November 23, 2014
The Holy Spirit’s work is evident throughout Scripture, though it is often unnoticed and unseen. He is the humble servant whose desire is to reveal the Father and Jesus Christ, instead of making Himself the focus. His role is one of humility and yet it is also one of boldness and audacity. In this two part series on the Holy Spirit, you will discover the essential work of the Holy Spirit in your life as a Christian. You are to follow Him in humility to the lowest places and likewise proclaim boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Part One
Part Two
sermon notes
AN INTRODUCTION
The Man in the Water
A Picture of the Distinct and Essential Work of the Holy Spirit
January 13, 1982
Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into the Potomac River
Three Rescuers
Donald W. Usher – The Pilot
Melvin E. (Gene) Windsor – The Paramedic
The Man in the Water – The Push
THE HIDDEN HERO
“His heroism was not rash. Aware that his own strength was fading, he deliberately handed hope to someone else, and he did so repeatedly.”
The Washington Post described him merely as “A Hero”.
Time Magazine describes him simply as “The Man in the Water”.
Other options:
The Unknown Soldier
The Two Arms That Push
The Guy that Helped Me into the Helicopter
Paraklētos – Pah-rah-clay-toss
The
If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Paraklētos, that He may abide with you forever– the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you . . . These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Paraklētos, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 14:7-20, 25-26
SESSION ONE
THE HUMBLE SERVANT
Like Water to the Lowest Place
TAKING OUT AN AD FOR THE HUMBLE SERVANT
Looking for an Old Servant to run the Barklay Estate in the Master’s absence. The sort of servant that is wise, gray headed, knows everything, and will stick strictly to The Barklay Book of Proper Manners in All Household Operations in managing and governing the property. Must have at least seventy years experience. Must be absolutely trustworthy. Willing to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without ever taking a vacation and without a single complaint. Must never vie for control or try and lure the other household servants to an agenda outside the owner’s clear prerogative. Must be willing to die to preserve the owner’s reputation and the safety of the other members of the household. Must accept that the unlimited access to all the benefits of the Barklay Estate and a deep familial bond with the Barklay family is his sole wage. Must be willing to forsake his own name and be known exclusively as “Barklay’s Steward” from the first day and ever onward.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Old Servant that labors daily as Jehovah’s Steward
Pneō –
To blow, to breathe, to move as wind
Pneuma – Pnyü’-mä (
A movement of air, the breath of the nostrils, the vital principle by which the body is animated
Pneuma
That which is working but no one sees. That Servant that runs the house but stays hidden behind the scenes. That vital Person by which the Body is animated.
THE SIEGE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
How He is known by many in the Church today
- The Strange and Bizarre
- The Despised and Rejected
- The Twisted and Abused
THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S OPERATION
- To work silently
- To remain hidden
- To take the lowest seat at the table of the Godhead
- And as a result, to be oft-overlooked and oft-under-appreciated
THE OVERLOOKED AND UNDER-APPRECIATED ONE
But don’t attempt to fix this by drawing the spotlight here. The Spirit you are attempting to make a
THE WORK OF THE OLD SERVANT
To see that you adore His Master and cherish every facet of His Person, as He does
To
To make certain that your life is wholly lost in the pursuit of His glory and fame, as His is
THE WORK OF THE OLD SERVANT
To Make You As He Is – a Love-driven Bondservant of the Father’s Household
THE GREAT LOVE STORY OF ISAAC
A.K.A. – The Story of the Old Servant’s Extraordinary Work
INTRODUCING OUR CAST
The Father (Abraham – The Convinced)
The Son (Isaac – The Dependent)
The Old Servant (The Unknown Helper – The Convincer)
The Bride (Rebekah – The Wooed)
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, “and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; “but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
Genesis 24:1-4
THE ASSIGNMENT
Go, my dear Old Servant, into a land you haven’t seen for many years, and retrieve for my Son his bride. Woo her, convince her, call her, and bring her home. Impart to her a clear picture of his virtue, that she may love him, serve him, and cherish his every facet of strength as you yourself do. Train her to treat Him
TAKING A NECESSARY DETOUR IN THE STORY
Introducing the Great Convincer
The Holy Spirit
The Action and the Effect of the Holy Spirit
Plērophoreō (the verb) and Plērophoria (the noun)
Or, Another Way of Saying it . . .
He Plērophoreōs in order to Plērophoria
Plērophoreō – Plā-
To bring completely to an end, without stopping short, but completing a long journey
To fully show something, without any remaining hindrances to sight
To fully convince someone, to make one certain, to persuade one to a right conclusion
And (Abraham) being fully persuaded (absolutely convinced, wholly certain) that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.
Romans 4:21
Plērophoria – Plā-ro-fo-rē’-ä (the noun)
full assurance, most certain confidence, absolutely convinced, completely persuaded
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance . . .
1 Thessalonians 1:5
So, Back to the Story . . . Sort of
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him
Genesis 2:18, 20
`Ezer – ā’·zer (masculine noun)
a helper, one who helps, one who gives up their strength in order supply strength to another
THE MAN IN THE WATER
The `Ezer
The Unknown Soldier
One willing to expend their own life strength lifting someone out of the waters into the helicopter, drowning without anyone ever having a name to associate with your noble act, then floating to the bottom of the river and never having your body found. Forever being known as “The Unknown Soldier.” The true `Ezer is one convinced that this sacrificial pattern is the highest form of employment, the noblest form of living, and the greatest expenditure of a life.
