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Today we’re studying Biblical teachings about WHO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS. In Luke chapter 22, Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane is greatly distressed; He’s about to take our place on the cross; He was anguished because He knew that the sins of the past, present, future and every reprehensible sin ever committed by the entire human race, would be placed on Him, and God's wrath and judgment would be directed at Him in His role as the sinless, sacrificial lamb that takes away and pays for the sins of the whole world. We read about Jesus’ anguish causing His sweat to be like drops of blood falling down, and He prayed saying: “Father, if you’re willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done”.

The Holy Spirit gave Jesus the strength/courage to face the horror of the cross. Although Jesus was/is fully God, and never lost His divinity while on earth, He chose not to access His divine knowledge/power; He lived His life as “a fully human man”, yet WITHOUT SIN. Read Luke 2:52, where we realize that Jesus had to ‘learn’ things and did not know everything even as an adult. (Read Mark 13 about questions about the end of the world). Because of His great love for us, Jesus, while fully God ALSO became a real human being and chose to live with the limitations of one.

Through living in humble dependence on God the Father and in partnership with The Holy Spirit (see Luke Ch.3:V22), Jesus obtained the profound wisdom He taught, received insight about future events and also received the power to heal/perform miracles – FROM GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The third person of the Holy Trinity was involved in Christ’s life from the beginning of His time on earth. Jesus was miraculously conceived, in Mary, by the Holy Spirit (Also read Matthew 4:1, John 3:34; Matt 12:18 and 28). WHILE Jesus was on earth He was led, filled with and enabled to teach and perform miracles, as well as enduring the Cross – by The Holy Spirit, thus doing the will of His Heavenly Father.

When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and submit to Him, the Holy Spirit will enter our lives, making us spiritually alive, and He will direct/empower you to do God’s will, even things we could never have done in our own strength. The night before His death, Christ introduced His disciples to the Holy Spirit. Read John 16:7 where Jesus speaks about ‘The Advocate’ (The Holy Spirit), and let that truth sink in. The Holy Spirit was involved throughout the Bible; making us alive spiritually, bringing order, peace and freedom from all sin.

GOD, true to His Word, poured out His Spirit on all believers, 10 DAYS AFTER Jesus ascended into heaven, on the Day of Pentecost. In Acts Ch:2:v1, all the disciples were together in once place, and the tongues of fire which rested on EACH OF THEM, filled them with The Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues. Let’s pray that the Spirit of the Living God falls afresh on us so we can serve GOD forever and can reach people in every corner of our world. May God guide each of us to surrender to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to live the Life of Jesus Christ through us. Amen.

Study Questions

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

Do you prefer to do things independently or ask for help? Why?
Describe a miracle you have seen or experienced.

UP - PURSUE GOD

Read Genesis 1:1-2, 2:7; Matthew 4:1; 12:18, 28; Luke 1:35; 4:1-2; John 3:34. How do you see the Holy Spirit's presence and power in these examples? What did He do?
Read Acts 1:8; 2:1-12; John 14:15-17, 26; 16:8. Why did Jesus have to leave? What is the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit? What roles does the Spirit play in the life of a believer?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

Read Acts 2:37-47. What does it mean to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? What are the evidences? How can we apply these to ourselves today?
Is there a habit, attitude, or relationship for which you need the Holy Spirit to bring order out of chaos? Pray and encourage each other.

Personal Reflection

What work of the Holy Spirit do you desire in your life? How can you cultivate more sensitivity to the Spirit?  What steps can you take this week to invite the Spirit to use and empower you?

The Word (NIV)

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 12:18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Acts 1:8 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 2:1-12

John 14:15-17 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

Acts 2:37-47

This Week's Writers: Asha Phillips, David McMillin, Sandi Somers, Elsa Henderson, Bruce McKay and Jorel Quemuel