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Powerful Effects of the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Holy Spirit profoundly impacts those called by God, manifesting in several transformative effects. It serves as a second spirit, combining with the human spirit to bear witness that we are children of God, enabling us to understand divine truths essential for salvation which are otherwise inaccessible. The Holy Spirit regenerates us into God-life, making us heirs of His family, instilling a spirit of adoption that fosters love and confidence rather than fear, and producing fruits such as love, joy, and peace as evidence of His presence within us. It imparts spiritual understanding, granting wisdom and revelation to comprehend the character and teachings of Jesus Christ, encouraging a deeper knowledge of Him. The Holy Spirit also pours out divine love within us, diffusing it abundantly so that our love for God and for each other becomes complete and fully developed. It instills the faith of Christ, a living faith that energizes us with expectation for salvation and demonstrates itself through love and kindness toward others. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual power to overcome a self-centered way of life, enabling us to resist temptations and triumph over the influences of Satan and the world through the strength of God dwelling in us. Finally, it empowers us to develop holy, righteous character, kindling zeal and courage to face trials and maintain a sound, balanced mind, aligning with God's purpose to reproduce His character in humanity.

What the Holy Spirit Does (2005)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as revealed in various scriptures, manifests profound effects in the lives of those it touches. It belongs to God, a dynamic force constantly active and ready to act at His command, demonstrating eager readiness and movement. The Spirit does not act independently but carries out God's will when He speaks, serving as the means by which His creative and directive purposes are fulfilled. The Holy Spirit sets individuals apart, endowing them with discernment and wisdom, as seen in Joseph, who interpreted Pharaoh's dreams with deep understanding and sound judgment. It enhances natural talents, as with Bezaleel, who was filled with skills to craft the Tabernacle, inspiring excellence for God's work. The Spirit reveals truth, opening eyes to reality as God sees it, exemplified by Balaam, whose vision was expanded to perceive God's perspective, even if temporarily. It provides strength, both physical and spiritual, as illustrated by Samson, who overcame a lion through the Spirit's empowerment, symbolizing the inner strength given to resist and prevail over spiritual adversaries. The Holy Spirit also empowers for service, as with Jesus, who used this power to do good, and with Paul, who performed signs and wonders while preaching. Additionally, it offers fitting words at critical moments, giving hope and encouragement, as seen with Jahaziel in Judah's crisis, and inspiring prophetic and scriptural messages through the prophets and apostles. The Spirit facilitates fellowship, acting as the link connecting believers to the Father, to Christ, and to each other, fostering a shared mind and purpose. It plays a role in ordination and sanctification, setting individuals apart for special purposes, whether for leadership as with Joshua, or for sonship through baptism, marking believers as children of God. Furthermore, it pours out God's love into hearts, ensuring that its inspirations are acts of love, grounded in power and a sound mind, guiding towards godly decisions and actions without leading to foolishness or harm.

What the Holy Spirit Does

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as revealed through Scripture, manifests powerful effects in the lives of those it touches, acting as a dynamic force under God's command. It is constantly at work, poised to act swiftly and powerfully to fulfill God's will, as seen in the creation account where it hovers over the waters, ready to respond the moment God speaks. The Holy Spirit endows individuals with wisdom and discernment, setting them apart from others by granting deep understanding and the ability to make sound judgments, as exemplified in Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams and the qualities prophesied in Jesus Christ, including counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit equips people with the necessary strengths and abilities to perform God's work, whether through physical skills, as with Bezalel in constructing the Tabernacle, or through varied tasks across different times and individuals. It opens eyes to truth and reality as God sees it, removing deceptions and revealing the true nature of things, as demonstrated when Balaam saw Israel through God's perspective and when Elisha's servant perceived the protective forces surrounding them. The Holy Spirit also sets individuals apart as holy to God, sanctifying and justifying them as His children through processes like ordination and baptism, marking them for special use and eternal life. In addition, the Holy Spirit provides power to overcome enemies, including satan and personal struggles, energizing and strengthening believers to face sudden trials, as illustrated by Samson's victory over the lion. It inspires fitting words of encouragement, hope, and truth, enabling individuals like Jahaziel to speak appropriately in times of need and providing assurance that God will supply the right words during persecution. Lastly, the Holy Spirit fosters fellowship with God, with Christ, and among believers, creating a unifying bond that connects them in a profound relationship. As a guiding principle, the Holy Spirit pours out God's love in the hearts of believers, ensuring that its inspirations are always acts of love, characterized by power, a sound mind, and courage, never promoting fear or foolishness. Any inspiration contrary to these qualities is not from God's Spirit but from another source. Through these effects, the Holy Spirit enables believers to live according to God's will, to grow, to serve, and to resist influences that oppose His purpose.