INTRODUCING ELIEZER
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:1-6
What Do We Know About
- He was born in the house of Abraham
- He was the steward of the house of Abraham
- He was mesheq to the House of Abraham
Mesheq meant the Son of the Possession, Possessor of the house, The Heir to Acquire, The One to Inherit, The One to Whom it Belongs, The Steward of the House
And after this verse, his name is never mentioned again
God is The Helper
God is The Servant
And I will
John 14:16
Okay, Now We Are Really Back to our Story
THE TALE OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had . . . thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac . . . And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand
. . . And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Genesis 24
BECOMING SERVANTS
Restrained unto the Glory, Success, and Benefit of Another
The Jesus Model – For the Glory of the Father – saying only what the Father says and doing only what the Father is doing
The Spirit Model – For the Glory of Jesus Christ – saying only what the Jesus, the Word of God, is saying and doing only that which Jesus, the Word of God, is doing
The Bride – For the Glory of Jesus Christ – wholly given to the Old Servant – saying only what the Spirit is saying and doing only that which the Spirit is doing. And in doing so, we will be brought to Jesus. And in seeing Jesus in all His glory, we will be seeing the glory of the Father and truly know Him.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .
Matthew 28:19
Go Therefore and Plērophoreō!
To bring completely to an end, without stopping short, but completing a long journey
To fully show something, without any remaining hindrances to sight
To fully convince someone, to make one certain, to persuade one to a right conclusion
CONCLUSION
Plērophoreō!
Heed the Old Servant, and do what He does, speak what He speaks, and work exactly as He works. For
SESSION TWO
THE BOLD CONFESSOR
Like a Lion for the Glory of Jesus
Summary of Session One: The Humble Servant
The Paraklētos
the advocate, the intercessor, the rescuer, the helper, the counselor, the comfort-bringer, the Hidden Hero, The Man in the Water, The Unknown Soldier, The Two Arms that Push, The Guy that Helped Me into the Helicopter . . . The Holy Spirit
What Does the Spirit Do?
willingly serves unnoticed, taking the lowest place, solely for the glory of Another
What Does the Spirit Do Within Us?
Moves us to serve unnoticed and take the lowest place solely for the glory of Another
Whatever Happened to the Bold Confessor
We Need Some Serious Help!
HUTZPAH
Amazing pluck, bewildering guts, and super-human boldness
THE VERB
The entire Hebrew language is made up of
So, at the root of every Word is a verb, an action
The entire Hebrew Old Testament reveals the Word of God made Flesh, Jesus Christ, but at its creation (its root) is the power of the Holy Spirit breathing
All Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed, breathed by God) . . .
2 Timothy 3:16
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
THE ANATOMY OF CONFESSION
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 16:12-15
Logos – Lah-
A word expressed, something spoken, a thing revealed through speech, the vehicle of revelation
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
The Logos – The Lah-
Jesus Christ, The Word of God, The Vehicle of Revelation, the Perfect Expression of the Father, The Embodiment of the Divine Word of Scripture in Human Form, Jesus Christ
Hama – Hah-mah
In perfect stride, together, in unity, thorough agreement, in total alignment, in the same place, of one accord
Hama + Logos = Confession
Homologeō – Hah-mah-lah-gay-oh
A verbal declaration of your thorough alignment and agreement with The Word of God in Text and in Person
EXPOSING THE COWARDLY SOUL
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess (Homologeō) that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue . . . Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess (Homologeō) Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.
John 9:19-22; 12:42
THE DANGERS OF THE COWARDLY SOUL
Whosoever therefore shall Homologeō me before men, him will I Homologeō also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 10:32-34
THE REWARDS OF THE LIONHEARTED SOUL
That if thou shalt Homologeō with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth Homologeō is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
THE POWER TO MAKE THE BOLD CONFESSION
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-17
THE VEIL
The Blockage of Spiritual Sight
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:14-18
THE TWO CONFESSIONS
The
The Word of God is right – I actually am a sinner in need of a Savior
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
The Word of God is right – Jesus is that Savior and He is my lone means of Rescue
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.
1 John 4:15
Paraklētos – Pä-rä’-klā-tos – the advocate, the intercessor, the rescuer, the helper, the counselor, the comfort-bringer, the Confessor of the Word of God . . . The Holy Spirit
THE BOLD CONFESSOR
A Spirit-constructed confession should be in alignment with the work and behavior of the Spirit of God
- It must be born of the Spirit of God – lifting high the person and the work of Jesus Christ
- It must be humble in its deportment, bent and trembling beneath the perfect and holy
sway of Scriptural Truth - It must bend its knee before Jesus Christ declaring His Lordship
- It must be bold regarding the Words of Scripture (they are perfect, without flaw, without lie, and binding upon my soul)
- It must be honest with Sin (God is right – and where I oppose Him, I am the one who is wrong, and I must turn from my previous way)
- It must forsake and repent of wrongs done (I leave it behind, I turn from it, I cast it off to turn back to it no more)
- It must be clear regarding Righteousness (I am unrighteous and deserving of judgment – it is in His righteousness alone that I find refuge from the wrath to come)
- It must be forthright regarding
position (I am in Christ Jesus, by faith) - It must not be based on feelings, but on Truth (God said it, and that is enough for me)
CONCLUSION
Your Tongue is Not Your Own!
The Holy Spirit has something to confess. He has something to say. Jesus purchased your tongue with His shed
With Humility, follow the Spirit like water to the lowest place
With Hutzpah, grow the lion’s mane of the Spirit and boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
