father's attitude towards mankind. Jesus never used sickness to chasten or teach the masses, but He always healed them from what sin and satan had done to them. We, however, have come to believe that the opposite is our Father's way of teaching His children.
Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us that Jesus is our Image and example of how we are to see the Father. Thus, it says, "He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine), and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt. He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on High."
These verses should be enough for any believer to God as Father and as the One Who shows grace and mercy and not judgment on His family. The very same way Jesus taught the masses, is the exact way the Father teaches us today. Sickness and disease were the enemies to covenant people and they still are today, because sickness, sin, disease and death are under the curse of the Law. Some people think that the Law means the Ten Commandments, but they're not the same thing. The Law allowed God to deal with His people by grace. As long as the people obeyed the Law, they could be protected from the consequences of the Curse. Without the Law, the old covenant people would have to bear the results of what Adam brought upon all mankind.
The curse wasn't God's idea, but was the result of Adam's disobedience. God's idea or plan for man was blessing. The Law we've been redeemed from can be found in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." Verse 2 goes on, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and death." This is the Law that Jesus has freed us from. The Ten Commandments are not a law to the New Testament people, but the "walking after the Spirit of Liberty," because violating the Ten Commandments puts believers in a place of bondage.
We follow after righteousness by the Holy Spirit's leading and not the Law of Moses. The people under the Law of Moses couldn't walk under the Spirit's leading because they weren't born again. They could only obey the Laws that would keep the flesh under control, but they couldn't overcome it. We have overcome the flesh by our new covenant with Jesus.
We read about Paul's struggle with his flesh, by observing the Law of Moses in Romans 7:24-25. It was his understanding our new covenant that set Paul free from the condemnation of guilt from his past transgressions. Thus, Paul says, "O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? O thank God! (He will!) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of god, but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul spoke about the Law of God in reference to the "Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus" in Romans 8:1-2. The Law of the flesh Paul spoke about was the Law of sin and death.
We're still engaged in this same "warfare" in our bodies today. None of us are so pure in ourselves that we are free from wrong thoughts or deeds. What Paul was simply saying was summed up in Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) which says, "[Jesus] had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt."
Paul was determined to walk in and by the Holy Spirit. If we spend all of our time walking in guilt or the condemnation from our failures, then we will never rise to the place of being successful in god's victory over our flesh. We could spend our lives in guilt or shame from our past. Or, we can live our lives in the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus.
Until we reach the fullness of our salvation and the redemption of our body, we will continue walking in the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus. By not doing this, we remain under the Law of sin and death and will never be allowed to "feel" like we can walk in holiness and purity needed to operate in God's family.
We alibi our sense of guilty by saying, "God is doing this to teach me," but truthfully, we walk in it because we won't believe Jesus has "released and delivered us from the shackles of this body of death," like Romans 7:24-5 says. Paul became so convinced of this truth, that he later wrote 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point) and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross question me, I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Here stands a man who has trained his senses to walk to much in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, that the Law of sin and death no longer can hold Paul down with guilt and shame in the flesh.
The Church still views God as the Old Testament God, without the Holy Spirit's revealing Him as Father. We seem to return to the Law instead of grace and we try pleasing God by our works. This part of the Holy Spirit's ministry has probably been the most difficult part of His job.
It's difficult for us to view God as Father, even though we refer to Him as Father. We seem to understand more about Him as our Father, but less about us as being His family. We carry around the Image of the way He dealt with man in the old covenant, more than the Image of how He deals with His family in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit has worked for more than two-thousand years, trying to teach man that Jesus is the Only Way to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father. When we witness Jesus' attitude towards the people, we see the Father's attitude towards mankind. Jesus never used sickness to chasten or teach the masses, but He always healed them from what sin and satan had done to them. We, however, have come to believe that the opposite is our Father's way of teaching His children.
Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us that Jesus is our Image and example of how we are to see the Father. Thus, it says, "He (Jesus) is the sole expression of the glory of God (the Light-Being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine), and He is the perfect imprint and very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt. He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on High."
These verses should be enough for any believer to God as Father and as the One Who shows grace and mercy and not judgment on His family. The very same way Jesus taught the masses, is the exact way the Father teaches us today. Sickness and disease were the enemies to covenant people and they still are today, because sickness, sin, disease and death are under the curse of the Law. Some people think that the Law means the Ten Commandments, but they're not the same thing. The Law allowed God to deal with His people by grace. As long as the people obeyed the Law, they could be protected from the consequences of the Curse. Without the Law, the old covenant people would have to bear the results of what Adam brought upon all mankind.
The curse wasn't God's idea, but was the result of Adam's disobedience. God's idea or plan for man was blessing. The Law we've been redeemed from can be found in Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." Verse 2 goes on, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and death." This is the Law that Jesus has freed us from. The Ten Commandments are not a law to the New Testament people, but the "walking after the Spirit of Liberty," because violating the Ten Commandments puts believers in a place of bondage.
We follow after righteousness by the Holy Spirit's leading and not the Law of Moses. The people under the Law of Moses couldn't walk under the Spirit's leading because they weren't born again. They could only obey the Laws that would keep the flesh under control, but they couldn't overcome it. We have overcome the flesh by our new covenant with Jesus.
We read about Paul's struggle with his flesh, by observing the Law of Moses in Romans 7:24-25. It was his understanding our new covenant that set Paul free from the condemnation of guilt from his past transgressions. Thus, Paul says, "O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? O thank God! (He will!) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of god, but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul spoke about the Law of God in reference to the "Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus" in Romans 8:1-2. The Law of the flesh Paul spoke about was the Law of sin and death.
We're still engaged in this same "warfare" in our bodies today. None of us are so pure in ourselves that we are free from wrong thoughts or deeds. What Paul was simply saying was summed up in Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) which says, "[Jesus] had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt."
Paul was determined to walk in and by the Holy Spirit. If we spend all of our time walking in guilt or the condemnation from our failures, then we will never rise to the place of being successful in god's victory over our flesh. We could spend our lives in guilt or shame from our past. Or, we can live our lives in the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus.
Until we reach the fullness of our salvation and the redemption of our body, we will continue walking in the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus. By not doing this, we remain under the Law of sin and death and will never be allowed to "feel" like we can walk in holiness and purity needed to operate in God's family.
We alibi our sense of guilty by saying, "God is doing this to teach me," but truthfully, we walk in it because we won't believe Jesus has "released and delivered us from the shackles of this body of death," like Romans 7:24-5 says. Paul became so convinced of this truth, that he later wrote 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point) and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross question me, I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Here stands a man who has trained his senses to walk to much in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, that the Law of sin and death no longer can hold Paul down with guilt and shame in the flesh.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Lesson 88 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The revelation of God as our Father was lost at Adam's fall in the Garden. From the time of Adam until Jesus, no one could or would dare address God in such a familiar way. Only the last Adam, Jesus, had the relationship or revelation of God as Father. When Jesus spoke about God as Father, it angered the religious people who were present. The deemed it "blasphemous" to do so.
The Holy Spirit is here today in order to reveal this awesome God again as "Father." He is having trouble once again, with the religious people, who refuse to accept this revelation. Although we address Him as our Father, we continue to pull back from Him as exactly that, Father. We remain suspicious as to His intentions and motives and will for us as His children. It still seems we are reluctant to trust God as One Who loves us unconditionally.
Those of us in God's family, have a difficult time truly understanding His will for us. It is only the Holy Spirit Who can wholly reveal Him in the fullness of His love for us. Religion constantly pushes us further away from this marvelous truth. We call God "Father," but we approach Him like He won't be our Father until we get to heaven. We just cannot seem to grasp the Holy Spirit's revelation of God in all His love and wholeness to us. We address Him as Father, but still approach Him in unbelief.
This unbelief is that we're never sure whether or not God will hear us or answer our prayers. How many times have we heard or said, "I don't think God talks to me" or "God never answers my prayers?" We're a double-minded family who never seems to know what such a perfect Father, as our God is, will do.
The Holy Spirit's work and ministry is to bring God's family into a complete and whole family. Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit has revealed the very person and purpose of our Heavenly Father. We read many times in the Word, where Jesus says, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, the Father and I are One." We see Jesus as One Who walks in love and forgiveness. We see Him as One Who heals without discrimination and One Who walks in compassion. He is One Who always meets the needs of the people and never turns anyone away. Yet, we have a difficult time seeing our father in the same light. We read about Jesus' walk and how He does God's will, but fail to understand whether some things are God's will.
It is certainly true that if Jesus came to reveal God as Father and He came to do the Father's will, then the things we see Jesus do, must be God's will for us too. We act like healing is not God's will today, but one of the principle parts of Jesus' ministry was to heal the sick. How could Jesus do these things and then it no longer be God's will? Jesus Himself said that it was, "The Father in Me, that does the work."
Our problem hasn't been that we cannot get the Father to act, but we don't trust Him to do what He's wanted to do all along. When we fail to understand what God's will is, it's hard to walk in faith with His will. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal God's will and God's heart. If Jesus Christ is "The same, yesterday, today and forever," like Hebrews 13:8 says, then God is still doing exactly the same now as He was doing then.
Our religious teachings make us feel sinful and unclean in God's eyes, so that God will not hear nor move on our behalf. We still think we must do something to have God's approval or His ear. What the Holy Spirit has come to do, is remove this old spirit of guilt and condemnation from us and help us to simply believe (even though our flesh cringes at it) that God has already perfectly cleansed and purified us by the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Jesus was asked in John 6:28-29 (Amplified), "What are we to do, that we may (habitually) be working the works of God? (What are we to do to carry out what God requires)?" Verse 29 says, "Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; That you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on and have faith in His Messenger) to do, and have God do, what we really want and desire Him to do, all that is required of us, is to trust Him."
The Holy Spirit has been working in the world to bring everyone salvation. And, He's been working to bring God's family into fellowship with Him. The most simple understanding of God's will is to "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." Jesus, Himself said this about God's will in John 6:38 (Amplified) saying, "For I have come down from heaven not to do My Own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me."
This, by the Holy Spirit, should once and forever, seal the question of what God's will for us today. Why would God's will change from the unsaved to the saved? Why would it be His will to heal, feed, comfort and deliver those who weren't yet in His family and then not His will for us, His Own children?
We struggle with the weakness of our flesh, instead of glorying in the strength of the Spirit. We identify more with the first and fallen Adam, than with the Last and Victorious Adam, Jesus. We still cannot do anything of ourselves, but we can "Do all things through Christ Who strengthens us." All we're required to do is "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." We keep hearing "You can't heal anyone" instead of remembering that it's not us who are required to heal, but the Father in us, Who does the work.
We have a Father Who loves us so much, that He took our place and bore our entire punishment so we can come into His presence "pure and holy" by His Own Blood. We should never be afraid or embarrassed before Him. He doesn't look on our outward appearance, but looks upon our heart or spirit. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards or value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh) Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Again, we read in John 6:29 (Amplified) that, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on, and have faith in) His Messenger."
The Holy Spirit is here today in order to reveal this awesome God again as "Father." He is having trouble once again, with the religious people, who refuse to accept this revelation. Although we address Him as our Father, we continue to pull back from Him as exactly that, Father. We remain suspicious as to His intentions and motives and will for us as His children. It still seems we are reluctant to trust God as One Who loves us unconditionally.
Those of us in God's family, have a difficult time truly understanding His will for us. It is only the Holy Spirit Who can wholly reveal Him in the fullness of His love for us. Religion constantly pushes us further away from this marvelous truth. We call God "Father," but we approach Him like He won't be our Father until we get to heaven. We just cannot seem to grasp the Holy Spirit's revelation of God in all His love and wholeness to us. We address Him as Father, but still approach Him in unbelief.
This unbelief is that we're never sure whether or not God will hear us or answer our prayers. How many times have we heard or said, "I don't think God talks to me" or "God never answers my prayers?" We're a double-minded family who never seems to know what such a perfect Father, as our God is, will do.
The Holy Spirit's work and ministry is to bring God's family into a complete and whole family. Through Jesus, the Holy Spirit has revealed the very person and purpose of our Heavenly Father. We read many times in the Word, where Jesus says, "When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, the Father and I are One." We see Jesus as One Who walks in love and forgiveness. We see Him as One Who heals without discrimination and One Who walks in compassion. He is One Who always meets the needs of the people and never turns anyone away. Yet, we have a difficult time seeing our father in the same light. We read about Jesus' walk and how He does God's will, but fail to understand whether some things are God's will.
It is certainly true that if Jesus came to reveal God as Father and He came to do the Father's will, then the things we see Jesus do, must be God's will for us too. We act like healing is not God's will today, but one of the principle parts of Jesus' ministry was to heal the sick. How could Jesus do these things and then it no longer be God's will? Jesus Himself said that it was, "The Father in Me, that does the work."
Our problem hasn't been that we cannot get the Father to act, but we don't trust Him to do what He's wanted to do all along. When we fail to understand what God's will is, it's hard to walk in faith with His will. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal God's will and God's heart. If Jesus Christ is "The same, yesterday, today and forever," like Hebrews 13:8 says, then God is still doing exactly the same now as He was doing then.
