Point of Grace Worship 5.30.21 Sermon Notes What does the Holy Spirit Do?

Pentecost?

Our modern culture makes it incredibly difficult to talk about the Holy Spirit.

John 16

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, 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… 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

- In Jesus’ mind it is better for Him to leave so that we could have the Holy Spirit than for Jesus to stay.

- This is totally contrary to what I would normally want...Jesus sees and understands something about the Holy Spirit that I don’t see or understand.

What does the Holy Spirit even do? - “Some church traditions are really into the Holy Spirit. And for some traditions, the Trinity can be more like the Father, Son and Holy Scripture.”

Genesis 1 & 2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Spirit = Ruakh = God’s breath/energy

The Holy Spirit Specializes in creating life, order and beauty out of darkness, chaos and death.

Ezekiel 37

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley] it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling] and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

- The bones grew flesh and skin, but until the breath of God was in them they were lifeless.

Examples of the Holy Spirit creating life out of lifeless situations: Peter and the disciples, Isaiah in the temple, Joseph in prison, Jonah in the whale

The Holy Spirit that Jesus has made available to us all on Pentecost, through His resurrection unlocks a living, breathing God that is more than just “right knowledge” and trying harder.

In the midst of the chaos and darkness of my own life, I receive the Spirit who creates life, order, goodness and beauty!

I become able to breath this Holy Spirit life, order, goodness and beauty out into a dark, chaotic world.

"The holy spirit doesn't add to what Jesus has already said and instituted, but he makes all Jesus has said and done alive today. This is what the Holy Spirit is meant to be. The one who accomplishes, who realizes, who re-enacts the work of Jesus.”

What good news is this for me?

1. I am not expected to do life on my own.

2. I can enjoy the journey of faith rather than just working for the end result of faith.

3. The Holy Spirit breathes life into our imaginations on what we are “able-to-do” as God’s children

Helpful tools to regularly Breathe in and Out Holy Spirit life:

1. I Belong Challenge, particularly the prayers

2. The Alpha Course

3. “Come Holy Spirit” prayers that lead to “Relentless Dependence” on the Holy Spirit

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Genesis 1: 1-2 & 2:4-7

Tue – Ezekiel 37:4-10

Wed – Romans 8:14-17

Thu – John 14:15-20

Fri – Acts 4:31-35

Sat – Isaiah 11:1-5

Prayer of the Week

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. Thank you for always breathing life into lifeless situations.

I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name!

I now receive all the new life that you have for me today, bought for me by Jesus Christ. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide.

(You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor you as Lord, and I fully give to you every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will—to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things.

Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him) Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps:

Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.

“Moving Mountains” by John Eldredge

“Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge