The Helper, the Holy Spirit, is God’s Divine agent in the world today. Since the Day of Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, He has been on earth glorifying and representing Christ. He only reveals what He hears from the Father and Christ (John 16:13) He works in conjunction with God’s Word, and never contradicts it (1 John 5:7). He has been sent to help us, teach us, lead us, guide us, comfort us, strengthen us, stay with us, abide in us, empower us, perfect us, and transform us.
12) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13) 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 shew you things to come. 14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:12-14 KJV
We will only accomplish God’s perfect plan for our lives through the agency and power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do it on our own. Someone once said, if Christianity is not supernatural it is superficial. God never intended us to fulfill the Great Commission or walk in His grace without the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus continued to emphasize Him before He ascended to heaven.
4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:4-5
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
Jesus knew the disciples would not be able to fulfill their ministries without the enduement and power of the Holy Spirit. The trials and difficulties they would face while spreading the gospel required a supernatural ability which they did not possess in themselves.
Like the early disciples and apostles, we too need an enduement of divine power from the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s plan for our lives. We must realize our feebleness, weakness, and need of this Wonderful Person of the Holy Spirit. Once we do and come thirsting to Jesus, He will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.
I [John the Baptist] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He [Jesus] who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
37) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
Simply by coming to Jesus and desiring more of God’s grace and power we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We do not have to be perfect, only born again, a child of God through Jesus Christ, and thirsty for the rivers of Living Water. As we come to Jesus and open our hearts in faith, asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we will receive a powerful enduement from this wonderful Helper.
We will continue our series on the Helper next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus richly bless and keep you.
James Brown CST 11/19/2023