Our religious teachings make us feel sinful and unclean in God's eyes, so that God will not hear nor move on our behalf. We still think we must do something to have God's approval or His ear. What the Holy Spirit has come to do, is remove this old spirit of guilt and condemnation from us and help us to simply believe (even though our flesh cringes at it) that God has already perfectly cleansed and purified us by the Sacrifice of Jesus.
Jesus was asked in John 6:28-29 (Amplified), "What are we to do, that we may (habitually) be working the works of God? (What are we to do to carry out what God requires)?" Verse 29 says, "Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; That you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on and have faith in His Messenger) to do, and have God do, what we really want and desire Him to do, all that is required of us, is to trust Him."
The Holy Spirit has been working in the world to bring everyone salvation. And, He's been working to bring God's family into fellowship with Him. The most simple understanding of God's will is to "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." Jesus, Himself said this about God's will in John 6:38 (Amplified) saying, "For I have come down from heaven not to do My Own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me."
This, by the Holy Spirit, should once and forever, seal the question of what God's will for us today. Why would God's will change from the unsaved to the saved? Why would it be His will to heal, feed, comfort and deliver those who weren't yet in His family and then not His will for us, His Own children?
We struggle with the weakness of our flesh, instead of glorying in the strength of the Spirit. We identify more with the first and fallen Adam, than with the Last and Victorious Adam, Jesus. We still cannot do anything of ourselves, but we can "Do all things through Christ Who strengthens us." All we're required to do is "Believe on the One Whom God has sent (Jesus)." We keep hearing "You can't heal anyone" instead of remembering that it's not us who are required to heal, but the Father in us, Who does the work.
We have a Father Who loves us so much, that He took our place and bore our entire punishment so we can come into His presence "pure and holy" by His Own Blood. We should never be afraid or embarrassed before Him. He doesn't look on our outward appearance, but looks upon our heart or spirit. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards or value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh) Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Again, we read in John 6:29 (Amplified) that, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust in, rely on, and have faith in) His Messenger."
Monday, October 26, 2015
Lesson 87 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The foremost work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the heart of the Father, through the revealing of Jesus to the world. Many still struggle with the knowledge of God as a loving Father. We fumble with distinguishing between the Old Testament God and the the new covenant Father. For many believers, this has been one of the greatest weapons the enemy has used to hold back the power of the resurrection in their lives.
Jesus said in John 14:7 (Amplified), "If you had known Me (had learned to recognize Me), You would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him and have seen Him." The only way to ever know the Father is to know and understand Jesus, but many have only viewed Him from the four gospels. In these four books (the Synopsis), we still see Jesus as an Old Testament prophet Who functions under the Law of Moses, speaking to the unsaved, unborn-again people. They didn't have the new covenant or the revelation of the new birth or the Holy Spirit yet. They only knew God as One Who would bless them by keeping the Law and if they failed to comply with the Law, then the curse would come upon them and they could even die.
Many of those under the Law, didn't understand that the Law wasn't intended to punish wrong doing, but to protect them from the power of the curse that could destroy them. Many of today's Christians look at this same thing as though God was punishing them for their disobedience. The truth is, that by keeping the Law and the commandments, the curse could not come upon them. If they violated the Law, then the curse, which was already here through Adam, would be able to operate in their lives. It wasn't something that God does to punish the, but what Adam did in the Garden. The Law was to be their protection from the curse.
It was never God's plan to punish mankind for Adam's transgression, but to place a covenant of safety from the curse that came at his fall. If God hadn't made a Blood covenant for mankind, then all would have had to live in the curse from that point on. God activated the blood to cover the curse, according to Romans 3:23 (Amplified) which says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives."
By the shedding of blood, God could demonstrate that death (the wages of sin) have been met and was legally paid, at least on a temporary basis. Because He is a Just God and Judge, God must act justly on behalf of His creation. Now, through the blood of bulls and goats, He could legally make restitution for mans sin, by death their behalf. Every time the blood was displayed, satan had to accept the fact that his wages (death) had been met. Now God could once more begin to bring the blessing that was on Adam back into focus for all His people. As long as they would walk under the umbrella of covenant blood, the curse couldn't come upon them.
It wasn't God's punishment on the people that brought about misery, but it was their own disobedience that put them outside the blood of the covenant. We've blamed God accusing Him of saying, "I am going to get you," when in reality God has said, "If you do this, then no one can get you." It was God's only way of keeping man safe until He could get Jesus into the earth. God had always intended for His family to be blessed from the beginning.
Deuteronomy 30:14-19 (Amplified) says, "But the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind, and in your heart, so that you can do it. See, I have set before you this day life and good, a death and evil. (If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which) I command you today, To love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land into which you go to possess. But, if your (mind and) heart turn away and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish, and you shall not live long in the land which you pass over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness this day again you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live."
Notice how God didn't say He would place a curse on them, but that they had a choice. If they would accept and walk under His covenant, then it would protect, bless and bring long life. But, if they chose not to accept His covenant, then the only thing left to them was the curse that was already here. We have this exact same choice today. Did part of the above scripture sound familiar? It's the same as Romans 10:8-9 (Amplified) which says, "The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach." Verse 9 says, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
God has once again presented us with the choice to "choose life and blessing, or death and cursing." The choice is ours. John writes in John 3:16-17 (Amplified), "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His Only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal life." Verse 17 goes on, "For God did not sent the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him."
If we choose to walk in death and cursing, then that is our choice and God will respect that choice. If you choose to receive and believe in Jesus, then you can still have blessing and be made safe and sound, by and through Him. The choice is ours. The curse is still here, but God has given us a way out of it. If we don't choose the blessing, then we cannot say, "God put this on me to teach me something," because that would mean that Jesus' sacrifice was a "Band-aid" put on the sin problem and the curse is now stronger than Jesus' Blood.
Settle it in your heart that when the Holy Spirit reveals the Father through Jesus, that when you see Jesus you see the Father. There is no curse, no death, no sickness, no rejection, no condemnation, no judgment, no sentencing, there is only salvation and soundness by His Blood and the restoration of our Father's blessing on our lives, through Him. As the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus, we must keep in our hearts and minds that this is our Father and He isn't the old covenant God, but the new covenant Father. We're no longer servants, but sons. We're no longer under the protection of the Law and sacrifice of animals, but by His grace and the protection of the Blood of the Sacrifice of the Almighty God Himself on our behalf.
Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and deliver you from the bondage that the worldly idea of God has placed before you. Choose life and blessing in Christ Jesus.
Jesus said in John 14:7 (Amplified), "If you had known Me (had learned to recognize Me), You would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him and have seen Him." The only way to ever know the Father is to know and understand Jesus, but many have only viewed Him from the four gospels. In these four books (the Synopsis), we still see Jesus as an Old Testament prophet Who functions under the Law of Moses, speaking to the unsaved, unborn-again people. They didn't have the new covenant or the revelation of the new birth or the Holy Spirit yet. They only knew God as One Who would bless them by keeping the Law and if they failed to comply with the Law, then the curse would come upon them and they could even die.
Many of those under the Law, didn't understand that the Law wasn't intended to punish wrong doing, but to protect them from the power of the curse that could destroy them. Many of today's Christians look at this same thing as though God was punishing them for their disobedience. The truth is, that by keeping the Law and the commandments, the curse could not come upon them. If they violated the Law, then the curse, which was already here through Adam, would be able to operate in their lives. It wasn't something that God does to punish the, but what Adam did in the Garden. The Law was to be their protection from the curse.
It was never God's plan to punish mankind for Adam's transgression, but to place a covenant of safety from the curse that came at his fall. If God hadn't made a Blood covenant for mankind, then all would have had to live in the curse from that point on. God activated the blood to cover the curse, according to Romans 3:23 (Amplified) which says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives."
By the shedding of blood, God could demonstrate that death (the wages of sin) have been met and was legally paid, at least on a temporary basis. Because He is a Just God and Judge, God must act justly on behalf of His creation. Now, through the blood of bulls and goats, He could legally make restitution for mans sin, by death their behalf. Every time the blood was displayed, satan had to accept the fact that his wages (death) had been met. Now God could once more begin to bring the blessing that was on Adam back into focus for all His people. As long as they would walk under the umbrella of covenant blood, the curse couldn't come upon them.
It wasn't God's punishment on the people that brought about misery, but it was their own disobedience that put them outside the blood of the covenant. We've blamed God accusing Him of saying, "I am going to get you," when in reality God has said, "If you do this, then no one can get you." It was God's only way of keeping man safe until He could get Jesus into the earth. God had always intended for His family to be blessed from the beginning.
Deuteronomy 30:14-19 (Amplified) says, "But the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind, and in your heart, so that you can do it. See, I have set before you this day life and good, a death and evil. (If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which) I command you today, To love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land into which you go to possess. But, if your (mind and) heart turn away and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish, and you shall not live long in the land which you pass over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness this day again you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live."
Notice how God didn't say He would place a curse on them, but that they had a choice. If they would accept and walk under His covenant, then it would protect, bless and bring long life. But, if they chose not to accept His covenant, then the only thing left to them was the curse that was already here. We have this exact same choice today. Did part of the above scripture sound familiar? It's the same as Romans 10:8-9 (Amplified) which says, "The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach." Verse 9 says, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
God has once again presented us with the choice to "choose life and blessing, or death and cursing." The choice is ours. John writes in John 3:16-17 (Amplified), "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His Only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal life." Verse 17 goes on, "For God did not sent the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him."
If we choose to walk in death and cursing, then that is our choice and God will respect that choice. If you choose to receive and believe in Jesus, then you can still have blessing and be made safe and sound, by and through Him. The choice is ours. The curse is still here, but God has given us a way out of it. If we don't choose the blessing, then we cannot say, "God put this on me to teach me something," because that would mean that Jesus' sacrifice was a "Band-aid" put on the sin problem and the curse is now stronger than Jesus' Blood.
Settle it in your heart that when the Holy Spirit reveals the Father through Jesus, that when you see Jesus you see the Father. There is no curse, no death, no sickness, no rejection, no condemnation, no judgment, no sentencing, there is only salvation and soundness by His Blood and the restoration of our Father's blessing on our lives, through Him. As the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus, we must keep in our hearts and minds that this is our Father and He isn't the old covenant God, but the new covenant Father. We're no longer servants, but sons. We're no longer under the protection of the Law and sacrifice of animals, but by His grace and the protection of the Blood of the Sacrifice of the Almighty God Himself on our behalf.
Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and deliver you from the bondage that the worldly idea of God has placed before you. Choose life and blessing in Christ Jesus.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Lesson 86 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:21-22 (Amplified) says, "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus had also been baptized, and (while He was still) praying; the (visible) heavens were opened And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, You are My Son, My Beloved! In You I am well pleased and find delight."
Luke 4:1 (Amplified) says, "Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in (by) the Holy Spirit."
Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19 (Amplified) that, "The Spirit of the Lord (is) upon Me, because He has anointed Me (the Anointed One, the Messiah) to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed (who are down trodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity) to proclaim the acceptable and accepted year of the Lord (the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound)."
These scriptures illustrate how the full ministry of Jesus didn't come into full power until the ministry of the Holy Spirit came upon Him in power. From that point on, His ministry was actually the very work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The very "indwelling" of God Himself in Spirit form, was working and ministering through Him. Jesus said in John 14:10 (Amplified), "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What am I telling you I do not say on My Own authority and of My Own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His Own miracles, deeds of power)."
We know that the Holy Spirit is God, or the Father Himself. The works and ministry of the Holy Spirit is the Father Himself actually living out His life among mankind, through us, just like He did through Jesus. We've never been cognizant of the full truth and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.
Jesus said on more than one occasion, that "It is not Me, but the Father in Me that does the works. The same Holy Spirit working in our lives is the Holy Spirit Who worked in Jesus' life. The only difference is that Jesus yielded Himself over to the Spirit and allowed the Spirit full access in His life.
We've heard Christians say, "Yes, but that was Jesus and I am not Jesus." But, Jesus kept saying, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me." When we learn to yield to the Holy Spirit, then we can also say, "It's not me, but the Father in me that's doing the works." Jesus was dependent upon the same thing in His life that we are, the Holy Spirit.
Somehow, we've portrayed the Holy Spirit as being more dependent on us, than we are on Him. Everyone should know that it's not you healing the sick or raising the dead. God never intended for us to do that. He intended to do it Himself, through us. It was to be Him in us doing the miracles. We've become so self-centered that we thought we had to do it.
The work and ministry of the Holy Spirit hasn't changed since He came into this earth at Pentecost. We've been the only hindrance to revealing the Father to the world. God has been ready ever since He made His entrance in the Upper Room. We've been so afraid that we were overstepping our own authority, that we've never thought it was His authority through us, that was to be revealed.
It's not a matter of pride, but of understanding that will release God into the masses of people today, like it was in the early Church. We've successfully talked ourselves out of having the indwelling power of our Father in us. All He needs for us to do, is recognize His presence in us and to simply allow Him to be Who He is...God! "With God all things are possible." It's not with us, but with God.
We continue to focus more on our own inability rather than on His ability. 2Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified) says, "For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light of the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves)."
