May 28, 2023 -- John 14:15-17 -- The Work of the Holy Spirit

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him.
John 14:15-17 ESV

Today, Sunday, May 28, 2023, believers around the world celebrate Pentecost Sunday. There is a great emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Many people highlight the Spirit’s work in giving gifts like tongues and interpretation of tongues or other extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit, which, frankly, are for the New Testament era. Prophetic gifts and apostolic gifts and healing gifts were given to Jesus and to His disciples, but were for the start of the Church, the beginning of the Church. Once the Church had been established on the foundation of Jesus, there is no need for a whole new foundation. So, the building is built up in Christ by the Spirit. So, if the Spirit is not giving new visions and prophesies, what is the work of the Holy Spirit?  Great question.

Perhaps the most radical work of the Spirit is to take sinners and so transform their hearts and minds and actions that they are men and women who love Jesus Christ and desire to follow Him in obedience. The defining characteristic of a Christian is that he loves Jesus Christ and desires to be more like Him. When people who know you well see the change in your life and hear how you have a new, clean vocabulary and now live devoted service which has switched from things allegiance the world to complete dedication to Jesus, there is nothing that can argue against that. It is the Spirit of God Who leads you in the way of truth. It is the Spirit Who convicts you when you are straying and sinning so that you can, with hope and joy turn to Jesus and find grace and mercy. It is the Spirit Who continually reveals to you Jesus Christ and immeasurable riches of the salvation that you have in Him.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the magnificent gift of Jesus Christ and His reconciling work, by which all who believe are called Your sons and daughters. Thank You for the Spirit poured out so that believers are sealed for Jesus Christ and are directed in all truth. Spirit of the Living God by Your mighty power continually change the course of my life and refresh the attitudes of my mind so that I will whole-heartedly and willing deny myself, take up my cross and follow Jesus Christ and this to the glory of the Father. Amen.

https://youtu.be/WNz_s7uV_uo Keith Green “Rushing Wind”

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