Rev. David Holwick ZG
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
September 17, 1989
John 14:15-27
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I. Spiritual alienation in modern times.
A. "Death of God" movement.
1) Spirit means same thing as psychological.
B. Even Christians often feel alone in crisis.
1) Religion seems inadequate.
II. The quenched Spirit in the Bible.
A. OT development.
1) Patriarchs: pious men possess the Spirit.
2) Exodus: only chosen men - prophets, high priests, kings.
a) Saul 1 Samuel 10:1,6
1> His heart is changed. 10:9
2> He receives power and prophesies. 10:10
3> He is thought to be weird. 10:11
b) David 1 Samuel 16:11-14
1> He is anointed by Samuel. 16:12
2> The Spirit comes on him. 16:13
3> The Spirit departs from Saul. 16:14
3) Death of OT prophets - spirit quenched.
a) OT evidence: Psalm 74:9
b) Rabbinical evidence, Apocrapha
1> God is silence.
2> His voice is only an "echo".
B. Prophecy: the Spirit will return with the Messiah.
1) The Messiah will possess the Spirit.
a) Isaiah 11:2 The Sevenfold Spirit
b) Isaiah 42:1,7 Anointed to heal
2) The Kingdom or Millennium will be characterized by the Spirit.
a) Blessing of perfect fellowship with God.
b) Jesus brings this.
III. Jesus and the return of the Spirit.
A. Aspects of his life associated with the Spirit.
1) Birth and baptism.
a) Conception by Spirit.
b) Consecration by Spirit.
2) Jesus as a prophet.
a) John the Baptist a forerunner prophet.
1> Recognized by secular sources.
b) Jesus also recognized by the people as a prophet.
1> Condemned for being a false prophet.
3) Jesus as a miracle worker.
a) Bestowal of God's grace.
1> Healings.
2> Daily guidance. (John 14,...)
A> Comfort
B> Assurance
C> Prophetic insight.
D> Understanding of Scripture.
b) Exorcisms.
1> Defeat of Satan. Matthew 12:28
2> Testimony under persecution. Mark 13:11
B. Jesus' direct teaching.
1) Spirit is sign of God's new age.
IV. The Spirit and Christians.
A. Blasphemy of the Spirit. Matthew 12:31
1) Denial of God in life.
a) Many who claim to be Christians do just this.
2) Flip side - no Spirit, no salvation.
a) Worship in Spirit and truth.
B. Receiving the Spirit.
1) Not by national birth, etc. John 1:12
2) Must be reborn; a disciple of Jesus. John 3:5-6
a) Sent from God.
C. What the Spirit does.
1) Conviction of truth and error. John 16:8
a) Sin. (God must show it to us.)
b) Righteousness. (Salvation by grace must be revealed.)
c) Judgment.
2) The presence of Jesus for us. John 14:8
a) Guidance. 14:6
b) Teaching spiritual truths. 14:26
c) A daily reality.
3) Assurance of salvation.
V. Living in the Spirit.
A. "Scientific age" is undergoing a growing interest in
experiences that transcend this reality.
B. Christianity is more than:
1) Believing a handful of facts.
2) Practicing a few religious habits.
3) It takes a commitment to the Spirit of Jesus.
C. Example of Jim Gross:
Jim Gross used to be a long-haired hippie.
He was a drug dealer in Akron.
Became saved.
Dropped alcohol immediately, and promiscuity.
Marijuana was harder.
Went to read Bible in woods and smoke a joint; made him feel
close to God.
Put down Bible to smoke, was feeling very mellow.
Had half his joint left.
Didn't want to read Bible then, but felt convicted.
Opened to Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, ... but
be filled with the Spirit."
Convinced him to stop smoking dope.
However, he did not get rid of last half of joint but stashed it
in his garage.
Later he smoked it but felt very guilty.
Cigarettes also took him a long time to give up.
He and wife spent $1,400 a year on cigarettes; he smoked
two packs a day.
He quit, then started, quit, started.
He stored them on top of air duct in garage and was tempted by them.
Decided he must rid his house of them completely if he would
have victory.
He found out to really be a Christian and feel the spiritual power
you must give all of yourself to Jesus. #799
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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