Jesus repeatedly taught that the glory and the Light of His message and power was not Him, but the Father in His earthly vessel Who did the work. Jesus was without sin, but we must realize that because of Him, God sees us without sin too. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
We've been seeing ourselves as our old selves, instead of the way God sees us, as new selves. We still view ourselves from the frailty of the flesh, and thus, we disqualify ourselves. God sees us by the faith of our relationship with Jesus as Lord, and sees us without sin. Our faith in Jesus as Lord has qualified us and the Holy Spirit chooses to live in us like He did in Jesus. Now He can be exalted even in our earthen vessels. And we know that the glory be of God and not of ourselves.
Luke 4:1 (Amplified) says, "Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in (by) the Holy Spirit."
Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19 (Amplified) that, "The Spirit of the Lord (is) upon Me, because He has anointed Me (the Anointed One, the Messiah) to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed (who are down trodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity) to proclaim the acceptable and accepted year of the Lord (the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound)."
These scriptures illustrate how the full ministry of Jesus didn't come into full power until the ministry of the Holy Spirit came upon Him in power. From that point on, His ministry was actually the very work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. The very "indwelling" of God Himself in Spirit form, was working and ministering through Him. Jesus said in John 14:10 (Amplified), "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What am I telling you I do not say on My Own authority and of My Own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His Own miracles, deeds of power)."
We know that the Holy Spirit is God, or the Father Himself. The works and ministry of the Holy Spirit is the Father Himself actually living out His life among mankind, through us, just like He did through Jesus. We've never been cognizant of the full truth and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.
Jesus said on more than one occasion, that "It is not Me, but the Father in Me that does the works. The same Holy Spirit working in our lives is the Holy Spirit Who worked in Jesus' life. The only difference is that Jesus yielded Himself over to the Spirit and allowed the Spirit full access in His life.
We've heard Christians say, "Yes, but that was Jesus and I am not Jesus." But, Jesus kept saying, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me." When we learn to yield to the Holy Spirit, then we can also say, "It's not me, but the Father in me that's doing the works." Jesus was dependent upon the same thing in His life that we are, the Holy Spirit.
Somehow, we've portrayed the Holy Spirit as being more dependent on us, than we are on Him. Everyone should know that it's not you healing the sick or raising the dead. God never intended for us to do that. He intended to do it Himself, through us. It was to be Him in us doing the miracles. We've become so self-centered that we thought we had to do it.
The work and ministry of the Holy Spirit hasn't changed since He came into this earth at Pentecost. We've been the only hindrance to revealing the Father to the world. God has been ready ever since He made His entrance in the Upper Room. We've been so afraid that we were overstepping our own authority, that we've never thought it was His authority through us, that was to be revealed.
It's not a matter of pride, but of understanding that will release God into the masses of people today, like it was in the early Church. We've successfully talked ourselves out of having the indwelling power of our Father in us. All He needs for us to do, is recognize His presence in us and to simply allow Him to be Who He is...God! "With God all things are possible." It's not with us, but with God.
We continue to focus more on our own inability rather than on His ability. 2Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified) says, "For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light of the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves)."
Jesus repeatedly taught that the glory and the Light of His message and power was not Him, but the Father in His earthly vessel Who did the work. Jesus was without sin, but we must realize that because of Him, God sees us without sin too. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
We've been seeing ourselves as our old selves, instead of the way God sees us, as new selves. We still view ourselves from the frailty of the flesh, and thus, we disqualify ourselves. God sees us by the faith of our relationship with Jesus as Lord, and sees us without sin. Our faith in Jesus as Lord has qualified us and the Holy Spirit chooses to live in us like He did in Jesus. Now He can be exalted even in our earthen vessels. And we know that the glory be of God and not of ourselves.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Lesson 85 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
John 14:26 (Amplified) says, "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Stand-by) the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf) He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."
The Holy Spirit was sent to represent or take the place of Jesus to the believer. He will be everything to the believer that Jesus Himself was to His disciples. If you can accept Jesus Himself (or actually the Father in you) by His Spirit, into your spirit, then He will direct your actions. This is the Counselor and Teacher of the Church.
The Apostle John reveals the ministry of the Counselor and Teacher for our lives today, in the above scripture. He writes about false teachers and false doctrines and speaks about an "unction from the Holy One" in reference to the "indwelling of the Holy Spirit," saying in 1John 2:20 (Amplified), "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." If we can truly believer what God's Word says, then through the very Spirit of Truth, we have access to the full knowledge of God and we know all things. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever, this is no profit in it), The Words that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." Is there anything that God does not know? We then too, have all knowledge, from Him.
John said that we have "an unction" or anointing abiding within us from the very Anointed One Himself. This isn't an anointing that comes from within or upon us to do a certain work in the ministry. I have an anointing to function as a pastor and teacher. I also have an anointing in my own personal life making it possible to know things occurring in my life at every turn.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit is present in every born again child of God. Have you ever been in a situation where, on the surface everything seemed alright, but you felt a "check" in your spirit concerning that situation? You couldn't "put your finger" on what was wrong, but you had a check in your spirit. Then someone asked you what was wrong, but you were unable to answer them other than you had a check in your spirit. This is the unction, from the Spirit of Truth, that will protect you or prevent something you couldn't discern on your own.
Throughout the years, I've learn not to go again this check. I might not know why, but I have learned to always trust in it. In every occasion where I failed to follow this check, something not foreseen happened that I wish did not. I didn't always hear the Holy Spirit directing me not to do something, but I did get a check in my spirit.
One time we met a man who wished to donate four acres of land, in a resort area, to our church. A partially completed townhouse complex sat on those four acres and this property's worth was estimated to be over four million dollars. I didn't know what I was supposed to do with this gift, but I knew the Lord would make good of it. I thought we could perhaps provide low income housing or housing for the elderly. The people who began the complex could not afford to finish it. So, the owner of the property, a real-estate lawyer, two realtors and I met to finalize this transaction. I had a check in my spirit and wasn't at peace in my spirit. I finally went against this check in my spirit and received the property for the ministry. We drew up all the paperwork, recorded the deed and had it registered in the county court house in the hall of records.
I then found how much I needed what Jesus spoke about in John 14:27 (Amplified), when He said,"Peace I leave with you; My (Own) peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled." I came to a peace with the world's peace, but not His peace. I found peace from what the lawyer and owner said. Everything seemed alright, but the check in my spirit remained and I didn't have God's peace.
To make a long story short, one of the co-owners of the property had entered bankruptcy court and the transaction wasn't valid because of that fact. It cost me over seven thousand dollars to "return" the "free" gift of this property to whosoever legally held the rights to it.
It cost me seven-thousand dollars to learn a very valuable lesson about the check in my spirit or "unction" from the Holy Spirit. This check was in fact, that I didn't have peace about this entire matter. I didn't know and I believer the others didn't know whether this was a legal transaction, but the Holy Spirit (Who knows all things) did know. I've learned since that I will always listen very closely to this check or lack of peace, when it arises in me.
I've become more aware of the Holy Spirit's counsel or anointing that abides in me. I've been delivered many times from making a mistake that could be very costly, not only costly monetarily, but even worse disasters. I hear many Christians say that "they don't hear God's Voice"a or they "never get answers to their prayers." This unction or check in my spirit or anointing that abides within me, is God speaking to me and is there at all times.
The Holy Spirit was sent to represent or take the place of Jesus to the believer. He will be everything to the believer that Jesus Himself was to His disciples. If you can accept Jesus Himself (or actually the Father in you) by His Spirit, into your spirit, then He will direct your actions. This is the Counselor and Teacher of the Church.
The Apostle John reveals the ministry of the Counselor and Teacher for our lives today, in the above scripture. He writes about false teachers and false doctrines and speaks about an "unction from the Holy One" in reference to the "indwelling of the Holy Spirit," saying in 1John 2:20 (Amplified), "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." If we can truly believer what God's Word says, then through the very Spirit of Truth, we have access to the full knowledge of God and we know all things. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever, this is no profit in it), The Words that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." Is there anything that God does not know? We then too, have all knowledge, from Him.
John said that we have "an unction" or anointing abiding within us from the very Anointed One Himself. This isn't an anointing that comes from within or upon us to do a certain work in the ministry. I have an anointing to function as a pastor and teacher. I also have an anointing in my own personal life making it possible to know things occurring in my life at every turn.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit is present in every born again child of God. Have you ever been in a situation where, on the surface everything seemed alright, but you felt a "check" in your spirit concerning that situation? You couldn't "put your finger" on what was wrong, but you had a check in your spirit. Then someone asked you what was wrong, but you were unable to answer them other than you had a check in your spirit. This is the unction, from the Spirit of Truth, that will protect you or prevent something you couldn't discern on your own.
Throughout the years, I've learn not to go again this check. I might not know why, but I have learned to always trust in it. In every occasion where I failed to follow this check, something not foreseen happened that I wish did not. I didn't always hear the Holy Spirit directing me not to do something, but I did get a check in my spirit.
One time we met a man who wished to donate four acres of land, in a resort area, to our church. A partially completed townhouse complex sat on those four acres and this property's worth was estimated to be over four million dollars. I didn't know what I was supposed to do with this gift, but I knew the Lord would make good of it. I thought we could perhaps provide low income housing or housing for the elderly. The people who began the complex could not afford to finish it. So, the owner of the property, a real-estate lawyer, two realtors and I met to finalize this transaction. I had a check in my spirit and wasn't at peace in my spirit. I finally went against this check in my spirit and received the property for the ministry. We drew up all the paperwork, recorded the deed and had it registered in the county court house in the hall of records.
I then found how much I needed what Jesus spoke about in John 14:27 (Amplified), when He said,"Peace I leave with you; My (Own) peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled." I came to a peace with the world's peace, but not His peace. I found peace from what the lawyer and owner said. Everything seemed alright, but the check in my spirit remained and I didn't have God's peace.
To make a long story short, one of the co-owners of the property had entered bankruptcy court and the transaction wasn't valid because of that fact. It cost me over seven thousand dollars to "return" the "free" gift of this property to whosoever legally held the rights to it.
It cost me seven-thousand dollars to learn a very valuable lesson about the check in my spirit or "unction" from the Holy Spirit. This check was in fact, that I didn't have peace about this entire matter. I didn't know and I believer the others didn't know whether this was a legal transaction, but the Holy Spirit (Who knows all things) did know. I've learned since that I will always listen very closely to this check or lack of peace, when it arises in me.
I've become more aware of the Holy Spirit's counsel or anointing that abides in me. I've been delivered many times from making a mistake that could be very costly, not only costly monetarily, but even worse disasters. I hear many Christians say that "they don't hear God's Voice"a or they "never get answers to their prayers." This unction or check in my spirit or anointing that abides within me, is God speaking to me and is there at all times.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Lesson 84 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We've been studying the difference between the Gifts of the Spirit and the new life of the Spirit. When we were born again by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we became a new creation. We became an entirely new being altogether. With this new birth into the Kingdom of God, we took on a new nature (the nature of God) and became once again "alive" unto God and God to us.
This new birth is more than just going to heaven when we die, as some have taught, but now heaven (the Spirit of God) has come into the earth in earnest. Our citizenship changed from the natural man, into what God had intended when creating the first Adam. When God created man in "His likeness and Image," He created man a spirit. Genesis 2:7 (Amplified) says that God made a body or a physical house to inhabit for man, making it possible to contact and rule in the physical earth God created for man.
Man is a living spirit, indwelling a natural body, making him able to rule the natural world and fellowship with God. Man was to be ruled by his spirit, by the Holy Spirit, and rule over all of earth's creation. God would be the Directing Voice and Mentor, while ma would be in perfect fellowship with God by his spirit. After the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, man was "cut-off" from the life and fellowship with God because Adam's act of treason in disobedience. Satan became the de facto father and mentor of man, by death and sin.
Man now had to learn from only his natural sources and five senses. He could only count on what he saw, heard, smelled, touched and tasted. Man no longer had the Guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life...he actually didn't have life at all. God told Adam that the day he partook of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, "that day he would surely die." Adam only had the memories of the things the Father had taught him. And, as he was drawn further and further from who he was, he depended more and more on who he had now become.
Throughout the Old Testament (the old covenant), the Holy Spirit is seen only "abiding on" those whom God chose for certain ministries and not "in them." God's plan for man hadn't or hasn't changed since He set the plan for redemption in motion, after Adam's fall. God's dream of having a family wouldn't be stopped by the adversary (the devil).
Jesus died, resurrected and then He was accepted by God as the Perfect Lamb. His Blood did what all the animal blood couldn't do for thousands of years. His Blood was sinless and perfect. After Jesus was made "after the likeness" of sinful flesh or in the likeness thereof. Through Jesus, God did what satan couldn't have believed possible, He made a "new creation," according to 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old ((previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Through faith in Jesus, man has now been created again, like he was intended from the beginning. Man was a living spirit, housed in a flesh and blood body, living in his natural home on earth. Now, he is once more alive in his spirit and led by God Himself, through the Holy Spirit's living in him. We've been restored into perfect union and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. The Gifts of the Spirit are only God's means of meeting the natural and physical needs and repairing and restoring the house (the natural body) man lives in. The Holy Spirit is to minister to the body and the spirit of God's Family.
