Issue 733 – Sparks – May 3, 2022
We sat out on the beach by the crackling campfire, enjoying the warmth on a cool evening. The driftwood was burning a variety of colours because of the sea salt embedded in it. An ever-changing array of sparks lit up the darkening sky.
Sparks are small but powerful. You can’t control where they will go or what effect they will have. Will they merely light the sky for a moment? Will they climb to great heights or just rise a few feet before fading out? Will they descend and burn out? Or will they find a favoured spot and set little fires of their own?
In a way, they remind me of the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s a flawed analogy because the sparks have no mind or will and are at the mercy of circumstances. Holy Spirit has a perfect mind and will and is acting on behalf of our triune Lord; indeed is part of that same Lord.
The Scriptures use the analogy of the wind for the Spirit.
As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
The Spirit goes where He will. You cannot see Him, but you can see the actions of where He is. The Spirit can raise the dead (spiritually and physically) and empower miracles.
The Holy Spirit is the spark that brings us to restoration with Father. He convicts us of our sins and gives us faith to trust in Christ for forgiveness.
The Spirit indwells us and intercedes for us. He gives us gifts and causes us to bear fruit. The Spirit illuminates the Scriptures enabling us to understand them, for the Scriptures are spiritually discerned.
In the days of the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon someone to fulfill a specific task and could be withdrawn at any time. That is why David cried out, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11
The Spirit comes now and dwells in believers, empowering God’s ordained changes. He guides us in truth and wisdom. He grows us in Spiritual fruit. He will remain within us until glory.
It is almost impossible to overstate the Spirit’s role in the faith life of a believer and the life of the church.
When the Spirit blew on Pentecost, the church was born. No one saw the Spirit, but his presence was made plain in the sound of wind and tongues that looked like flames.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
Yes, there were believers before Pentecost, but the sealing of the Holy Spirit in their lives gave birth to the church. A spiritless church is a dead church.
Typically the church makes one of two errors concerning the Holy Spirit. They ignore Him or downplay Him out of fear of excess. Or they elevate Him to being the only manifestation of God and chase the signs and wonders. Either approach is unbalanced and unbiblical.
My heart’s desire for all believers is that we know and heed the Holy Spirit while holding to sound doctrine and worshiping the entirety of the trinity.
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Thanks.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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