Power

Acts 1:1-8

What is power?

What does the power of God look like in a person's life?

Do you know and experience the power of God in your life?

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit after He went to His Father.  As part of His promise, He said,

 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  John 14:12, ESV

Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, fed over five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and even raised the dead to life.  He calmed the storm with a word and at His rebuke, the fig tree dried up.  Did He mean that we would do the same sort of things?  Certainly, these works represent a demonstration of the power of God.

In Acts 1:1-2, the New Testament tells us:

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  Acts 1:1-2, ESV

In these verses, we see that Jesus gave commands through the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we are given to understand that the Holy Spirit worked in the teaching ministry of Jesus.  This is consistent with a couple facts concerning Jesus' ministry.  The first fact is that when Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him.  We find this in Luke 3:21-22 where it says:

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."  Luke 3:21-22, ESV

This marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.  It was at this point that Luke tells us:

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness...  Luke 4:1, ESV

Jesus' entire public ministry was done in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the first fact I was referring to.  A second fact concerning Jesus' ministry is that He did nothing of His own accord.  In John 5:30, He says:

I can do nothing on my own.  As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  John 5:30, ESV

In addition to this statement that He does nothing on His own, Jesus also said He only spoke what was given to Him by the Father.  In John 12:49, He says:

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.  John 12:49, ESV

These and other passages point to the fact that Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit.  All that He began to do and teach is continued in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As our example and because He was fully human, Jesus showed us what it looks like to live wholly submitted to the Holy Spirit.  His teaching and commands were given in the Holy Spirit.  He was fully God and fully man.  Being fully man, it was the Spirit that led Him into the wilderness and it was the Spirit that empowered His ministry.

Therefore, Jesus told His disciples to wait until the gift that the Father had promised them was given.  Acts 1:4-5 says:

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  Acts 1:4-5, ESV

This same Spirit that empowered Jesus' ministry was to empower the continuing ministry of His disciples. 

However, the disciples were interested in a kingdom.  Immediately after the instructions to wait in Jerusalem, the disciples asked Him if this was the time He would restore the kingdom.

Kingdom authority is one kind of power, but it is not the power of the Church at this time.  Historically, the Church wielding political authority or power has not resulted in the kingdom of God on earth.  Jesus told Pilate, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36, NLT)  Jesus did not tell His disciples He would not restore the kingdom to Israel.  He only told them it was not for them to know the times or seasons the Father has fixed by His own authority.  (Acts 1:6-7) When Jesus returns, He will set up His kingdom, then He will exercise the power of rule - then we will have the kingdom of God on earth.  During this Church age, Jesus rules the earth only as far as He rules in the hearts and lives of individual believers.  Collectively, we have political power and influence; influence not authority.   

In addition, individually we receive gifts.  Some have the gift of teaching, others have gifts for leading, but none of these gifts are for the building up of our individual kingdoms or control.  To use our gifts for the building up of our own little kingdoms, is to work against the purpose of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus.  Gifts are given for the building up of the Body of Christ and for service to others.

In answer to the inquiry about the kingdom, Jesus says:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  Acts 1:8, ESV

This statement that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon us brings us back to the question of "What is power?"

In the life and ministry of Jesus, we see that He had power to heal, raise the dead and calm storms.  In place of the word “power,” we can use the word "ability." He had the ability to do these things.  He was able.

In Acts 1:8, the English word "power," is a translation of the Greek word δύναμιν (dunamin).  I always like to point out that this is the word from which we get our word "dynamite."  However, this can be misleading.  This word δύναμις (dunamis) in its various forms is widely used throughout the New Testament.  For example, in Romans 8:7, it says, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot." In this verse, the phrase "indeed, it cannot" uses a form of our word dunamis to point out that the flesh does not have the ability to submit to God's law.  For us, the power of God, the power of the Spirit is an enabling power.  The Holy Spirit gives us abilities, and thus transforms our lives.

Acts 1:8 says He gives us the ability to be Jesus' witnesses.  This one ability involves many abilities combined. 

If we are to be Jesus' witnesses, we have to be bold.  Paul said, "and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel." (Ephesians 6:19, NASB)  Indeed, we see a marked difference in the disciples immediately after the giving of the Holy Spirit.  On the day of Pentecost, people who had been hiding were suddenly out in the street proclaiming boldly the truth about Jesus.  It was a new ability, the ability to be bold.  This was not boldness for boldness sake.  This was boldness for the purpose of making plain the mystery of the gospel.

Another ability the Holy Spirit gives in order to enable our witness is the ability to walk in the light.  God rebuked the Israelites saying, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”  (Romans 8:24, ESV)  Sin in our lives makes us unable to be Jesus' witnesses.  1 John 1:6 tells us, "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."  (ESV)  In addition, Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."  (ESV) 

Christian, we ought to be ashamed of the bickering and arguments among us.  We ought to blush at the mere mention of the sins that plague our churches.  We are all guilty of not walking by the Spirit and instead, gratifying the desires of the flesh.  We must repent and agree with God that these things ought not to be.  The problem of not walking according to our profession is not new.  Paul said to Titus, "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party." (Titus 1:10, ESV)  If we profess to believe in Christ and yet do not keep His commandments, we are liars.  This is the clear word from 1 John 2:4. 

Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him…  1 John 2:4

When we talk about the power of the Holy Spirit, we must talk about sanctification, the fact that we are set apart as belonging to God.  If we have the power to walk on water, calm storms and move mountains, but live like we are full of demons, then certainly this is not the power of God.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2 teaches this when it says:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2, ESV

The New Testament teaches that the commands to love God and to love our neighbor sum up the Law.  The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to love as we ought.

