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Jesus on the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is the vital power by which God accomplishes His work, acting as the means through which He performs creation, redemption, salvation, and governance. In the Old Testament, the Spirit is seen empowering individuals in tangible ways, such as granting Joseph wisdom before Pharaoh, endowing Bezaleel with skill to build the tabernacle, opening Balaam's eyes to truth, setting Joshua apart as a leader, surging through Samson with physical strength to tear apart a lion, and inspiring Jahaziel with encouraging words for Judah. Under the New Covenant, as revealed by Jesus Christ, the role of the Spirit expands to a more spiritual dimension, filling believers with spiritual strength to perform works in a spiritual realm rather than purely physical feats. Jesus emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father, a possession of God, used to inspire His disciples to speak God's words, especially under duress before authorities, providing testimony that can convict or stand as evidence against unbelievers. The Spirit also empowers Jesus to cast out demons, demonstrating God's undeniable power over evil forces, which must obey when the Spirit is sent to do His work. This same power frees individuals from demonic influence and the broader bondage to satan's way of life, rejecting, resisting, and ultimately defeating him through God's Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus teaches that the Holy Spirit is central to the transformation process of entering God's Kingdom, working invisibly within a person from the first contact with God, drawing them to Christ, and remaining active throughout conversion. The Spirit provides gifts, motivation, strength, inspiration, and enables communication and fellowship with God and others, transforming believers into sons and daughters of God. Worship, as a response to God, must be in spirit and truth, reflecting His work in us back to Him through living His way, a process facilitated by the Spirit's constant involvement in every aspect of a Christian's life. Jesus also highlights that the Spirit, once received, should flow out of believers like rivers of living water, motivating godly behavior, service, encouragement, and kindness, if not quenched by human reluctance. He urges believers to allow this unhindered flow of God's power to work through their speech, thought, and actions, rather than holding back due to human nature. Finally, the Spirit immerses believers fully, as symbolized in baptism, equipping them to be witnesses of Christ worldwide, a privilege and joy to use for God's glory.

What the Holy Spirit Does

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as a possession of God, is directed and used by Him to accomplish His will. It is always active, poised to act in a split second, powerful and ready to work at His command. When God speaks, the Holy Spirit immediately responds, bringing about His intended results, showing it operates solely under His authority. In the life of Joseph, the Holy Spirit set him apart from others, endowing him with discernment and wisdom, enabling deep understanding and sound judgment to make right decisions. Similarly, in the prophecy of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit produces qualities like counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord, shaping a person to reflect these attributes under God's guidance. With Bezalel, the Holy Spirit granted skills, talents, and character traits necessary for constructing the Tabernacle, demonstrating that it equips individuals with whatever is needed—mental, emotional, or physical—to perform God's work, no matter how small or great the task. In the case of Balaam, the Holy Spirit opened his eyes and ears to the truth, allowing him to see reality as God sees it, revealing the beauty of Israel despite preconceived notions. Through Elisha's servant, the Holy Spirit opened eyes to perceive spiritual realities, providing clarity and faith to understand God's protection. In Joshua's succession of Moses, the Holy Spirit was instrumental in setting apart individuals for special roles, whether for leadership or other purposes, marking them as holy to God. Samson's encounter with the lion illustrates how the Holy Spirit energizes and strengthens to meet sudden attacks, offering spiritual strength to overcome enemies and endure trials. Jesus Christ exemplified using the Holy Spirit's power outwardly to help others, going about doing good and showing compassion, setting a pattern for using this strength to benefit others. In Jehoshaphat's time, the Holy Spirit came upon Jahaziel to speak words of hope and encouragement, providing fitting and helpful messages at critical moments. This aligns with the promise that God will supply the right words through the Holy Spirit when needed, ensuring a godly witness. The Holy Spirit also fosters fellowship, linking believers with God, with Christ, and with each other, creating a common bond that transcends physical distance or prior acquaintance. It pours out God's love in our hearts, ensuring that its inspirations are always acts of love, characterized by power, a sound mind, and courage, never promoting fear or foolishness. By understanding these functions, one can discern whether an inspiration comes from God's Spirit or another source, as the Holy Spirit will always align with love, strength, and sound reasoning, urging actions that are helpful and good.

Jesus and the Feast (Part Two): Belief in the Spirit

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the last day of the Feast, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the One who will dispense God's Spirit, amplifying the promise He had made to the woman at the well.

Using Power Righteously (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When we yield to God's Spirit, we receive the power to do the things God has prepared His firstfruits to accomplish, adding to the capabilities of the spirit in man.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control

Sermon by David F. Maas

It is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.

Self-Discipline

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Protestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'

Do You Take Sin Seriously? God Does!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The demise of an institution can result from the irresponsibility of its constituents; if one member sins, the whole body experiences the effects.

The Christian Walk (Part One): In Love

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If we submit to God, allowing His spirit to guide us, we can live in the spirit, walking in love.

Corinthian Parallels to Sodom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

I Corinthians is a practical manual for surviving in a Sodom-like culture, guarding against the corrosive aspects of our perverted culture and its excesses.

The Handwriting Is on the Wall (1994)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Without God's Spirit, mankind is guided by another spirit, leading to destructive consequences, made all the more menacing by increased technological capabilities.

Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Two)

Sermon by David F. Maas

In the Olivet prophecy, Jesus gave His disciples a pointed warning about rampant deception occurring at the close of the age, engineered by the arch deceiver.

Psalm 51 (Part Three): Psalm 51:5-12

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As physical filth repulses the senses, sin ought to repulse the spirit. David's repentance depicts total immersion in sin and the critical need for God's cleansing.

No One Else Matters (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part Two): Firstfruits

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The dominating significance of Pentecost is the celebration of Christ as the Firstfruit of God's spiritual harvest, providing a model for all those who follow Him.

Our Growing Fellowship

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

We need to nurture fellowship with our spiritual siblings, forgiving others as Christ forgave, steadfastly resisting pride and division within the church.