I. The Old Testament Historical Record

A. Expressions of need for the Holy Spirit.

1. The cry of the PEOPLE of God, Numbers 11:24-29.

Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them! (Numbers 11:29 NKJV).

2. The cry of the SPIRIT of God.

Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29 NKJV).

B. Promises of the Holy Spirit.

1. God's law would be in the minds and hearts of His people, Jeremiah 31:31-34.

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV).

2. God was going to put "a NEW spirit" in His people.

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgements and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:19,20 NKJV).

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes . . . (Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV).

II. The New Testament Fulfillment Of Promises

A. Jesus will impart His Spirit to those who believe.

1. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace and the Spirit of TRUTH.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17 NKJV).

2. John the Baptist gives witness to Jesus.

. . . and John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God" (John 1:32-34 NKJV).

3. Jesus is filled with and empowered by the SPIRIT.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 2:9 NKJV).

B. Examples of the Disciple's need for the Spirit.

1. James and John, the "Sons of Thunder."

a. Charisma (power) -- they wanted to call fire down from heaven, Luke 9:54.

b. Character (love) -- Jesus rebuked them; he did not come to destroy, but to save, Luke 9:55,56.

2. PETER used a sword to cut off the High Priest's servant's ear.

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31,32 NKJV).

3. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:4-8.

TRANSITION BETWEEN TWO COVENANTS
Old Covenant	New Covenant
Spirit of Law	Spirit of Grace and Truth
Spirit of Legalism	Charisma (power)
Death and Destruction	Character (love)

C. The Holy Spirit in the Early Church.

1. Stephen -- a man full of faith and power, Acts 6:8.

a. Stephen shows the CHARACTER (love) of God.

Those who disputed with him were unable to resist the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:9,10 NKJV).

b. Stephen speaks to the leaders, Acts 7:2-50.

c. Stephen rebukes the leaders, Acts 7:51-55.

2. The Early Church was full of power, grace and love, wisdom and revelation.

III. God's Spirit In Us

A. God has given us everything we need to complete and fulfil His PURPOSE in our life.

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:6,7 NKJV).

B. The Wisdom and Will of God guard and guide the Gifts and Power of the Holy Spirit.

1. God gives us good JUDGMENT -- when to use the gifts.

Wisdom and good judgment tell you this: You can't just operate the gifts of the Spirit (the power of God) at your will anytime you want to, because you're not God!

2. God gives us the right spirit -- how do we use the power.

a. Jesus' motivation was COMPASSION.

b. There is a purpose in everything God does.

C. The purpose of God's Spirit within Us.

1. God has given us everything we need so we can partake of the Divine nature.

. . . as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3,4 NKJV).

2. God's NATURE is "character" and "charisma."

a. "Charisma" without "character" is destructive.

b. Ministry will destroy you without "character."

THE GOAL OF CHARACTER IS TO CONTROL, CHANNEL AND RELEASE THE CHARISMA.

3. Charisma needs to operate in the life of the believer:

a. So the WILL of God might be done.

b. So the CHURCH might be edified.

c. So the works of the devil might be destroyed.

CHARACTER	CHARISMA
exact copy	a gift of grace
express image	spiritual endowment
precise reproduction	extraordinary powers
the very nature of God within us	the power of God within us
Hebrews 1:3; Romans 8:28,29; 2 Peter 1:4	Romans 12:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 3:7; 4:7

4. Fruit GROWS -- gifts are given

 

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