So far in our series, we have talked about:
- The Holy Spirit in the Old Covenant
- The Holy Spirit in the New Covenant
In both covenants, a reference to the Holy Spirit as simply a reference to the apparent activity of the invisible God. We showed that the word translated spirit in both Old and New Testaments is also translated wind.
We also showed how the Spirit moved to accomplish much the same things in both the Old and New Covenants. It moves to:
- transform
- communicate
- empower
The great difference between Old and New is in the methods by which the Spirit accomplishes these things. In the Old, the Spirit is characterized as an external force, creating. In the New, the Spirit is characterized as an internal force, giving birth!
Let’s look at what it means to be a New Covenant Christian, regarding our interaction with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be born of the Spirit?
Jesus’ Invitation to all New Covenant Christians
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 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. John 7:37-39 (NIV)
Notice that Jesus says that there is coming a time when the Spirit will flow from within all believers. In another place, Jesus characterizes this experience as a birth.
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8 (NIV)
I want to bring these two scriptures together for you. The word birth speaks of something that is from within. This is the fountain of living water that Jesus speaks of in John 7:37-39. It is the Holy Spirit of God, which:
- must be received
- once received, is flowing continually out of us
This transformation is depicted as a birth. A birth to what? We can discover what we are born into by looking at Jesus – the firstborn.
Jesus Was to be Firstborn
Why did Jesus say the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because he had not been glorified? It was because at his resurrection from the dead (his glorification) he was to become the firstborn.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (NIV)
You see – that Spirit in us accomplishes the same thing that it accomplished in him. It is a new life. We actually experience entrance into the Kingdom.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 (NKJV)
Did you know that this is not just talking about the rapture? Or what happens to us after we die? It is saying that right here and now – we are able to enjoy life in spite of the deadness of our sinful flesh.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17 (NIV)
So What Happens When We are Born of the Spirit?
We experience abiding presence – possession, not obsession.
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
In the Old Covenant, men were obsessed with the Spirit, but not possessed. We generally use those terms to refer to interaction with evil spirits, but in actuality the same concepts apply to interaction with the Spirit. Jesus wants to be IN US, and we IN HIM – permanently…
Jesus is living our lives, by proxy…
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20 (NKJV)
We can live the life of Christ!
So – we find that first and foremost – we are transformed by the Spirit. But unlike the transforming of the Old Covenant – this transformation begins on the inside, and works its way out.
That means – you are clean inside before you are clean outside. Yes – the outside will clean up… But the power of Christ is effective on the inside even while the external is catching up.
This is the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22)
We are empowered by the Spirit.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)
The Spirit gives us supernatural power. Why be content to live a normal human existence when you have the dynamic power of God in you?
These are the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12).
Through the power of the Spirit, we can know things impossible to know, say things that are beyond our ability express, and accomplish the miraculous. And this power is not just available on Sunday morning – it is always with us.
Unfortunately – most of us are living beneath our means! We must be careful that we do not become one of those that…
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power… 2 Tim 3:5 (NIV)
We are led by the Spirit.
As in the Old Covenant, a primary purpose of the Spirit is for communication. That communication is for our benefit.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 (NIV)
That same Spirit will communicate through us for other’s benefit.
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matt 10:19-20 (NIV)
And now – here is the wonderful promise for New Covenant believers… The Spirit does all of these things, just as it did in the Old Covenant. But we can add to the list is something else, because this is a birth – a permanent transformation – an entrance… The Holy Spirit becomes something even more to those who receive it in the New Covenant:
We are SEALED by the Spirit.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Eph 1:13-14 (NKJV)
Let me put this in plain English for you… When you went to the furniture store to buy that couch, and gave them a down payment – they put a “Sold” sign on it. Later, you went back to that store to “redeem your purchased possession”.
When God fills you with His Spirit, he slaps a big “Sold” sign on your forehead. And you know his down payment is good… He’s coming back to take you home – that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.
Don’t let the devil lie to you, and tell you that you’ve gone too far – the Lord isn’t coming for you. We’re not talking about the kind of anointing that came upon Samson – one that comes and goes. We’re talking about… …Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col 1:27 (KJV)
If you have received the Holy Spirit, you are being transformed into the image of God, from the inside out. The Spirit is working in you and through you for the purpose of communicating and working the miraculous. And best of all – the birth and flowing of the Spirit guarantees your entrance into the Kingdom.
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? Acts 19:2 (KJV) |