When man became born again by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit could educated this "baby in Christ" by revealing God's Word to his spirit. The new spirit baby would grow and mature in the Words of Life, Truth and Spirit. God gave man a new language, which was a language of the spirit, by the Spirit. God gave us His Word, in our earthly language and also gave us a "Heavenly Language." This Heavenly language would be used to reach beyond our natural intellect and be led again by our Rightful Father.
The speaking of tongues is simply the heavenly language by which we can speak to our Heavenly Father and learn from Him once again. The Gift of Tongues and Interpretations is God speaking to His family, through the Holy Spirit. The unknown tongue or praying in the Holy Spirit or speaking in unknown tongues is simply the new language of the new creation, who is back in fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
Both the Gift of Tongues and the unknown tongue are brought about by the same Holy Spirit. One is God speaking to His Own Family, by the Holy Spirit, through the interpretation of tongues. The language of tongues is my spirit, by the Holy Spirit within me, speaking to God in secrets and mysteries. Both are part of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We try so hard to make the things of God complicated, that we miss the simplicity of what He has done. If we would simply allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives, then we would see just how simple God has made it to reach Him again. Why would God make a new creation and still have no communication with them as before? Jesus said that He "could only do what the Father told Him to do" and He could "only say what the Father told Him to say." Jesus drew all of His "education" of the Spirit from the Holy Spirit Who lived within Him. Wouldn't we then learn the same way?
We've struggled for many years, trying to communicate with a Spirit Father, from a "natural" standpoint. We've tried reaching and walking with God by our own terms, through tradition and efforts, not His terms. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
If the Holy Spirit is the Life Giver and His Words are Spirit, then how can we, as natural man, possibly receive life (the full life and understanding) of the Spirit without the Spirit? Only the Holy Spirit can release the Life and Spirit of God's Word. Man can only create religion and more bondage in the natural. The speaking of tongues, the new language of the new creation, is the Life breathed into the Words God has spoken.
How can we possibly know and communicate with God (Who is a Spirit), without the Holy Spirit's speaking to our spirit? Our limited language of English (or whatever language you speak) is simply "baby talk" that doesn't begin to take us into fellowship and communication with our Father. We've heard "baby talk" spoken by babies and even though we thought it was cute, we knew it wasn't communication and couldn't commune with them in that language. We were only moved by what we thought the baby needed or wanted. As they grew and learned the language, we could fellowship and mentor them. God is no different with His children.
Speaking in tongues, or the language of the Spirit, brings life and truth and answers to what our carnal mind (and its language) could never produce in our lives. 1Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified) says, "But the natural, non spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts or teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated." We must necessarily then, have a language of the Spirit to receive of and understand the things of the Spirit.
Having the ability of praying in the Spirit, has been my most direct way of knowing and understanding my Heavenly Father. In order to know His will, His heart, His character and His voice, we must enter in by the spirit. If you are truly born again and are a new creature, like the Word says you are, then within your new life, you have a new language. If won't manifest in your carnal mind as English (or whatever language you speak), but will proceed directly from your new being, from your spirit. Your new being will speaking in spirit and will contact God, Who is a Spirit according to 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified) which says, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truth and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
Do you know how much more simple it is to walk with the Father, when He can tell you "secret truths and hidden things"? All the things we've been trying to learn and understand by our own intellect are wasted, but in the Spirit (tongues), God reveals them all to us by the Holy Spirit living inside us.
This new birth is more than just going to heaven when we die, as some have taught, but now heaven (the Spirit of God) has come into the earth in earnest. Our citizenship changed from the natural man, into what God had intended when creating the first Adam. When God created man in "His likeness and Image," He created man a spirit. Genesis 2:7 (Amplified) says that God made a body or a physical house to inhabit for man, making it possible to contact and rule in the physical earth God created for man.
Man is a living spirit, indwelling a natural body, making him able to rule the natural world and fellowship with God. Man was to be ruled by his spirit, by the Holy Spirit, and rule over all of earth's creation. God would be the Directing Voice and Mentor, while ma would be in perfect fellowship with God by his spirit. After the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, man was "cut-off" from the life and fellowship with God because Adam's act of treason in disobedience. Satan became the de facto father and mentor of man, by death and sin.
Man now had to learn from only his natural sources and five senses. He could only count on what he saw, heard, smelled, touched and tasted. Man no longer had the Guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life...he actually didn't have life at all. God told Adam that the day he partook of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, "that day he would surely die." Adam only had the memories of the things the Father had taught him. And, as he was drawn further and further from who he was, he depended more and more on who he had now become.
Throughout the Old Testament (the old covenant), the Holy Spirit is seen only "abiding on" those whom God chose for certain ministries and not "in them." God's plan for man hadn't or hasn't changed since He set the plan for redemption in motion, after Adam's fall. God's dream of having a family wouldn't be stopped by the adversary (the devil).
Jesus died, resurrected and then He was accepted by God as the Perfect Lamb. His Blood did what all the animal blood couldn't do for thousands of years. His Blood was sinless and perfect. After Jesus was made "after the likeness" of sinful flesh or in the likeness thereof. Through Jesus, God did what satan couldn't have believed possible, He made a "new creation," according to 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old ((previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Through faith in Jesus, man has now been created again, like he was intended from the beginning. Man was a living spirit, housed in a flesh and blood body, living in his natural home on earth. Now, he is once more alive in his spirit and led by God Himself, through the Holy Spirit's living in him. We've been restored into perfect union and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. The Gifts of the Spirit are only God's means of meeting the natural and physical needs and repairing and restoring the house (the natural body) man lives in. The Holy Spirit is to minister to the body and the spirit of God's Family.
When man became born again by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit could educated this "baby in Christ" by revealing God's Word to his spirit. The new spirit baby would grow and mature in the Words of Life, Truth and Spirit. God gave man a new language, which was a language of the spirit, by the Spirit. God gave us His Word, in our earthly language and also gave us a "Heavenly Language." This Heavenly language would be used to reach beyond our natural intellect and be led again by our Rightful Father.
The speaking of tongues is simply the heavenly language by which we can speak to our Heavenly Father and learn from Him once again. The Gift of Tongues and Interpretations is God speaking to His family, through the Holy Spirit. The unknown tongue or praying in the Holy Spirit or speaking in unknown tongues is simply the new language of the new creation, who is back in fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
Both the Gift of Tongues and the unknown tongue are brought about by the same Holy Spirit. One is God speaking to His Own Family, by the Holy Spirit, through the interpretation of tongues. The language of tongues is my spirit, by the Holy Spirit within me, speaking to God in secrets and mysteries. Both are part of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We try so hard to make the things of God complicated, that we miss the simplicity of what He has done. If we would simply allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives, then we would see just how simple God has made it to reach Him again. Why would God make a new creation and still have no communication with them as before? Jesus said that He "could only do what the Father told Him to do" and He could "only say what the Father told Him to say." Jesus drew all of His "education" of the Spirit from the Holy Spirit Who lived within Him. Wouldn't we then learn the same way?
We've struggled for many years, trying to communicate with a Spirit Father, from a "natural" standpoint. We've tried reaching and walking with God by our own terms, through tradition and efforts, not His terms. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
If the Holy Spirit is the Life Giver and His Words are Spirit, then how can we, as natural man, possibly receive life (the full life and understanding) of the Spirit without the Spirit? Only the Holy Spirit can release the Life and Spirit of God's Word. Man can only create religion and more bondage in the natural. The speaking of tongues, the new language of the new creation, is the Life breathed into the Words God has spoken.
How can we possibly know and communicate with God (Who is a Spirit), without the Holy Spirit's speaking to our spirit? Our limited language of English (or whatever language you speak) is simply "baby talk" that doesn't begin to take us into fellowship and communication with our Father. We've heard "baby talk" spoken by babies and even though we thought it was cute, we knew it wasn't communication and couldn't commune with them in that language. We were only moved by what we thought the baby needed or wanted. As they grew and learned the language, we could fellowship and mentor them. God is no different with His children.
Speaking in tongues, or the language of the Spirit, brings life and truth and answers to what our carnal mind (and its language) could never produce in our lives. 1Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified) says, "But the natural, non spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts or teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated." We must necessarily then, have a language of the Spirit to receive of and understand the things of the Spirit.
Having the ability of praying in the Spirit, has been my most direct way of knowing and understanding my Heavenly Father. In order to know His will, His heart, His character and His voice, we must enter in by the spirit. If you are truly born again and are a new creature, like the Word says you are, then within your new life, you have a new language. If won't manifest in your carnal mind as English (or whatever language you speak), but will proceed directly from your new being, from your spirit. Your new being will speaking in spirit and will contact God, Who is a Spirit according to 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified) which says, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truth and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
Do you know how much more simple it is to walk with the Father, when He can tell you "secret truths and hidden things"? All the things we've been trying to learn and understand by our own intellect are wasted, but in the Spirit (tongues), God reveals them all to us by the Holy Spirit living inside us.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Lesson 83 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
For many, receiving of the Holy Spirit was a one time event. Even though He came into our lives at our new birth, there is the opportunity to be "filled" daily with His new and exciting presence. When the Holy Spirit comes into our spirit and brings about our new birth, He will "never leave us or forsake us."
The "one time" experience was to be an eternal time of knowing and growing in the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and Jesus. He came to build an understanding and relationship with our Father. Only the Holy Spirit can fully reveal the Mind of Christ within the new child of God. Without His teaching and leading us (the children of God), we simply will return to religion instead of relationship.
One of the greatest things I've found in my walk with God, is the ability to speak in tongues. Many Christians have taught that this gift from the Holy Spirit has "passed away" or they've been given watered down teachings about this gift. 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified) tells us, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but unto God, for no one understands or catches his meaning. But in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)." Paul also says in 1Corinthians 14:4 (Amplified) that, "He who speaks in a (strange) tongue edifies himself and improves himself."
Jesus spoke to His disciples about the Holy Spirit and the Truth of the Word in John 6:63 (Amplified) saying, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the life-giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." The only way to receive "Truth and Life" from reading the Bible, is by having the Holy Spirit revealing it to you.
All of God's Words is truth, but all of God's Word hasn't been revealed as truth or life. We can read the Word and still not receive the truth and life of it. The Holy Spirit has nearly become a forgotten Entity for many Christians, but it was He, Whom God sent to nurture and raise His children into maturity. Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit in John 16:13-14 (Amplified) saying, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the truth giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth) For He will not speak His Own message (on His Own authority) but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future)." Verse 14 tells us that these "secret things and hidden truths" are edifying and building up the person who is praying. If I am praying in tongues, then I'm not praying for things I know about, but I'm receiving things I didn't know (which are the things of the Spirit).
Everything I have learned about my Heavenly Father and His plan for me (and all of His family), has come by the Holy Spirit's revelation. The Holy Spirit is the only One Who can reveal it to your spirit. Once it's revealed to you, you can understand and implement it in your life and daily walk with Jesus.
There are many Christians who have received the Holy Spirit (and all who have been born again have received the Holy Spirit) and remained babies in Christ. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies, you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, the Word of God that you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
The "completed salvation" is the renewing of our minds, according to Romans 12:2 (Amplified) which says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after, and adapted to its external, superficial customs). But be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude). So that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, Even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
These are some of the things a believer will receive of, that are the "secret and hidden things" the Holy Spirit will reveal to us in the Truth and Spirit of the Word. This is how we can renew our minds and renew our way of thinking about the Father and His new covenant with us, through Jesus. When we pray in the Holy Spirit (in tongues), we can pray above our own understanding and in the true understanding of the Spirit.
It doesn't matter how educated a person is, he can still only speak by what he knows. Our own understanding and intellect cannot reach the wisdom of God. Even though we might be well educated, we can't determine how Jesus raised the dead, multiplied the loaves and fishes, or walk on water. Can our own understanding explain how with simply His Word can heal the sick or raise the dead? The Spirit of God is the Only One Who can reveal these things in our lives and duplicate these things in our lives.
Jesus said in John 14:12 (Amplified) that, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he himself will be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these because I go to the Father." Without knowing the secret things of the Father by His Spirit, there is no way to even consider this statement as true. We all would admit that we could not do any of those things in our natural selves. But, Jesus said we can do them. The only way of understanding His statement is by the Holy Spirit and praying in Him (praying in tongues).
We hear multitudes of various teachings, from multitudes of various churches, about our Heavenly Father and this has caused much confusion about Who He is. Only the Holy Spirit can correctly reveal the character and the true mind of God to His people. We've been walking in darkness, by not allowing the Holy Spirit to bring the Light of God's Word to us.
Paul speaks about the difference between the Gifts of the Spirit in the congregation and the personal tongues of the believer in 1Corinthians 14:27 (Amplified) saying, "If some speak in a (strange) tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one (taking his) turn, and let one interpret and explain (what is said)." This is the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues he spoke about in 1Corinthians 12:8,10 where he said, "To one is given in and through the Holy Spirit (the power to speak) a message of wisdom, and to another (the power to express) a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Holy Spirit." In Verse 10 he says, "To another the ability to interpret (such) tongues."
These gifts are ministerial gifts for primarily congregational usage, but the tongues Paul speaks about in 1Corinthians 10:2, aren't to be "interpreted" to the congregation, because it's not "speaking to men, but unto God." The interpretation of this prayer is of personal use to the one who is praying. It's for his edification and the building up of his faith. The other is for the edifying of the Church. Can you see the difference between the two?
