THE MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (MEGARISMS)! PART IV We continue our series of the Ministries of the Holy Spirit. Today we will look at the Ministries of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the man and in particular the man in the Old Testament Earlier on we referred to Malachi 3:6 that declares that,” I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” As we look at the works of the Holy Spirit in relationship to man in the Old Testament, we can be rest assured that what the Holy Spirit did then He can do in our lives and even much more as you will notice in our discussion today. There is a key distinction between the Holy Spirit’s works in the New Testament as over against His work in the Old Testament, which is brought out in John 7:37-39 which says: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” The above passage promised that some day (and we are living in that some day: glory to God!) the Spirit would be in all believers. But He pointed out that the Spirit had not yet been given. However, this did not mean that the Spirit had not been active because He was active throughout the pages of the Old Testament as we discussed in PART II when we discussed the ministries of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the Old Testament. The meaning of John 7:37-39 is explicitly explained in John 14:16-17: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (Comforter) to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. According to this passage, the Holy Spirit was WITH the believer. Later, He would be IN the believer. This difference is critical to note and differentiate. The difference between Old Testament and Testament Dispensations of the Holy Spirit is twofold: In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit indwelt some believers temporarily whilst in the New Testament , as of Acts 2, He indwells all believers forever. There are three specific ministries of the Holy Spirit among men in the Old Testament and these are: I. The ministry of indwelling: It’s important to note again here that the Holy Spirit did not indwell all men in the Old Testament. For example He indwelt Joshua (Num. 27:18); Daniel (Dan 6:3); and the Old Testament Prophets (1 Peter 1:10-11). II. The second ministry is that He came upon some people: It must be noted here that He came upon some people for a particular assignment that needed to be fulfilled. He came upon Othniel (Judges 3:9-10); Gideon (Judges 6:34); Jephtah (Judges 11:29); Samson (Judges 13:24-25;14:6; 19;15:14); Saul (1 Sam 10:9-10); and David (1 Sam 16:13) III. The third ministry is that of filling: This can be seen in Exodus 28:3; 31:3; and 35:30-31 In a nutshell, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was connected with special service. Those who were called to a special service were the ones who received the special works of the Holy Spirit. The second aspect involved the Holy Spirit providing a provision of divine enablement In view of the above, we can engage the works of the Holy Spirit in every circumstance and every situation of our lives. APPLICATION (WISDOM: Rightful application of knowledge): In view of the knowledge you have acquired concerning the works or ministries of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the man in the Old Testament, how do you benefit from that now knowing that God does not change? It was the Holy Spirit that enabled men of old to achieve and accomplish incredible tasks to the glory of God. That same spirit is available to you now! How do I profit or benefit from this truth about the Holy Spirit? PRAYER DIRECTION: I. Thank God for this opportunity given to you to hear His word for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God: Psalm 100:4 II. Take time to love the Holy Spirit. Say: Holy Spirit, I love your bright presence. I can do nothing without your help. Go ahead and simply adore Him presence and express your love for Him. You are able to love Him because God first loved you by shedding His love abroad in your heart by the same Spirit. III. Ask the Holy Spirit to release abundant revelation of God’s heart, word and purpose to you (Eph 1:17) IV. Ask the Holy Spirit to use you more and more in the spiritual gifts to minister to others (1 Cor 12:7) V. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your mind, emotions and speech with His might. Ask Him to strengthen your inner man (Eph 3:16) VI. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about God’s will and ways that He may manifest His leadership in every issue in your life, finances, marriage, career, emotions, schedules etc GOD BLESS YOU AND JOIN US IN OUR PART V TOMORROW – SHALOM!!
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:04:11 +0000
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