July 12, 2009

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Acts 1:1-8

Opening Words: For the first thirty-five years of his life John Wesley was a failure. Then everything changed. On May 24, 1738 he was touched by the Holy Spirit and was sanctified for Christian service. The rest is history. Physically, Wesley was no different. Intellectually, he was no different. Financially, he was no different. The only thing that changed about John Wesley was his spiritual presence. He did not change himself, it was the Holy Spirit that changed him.

Today, I begin a new sermon series called, The Holy Spirit. We have all we need to be a great success for God, except one thing, the Holy Spirit. What happened to John Wesley 271 years ago can happen again today. The problem is so many in our time don’t understand the Holy Spirit. So in the next six weeks I am going to be answering six basic questions about the Holy Spirit. My goal is not to just educate you personally. My goal is to edify us as a group. So today we begin by looking at the first of my six questions, Who is the Holy Spirit? We are instructed from the very first chapter of Acts. May God give you ears to hear.

Acts 1:1-8 1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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."

We begin our study on the Holy Spirit in the first eight verses of Acts. If you look at the first verse with me you will discover the name Theophilus. That name is important to us for two reasons. First, the name Theophilus means “lover of God.” The book of Acts was not written to an individual but to a group. It was written to everyone who loves one, including us. Second, the name Theophilus connects Acts with the Gospel of Luke. Theophilus is also mentioned in the opening verses of Luke (1:3). In other words, Acts is nothing more than a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. The main character in both works is Jesus. Luke tells us about Jesus until he is resurrected. Acts tells us about how the church was formed to tell the world about Jesus. That is where we find ourselves today.

So much has already happened when we read these opening words. Jesus’ earthly ministry is over. He has been crucified. He has been resurrected. In verse 3 we are told Jesus walked the face of this world in his resurrected state and taught about the Kingdom of God. The number forty is always reserved for sacred experiences in the Bible and those were sacred days in the lives of those early believers. The problem is the forty-first day came and Jesus ascended into heaven. That must have been an emotional days for the disciples. Not only was Jesus gone but they were alone. However, they will only be alone for a few days. Then one will come to be with them who will bare witness about Jesus’ ministry. Verse 5 says they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. These are pre-Pentecost disciples. They understand very little. One of the questions that must have beat in their hearts was, What is the Holy Spirit?

That is not an easy question. Two thousand years have passed and many still have a difficult time answering that question, Who is the Holy Spirit? Does anyone here feel qualified answering that question? We should have an answer by now because in the life of the church we mention the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. Every time we gather for worship it ends the same way, with a benediction. I raise my hands and say, “And now may God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you now and forevermore.” Every week we say the creed and the creed says, “I believe in the Holy Spirit the giver of life.” Every time we baptize a baby I baptize that little buddle of joy in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Every time we exchange rings in marriage we give the rings in the name of the Holy Spirit. Every year we observe Pentecost and fill the sanctuary with geraniums to remember the coming of the Holy Spirit. But does anyone here feel comfortable answering the question, who is the Holy Spirit? If you are not able to answer that question then this message is for you.

Today, I want to answer that questions by making three statements. Who is the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is a person. Second, the Holy Spirit is God. Third, the Holy Spirit is a witness. So if you are ready to begin our study on the Holy Spirit say, “Amen!”

Person

The Holy Spirit is a person. That is why the question is “who is the Holy Spirit?,” not “what is the Holy Spirit?” The Holy Spirit is not a “what” but a “who.” Never forget, the Holy Spirit is a person.

Several years ago in October I had a wedding rehearsal on a Friday night. When I got home, everyone was gone. Anna was at the local high school football game and Kathy was working in the concession stand. I didn’t want to sit at home alone so I decided to go. I put on an old faded pair of jeans and my favorite sweatshirt. I stuck a ball cap on my head. I walked to the stadium by cutting through people’s back yards. The ground was wet but it didn’t matter because I had on old pair of sneakers on my feet. I hadn’t eaten dinner so I bought a feast of nachos and cheese as I walked to my seat. I sat on the visitor’s side because it was mostly empty and I was peopled out. When I got to my seat I pulled my walkman out and popped the headset in my ears so I could listen to the Indians play off game against the Yankees. I sat there eating my nachos, watching high school football and listening to the Indians. I had just stuck my finger into the section of the plastic tray to get the last bit of melted cheese when I felt someone tapping me on the shoulder. A well dressed gentleman stood there and asked me if I was a minister. I said, “Yes!” He recognized me because he had heard me preach at the community Thanksgiving service. He ended by saying, “I almost didn’t recognize you. You look like a real person.” You never have to question that fact. I am a real person.

