The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: His Person, His Purpose & His Power (Week 1)

Introduction

As you are aware, tomorrow will be the first day of our month-long time of consecration. This consecration is different than any we have ever experienced in the 27 years of this ministry and, during this time and beyond, we are asking God for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our individual lives and in our corporate life as a church.  Therefore, there is no better time for us to spend the next several weeks studying The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: His Person, His Purpose, and His Power.

As we talk about the Holy Spirit and study His attributes, I want to encourage you to expect a greater manifestation of His presence in our services and in your home. I encourage you to open your heart and ask Him to fill you afresh for this amazing journey.

Now, I have found that to understand what something is, it is often helpful to determine what it is not. So before we begin taking about who the Holy Spirit is, let’s take a moment to deal with what the Holy Spirit is not.

The Holy Spirit is not an “it”

• It – the pronoun used to represent an inanimate thing
• The Holy Spirit possesses the qualities of personality: intellect, will, and emotion (or thinking, feeling, and acting)
• The Holy Spirit possesses intellect – 1 Cor. 2:11: For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows (discerns clearly) the things of God except the Spirit of God.
• The Holy Spirit possesses emotion – 4:30: And do not grieve (to distress, make sad or sorrowful) the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
• The Holy Spirit possesses a will – 1 Cor. 12:11: But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (is disposed or intends).

The Holy Spirit is not a feeling
Although His presence can be felt, He is more than a feeling.

The Holy Spirit is not “something”
Believers often say, “Something told me” when in fact what we likely experienced was a prompting from the Holy Spirit.

Now that we have clarity on what the Holy Spirit is not, let’s explore who He is.

The Person of the Holy Spirit

1. He is the third person of the Trinity (Gen. 1:1-2, 26)
   A.  God the Father = Creator
   B.  God the Son = Savior
   C.  God the Holy Spirit = was present at creation, hovering, sweeping and moving; the executive arm of the Trinity and the active agent in the earth today.
2. He is the Comforter (John 14:1-6; 12-16)
   A.  Verses 2, 3, 4, and 12 – Jesus says, “I go”
   B.  Verse 16 – “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you…”
   C.  Another – One besides, another of the same kind. The word shows similarities but diversities of operation and ministries. Jesus’ use of (the Greek word) allos for sending another Comforter equals “one besides Me and in addition to Me but one just like Me. He will do in My absence what I would do if I were physically present with you.” The Spirit’s coming assures continuity with what Jesus did and taught. – New Spirit Filled Life Bible Word Wealth
   D. Comforter – NT:3875 parakletos – from para (beside) and kaleo (to call); called to one’s side; an intercessor, consoler, helper, and advocate
   Intercessor – One who acts on behalf of another by pleading or petitioning
   Rom. 8:26b: For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
   Consoler – One who alleviates grief, sorrow, or disappointment
   John 14:18a: I will not leave you orphans (bereaved; fatherless)
   Helper – One who takes hold of opposite together; i.e. co-operates and assists
   Rom. 8:26a: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.
   Advocate – One who speaks in favor of another
   1 John 2:1: My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
3. He is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17)
   A.  He testifies of the Truth – John 15:26: But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of me (Jesus – who is the way, the Truth, and the life)
   B.  He guides us into truth – John 16:13: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;