Ministry of the Spirit For each of the many musical instruments, there are musicians who have developed an ability to produce sounds of amazing creative expression. The guitar in particular has been one of the most popular, with a seemingly endless range of style, sound, and timbre coming from those who have devoted their lives to mastering various methods of playing it. No matter how unique and innovative the approach, however, there has in each case been a process by which an ability present from birth has been nurtured to a maturity of skilled performance that impresses and moves the listener emotionally. In this progression there has also been an influence received from those who have come before. The sounds and techniques to which they’ve been exposed has helped them to produce in a way that would not have been otherwise possible. For all who are born again in Christ, salvation has been received with unlimited potential of Godly expression for His glory. In order for salvation to fully produce this expression, however, it is in need of more than just a list of requirements. It is in need of an enabler, a helper. Though Jesus is no longer walking the earth as He did with His disciples, He has sent the Holy Spirit to come alongside us and equip us to produce what would be impossible on our own. It is by the Spirit that the life and nature of Jesus can be seen through us. What was begun in the reception of salvation is grown and developed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit to fully show the matured expression of the Father’s purpose. Rather than failing at a list of religious dos and don’ts on our own, in the reception of the Spirit’s ministry we are empowered to supernaturally impart the heart of God in love. Notes Born again in Christ we are completely formed Colossians 2:9-10 (MKJV) 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and power, It’s by the Spirit that our hearts begin to grow in the knowledge of God as Father. Galatians 4:6 (NIV) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” The necessity of maturity, where childish things are set aside. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. Through various roles by the Spirit – to reach maturity Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV) 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. The Spirit ministers maturing unity/fulfilled purpose Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. By yielding in obedience to the Spirit’s direction, He imparts an awe-inspiring acknowledgment of God’s presence – the ministry of helping our desires and actions. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Jesus’ promise of an advocate: Thayer Definition: summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid 1a) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 1b) one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant 1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom Continual presence of help John 14:16-17 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. Teacher/Reminder John 14:26 (NIV) 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Imparts revelation of personal experiential knowledge John 15:26-27 (NIV) 26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. Importance of the Spirit’s ministry over the physical presence of Jesus John 16:7 (NIV) 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Ministers mountain moving power through us Zechariah 4:6-7 (NIV) 6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. 7 "What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!'” Overview: In Christ we are completely formed by the Spirit in newness of life. The Spirit causes our hearts to identify with our Father – crying out to Him. To know the Father, will grow from childish things to maturity. This maturity is a work of the Spirit that comes through awe-inspiring encounters of His presence. As we are in need of help in maturing, we have the promise of a Helper in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will minister the power to remove all mountains inhibiting our growth in Him. Prayer: “From my heart I cry out to You as the Father I long to know and be like. I am so grateful that You love me as your own child, a new creation by Your Spirit. In awe of You I yield now to the continued working of the Spirit in bringing me to Your desired maturity. Help my will to more and more align with Yours in doing only those things that would please You.” Action: Intentionally allow who you are as God’s own child to occupy your awareness with increasing awe and honor. With passion to please the Father, open your heart to acknowledge those things that would hinder your growth to maturity. Yield to the help of the Spirit in removing mountains of opposition to your maturity. Declare By Faith: “I have been saved by grace into newness of life as a child of God by the Spirit. With the Spirit as my Helper, I am continually growing in the mature likeness of my Father. I commit my will and what I do to the power of the Spirit in producing a maturity only possible in Him.”