The Holy Spirit (10)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on June 26, 2012
Topic: Our Need For The Holy Spirit (2)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we noted, from a cursory observation of happenings in Christendom that, some regular church attendees, as well as some of those who go for Christian retreats and camp meetings, sometimes end up more down-and-out, or even lost, than before they went for those meetings. We also noted that some people, who are actively engaged in ministry in their local assembly, end up being ‘burnt out’, even though their original intention for involvement in ministry in the first place, may have been to avoid such. Furthermore, our observation of Christian workers and ministers, revealed that it is not uncommon to find some of these people whom we may have high regard for, as it concerns their piety (that is, their walk with God), still live in sin, and some very openly; some others still manifest the self life, and are fearful; and, some others still, continue to struggle and argue with the word of God. Our observations revealed an even deeper need than those of people in the church, but who are lost and not heaven-bound; and it is more than ministers being burnt out, and living in iniquity and rebellion against the word of God. The problem we saw is the absence, misplacement, displacement, and replacement of the Holy Spirit in their lives and ministries! The matter is made even worse, when we consider that some of these people in whom the Holy Spirit is absent, misplaced, displaced, and has been replaced by some strange spirit, are presently serving as pastors, bishops, General Overseers, and so on, in the Church of God!
This prompted us to re-focus on our need for the Holy Spirit, with a view to ascertaining how much space or what level of allowance or involvement the Holy Spirit be given in our lives and ministry. In looking at the Lord Jesus’ call to people who were just concluding a marathon of religious feasts, therefore, we saw that His call took cognizance of the fact that it is possible to attend all manner of religious activities, and even be involved in such activities, and still leave these meetings dissatisfied, frustrated, and burnt-out. We also saw that it is possible to be in the place where others are celebrating God, and be unfulfilled spiritually, and even remain immature in your spiritual experience. We saw therefore, that this was the basis for the Lord’s call to all who are thirsty (that is, those with a longing, yearning, deep heart desire, and unquenched need for God in spite of religious activities) to come unto Him, and drink living water. By this call, we noted that the Lord was, then, as He is now, issuing forth an invitation to all men regardless of their gender, socio-economic status, religious position and affiliations, age, etc., provided they are sincerely desirous for something more, better, and deeper than their present spiritual experience, which to all intents and purposes is bland. We also noted that the Lord’s invitation was to Himself; and not to a church, a denomination, a religion, or even a spiritual leader or guru! We noted that it is essential for a person who wants to partake of “living water” which quenches all unquenchable thirsts to first come to Jesus, because, He is the Giver of living water. Being in a church, or a member of a denomination, or a close associate to a church leader, cannot quench spiritual thirst—our deep desire for God! Furthermore, we must first come to Jesus, because He will confront us with the issues that may hinder us from partaking of the water of life: one of such hindrance is sin! Thus, we concluded that our need for the Holy Spirit must necessarily commence with going to Jesus, the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, as the first step so that every possible hindrance is dealt with!
Scripture Text(s)
John 7:37; 4:3-18
Because of the seriousness of our coming to Jesus, as our essential first step in resolving our need for the Holy Spirit, we shall tonight, consider other possible issues in our lives which may hinder our ability to partake of the water of life, and allow the Lord to confront us with them, so that we can be fully qualified to partake of living water, which Jesus alone gives! May the Holy Spirit help us all to arrive where Jesus has called us to—Himself; not a church or church leader, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
When the Lord had an encounter with the woman at the well in the Samaritan village of Sychar, He brought her to the place where she realized her need for the Holy Spirit. But as she began to express a desire or longing for the Holy Spirit, the Lord confronted her with life she was living, which was not necessarily frowned at by her culture, and in her day. As we look more into this, we shall also look at other instances, where men and women who desired the Holy Ghost were first confronted with certain things in their lives as they came to Jesus for living water!
Genesis 3:8-14; Acts 8:5-24; Matthew 11:28; Luke 5:1-11; 10:38-42; Matthew 6:25-34; 13:22; 1 Peter 5:7; James 1:21; John 8:31-32, 36; Proverbs 11:9; Acts 8:26-33; 2 Peter 1:2; Matthew 16:13-19; John 7:38; James 3:8-12; Matthew 23:25-28; Mark 7:14-15, 20-23; Matthew 12:33; Hebrews 4:12-13; John 3:18-21.
Conclusion
On seeing the benefits of the living water Jesus promises (a matter we shall be studying in greater detail later on in our study), many people are eager to immediately want to begin to drink. However, we find in all instances that the Lord first confronts certain issues in the lives of those He has gotten interested into wanting living water, before He can allow them to partake therein.
With the woman at the well, it was her sinful living, which, though, may not have been frowned at in her day and culture, was a major hindrance to her drinking therefrom. With Simon the sorcerer, it was his desire for the power to control the lives of the people he had probably lost to the gospel, for there was lurking in him, deep-seated bitterness possibly of the loss of clientele to the gospel. With many, who, like Peter and his friends, were toiling (and this includes those involved in ministry), it is their reliance on their own abilities, rather than on His word alone! With Martha, and all who are like her, it is the concerns which have become distractions in their lives, and which is preventing them from sitting still and learning at the Master’s feet. With the Ethiopian Eunuch, as with countless thousands who throng our churches, it is a religious experience without an experiential knowledge of God and His Christ! There are many other issues which plague today’s believers, and which need to be confronted and dealt with; and by the grace of God, this will happen, even tonight.
But one may ask, “Why confront these issues at this point in my Christian walk, when I believe I am doing alright?” “Why is the Lord’s confrontation so intense?” “What is He seeking to confront in your own life?” (Exodus 4:24-26). The answer is not farfetched: the Lord wants to ensure that the container into which living water is put, and out of which shall spring forth His life, and influence and affect the lives of other people, is clean and sanctified!
Back to all Bible Study Outline List