THE WITNESS AND HEAVENLY UNCTION
#625 THE WITNESS AND HEAVENLY UNCTION
Scripture Revelation 22:17, NIV Undated
Passage: 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Timeline/Series: Revelation
Introduction
A person’s motivation largely determines the kind of job he does, no matter what the area of his interest is. Observe the efforts of some people who are trying to get out of some actual or psychological ghetto. They will look for some personal commodity that will accomplish their purpose. They will bring all their energies to bear on that area which seems to offer the highest percentage of success.
Athletic prowess has become a means, a motivation if you please, to lift people out of poverty, and into public acclaim.
The Christian who would be a witness of his faith, must likewise be highly motivated. We must be able to analyze the directives in our lives that will cause us to be the kind of witnesses that we feel we are supposed to be.
I. The Standard of the Holy Spirit
To call people to eternal life. Revelation 22:17 LB The spirit and the bride say ‘come.’ Let each one who hears them say ‘come.’ Let the thirsty one come—anyone who wants to, let him drink from the water of life without charge.
He convicts of sin, judgment, unbelief. John 16:8 TEV, And when [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin, and about what is right, and about God’s judgment.
He brings light to people in darkness. Ephesians 2:1, 22 RSV And you he made alive when you were dead through the trespasses and sins . . . in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the spirit.
He is God’s agent for justification and sanctification. I Corinthians 6:11 NIV And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God.
He is the one who gives victories over the flesh and the devil. Romans 8:12, 13 KJV We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. / For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die: but if ye, through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
“Hinds Feet on High Places”….
II. The Stirring of the Holy Spirit
To go before us. Isaiah 45—To Cyrus: though he doesn’t know Jehovah, God promises to go before him for the purpose of undergirding God’s people, and returning them to Palestine.
To be behind us. Isaiah 58:8—if we act in obedient faith, the glory of the Lord will protect us from behind.
Also beneath us. Deuteronomy 33:27—The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
With us. Matthew 28:20—And be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time.
Within us. John 14:17, TEV—The world cannot receive him because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him because he remains with you, and lives in you.
Paraclete—The “called-beside” one.
III. The Statutes of the Holy Spirit.
Open and active appropriation of the Word of God. More than appreciation. Billy Graham—would you make any changes? I would let God’s word permeate my soul.
Obedience to the whole will of God. Judges 6:34 the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon. Acts 5:34 . . . the Holy Spirit who is God’s gift to those who obey him.
Willful enthronement of Jesus as Lord. Revelation 11:15 The kingdom of this world, has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.
Compassion and concern for the lost. Example of Jesus. Impassioned concern of early disciples.
Persistent prayer and supplication for the Holy Spirit’s power. Note the difference between his presence and his power. Pentecost came while the disciples were praying. Luke 11:13 . . . How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?