The Holy Spirit is a real person too! In a survey of the Bible you can come up with a list qualities that relate to the Holy Spirit. According to scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks, intercedes and testifies. The Holy Spirit leads, commands and guides. The Holy Spirit appoints and gives. According the scripture, it is possible to insult and lie to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an “it”; the Holy Spirit is a who. The Holy Spirit is a person! If you think you can remember that the Holy Spirit is a person say, “Amen!” However, the Holy Spirit is more than a person.

God

The Holy Spirit is God. How well developed is your Trinitarian theology? The Holy Spirit is one third of our understanding of God. We believe in one God with three personalities. We believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. He is not mentioned last because He is least important. He is mentioned last because his purpose was needed last. The Father created, the Son redeemed, the Holy Spirit bares witness to the acts of the Son. All the attributes of God (eternal, all knowing, all powerful) apply to the Holy Spirit. Never forget, the Holy Spirit is God.

Gregory of Nazianzus first noted these facts and said these words:

Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner. Christ is baptized; the Spirit bears witness. Christ is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up. Christ ascends; the Spirit takes His place. What great things are there in the character of God which are not found in the Spirit? What titles which belong to God are not also applied to Him? He is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the mind of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of adoption, of truth, of liberty; the Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge, of godliness, of the fear of God. This only begins to show how unlimited He is.

Gregory of Nazianzus recorded those words to make one clear point, the Holy Spirit is God! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Witness

The Holy Spirit’s primary purpose is to bare witness (John 16:14). In other words, the Holy Spirit tells people the truth. The truth is different to everyone. To the unbeliever, he reveals their sinful nature and their need for a Savior. To the believer, he grows God’s character in their lives. Galatians 5:25 says we should walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Paul understood the Holy Spirit was working on our very nature. Our lives are built on Jesus so divine characteristics begin to emerge. Qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) begin to emerge. This is the bottom line. The Holy Spirit is active. The Holy Spirit is witnessing to both the believer and the unbeliever. It is the witnessing of the Holy Spirit that keeps the church alive. Without the Holy Spirit true witnessing is dead and ministry become extremely difficult.

I love the story of Leslie Puckett of Glasgow, Kentucky spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon washing his car. When he was done the car looked perfect. It looked showroom new. The paint glistened and the tires shined. The chrome shined in the sun. He was so proud of his beautiful car that he decided to drive her around the block and show her off. It was only when he stuck his key into the ignition that he noticed something was wrong. For when he turned the key absolutely nothing happened. It was only when he lifted the hood that he discovered someone had stolen his engine! His car looked good but his car wasn’t going anywhere.

That story reminds me of many churches in our time. They look good but they are not going anywhere. As I drive through our area I look at every church building. The front lawn is always well groomed with colorful flowers in the yard. The church buildings are well maintained. However, the exterior of the church is not the whole story. How many of those well maintained church buildings are near the end? The Sunday morning crowd keeps getting smaller and older. While the list of unpaid bills seems to be growing. Could it be that someone has stolen their engine? Could it be their witness is dead because the Holy Spirit is absent? Let me ask you two questions. How strong is our witness? How present is the Holy Spirit in our congregation? Your answers to those questions says something about our future. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” Let me end with this story.

Tradition tells us that when the first American Indian saw the Pacific Ocean he was overwhelmed. He asked for a pitcher, waded into the surf up to his waist and filled the pitcher with ocean water. Someone asked him, “What he was going to do with the water?” Pointing to the vast ocean he answered, “I am going back to my village and show them this water. None of them have ever seen this Great Water!” In many ways I feel like that Indian.

In the weeks to come we are going to be studying the Holy Spirit. He is deep and complex. I will do my best but I will only be showing you a quart pitcher. The Holy Spirit must be experienced for yourself! My challenge for you today is to get into the water. The Holy Spirit must be experienced for yourself because once you do everything will change! John Wesley was no different physically, intellectually or financially. The only thing that changed about John Wesley was his spiritual presence. What happened to him could happen to us. That is my prayer.

Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a person! The Holy Spirit is God! He is the life giving force of the trinity. The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to witness to our world the greatness of Jesus. And all of God’s people, “Amen!”