Playlist:

playlist Go to the Words as Manifestation of God's Spirit (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Wind and God's Spirit

Sermon by Charles Whitaker

Wind, often a complex and contrasting image in Scripture, finds its most positive expression when connected to the person of God. As a gentle breeze or a quiet voice, wind symbolizes the manifestation of God's Spirit through words and voice. In I Kings 19, God's presence is revealed not in powerful gales but in a still small voice, a gentle breeze described as a low whisper or a soft sound, emphasizing that He expresses Himself through subtle, quiet communication. This connection between wind and voice is rooted in the understanding that breath, a form of wind on a micro level, is essential for speech. When shaped and controlled by a spirit, breath transforms into words, carrying meaning and intent reflective of the spirit that forms them. God's Spirit plays a pivotal role in enabling speech, as seen in Acts 2, where on the day of Pentecost, His Spirit empowers individuals to speak in foreign languages, acting as the source and author of their utterance. Words, as breath disciplined by a spirit, hold immense power to create environments, both personal and societal. They can encourage or discourage, foster hope or despair, and shape the attitudes and emotional atmosphere of their hearers. On a larger scale, words influenced by God's Spirit build a spiritual environment for His children, an unseen realm where He and Jesus Christ dwell within us, closer than our breath, forming a spiritual kingdom transferred into us by the power of His voice and Word.

God's Two Witnesses

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The concept of words as a manifestation of God's Spirit is intricately woven into the prophetic role of the Two Witnesses. God's Spirit, though invisible, is evident in the works it inspires, particularly through spoken or written words. As Jesus declares, the words He speaks are spirit and life, highlighting that one of the primary vehicles of God's Spirit is communication that conveys divine truth. The Bible itself, inspired by God's Spirit, is a composition of such words, serving as a testament to His will. In the context of the Two Witnesses, described as the two olive trees in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11, their role is symbolized by the oil that flows from the olive trees into the lamps, representing Spirit-inspired works. This oil, understood as the visible manifestation of God's Spirit, likely takes the form of words—teaching and instruction—that nourish the seven churches. The Two Witnesses, as anointed ones, supply spiritual sustenance through their prophetic messages, equipping the saints for the challenging times ahead. Their ministry, therefore, is not merely about miraculous signs but fundamentally about representing God through their words and actions, mirroring the life of Christ in their testimony during the Great Tribulation.

The Gift of Discerning Spirits

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

God gives the ability to determine the source of a spiritual manifestation. However, this gift depends on a thorough knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The architects of the trinity doctrine admit that it is a 'somewhat unsteady silhouette', requiring assumptions and inferences, but unsupportable by Scripture.

The Two Witnesses (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The seven golden lamps symbolize 7 churches, empowered by abundant oil, manifested as spiritual words. Zerubbabel is a type of Christ, finishing the Temple.

The Two Witnesses (Part Five)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The olive trees in Zechariah 4:11 refer to the Two Witnesses who pour oil (spiritual instruction) into a golden bowl, supplying the churches with nourishment.

The Two Witnesses (Part Six)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Two Witnesses have authority from God to annihilate those who interfere with their work as well as power over weather patterns and natural elements.

Works of the Flesh

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our outward works show what we believe, what we worship, and what we aspire to become. Apart from God, all human works activities are potentially destructive.