Jesus on the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit manifests powerful effects across both the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating its vital role in God's work. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is seen waiting expectantly for God's command to perform His creative work, as depicted in Genesis 1:2 with the imagery of a bird fluttering in anticipation. It granted Joseph wisdom and discernment before Pharaoh, endowed Bezaleel with strength and skill to construct the tabernacle, opened Balaam's eyes to the truth about Israel, set Joshua apart as Moses' successor to lead Israel, surged through Samson to tear apart a lion, and inspired Jahaziel to speak encouraging words to Judah and Jehoshaphat before battle. Beyond these physical manifestations, the Holy Spirit serves as the essential link fostering fellowship between us and God, and among each other, binding us in harmony to think, speak, and act in unity. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ expands the understanding of the Holy Spirit, shifting its role from primarily physical feats to deeper spiritual significance. He reveals that while the Spirit empowered physical strength in figures like Samson, under the New Covenant, it fills us with spiritual strength to perform works in a spiritual realm. Jesus describes the Spirit as the means by which God does His work—whether creation, redemption, salvation, or governance—acting as the power that cannot be refused, even by demons, who must obey when God sends His Spirit to cast them out. The Spirit is central in freeing individuals from demonic possession, influence, or general enslavement to satan's ways, rejecting, resisting, and ultimately defeating satan's grip through God's power. Jesus further teaches that the Holy Spirit is intimately involved in the transformation process of becoming born again, enabling us to see and eventually inherit the Kingdom of God. From the initial contact with God, the Spirit works with us, drawing us to Christ, and remains active within us throughout our conversion, never ceasing to help. It provides gifts, motivation, strength, inspiration, and enables communication with God, while also fostering fellowship among believers. The Spirit transforms us from sinful humans into righteous sons and daughters of God, working invisibly within us like the wind, its effects visible through fruits such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, though the internal mechanisms remain unseen. Additionally, the Holy Spirit empowers true worship, as Jesus explains that our response to God must be in spirit and truth, reflecting God's work in us back to Him through prayer and living according to His way. It is the power available to us, often untapped due to human weakness, yet essential for living free from condemnation by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will. Jesus emphasizes that eternal life comes through the Spirit, as His spiritual teachings—His words—must be continually imbibed, countering any notion of passive salvation. Finally, Jesus illustrates the Spirit's abundant flow, urging believers to let it overflow from within like rivers of living water, motivating godly behavior, service, encouragement, and kindness, rather than restraining its power through human reluctance.

'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The outpouring of God's Holy Spirit in AD 31 represented a pivotal event in church history, marking the initial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy.

The Father's Promise of Power!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The first fruits who have received the gift of God's Holy Spirit have a second spirit to bring the spirit in man in line with God's will.

Acts (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Adherents to the Pentecostal movement try to mimic some of the superficial surface manifestations of Acts 2 rather than follow the teaching given on that day.

What Makes a True Disciple? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

How does God identify Himself with His disciples today? No miracle manifests itself when He sends His Spirit, but the Spirit begins producing miraculous changes.

Faith and Contentment (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Because we have the faith that God is in charge, has chosen us for His plan, and carefully provides whatever we need, we can be satisfied with our lot.

Assurance (Part One): Self Examination

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Salvation is an ongoing work of God, obligating us to walk in the Spirit. If we do, we will be not captivated by the lusts of the flesh.

John (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.