Part I The Pouring Out of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit of God is often perceived as energy and activity, the power through which God accomplishes his purposes, which can be either creative or destructive. The Holy Spirit, through its activities, extends God’s presence into creation, and reveals God’s purpose and plans to mankind. Until the time of Jesus, God’s spirit would descend on selected people for a limited time, and for various reasons and purposes. Jesus, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit, through which he preached powerfully and performed miracles. And he gave us this good news: after he returns to heaven, the Holy Spirit will be sent to earth and dwell among people, making itself forever available to everyone, not just to a few individuals and for a selected time. 

A complete Bible study on the pouring out of the holy spirit is available upon request.

Part II The Work of the Holy Spirit

1. To continue in Jesus’s work and presence on earth

Read John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26 and 16:13, and Matthew 28:20

• As the Spirit of Truth – to teach the truth, to testify about Jesus, and to guide people to the truth.

• To be with us forever.  Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave the disciples the mission to evangelize the world, and he promised to be with us always, to the very end of the age. How can this be if he is about to leave the earth for good? The answer is the Holy Spirit, the manifestation of God who will be with us on earth forever.

2. To further Jesus’ Work in believers

The Holy Spirit continues the work Jesus started on transforming the lives of the believers.

• John 3: 5-6 and Acts 2:38  To give (spiritual) birth at baptism.  At baptism, believers are reborn with the Holy Spirit.

• 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19  To live in and among the believers

• 2  Corinthians 3: 17-18 To transform the believers to become more like Jesus

• Romans 8: 26   To help believers in our weakness

• Galatians 5: 22-23 To produce fruits in the lives of the believers

3. To lead and guide church planting

The book of Acts is also referred to as the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit led the effort to spread the message of the cross and to start churches all over the world, and it continues to do so today. The Holy Spirit enables the apostles and the believers to perform signs and wonders and to deliver God’s message of reconciliation with powerful persuasions (1 Corinthians 2:4).  In addition:

• Acts 9:31 The Holy Spirit increased the number of believers.

• Acts 16:6 The Holy Spirit guides the apostles on where to focus their missionary activities.

• Acts 15:28  The Holy Spirit guides the church leaders in deciding which Jewish traditions to impose on non-Jewish converts.

• Acts 20:23  The Holy Spirit warns Paul of the hardship ahead of him.

• Acts 5:1-11   The Holy Spirit reveals the deception of church members and personally punishes them.

4. To grow and mature the church

The Holy Spirit continues to be active in the church, as it works to appoint leaders and give gifts to people, so that the church can grow and mature. 

• Acts 20:28 The Holy Spirit appoints leaders in each local church

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers in the church so that the church may grow into maturity

5. To be the witness of the covenant between God and his people

The Holy Spirit is part of the inheritance God has in store for us and testifies 

• Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1: 21-22  God promises a rich inheritance to those who belong to him. To guarantee this promise, God gives the Holy Spirit as a deposit. To give a deposit is like paying the first installment – which not only makes us feel secure about the promise, but also gives us a ‘sneak preview’ of the glorious inheritance we will receive. 

• Romans 8: 15 – 16, and Galatians 3:26 The Holy Spirit testifies for us as God's children. .

Reflection

Do you see the work of the Holy Spirit all around you, or do you see it as merely human efforts? The Holy Spirit is living and active, it is working constantly to lead, act, intercede, create, call, and even punish and destroy those who challenge its divine nature and authority.  Is Holy Spirit an active part of my spiritual growth?  If not, how can I form a stronger partnership with the Holy Spirit in different aspects of my life?    

1. Qualities in a Spirit-filled life

When individuals whose lives are filled with the Spirit, these qualities are also evident in their lives:

• Acts 4: 31    They are bold in speaking God’s word.

• Acts 6:5      They are full of faith.

• Acts 9: 24   They lead others to Christ.

• Acts 13: 52   They are full of joy.

• Romans 15:13 They have hope.

• 2 Timothy 1:7   They have power, love, and self-discipline.

2. Practical Steps

How can we today live a life filled with the Spirit like Stephan, Barnabas, Timothy, and other ordinary disciples whose stories we read in the Bible?

1. Desire to do God’s will - God’s spirit in us longs to do God’s will, so when we have the same desire, the Spirit of God feels at home in us. 

2. Empty ourselves – when our mind, heart, and soul are filled with ourselves: our selfishness, self-righteousness, worries, and fears, we have no room for the Spirit to come in. So first empty out our self-interest and our need to control, to prove, or to be somebody. When we become empty, we make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us.

3. Invite the Holy Spirit. We simply invite the Spirit to fill us, and he does it! Then we have a partnership where our lives are filled with the Holy Spirit to do what pleases God and to let God mold us to become like Jesus.

Reflection

Examine your life and ask yourself: Do people see me as courageous, joyful, hopeful, and disciplined?  Or am I  fearful, prone to depression, negativity, despration, and chaos?  The good news is, the Holy Spirit is so ready to fill you with boldness, faithfulness, joy, love, and self-discipline!  But am I prepared to take the steps to let him in?  If not, why not?

Part III Living a Spirit-filled Life

Part IV Living a Spirit-led life

At our baptism, we receive forgiveness of our sins and we enter a new covenant with God where we no longer live for ourselves and where Jesus is truly the Lord and Savior of our lives. Hence we surrender the control of our lives to God and invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in our lives.

1. Strategically, we set our minds to desiring spiritual things

Read Romans 8:5 and 12:2

The orientation of our mind determines the direction of our lives. If, for example, our minds are oriented towards self-promotion and lust after fame and worldly pleasure, then we are given ourselves to be led by the desire of the flesh in our choices. If, however, we set our mind on living a humble, grace-covered, and God-dependent life, we surrender ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit to do what is pleasing to God.

2. Tactically, we take steps together with the Holy Spirit

Read Galatians 5:16-18

Our flesh and our spirit are in constant conflict. Though our spirit may desire to do what is right and good for us, our flesh tempts us to do what feels good at the moment. Life under the law is a destructive cycle of temptations, sins, guilt, and punishment. It leads to more shame, fear, pain, and harsh judgments. Only a life led by the spirit can free us from this bondage of the law. To be led by the Spirit is to walk in step with the Spirit: in humility before God, with the courage to say no to ungodliness and worldly passion, a dependence on God’s grace for forgiveness when we sin, and complete trust in God to provide, deliver, and reward our faith. 

When we actively submit our will to walk in steps with the Spirit, the Spirit then produces fruits of righteousness in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Note that it is not by our effort to become more joyful or more patient. Rather,  it is the Spirit who gives us more joy and patience as we walk with the Spirit.)

3. Practical Steps in Walking with the Spirit

• Set your mind to put God and his righteousness first.   Matthew 6:33.  Jesus says that you cannot serve God and money, as your allegiance would be divided.  Decide to put God first.  Without this decision, you will already lose half of the battle. 

• Trust.   It's hard to follow someone you don't trust.  So take the step of faith to trust God. 

• Obey.  When we are open to listen, God speaks!  He speaks to us in many ways: through reading Bible verses, people, sermons, events in prayers, thoughts, or dreams.  When you hear or feel the prompting, be prepared to obey. 

Reflection

Do I set my mind on the higher order of things, and align my desire with God's? Or does the agenda of the world and its enticement dictate my daily priorities? Will I choose to live a life led by the Spirit? If so, how can I be more intentional in living a Spirit-led life?

Next Study

Back to the reFoundation series overview

Study #12 Eternal Life

• Eternal life and heaven

• As we look forward