The Power

More about The Power

Last week we talked about how Christ was The Example, and when He left He was going to send the Spirit to be The Power. Jesus gave his disciples some advice about the Spirit and what the Spirit would do for them. It is clear that Jesus felt that this was very important, so we too should pay close attention to His words.

First Scripture:
John 16:5-15
"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'
"But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Questions about The Spirit:
Q: How is the Spirit our ‘helper?’ What is the purpose of the Spirit?
--Gives the fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control
--Provides ‘parental guidance.’ We can ask for advice, permission, and ideas about what we should do.
-- Gets us out of a bind by telling us what to do.
--Reveals things to us
--Gives us courage and comfort.
--Prays for us when we don’t know the words
--Knows the mind/will of God
--Teaches us
--Deposit in our hearts as a pledge

Q: Why did Jesus have to leave the disciples in order for the Spirit to come?
--Jesus had to die and rise to provide the good news for the Spirit to proclaim
--God loves to use a process to accomplish His work. Think about creation.

Q:Why does the Spirit seem to come and go, or be more active in certain places (like Africa)?

We discussed how the Spirit is always working and always ready to work. It is true that sometimes there is an extra outpouring of the Spirit, but that is usually due to our issues, not His. So why does the Spirit work mighty miracles in places like Africa? Well, for one thing, He does work mightily here in the good old U.S. of A, there is no doubt about that. But, it is a good point that revivals often occur in very dark places. Part of that is probably because God works with people who are humble. He also works with people who have faith, and who are not weighed down by unbelief. Sometimes those of us in the US find ourselves thinking that we don’t really have any needs, and the Bible says that worries and wealth can choke out the gospel. (Matthew 13:22)

Bottom Line:
Because of the Spirit, Jesus’ words can apply to us:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Extra Credit:
Brief Overview of the gifts of the Spirit: Here or Here
All the New Testament verses that contain the word "Spirit" Here or Here