Empowered Living by the Holy Spiritনমুনা

THE EMPOWERMENT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus was still on earth, people from everywhere came to listen to His teaching and to see Him healing the sick and doing other miracles. They had to make an effort and walk for a long distance in order to meet Jesus and ask Jesus to help them.

What about after Jesus was raised to Heaven? Most people might feel troubled. Even the disciples had that kind of feeling. They did not mind going on a long journey as long as they could meet Jesus and listen to His teaching and witness his marvelous work.

As a matter of fact, Jesus had told his disciples beforehand not to be troubled when it was time for Him to be raised up to Heaven and to go to the place where Father was. Jesus warned them not to forget or forsake His teaching, and not to lose their anchor in life. Therefore, Jesus commanded His disciples to keep His commandments.

Physically, Jesus was no longer with them. It is easier for us to believe what we can see. We can believe natural things more easily than we can believe supernatural things. Jesus had spoken to His disciples about what would happen so that they would believe that Jesus would always be with them even though they could not see Him because Jesus was with them through His Holy Spirit.

The message is also given to us: Emmanuel, God is with us. 

DISCUSSION

We, as believers and Jesus’ disciples, must be thankful that Jesus was lifted up to Heaven so that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us. Why? So that His presence is not limited physically but instead, His presence is spiritual. He can be anywhere anytime, and we can meet and find Jesus anytime through His Holy Spirit. The roles of the Holy Spirit are the same as Jesus’ roles, that is:

1. To help and to comfort (v. 16-18)

Would you want to live in all luxury in Singapore but being all alone without any single person here? 

Having a friend who is willing to listen to us, care about us, help and comfort us is very important. That’s what friends are for. However, the ability and availability of our friends are also limited. They might be busy and cannot always be there for us whenever we need them.  Praise the Lord; we have the Holy Spirit, our Helper who is always there for us. Whenever we call on Jesus, Jesus … help me, Your servant, He will come to help us through the power of the Holy Spirit. A friend is always willing to give his time to his friend. Only Jesus is our true Friend. He always understands what we need. 

Jesus told His disciples that He would not leave them alone as orphans. They would still have someone who will take care of them and comfort them throughout their journey in this world because the Holy Spirit was with them. And the Holy Spirit is also with us. 

2. To reveal the presence of Jesus Christ (v. 20-23)

This is so amazing. Who are we that Christ is willing to reveal Himself in us? When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, His person, that is God’s person, will fill us up. It means, wherever we go, we can show Jesus to this world. Jesus can just reveal Himself directly to this world, but instead, Jesus wants to use us to reveal His person.

How can we reveal His person to this world? Certainly by believing in Him, by asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and by loving God. We love God when we do His commandments.

When we reveal the person of Christ in this world, we are doing His work, being the light in the midst of the darkness of this world. (Mat 5:16)

3. To teach (v. 26-27)

We can do things right and well after being told and taught repeatedly. Therefore, the Bible has the book of Deuteronomy. Likewise, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives tells and reminds us of God’s Words and trains us to do His Words. Like a teacher that always reminds his students, the Holy Spirit is our teacher who keeps reminding us, so that we become the people that are continually changed into perfectness.

The Holy Spirit is a person who is gentle and loving. The Holy Spirit will not force us. The Holy Spirit is a great teacher. Our part is to listen to Him with an open heart and to soften our hearts when we are being reprimanded. A good teacher will reprimand his students when they make a mistake, and also encourage them to go back to the right path.

CONCLUSION 

- The Holy Spirit is the same as the person of Christ. The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the more our characters are changed and transformed to be like Christ. 

- The Holy Spirit will help us, encourage us, and teach us do God’s Work. We cannot do His Work with our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit. 

- When we are reprimanded by the Holy Spirit, do not harden our hearts. A good father will do that to his children. It is because he loves them. Likewise, our Father in Heaven reprimands us because He loves us. 

- Open our hearts and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us up every morning before we start doing our daily activities.