I’m sure you parents can relate to the following story & conversation: I was lying in bed with Libby & Maggie the other night in order to put them to sleep (a common occurrence for us). Usually we sing a song or two, pray together, & then I will stay about 3 minutes while they roll over & try to go to sleep. As most of you will understand, it doesn’t always work. This particular night, I think it was Wednesday, the moon was shining bright (I know- deep in the heart of Texas). Anyway, Libby noticed how bright it was outside & said “it’s not night time.” I responded- “It is night time but the moon is shining bright”. To which she said- “Where? I don’t see it.” And then I said- “You don’t have to see the moon for it to be there.” My mind immediately went to the text for this Sunday & the sermon I’m going to preach.
Jesus had a similar conversation with a man named Nicodemus. “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” We don’t have to see the Spirit for it to be true that He is in us & among us & active in the church.
This Sunday we’re going to study about the ministry of the Spirit in the life of the Church from 1 Corinthians 2:1-10.
“1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
“By His Spirit” is another sermon in our Church-Builders series. We’re going to see that the Holy Spirit does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He acts for us in a way that we could not act. He gives us what we couldn’t attain to on our own.
The Spirit has a Ministry in the Church, & that means inside each person who knows Christ as Lord. So ask yourself this question- Do you have the Spirit of God, & if so, are you filled by him?
Here is the playlist for Sunday’s service to help you as you contemplate the Holy Spirit of God.
Shine, Jesus, Shine (30426)
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (34532)
Agnus Dei (626713)
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome (12994)
RESPONSE: Cleanse Me (23426)
I hope you have a good rest of the week & I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.
God Bless,
Pastor Jeremy
The song numbers correspond to Song Select by Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI).