When we pray in tongues, we receive from God, through the Holy Spirit, the hidden truths and secret things that God has laid up for His family. This language of the Spirit doesn't seem so strange once we try thinking of it in terms of God's Word. If you're born in Mexico, then you probably speak Spanish. If you're born and reside in Germany, then you speak German. If you're born in China, then you speak Chinese. Why is it so strange that if we are born of the Spirit, then we speak in the Spirit?
The "one time" experience was to be an eternal time of knowing and growing in the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and Jesus. He came to build an understanding and relationship with our Father. Only the Holy Spirit can fully reveal the Mind of Christ within the new child of God. Without His teaching and leading us (the children of God), we simply will return to religion instead of relationship.
One of the greatest things I've found in my walk with God, is the ability to speak in tongues. Many Christians have taught that this gift from the Holy Spirit has "passed away" or they've been given watered down teachings about this gift. 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified) tells us, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but unto God, for no one understands or catches his meaning. But in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)." Paul also says in 1Corinthians 14:4 (Amplified) that, "He who speaks in a (strange) tongue edifies himself and improves himself."
Jesus spoke to His disciples about the Holy Spirit and the Truth of the Word in John 6:63 (Amplified) saying, "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the life-giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life." The only way to receive "Truth and Life" from reading the Bible, is by having the Holy Spirit revealing it to you.
All of God's Words is truth, but all of God's Word hasn't been revealed as truth or life. We can read the Word and still not receive the truth and life of it. The Holy Spirit has nearly become a forgotten Entity for many Christians, but it was He, Whom God sent to nurture and raise His children into maturity. Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit in John 16:13-14 (Amplified) saying, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the truth giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth) For He will not speak His Own message (on His Own authority) but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future)." Verse 14 tells us that these "secret things and hidden truths" are edifying and building up the person who is praying. If I am praying in tongues, then I'm not praying for things I know about, but I'm receiving things I didn't know (which are the things of the Spirit).
Everything I have learned about my Heavenly Father and His plan for me (and all of His family), has come by the Holy Spirit's revelation. The Holy Spirit is the only One Who can reveal it to your spirit. Once it's revealed to you, you can understand and implement it in your life and daily walk with Jesus.
There are many Christians who have received the Holy Spirit (and all who have been born again have received the Holy Spirit) and remained babies in Christ. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies, you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, the Word of God that you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
The "completed salvation" is the renewing of our minds, according to Romans 12:2 (Amplified) which says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after, and adapted to its external, superficial customs). But be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude). So that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, Even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
These are some of the things a believer will receive of, that are the "secret and hidden things" the Holy Spirit will reveal to us in the Truth and Spirit of the Word. This is how we can renew our minds and renew our way of thinking about the Father and His new covenant with us, through Jesus. When we pray in the Holy Spirit (in tongues), we can pray above our own understanding and in the true understanding of the Spirit.
It doesn't matter how educated a person is, he can still only speak by what he knows. Our own understanding and intellect cannot reach the wisdom of God. Even though we might be well educated, we can't determine how Jesus raised the dead, multiplied the loaves and fishes, or walk on water. Can our own understanding explain how with simply His Word can heal the sick or raise the dead? The Spirit of God is the Only One Who can reveal these things in our lives and duplicate these things in our lives.
Jesus said in John 14:12 (Amplified) that, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he himself will be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these because I go to the Father." Without knowing the secret things of the Father by His Spirit, there is no way to even consider this statement as true. We all would admit that we could not do any of those things in our natural selves. But, Jesus said we can do them. The only way of understanding His statement is by the Holy Spirit and praying in Him (praying in tongues).
We hear multitudes of various teachings, from multitudes of various churches, about our Heavenly Father and this has caused much confusion about Who He is. Only the Holy Spirit can correctly reveal the character and the true mind of God to His people. We've been walking in darkness, by not allowing the Holy Spirit to bring the Light of God's Word to us.
Paul speaks about the difference between the Gifts of the Spirit in the congregation and the personal tongues of the believer in 1Corinthians 14:27 (Amplified) saying, "If some speak in a (strange) tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one (taking his) turn, and let one interpret and explain (what is said)." This is the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues he spoke about in 1Corinthians 12:8,10 where he said, "To one is given in and through the Holy Spirit (the power to speak) a message of wisdom, and to another (the power to express) a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Holy Spirit." In Verse 10 he says, "To another the ability to interpret (such) tongues."
These gifts are ministerial gifts for primarily congregational usage, but the tongues Paul speaks about in 1Corinthians 10:2, aren't to be "interpreted" to the congregation, because it's not "speaking to men, but unto God." The interpretation of this prayer is of personal use to the one who is praying. It's for his edification and the building up of his faith. The other is for the edifying of the Church. Can you see the difference between the two?
When we pray in tongues, we receive from God, through the Holy Spirit, the hidden truths and secret things that God has laid up for His family. This language of the Spirit doesn't seem so strange once we try thinking of it in terms of God's Word. If you're born in Mexico, then you probably speak Spanish. If you're born and reside in Germany, then you speak German. If you're born in China, then you speak Chinese. Why is it so strange that if we are born of the Spirit, then we speak in the Spirit?
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Lesson 82 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I wish to address one of the greatest things I've learned in my own life about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives today is something many have never used or allowed themselves to receive.
Let's begin in 1Corinthians 12 learning about the differences between the ministerial gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of His presence in the lives of those not being used in the five fold ministry or congregational offices. The Apostle Paul instructs the Church about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the local church. Paul writes about the Gifts of the Spirit in the use of ministering to others and the work of the five fold ministry.
As Paul addresses the Gifts of the Spirit, he made note how he didn't want the Church to be ignorant or misinformed in Verse 13, where he plainly states that, "No one speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit can ever say, Jesus be cursed, nor can they proclaim Jesus is Lord, except by the influence of the Holy Spirit." That statement itself should end satan's lie to the Church that, "speaking in tongues is of the devil." Let's not be misinformed.
As Paul continues his discourse about the Gifts of the Spirit, he defines "special" manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. These are men and women in the Body of Christ, who are called into the five fold ministry. Ephesians 4:11 (Amplified) describes these ministers to the Church, saying, "And His gifts were (varied) He Himself appointed and gave men to us some to be apostles (special messengers), Some prophets (inspired preachers of the gospel, traveling missionaries) Some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
These five fold ministries are most likely to operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, but not always. Paul says in 1Corinthians 12:11 (Amplified), "All these (gifts, achievements,abilities) are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually (exactly) as He chooses."
This verse illustrates how even outside the five ministry, there are times the Gifts of the Spirit will work through whomsoever the Holy Spirit chooses. Those who are always sharing and speaking about Jesus and witnessing to the world about salvation, as well as proclaiming Christ, need these Gifts to deliver one from the bondage of the world.
We again see the distinction Paul makes concerning those who are appointed by God in 1Corinthians 12:28 (Amplified), which says, "So God has appointed some in the Church (for His Own use) first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then Wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick, helpers; administrators (speakers in) different (unknown) tongues."
God makes a distinction between those He has "appointed" and the rest of the body in Verses 29-30, saying, "Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles? Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"
These obvious answer to the above questions is, "No!" These are primarily ministry gifts to the world and not necessarily to the Church. Although these gifts are often seen in our local churches, that is not their primary use. We've called in various speakers into our local churches who operate in these gifts. Most local churches invite different speakers from the five fold ministries into our congregations from time to time. We certainly do so that these gifts will flow through our congregations at the operation of the these guest speakers.
Many times the Lord has set men and women into the local Body, who are used by the Holy Spirit on the local level. One of the things that has confused Christians is the difference between the Gift of tongues and the language of the Spirit. Ever believer who is born again, is born of and into the Spirit. As we come into the Spirit realm, there is a language spoken that is not of man, but of the Spirit.
We haven't been taught about this distinction in most of our churches and it has hindered the progress of our church's maturity. Many teachers stop their teachings about the Holy Spirit's gifts at 1Corinthians 12 and never go on to connect that Word with 1Corinthians 14:19. Or, they use 1Corinthians 14:19 to justify their stand about tongues. Let's read that scripture, "Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a (strange) tongue (language)."
One must read and consider the preceding verse before dismissing tongues as unnecessary. Thus, 1Corinthians 14:18 (Amplified) says, "I thank God that I speak in (strange) tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together." Verse 19 goes on, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret Truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The one Gift of Tongues is a ministry gift to the Church and the world, which allows God to speak to and through His people. 1Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) teaches,"To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose) to another the ability to discern and distinguish between (the utterances of true) spirits (and false spirits) To another various kinds of (unknown) tongues, to another the ability to interpret (such) tongues."
We will find a great distinction between these two verses, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures for us. One gift is a ministry gift where God, by "unknown" or "strange languages" speaks to His Church and then another member by the same Holy Spirit, can interpret to the Church what the Lord has spoken; they can say, "Thus says the Lord."
Paul teaches about the other "strange" tongues in 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified), saying, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The first of the two is the gift of the Spirit where God speaks to His people using tongues and interpretation of tongues (1Cor. 12:30). The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor.14:2). One tongues is interpreted as "Thus says the Lord" to edify His Church. The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, to edify your own spirit. 1Corinthians 14:4 (Amplified) says, "He who speaks in a (strange) tongue edifies and improves himself."
So, you can understand that there are differences in the ministry of the Gift of Tongues or prayer language of the spirit through the Holy Spirit. One is God speaking to us (1Cor. 14:4) and the other is our spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor. 14:2). One is to be interpreted to the people for their edification and the other is "secret truths and hidden things" spoken to edify the one speaking.
Both of these gifts are for the edification of the Church, individually and collectively. Both are the Holy Spirit, but both are different as "He wills" to profit or edify God's people. This may be the most powerful weapon the Church has in its arsenal today. This is why satan so voraciously attacks the credibility of these gifts. These hidden things and secret truths are the wisdom of God Himself being fed directly into your spirit and satan cannot stop it or interfere with it because we are "speaking mysteries" in the Spirit.
Let's begin in 1Corinthians 12 learning about the differences between the ministerial gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of His presence in the lives of those not being used in the five fold ministry or congregational offices. The Apostle Paul instructs the Church about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the local church. Paul writes about the Gifts of the Spirit in the use of ministering to others and the work of the five fold ministry.
As Paul addresses the Gifts of the Spirit, he made note how he didn't want the Church to be ignorant or misinformed in Verse 13, where he plainly states that, "No one speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit can ever say, Jesus be cursed, nor can they proclaim Jesus is Lord, except by the influence of the Holy Spirit." That statement itself should end satan's lie to the Church that, "speaking in tongues is of the devil." Let's not be misinformed.
As Paul continues his discourse about the Gifts of the Spirit, he defines "special" manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. These are men and women in the Body of Christ, who are called into the five fold ministry. Ephesians 4:11 (Amplified) describes these ministers to the Church, saying, "And His gifts were (varied) He Himself appointed and gave men to us some to be apostles (special messengers), Some prophets (inspired preachers of the gospel, traveling missionaries) Some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
These five fold ministries are most likely to operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, but not always. Paul says in 1Corinthians 12:11 (Amplified), "All these (gifts, achievements,abilities) are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually (exactly) as He chooses."
This verse illustrates how even outside the five ministry, there are times the Gifts of the Spirit will work through whomsoever the Holy Spirit chooses. Those who are always sharing and speaking about Jesus and witnessing to the world about salvation, as well as proclaiming Christ, need these Gifts to deliver one from the bondage of the world.
We again see the distinction Paul makes concerning those who are appointed by God in 1Corinthians 12:28 (Amplified), which says, "So God has appointed some in the Church (for His Own use) first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then Wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick, helpers; administrators (speakers in) different (unknown) tongues."
God makes a distinction between those He has "appointed" and the rest of the body in Verses 29-30, saying, "Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles? Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"
These obvious answer to the above questions is, "No!" These are primarily ministry gifts to the world and not necessarily to the Church. Although these gifts are often seen in our local churches, that is not their primary use. We've called in various speakers into our local churches who operate in these gifts. Most local churches invite different speakers from the five fold ministries into our congregations from time to time. We certainly do so that these gifts will flow through our congregations at the operation of the these guest speakers.
Many times the Lord has set men and women into the local Body, who are used by the Holy Spirit on the local level. One of the things that has confused Christians is the difference between the Gift of tongues and the language of the Spirit. Ever believer who is born again, is born of and into the Spirit. As we come into the Spirit realm, there is a language spoken that is not of man, but of the Spirit.
We haven't been taught about this distinction in most of our churches and it has hindered the progress of our church's maturity. Many teachers stop their teachings about the Holy Spirit's gifts at 1Corinthians 12 and never go on to connect that Word with 1Corinthians 14:19. Or, they use 1Corinthians 14:19 to justify their stand about tongues. Let's read that scripture, "Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a (strange) tongue (language)."
