It seems that once I get on this matter of the Spirit, it is hard for me to leave it. But I believe there is good reason for this. Consider that the Spirit is called "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17; 15:26) who teaches us and reminds us of all that Jesus has spoken (John 14:26) and even guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Consider that, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man's heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him", are revealed to us through the Spirit, even the depths of God (I Cor. 2:9-10). Consider that it is "by the Spirit" that we are to put to death the practices of our body (Rom. 8:13). Consider that we are to be led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18), live and walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25), and serve by the Spirit (Phil. 3:3). This alone should impress us greatly with the importance of the Spirit in our Christian lives.
But there is much more. In fact, the Spirit is mentioned about 225 times in the New Testament. With that in mind, and with the hope that we would all have a greater awareness and enjoyment of the Spirit in our daily lives, I have decided to spend the next three lessons listing part of the 225 verses concerning the Spirit in the New Testament. We will begin with the four Gospels, go on to Acts through Second Corinthians, and finish with Galatians through Revelation. So here we go!
*The birth of Jesus was "of the Holy Spirit". (Matt. 1:18-20)
*When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came upon Him. (Matt. 3:16)
*Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. (Matt. 4:1)
*Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit of God". (Matt. 12:28)
*Jesus walked "in the power of the Spirit". (Luke 4:14)
*The Spirit of God was "upon Jesus", having been anointed to preach the gospel. (Luke 4:18)
*Jesus "exulted in the Holy Spirit". (Luke 10:21)
*The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13)
*Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin. (Luke 12:10)
*When being persecuted, the Holy Spirit teaches us what to say. (Luke 12:12)
*Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33)
*To enter into the kingdom of God, you must be "born of the Spirit". (John 3:5)
*God is Spirit. (John 4:24)
*The Spirit gives life. (John 6:63)
*The Spirit is for drinking and will flow out as rivers of living water. (John 7:37-39)
*The Spirit is "the comforter" given by the Father to be with us forever. (John 14:16)
*The Spirit is the "Spirit of truth". (John 14:17)
*The Spirit teaches and reminds us of what Jesus has spoken. (John 14:26)
*The Spirit "testifies" concerning Jesus. (John 15:26)
*The Spirit "guides us into all truth". (John 16:13)
*The Spirit declares to us the things that are coming. (John 16:13)
*On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus breathed into His disciples for them to receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
I would encourage us all to print out this list to read and pray over it. Meditate upon each verse. Let the Spirit of the Lord impress upon us who He is and reveal to us His operation in our lives.
Lord, I pray that we all would have a greater appreciation, clearer revelation, and intensified realization of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Glory be to God! Grace be with you all.
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