based off of john mark's preaching last night at solid rock....
i've learned to love when pastor's incorporate the old testament into teaching based in the new testament. and last night the teaching was based out of 1 corinthians 12 yet the john mark began reading out of isaiah 42 and the prophesy / promise that God places His Spirit upon the Elect One. this promise is fulfilled in luke 3:22 when the "Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him (Jesus)".
after establishing Jesus' anointment of the Holy Spirit (confirmed in 4:1), luke writes, "then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee" in 4:14. Jesus' power comes from the Spirit! Jesus is fully man and fully God, 100% of both. yet His power does not come from His "God-ness" but instead from being fully enveloped in the Spirit.
in john 14:12, Jesus says, "most assuredly, i say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that i do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because i go to My Father" i'm no greek scholar but john mark said the current thought is that by "greater" Jesus means a greater quantity. Jesus set the example of what can be done in the power of the Spirit and now we are to take the Spirit and continue His work. acts 1 begins of referring to a former account of what Jesus began to do and teach. the story of Jesus is not finished!
finally arriving at 1 corinthians 12 john mark pointed out that what is translated as "spiritual gifts" is pneumatikōn (phonetically more like "pnumatakos") which literally means "spirituals". paul never connects the words "spiritual" and "gift" throughout his letters though the church refers to the spiritual gifts of paul all the time. the spirituals that paul write about are purely physical manifestations of the Spirit of God. paul's idea of spiritual was not something supernatural or untouchable but instead a very physical result of the Holy Spirit's presence. for me it is easy to wait for the touchy feely aspect of the Holy Spirit when it is instead a very physical presence.
the Spirit's purpose is not to enhance our personal life but "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all". if i prophesy, it is not for my benefit. God did not give me His Spirit so that i can later brag about my experience with the Spirit but instead so that others may be uplifted. the manifestations of the Spirit are all merely means to and end. that end is the edification of the church and each member in it.
do you want the Holy Spirit? do you realize that if you do, how you live will be exponentially more important than what you believe?
why do you want the Spirit? for yourself and your own confidence or for others?
what does the Holy Spirit want for you? how do you see the Holy Spirit working through you?