One must read and consider the preceding verse before dismissing tongues as unnecessary. Thus, 1Corinthians 14:18 (Amplified) says, "I thank God that I speak in (strange) tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together." Verse 19 goes on, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret Truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The one Gift of Tongues is a ministry gift to the Church and the world, which allows God to speak to and through His people. 1Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) teaches,"To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose) to another the ability to discern and distinguish between (the utterances of true) spirits (and false spirits) To another various kinds of (unknown) tongues, to another the ability to interpret (such) tongues."
We will find a great distinction between these two verses, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures for us. One gift is a ministry gift where God, by "unknown" or "strange languages" speaks to His Church and then another member by the same Holy Spirit, can interpret to the Church what the Lord has spoken; they can say, "Thus says the Lord."
Paul teaches about the other "strange" tongues in 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified), saying, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The first of the two is the gift of the Spirit where God speaks to His people using tongues and interpretation of tongues (1Cor. 12:30). The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor.14:2). One tongues is interpreted as "Thus says the Lord" to edify His Church. The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, to edify your own spirit. 1Corinthians 14:4 (Amplified) says, "He who speaks in a (strange) tongue edifies and improves himself."
So, you can understand that there are differences in the ministry of the Gift of Tongues or prayer language of the spirit through the Holy Spirit. One is God speaking to us (1Cor. 14:4) and the other is our spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor. 14:2). One is to be interpreted to the people for their edification and the other is "secret truths and hidden things" spoken to edify the one speaking.
Both of these gifts are for the edification of the Church, individually and collectively. Both are the Holy Spirit, but both are different as "He wills" to profit or edify God's people. This may be the most powerful weapon the Church has in its arsenal today. This is why satan so voraciously attacks the credibility of these gifts. These hidden things and secret truths are the wisdom of God Himself being fed directly into your spirit and satan cannot stop it or interfere with it because we are "speaking mysteries" in the Spirit.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Lesson 81 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The Apostle Paul relates the things of the new creation to the Church in Corinth in Romans 8. As he begins this portion of his letter, Paul reveals the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The power of the cross made so many things different in their lives (and ours) that Paul wished to bring into the light for them. Thus, Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore [because of what he had previously taught in the last chapter] (there is) now no condemnation (no adjusting guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and death."
Paul went on to expound the revelation of the "outward" man, the mindset that we all had and the weakness of the fleshly body. He continued in this discourse of how Christ has made us free from what Adam did in disobedience. He continued into the "burden" of bringing the old man (the fleshly body) into the subjection of the Spirit. Verses 23,24,25 are about the whole of creation and how we, along with all of creation, groan under the curse placed on us after Adam's fall. Then, Paul begins speaking about the first fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how they give us the hope of what is to come. Romans 8:25 (Amplified) tells us, "But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure."
Then Paul speaks about the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives and how the Holy Spirit bears us up in our weakness and shows us how to pray when we do not know how too. The Holy Spirit prays, through us, the perfect prayer on our behalf with "groanings that cannot be uttered." Paul tells us how the Holy Spirit is there to intercede on our behalf so we stand together with Him in prayer, through our spirit.
Romans 8:27 (Amplified) says, "And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit (what His intent is) because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will." Then Paul writes a verse that is so familiar with today's Christians and one they use for not standing fast and having an understanding of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Verse 28 goes on, "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose."
We need to go back to what Paul was really referring to when he said "all things." Was Paul talking about car accidents, sickness, divorce, child molestation, war, famine, disease and children dying of starvation? No! Paul was talking about "being set free from the law of sin and of death" because Jesus made him free. Paul ended Romans 7:24-25 (Amplified) with a cry of praise and thanksgiving to God, saying, "Oh unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? Oh thank God! (He will) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin."
Now, let's consider what Paul began chapter eight with our being "made free from the law of sin and death" "by a higher law, the law of the Spirit of Life." You can understand that Paul was talking about "all things working together for his good." He speaks about the Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister life into our spirit, delivering us from the old bondage of our flesh and allowing life to flow out of our spirit. Paul teaches further about the Holy Spirit, saying that no matter where we are in Christ or where we are in weakness of the flesh, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set us free from all the bondage of the old man.
The new birth, the new law along with the mind and body, must be put into subjection of the Holy Spirit according to Romans 8:4, 28 (Amplified) says, "The Holy Spirit will teach us (the Holy Spirit will reveal the adoption) (the Spirit producing sonship whereby we cry Abba, Father)." Verse 28 goes on, "We know that all things are working together for our good, and are fitting into a plan for those who love God."
So, when Paul says "all things," we know he isn't speaking about the trials and struggle we go through on earth, but the Holy Spirit and the Word working in us will turn all things to our good. Paul is talking about the dealing with the flesh by the Word and the Holy Spirit, along with the renewing of our mind by the Word. The law of Life, through the Holy Spirit, and the ability to pray the perfect will and mind of God brings "all good things" into our lives. Because of the curse on all creation, our flesh and mind will fight against our new spirit or new birth. Sin will continue trying to trap us. But, we have all the things the first fruits of the new creation and "All these things" are working together for the "good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
Don't use Romans 8:28 out of context, as an excuse for doing nothing about the things coming against you in your walk with God. Paul said that "all things" the Holy Spirit does would set us free. If you walk in that, then you'll walk in victory over all those other things. Romans 8:34 (Amplified) says, "Who is there to condemn (us) will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead; Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?"
All these things are working together for our good.
Paul went on to expound the revelation of the "outward" man, the mindset that we all had and the weakness of the fleshly body. He continued in this discourse of how Christ has made us free from what Adam did in disobedience. He continued into the "burden" of bringing the old man (the fleshly body) into the subjection of the Spirit. Verses 23,24,25 are about the whole of creation and how we, along with all of creation, groan under the curse placed on us after Adam's fall. Then, Paul begins speaking about the first fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how they give us the hope of what is to come. Romans 8:25 (Amplified) tells us, "But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure."
Then Paul speaks about the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives and how the Holy Spirit bears us up in our weakness and shows us how to pray when we do not know how too. The Holy Spirit prays, through us, the perfect prayer on our behalf with "groanings that cannot be uttered." Paul tells us how the Holy Spirit is there to intercede on our behalf so we stand together with Him in prayer, through our spirit.
Romans 8:27 (Amplified) says, "And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit (what His intent is) because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will." Then Paul writes a verse that is so familiar with today's Christians and one they use for not standing fast and having an understanding of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Verse 28 goes on, "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose."
We need to go back to what Paul was really referring to when he said "all things." Was Paul talking about car accidents, sickness, divorce, child molestation, war, famine, disease and children dying of starvation? No! Paul was talking about "being set free from the law of sin and of death" because Jesus made him free. Paul ended Romans 7:24-25 (Amplified) with a cry of praise and thanksgiving to God, saying, "Oh unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? Oh thank God! (He will) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin."
Now, let's consider what Paul began chapter eight with our being "made free from the law of sin and death" "by a higher law, the law of the Spirit of Life." You can understand that Paul was talking about "all things working together for his good." He speaks about the Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister life into our spirit, delivering us from the old bondage of our flesh and allowing life to flow out of our spirit. Paul teaches further about the Holy Spirit, saying that no matter where we are in Christ or where we are in weakness of the flesh, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set us free from all the bondage of the old man.
The new birth, the new law along with the mind and body, must be put into subjection of the Holy Spirit according to Romans 8:4, 28 (Amplified) says, "The Holy Spirit will teach us (the Holy Spirit will reveal the adoption) (the Spirit producing sonship whereby we cry Abba, Father)." Verse 28 goes on, "We know that all things are working together for our good, and are fitting into a plan for those who love God."
So, when Paul says "all things," we know he isn't speaking about the trials and struggle we go through on earth, but the Holy Spirit and the Word working in us will turn all things to our good. Paul is talking about the dealing with the flesh by the Word and the Holy Spirit, along with the renewing of our mind by the Word. The law of Life, through the Holy Spirit, and the ability to pray the perfect will and mind of God brings "all good things" into our lives. Because of the curse on all creation, our flesh and mind will fight against our new spirit or new birth. Sin will continue trying to trap us. But, we have all the things the first fruits of the new creation and "All these things" are working together for the "good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
Don't use Romans 8:28 out of context, as an excuse for doing nothing about the things coming against you in your walk with God. Paul said that "all things" the Holy Spirit does would set us free. If you walk in that, then you'll walk in victory over all those other things. Romans 8:34 (Amplified) says, "Who is there to condemn (us) will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead; Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?"
All these things are working together for our good.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Lesson 80 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the most important Person in the life of a new born Christian. When we are born again and receive new life through Jesus' Sacrifice, we become like "newborn babies." 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
The KJV says we "Should crave, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow there by." The Holy Spirit is the One Who has been given charge of God's family to train them up. We have a daycare and Preschool ministry in our church to train, teach, care for and watch over babies and young children. Similarly, not everyone in God's family is the same age.
We have all received equally when being born again and we are all children of God, but we aren't all the same age spiritually. People who just received Jesus today do not have the maturity of those who have been saved for years. Some Christians know nothing of God's will or His character at all, because not every pastor teaches these things. And, some preachers weren't taught by the Holy Spirit so we have multiple degrees of spiritual maturity in the Church. Some Christians have been taught incorrectly from the time of their salvation and remain under denominational teachings and law.
It's not that all who are called as pastors and teachers are not sincere, but some are sincerely wrong. Man's idea of what the Word says is not the same as what the Holy Spirit says about the Word and leaves us in varying stages of spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and Truth, Who came to reveal the truth of Jesus to God's children and the world.
He was sent to us for many things that are never manifested in our lives, because we don't understand grace and faith. Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of itself (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God."
Grace has been poured out upon this planet by the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts. Grace for the salvation of all mankind is now present, yet many remain unsaved. It's not that grace isn't available, but that faith hasn't been applied to this grace of God. Every one of us in the Body of Christ has been made partakers of this salvation (we are all saved), but we haven't applied our faith into the depths of God's grace.
As the Holy Spirit reveals more and more of the depths of His grace, we must by faith, plumb the depths of it. Grace didn't end when we were born again, like some have been taught, but actually it opened a door into our new life. Only the Holy Spirit, the Teacher of the Church, can reveal God's great grace to us.
Satan has fought diligently against the speaking of tongues or praying in the Spirit. Many haven't grown up like 1Peter 2:2 instructs, because we never did receive the "sincere milk of the Word" in truth. I do not believe that any Christian (if they are truly Christians) would deliberately receive or teach in error. Many have spent much time, effort and treasure to attend Bible schools and seminaries, preparing to teach about the Father. Those men and women were sincere in their hearts, but can rethink some of the things they were taught and teach themselves. Jesus said that, "The Spirit is the Life Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life" in John 6:63.
Jesus spent three and a half years teaching "educated" men about the Truth and Spirit of the Word. Their flesh rebelled against the Spirit and denied the Words of Jesus. Romans`8:7 (Amplified) says, "(That is) because the mind of the flesh (with its carnal thoughts and purposes) is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's law; indeed it cannot." Romans 8:2 (Amplified) says, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and of death."
The "degree of the knowledge" of Jesus is the "degree of the knowledge" of God's grace. We cannot place faith in something that we have no knowledge of. 2Peter 1:2 (Amplified) says, "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in (the full, personal, precise, and correct) knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
Without the Holy Spirit's leading us into this "(full, personal, precise, and correct) knowledge," we have no concept of what our Father's prepared for us. Man continues walking in the guilt of the Law of sin and death, without the Holy Spirit's guidance. Even a born again man will necessarily be carnally led, if he doesn't listen and be taught by the Teacher, the Holy Spirit. Under the carnal man's thinking, we live under the bondage of a guilt conscientiousness (sin and death).
And, even though the sin has passed away, guilt remains. Even though abundant life has come, fear of death continues to prevail in our minds. We can read what the Word says, but they convey nothing in the carnal thinking, because they are Spirit. Thus, we continue as newborn babies like 1Peter 2:2 describes. We never grow into mature Christians.
God is a Spirit and His Word is Spirit. We are born again of the Spirit and we are to be taught of the Spirit. Jesus was exactly right in saying that, "The flesh conveys no benefit whatever." God doesn't reveal Himself based on what we feel, what we see, what we think, or how we decide to do things. He reveals Himself to our spirit, according to 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified) which says, "Consequently, from now one we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, Yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)."
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal this "knowledge" to our spirit. Without this revelation from the Holy Spirit, we still see "after the flesh."
The KJV says we "Should crave, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow there by." The Holy Spirit is the One Who has been given charge of God's family to train them up. We have a daycare and Preschool ministry in our church to train, teach, care for and watch over babies and young children. Similarly, not everyone in God's family is the same age.
We have all received equally when being born again and we are all children of God, but we aren't all the same age spiritually. People who just received Jesus today do not have the maturity of those who have been saved for years. Some Christians know nothing of God's will or His character at all, because not every pastor teaches these things. And, some preachers weren't taught by the Holy Spirit so we have multiple degrees of spiritual maturity in the Church. Some Christians have been taught incorrectly from the time of their salvation and remain under denominational teachings and law.
It's not that all who are called as pastors and teachers are not sincere, but some are sincerely wrong. Man's idea of what the Word says is not the same as what the Holy Spirit says about the Word and leaves us in varying stages of spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and Truth, Who came to reveal the truth of Jesus to God's children and the world.
He was sent to us for many things that are never manifested in our lives, because we don't understand grace and faith. Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of itself (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving) but it is the gift of God."
Grace has been poured out upon this planet by the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts. Grace for the salvation of all mankind is now present, yet many remain unsaved. It's not that grace isn't available, but that faith hasn't been applied to this grace of God. Every one of us in the Body of Christ has been made partakers of this salvation (we are all saved), but we haven't applied our faith into the depths of God's grace.
As the Holy Spirit reveals more and more of the depths of His grace, we must by faith, plumb the depths of it. Grace didn't end when we were born again, like some have been taught, but actually it opened a door into our new life. Only the Holy Spirit, the Teacher of the Church, can reveal God's great grace to us.
Satan has fought diligently against the speaking of tongues or praying in the Spirit. Many haven't grown up like 1Peter 2:2 instructs, because we never did receive the "sincere milk of the Word" in truth. I do not believe that any Christian (if they are truly Christians) would deliberately receive or teach in error. Many have spent much time, effort and treasure to attend Bible schools and seminaries, preparing to teach about the Father. Those men and women were sincere in their hearts, but can rethink some of the things they were taught and teach themselves. Jesus said that, "The Spirit is the Life Giver); the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life" in John 6:63.
Jesus spent three and a half years teaching "educated" men about the Truth and Spirit of the Word. Their flesh rebelled against the Spirit and denied the Words of Jesus. Romans`8:7 (Amplified) says, "(That is) because the mind of the flesh (with its carnal thoughts and purposes) is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's law; indeed it cannot." Romans 8:2 (Amplified) says, "For the law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and of death."
The "degree of the knowledge" of Jesus is the "degree of the knowledge" of God's grace. We cannot place faith in something that we have no knowledge of. 2Peter 1:2 (Amplified) says, "May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in (the full, personal, precise, and correct) knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
Without the Holy Spirit's leading us into this "(full, personal, precise, and correct) knowledge," we have no concept of what our Father's prepared for us. Man continues walking in the guilt of the Law of sin and death, without the Holy Spirit's guidance. Even a born again man will necessarily be carnally led, if he doesn't listen and be taught by the Teacher, the Holy Spirit. Under the carnal man's thinking, we live under the bondage of a guilt conscientiousness (sin and death).
And, even though the sin has passed away, guilt remains. Even though abundant life has come, fear of death continues to prevail in our minds. We can read what the Word says, but they convey nothing in the carnal thinking, because they are Spirit. Thus, we continue as newborn babies like 1Peter 2:2 describes. We never grow into mature Christians.
God is a Spirit and His Word is Spirit. We are born again of the Spirit and we are to be taught of the Spirit. Jesus was exactly right in saying that, "The flesh conveys no benefit whatever." God doesn't reveal Himself based on what we feel, what we see, what we think, or how we decide to do things. He reveals Himself to our spirit, according to 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified) which says, "Consequently, from now one we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, Yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)."
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal this "knowledge" to our spirit. Without this revelation from the Holy Spirit, we still see "after the flesh."
Lesson 79 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I see very little understanding of the Holy Spirit's abilities in the lives of most Christians I know. Those who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit have limited His ability to speaking in other tongues and only then, on certain occasions. My mother believed that she could only speak in tongues when the anointing was heavy upon her.
So much misunderstanding has occurred rampantly in the Church for centuries. Many Christians have been taught that the speaking of tongues has ceased or that speaking in tongues originates from satan. As a result, many have become too frightened to even pursue the Holy Spirits or believe that it's foolish to speak in a language they cannot understand.
Any information or revelation about the Holy Spirit has been nearly silenced in many churches because of the lies concerning His ministry and Person Hood. The devil might be insane, but he's not stupid. He knows how when the Church embraces the Holy Spirit, his days are numbered.
The Church is entering a new era of relationship with the Holy Spirit like never before seen. God is raising up a people who were brought up in denominational doctrines and who are open to the supernatural presence of God.
Man has always hungered for the supernatural and satan has taken full advantage of the hunger since man appeared on earth. Without knowing the character and nature of God (through the Holy Spirit), many persons are misled into false cults and into witchcraft ,which according to Galatians 5:19-20 (Amplified) is really the works of the flesh. Thus, it says, "Now the doings of the flesh are clear (obvious) they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, or witchcraft, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper)."
These are those trying to reach into the spirit realm by carnal means. They are not led by the Holy Spirit and are trying to reach the Spirit by the flesh. Those who aren't led by the Holy Spirit are open to deception on a consequential scale. We've failed to teach about the Holy Spirit in many of today's churches and have left baby Christians defenseless in the face of the enemy. We've ministered to their soulish parts, but left out their spirits in the infant stage. We haven't taught the Word, so much as we've taught the doctrines of man.
1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) tells us, "But solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
We witnessed America's decline in what she holds morally good and noble, over the last few decades. It's easy to tell how America's churches are not full grown and without solid food, but still drink milk. Only the Holy Spirit can feed the solid food of the Word into our spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
When we preach the Word to others as merely rules to follow and laws not to break, then we preach them into bondage and law. Their flesh naturally rebels against that. We often preach and teach more about who we used to be, still in our sin and unclean before God, instead of who we are. I've not seen a lot of teaching about who we are in Christ Jesus in today's churches.
The Holy Spirit is the Counselor of the Church and will give advice, revelation and understanding to those who ask. We must heed His counsel or nothing will change. When He counsels us, He does so from the Great Perspective of the Kingdom and the King and not the counsel of the world. Psalm 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man that walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly (following after their advice, their plans, and purposes) nor stands (submissive and inactive) in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down (to relax and rest) where the scornful (and the mockers) gather. But his delight and desire are in the law (Word) of the Lord, and on His Law (precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and night." Verse 3 goes on, "And he shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended) by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper (and come to maturity)."
The Holy Spirit will counsel us from God's point of view and not man's, according to Deuteronomy 30:19 (Amplified) which says, "I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live."
Life is full of choices we make every day. Whether or not we know it, every choice is one of life or death. We won't always make the correct choice if we do not allow the Counselor to guide us. Many lives have been needlessly lost because we simply failed to ask which choice was the right one.
I have been spared many calamities in my life because I've spent time with the Counselor before stepping out. Jesus said in John 5:19 (Amplified), "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His Own accord) but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way (in His turn)."
Jesus was led by the counsel of the Spirit of God and He didn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly. The Holy Spirit is the most important Person in the God Head for our lives today. He will only instruct us as the Father instructed Jesus, giving Him the Words to speak and the paths to take.
As the Family of God, we must learn to hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit like never before. At one time, not long ago, there was a distinct difference between what is right and what is wrong, but the lines have become blurred in these last days. The world and its government has purposely blurred these lines in order to appease the people. They are ruled by the mob and will do anything to gain and maintain power.
We must not allow the Light to go dark in the Church. We must expel the darkness by holding onto the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as He leads us through this valley of the shadow of death.
So much misunderstanding has occurred rampantly in the Church for centuries. Many Christians have been taught that the speaking of tongues has ceased or that speaking in tongues originates from satan. As a result, many have become too frightened to even pursue the Holy Spirits or believe that it's foolish to speak in a language they cannot understand.
Any information or revelation about the Holy Spirit has been nearly silenced in many churches because of the lies concerning His ministry and Person Hood. The devil might be insane, but he's not stupid. He knows how when the Church embraces the Holy Spirit, his days are numbered.
The Church is entering a new era of relationship with the Holy Spirit like never before seen. God is raising up a people who were brought up in denominational doctrines and who are open to the supernatural presence of God.
Man has always hungered for the supernatural and satan has taken full advantage of the hunger since man appeared on earth. Without knowing the character and nature of God (through the Holy Spirit), many persons are misled into false cults and into witchcraft ,which according to Galatians 5:19-20 (Amplified) is really the works of the flesh. Thus, it says, "Now the doings of the flesh are clear (obvious) they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, or witchcraft, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper)."
These are those trying to reach into the spirit realm by carnal means. They are not led by the Holy Spirit and are trying to reach the Spirit by the flesh. Those who aren't led by the Holy Spirit are open to deception on a consequential scale. We've failed to teach about the Holy Spirit in many of today's churches and have left baby Christians defenseless in the face of the enemy. We've ministered to their soulish parts, but left out their spirits in the infant stage. We haven't taught the Word, so much as we've taught the doctrines of man.
1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) tells us, "But solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
We witnessed America's decline in what she holds morally good and noble, over the last few decades. It's easy to tell how America's churches are not full grown and without solid food, but still drink milk. Only the Holy Spirit can feed the solid food of the Word into our spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives life (He is the Life Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
When we preach the Word to others as merely rules to follow and laws not to break, then we preach them into bondage and law. Their flesh naturally rebels against that. We often preach and teach more about who we used to be, still in our sin and unclean before God, instead of who we are. I've not seen a lot of teaching about who we are in Christ Jesus in today's churches.
The Holy Spirit is the Counselor of the Church and will give advice, revelation and understanding to those who ask. We must heed His counsel or nothing will change. When He counsels us, He does so from the Great Perspective of the Kingdom and the King and not the counsel of the world. Psalm 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man that walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly (following after their advice, their plans, and purposes) nor stands (submissive and inactive) in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down (to relax and rest) where the scornful (and the mockers) gather. But his delight and desire are in the law (Word) of the Lord, and on His Law (precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and night." Verse 3 goes on, "And he shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended) by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper (and come to maturity)."
The Holy Spirit will counsel us from God's point of view and not man's, according to Deuteronomy 30:19 (Amplified) which says, "I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live."
Life is full of choices we make every day. Whether or not we know it, every choice is one of life or death. We won't always make the correct choice if we do not allow the Counselor to guide us. Many lives have been needlessly lost because we simply failed to ask which choice was the right one.
I have been spared many calamities in my life because I've spent time with the Counselor before stepping out. Jesus said in John 5:19 (Amplified), "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His Own accord) but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way (in His turn)."
Jesus was led by the counsel of the Spirit of God and He didn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly. The Holy Spirit is the most important Person in the God Head for our lives today. He will only instruct us as the Father instructed Jesus, giving Him the Words to speak and the paths to take.
As the Family of God, we must learn to hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit like never before. At one time, not long ago, there was a distinct difference between what is right and what is wrong, but the lines have become blurred in these last days. The world and its government has purposely blurred these lines in order to appease the people. They are ruled by the mob and will do anything to gain and maintain power.
We must not allow the Light to go dark in the Church. We must expel the darkness by holding onto the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as He leads us through this valley of the shadow of death.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Lesson 78 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned and) created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light."
John 1:1-5 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself." Verse 2 says, "He was present originally with God." Verse 3-5 says, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it (put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it)."
Both of these scriptures give the account of creation according to the Word. Most any born again Christian knows that Jesus is the human form or manifestation of the Word. Luke 1:35-38 (Amplified) says, "Then the angel said to her (Mary), the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud); and so the Holy (pure, sinless) thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing is ever impossible and no Word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said, and the angel left her." The King James version quotes Mary as saying, "According to your Word, let it be done to me."
John 1:14 (Amplified) tells us, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty) such glory as an only begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
These scriptures illustrate the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit working together as One to bring about the will and heart of God in our lives. God has already declared how He desired a family before creating the earth for that family to inhabit. Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified) says, "For we are God's (Own) handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live)."
We are the "new creations," according to 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come." Many have missed the part of our being a new creation. Through Jesus, we have become an "immaculate conception" by the very same process that brought Jesus into this world.
Like Mary's saying, "Let it be done to me according to Thy Word," we did the same by confessing Jesus as Lord with our mouths and receiving Him in our heart." Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trust in and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms his salvation."
As new creations, we came about even as Jesus came about. Like Mary, we declared by faith, "Let it be done unto me according to your Word (which is Jesus)." The Holy Spirit overshadowed us and the "holy thing" born into us was called a son of God. We were born of the Word and the Spirit, just like Jesus was. 1Peter 1:23-25 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is Immortal by the Ever Living and lasting Word of God For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like (the) flower of grass, the grass withers and the flower drops off, But the Word of the Lord (divine instructions, the Gospel) endures forever, And this Word is the Good News, which was, preached to you."
We were born again by the Word of God, just like Jesus was. We were born again as God's new creation and were born again into His family, like He intended from before the foundation of the world. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The Holy Spirit can reveal to you from the Word that we are new creatures born like Jesus was and ingrafted into Him. 1John 1:35 (Amplified) says we are the, "sinless and holy offspring" sons of God." Most of us still identify with the first creation (Adam), instead of with the New Creation, Who is Jesus. We were born again by faith when taking His Word into our hearts, just like He was. The Word (Jesus) is the "sperm, seed of God" and it produces the same thing as the "Original Seed (the Word, Jesus). His sperm or seed produces "sinless and pure and holy," because His Word can only bear the same fruit each and every time. Genesis 1:25-26 (Amplified) says, "The earth brought forth vegetation; plants yielding seed according to its own kinds and trees bearing fruit in which was their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it. And God made the (wild) beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the earth according to their kind. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it. god said, Let us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness and after Our Kind."
How can the Seed (Word) of God produce anything less than "After It's Kind?" We've failed to hear the Holy Spirit's Voice and the counsel of the Word by the Holy Spirit. We've failed to see ourselves after the First Adam instead of after the Last Adam, Jesus. In Him, we are "pure and sinless and holy" and in right standing and righteousness before God. We are born of His Seed, which is Jesus Himself.
This truth can bring about a righteousness consciousness, instead of a sin consciousness. This is the truth that will bring you into true fellowship with our Father and bring us "Boldly before His Throne of Grace," which is the Holy of Holies. We need to get passed the "Sin that so easily besets us," like Hebrews 6:1-2 instructs saying, "Therefore, Let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not be again laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith (by which you turned) to God. With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment (These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago)."
Romans 8:28-30 (Amplified) says, "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose." Verse 29 goes on, "For those whom He loves and knew (of who He was aware and loved beforehand) He also destined from the beginning (for ordained them) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His (Likeness) that He might become the firstborn among many brethren (every seed produces after its kind)." Verse 30 says< "And those whom He thus fore ordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself) And those whom He justified, He also glorified (raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being)."
John 1:1-5 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself." Verse 2 says, "He was present originally with God." Verse 3-5 says, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it (put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it)."
Both of these scriptures give the account of creation according to the Word. Most any born again Christian knows that Jesus is the human form or manifestation of the Word. Luke 1:35-38 (Amplified) says, "Then the angel said to her (Mary), the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud); and so the Holy (pure, sinless) thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing is ever impossible and no Word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said, and the angel left her." The King James version quotes Mary as saying, "According to your Word, let it be done to me."
John 1:14 (Amplified) tells us, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty) such glory as an only begotten Son receives from His Father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth."
These scriptures illustrate the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit working together as One to bring about the will and heart of God in our lives. God has already declared how He desired a family before creating the earth for that family to inhabit. Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified) says, "For we are God's (Own) handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live)."
We are the "new creations," according to 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come." Many have missed the part of our being a new creation. Through Jesus, we have become an "immaculate conception" by the very same process that brought Jesus into this world.
Like Mary's saying, "Let it be done to me according to Thy Word," we did the same by confessing Jesus as Lord with our mouths and receiving Him in our heart." Romans 10:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trust in and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms his salvation."
As new creations, we came about even as Jesus came about. Like Mary, we declared by faith, "Let it be done unto me according to your Word (which is Jesus)." The Holy Spirit overshadowed us and the "holy thing" born into us was called a son of God. We were born of the Word and the Spirit, just like Jesus was. 1Peter 1:23-25 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is Immortal by the Ever Living and lasting Word of God For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like (the) flower of grass, the grass withers and the flower drops off, But the Word of the Lord (divine instructions, the Gospel) endures forever, And this Word is the Good News, which was, preached to you."
We were born again by the Word of God, just like Jesus was. We were born again as God's new creation and were born again into His family, like He intended from before the foundation of the world. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The Holy Spirit can reveal to you from the Word that we are new creatures born like Jesus was and ingrafted into Him. 1John 1:35 (Amplified) says we are the, "sinless and holy offspring" sons of God." Most of us still identify with the first creation (Adam), instead of with the New Creation, Who is Jesus. We were born again by faith when taking His Word into our hearts, just like He was. The Word (Jesus) is the "sperm, seed of God" and it produces the same thing as the "Original Seed (the Word, Jesus). His sperm or seed produces "sinless and pure and holy," because His Word can only bear the same fruit each and every time. Genesis 1:25-26 (Amplified) says, "The earth brought forth vegetation; plants yielding seed according to its own kinds and trees bearing fruit in which was their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it. And God made the (wild) beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the earth according to their kind. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it. god said, Let us (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness and after Our Kind."
How can the Seed (Word) of God produce anything less than "After It's Kind?" We've failed to hear the Holy Spirit's Voice and the counsel of the Word by the Holy Spirit. We've failed to see ourselves after the First Adam instead of after the Last Adam, Jesus. In Him, we are "pure and sinless and holy" and in right standing and righteousness before God. We are born of His Seed, which is Jesus Himself.
This truth can bring about a righteousness consciousness, instead of a sin consciousness. This is the truth that will bring you into true fellowship with our Father and bring us "Boldly before His Throne of Grace," which is the Holy of Holies. We need to get passed the "Sin that so easily besets us," like Hebrews 6:1-2 instructs saying, "Therefore, Let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not be again laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith (by which you turned) to God. With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment (These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago)."
Romans 8:28-30 (Amplified) says, "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose." Verse 29 goes on, "For those whom He loves and knew (of who He was aware and loved beforehand) He also destined from the beginning (for ordained them) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His (Likeness) that He might become the firstborn among many brethren (every seed produces after its kind)." Verse 30 says< "And those whom He thus fore ordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself) And those whom He justified, He also glorified (raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being)."
Monday, October 5, 2015
Lesson 77 The Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said in John 16:12-13 (Amplified), "I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth Giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth) For He will not speak His Own message (on His Own authority) but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him), and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future)."
For many readers, the four gospels are the words of Jesus and the other books in the New Testament are the words of Peter, Paul, James, John and other followers. The truth is that all the Words we read are the Words of the Father. It was the Father Who spoke through Jesus, according to John 12:49 (Amplified) which says, "This is because I have never spoken on My Own authority or of My Own accord or as self-appointed, But the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders (concerning) what to say and what to tell."
2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) says, "True there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord, I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows, was caught up to the third heaven." Verses 3-4 go on, "And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
Jesus told His disciples that, "He still had many things to tell them, but that they couldn't understand them yet," above. He said that the Holy Spirit would reveal these things to them. Jesus never spoke the words about the new creation and neither did the Holy Spirit, but the Father. When Paul was taken into the third heaven before the Father, the Father Himself revealed the new birth to him. The Teacher of the Church, the Holy Spirit speaks to us from the Father.
The words we read from the time of Jesus' death, is the revelation the Father gives through the Holy Spirit. Although, it is the Holy Spirit revealing these things to us, it is the Father Who is speaking through Him like He did through Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:25-26 (Amplified) that, "I have told you these things while I am still with you, But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Stand-by) the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf) He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."
The Father, Who was living in the flesh and blood body of Jesus, was the One speaking and doing the works and the Word. Now, the Father is living in us, by the same Spirit of God , and is continuing the Words that Jesus couldn't tell the disciples. Without the same Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) living in them, they couldn't understand the new covenant.
When Paul was taken up into the third heaven (Paradise), the Father spoke to him the mystery of the new birth and the new creation. It's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (God in Spirit Form) living in and speaking through Paul that reveals the things Jesus' disciples couldn't yet understand, to us. The Father speaks and is completing the Message Christ came to deliver, by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going away, but He wouldn't leave them (or us) as orphans and that He would come again in John 14:28 (Amplified). Jesus did exactly that on the Day of Pentecost and will return soon. The Father was in Jesus returned to His followers in the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is God.
Galatians 1:11-12,16 (Amplified) says, "For I want you to know brethren, that the gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not a man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given by) Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Verse 16 says, "To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within Me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel) immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood (did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone)."
We see in the above scriptures, the things that Jesus couldn't and wouldn't declare before His death. The Father would only speak through Him on the "flesh" side of the cross. And, now we see and hear the Father speak to us about the other side of the cross. That other side is the one the Spirit of God within us can reveal. These are the finished Words of Jesus that He couldn't speak before.
Before the Holy Spirit, man could never understand the "mystery" of the new birth and how the God Head would actually indwell within the spirit of man. We still stumble with and stagger with the blessed mystery of the Holy Spirit's living in us. We continue trying to deal with the righteousness or right standing in our carnal thinking instead of the revelation of the Father speaking in and through us. Jesus said, "The Words that I am speaking are not My Own, but the Father in Me, He speaks the Words."
It's difficult for us to understand this truth too, that the Father speaks to us. We seem to lack the revelation that it's the Father in us and that it's His Words we speak. So, we can see why even Jesus couldn't teach His followers beyond the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When God spoke to Paul about the new covenant, Paul singularly held that revelation. The Holy Spirit was "poured out" from heaven on Pentecost, but Paul still lacked the revelation about the Gentiles being in covenant with the Jew.
Satan kept the Church at odds with itself concerning revelation. As long as man tries understanding without the Holy Spirit, we will always be at odds with one another. Only the Holy Spirit can continue in the Words Jesus began teaching. The Holy Spirit, or God in the Spirit or Jesus, indwelt by God the Father in the Spirit, has come to reveal what Jesus couldn't teach during His earthly ministry. Jesus said in John 16:12 that the Holy Spirit hadn't been given yet and the Plan of God couldn't be revealed to satan.
1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) tells us, "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God (that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence) None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory."
We can now understand why Jesus couldn't explain or reveal to His Own disciples, the plan of the new covenant. He could only say what the Father told Him to say and do what the Father told Him to do. Now, by the Holy Spirit, this mystery has been unfolded and revealed to all those who will listen to the Teacher of the Church. The Father is still speaking to us like He spoke through Jesus, if we will only begin to listen to His Spirit in our new born again spirit.
For many readers, the four gospels are the words of Jesus and the other books in the New Testament are the words of Peter, Paul, James, John and other followers. The truth is that all the Words we read are the Words of the Father. It was the Father Who spoke through Jesus, according to John 12:49 (Amplified) which says, "This is because I have never spoken on My Own authority or of My Own accord or as self-appointed, But the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders (concerning) what to say and what to tell."
2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) says, "True there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord, I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows, was caught up to the third heaven." Verses 3-4 go on, "And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
Jesus told His disciples that, "He still had many things to tell them, but that they couldn't understand them yet," above. He said that the Holy Spirit would reveal these things to them. Jesus never spoke the words about the new creation and neither did the Holy Spirit, but the Father. When Paul was taken into the third heaven before the Father, the Father Himself revealed the new birth to him. The Teacher of the Church, the Holy Spirit speaks to us from the Father.
The words we read from the time of Jesus' death, is the revelation the Father gives through the Holy Spirit. Although, it is the Holy Spirit revealing these things to us, it is the Father Who is speaking through Him like He did through Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:25-26 (Amplified) that, "I have told you these things while I am still with you, But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Stand-by) the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf) He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."
The Father, Who was living in the flesh and blood body of Jesus, was the One speaking and doing the works and the Word. Now, the Father is living in us, by the same Spirit of God , and is continuing the Words that Jesus couldn't tell the disciples. Without the same Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) living in them, they couldn't understand the new covenant.
When Paul was taken up into the third heaven (Paradise), the Father spoke to him the mystery of the new birth and the new creation. It's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (God in Spirit Form) living in and speaking through Paul that reveals the things Jesus' disciples couldn't yet understand, to us. The Father speaks and is completing the Message Christ came to deliver, by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going away, but He wouldn't leave them (or us) as orphans and that He would come again in John 14:28 (Amplified). Jesus did exactly that on the Day of Pentecost and will return soon. The Father was in Jesus returned to His followers in the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is God.
Galatians 1:11-12,16 (Amplified) says, "For I want you to know brethren, that the gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not a man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given by) Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Verse 16 says, "To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within Me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel) immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood (did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone)."
We see in the above scriptures, the things that Jesus couldn't and wouldn't declare before His death. The Father would only speak through Him on the "flesh" side of the cross. And, now we see and hear the Father speak to us about the other side of the cross. That other side is the one the Spirit of God within us can reveal. These are the finished Words of Jesus that He couldn't speak before.
Before the Holy Spirit, man could never understand the "mystery" of the new birth and how the God Head would actually indwell within the spirit of man. We still stumble with and stagger with the blessed mystery of the Holy Spirit's living in us. We continue trying to deal with the righteousness or right standing in our carnal thinking instead of the revelation of the Father speaking in and through us. Jesus said, "The Words that I am speaking are not My Own, but the Father in Me, He speaks the Words."
It's difficult for us to understand this truth too, that the Father speaks to us. We seem to lack the revelation that it's the Father in us and that it's His Words we speak. So, we can see why even Jesus couldn't teach His followers beyond the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When God spoke to Paul about the new covenant, Paul singularly held that revelation. The Holy Spirit was "poured out" from heaven on Pentecost, but Paul still lacked the revelation about the Gentiles being in covenant with the Jew.
Satan kept the Church at odds with itself concerning revelation. As long as man tries understanding without the Holy Spirit, we will always be at odds with one another. Only the Holy Spirit can continue in the Words Jesus began teaching. The Holy Spirit, or God in the Spirit or Jesus, indwelt by God the Father in the Spirit, has come to reveal what Jesus couldn't teach during His earthly ministry. Jesus said in John 16:12 that the Holy Spirit hadn't been given yet and the Plan of God couldn't be revealed to satan.
1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) tells us, "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God (that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence) None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory."
We can now understand why Jesus couldn't explain or reveal to His Own disciples, the plan of the new covenant. He could only say what the Father told Him to say and do what the Father told Him to do. Now, by the Holy Spirit, this mystery has been unfolded and revealed to all those who will listen to the Teacher of the Church. The Father is still speaking to us like He spoke through Jesus, if we will only begin to listen to His Spirit in our new born again spirit.
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