Another ability the Holy Spirit gives is the ability to understand.  No one understands the things of God unless the Holy Spirit gives that person the ability or power to understand. 

The Holy Spirit gives many abilities.  We have examples of these in the New Testament.  To explain each one is more than we have time for right now, but some basic principles apply to them all.  First, all abilities given by the Spirit are to enable our witness for Jesus.  This is why the power is given.  Second, and this follows the first, these abilities are not to be used to build our own kingdom or following.

Healing, tongues, prophecy and knowledge are abilities given by the Holy Spirit that have been the source of much contention and conflict in the Church.  All of these have two manifestations.  The first one seems natural, the results of study and time.  The second one seems supernatural, an instantaneous miracle. For example, a good doctor may have the gift of healing that seems to be the result of study and time.  While another person may see instantaneous healings in answer to prayer.  Medical missionaries see both, and those ministered to often take both as signs of the miraculous power of God at work.

Tongues also are an ability given by the Holy Spirit that also have two manifestations.  One seems natural, the result of time and study and the other instantaneous and miraculous.  I spoke Japanese.  It was a gift.  However, I did study for it.  The disciples in Acts 2 spoke languages they had never even studied.

The main point is that the abilities given by the Holy Spirit are for a testimony, to enable us to witness.  In John 14, when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, He said:

He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  John 16:14, ESV

Just as Jesus promised, "greater works" have been done in His name since He returned to the Father.  Many miracles have been attested to, and many miracles have been faked.  People fake miracles to gather a following or build their own kingdom.  This does not mean real miracles do not happen.  It does mean that we trust the Word of God, not miracles.  However, as to greater works, consider the millions upon millions of people who have heard the Gospel.  Is this not why the Holy Spirit was given?  On the day of Pentecost there were 3,000 believers added to the Church on that first day of the Holy Spirit's ministry.

In a 2015 article titled "Pentecost", I said:

As far as I know, there has never been another day in history when 3,000 people gathered in one place made a decision to accept Christ as Savior at the same time.  In 2012, the number of people in the world that called themselves Christians stood at 2.2 billion.  There is a great difference between being Christian in name and professing Christ.  However, there is no way to account for the billions of people throughout history that have called themselves Christian apart from the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is still working.  “On average, around the world, 178,000 people convert to Christianity every day.^[1]

In an article titled "Growth of the Church," I read:

Christianity is the single fastest growing religion in the world. For example, in AD 100 there were 360 non-believers for every believer. Today, there are only nine non-believers for every believer...^[2]

There is evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in our world.  Is there evidence of His power in our lives?

---

^[1] http://www.road2answers.com/2015/06/pentecost.html?q=baptized

^[2] http://www.thetravelingteam.org/articles/growth-of-the-church Accessed January 19, 2018

The Spirit of Life

Romans 8:1-17

The Christian life is not easy.  It is impossible.

The Apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 7.  He says:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Romans 7:18-19, ESV

This conflict is common to us all.  Every man, woman and child who tries to live a godly life has experienced this dilemma, and there are three common responses.

The first response is to reject the whole idea of good and evil or sin.  This rejection takes many forms.  The atheist claims God does not exist and therefore cannot be offended by sin.  The moralist claims that all people are basically good and sin is an outdated way of thinking.  This first response is the response of the unbelieving world.

The second and third responses are from within those who call themselves Christian.  These two responses follow the pattern set before us in the Scriptures of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  These two responses accept a form of godliness but deny its power.  (2 Timothy 3:5 tells us of such people.) 

The Sadducee is the person who holds the truths of Christianity in such a way that they fit in with the views of the world.  This person might teach that God is love and overlooks and forgives everyone's sin.  Of course, this like all the responses, takes on many forms, but the main idea is that this person's Christianity does not distinguish them from the world.  This person looks and acts about the same as those who have responded the first way.  This response denies that sin is much of a problem.

The Pharisee is a person whose response seems to be an acceptance of the truth of Scripture.  This person attends church, prays, reads the Bible, tithes and serves.  This person though has rejected the statement of the Apostle Paul.  The Apostle Paul said, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."  Well, this person is carrying it out.  He or she has the desire to do good and is doing it.  The result is a righteousness acquired or attained by keeping rules.

As I said, we all face the dilemma of what Paul is talking about in Romans 7:18-19.  We have looked at three common responses, but now I want to look at an uncommon response.  Our Lord says:

Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14, ESV

Our Lord tells us that few find the way to life.  It is the uncommon response to the dilemma we are talking about.  I wish it were not so, but even among church-going people, this is true.  This is true for a very simple reason.  Paul mentions it in Romans 8:7 when he says, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."  This is why our churches are filled with second and third response people, i.e. Pharisees and Sadducees.  We respond in the flesh, which is natural.

Defeat and disappointment are not the normal Christian life.  We are described as "more than conquerors."  (Romans 8:37)  God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  (1 Corinthians 15:57)  Romans 8:1 tells us:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1, ESV

Jesus condemned both the Pharisees and Sadducees.  To say that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God is itself a condemning statement.  I want to look at what the difference is.  Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ, and why the difference?

However, before we look at these two questions.  Let's consider this statement of Romans 8:1.  The Apostle Paul has just finished his statement of the conflict within Himself that we quoted from Romans 7.  He even writes, "Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  (Romans 7:24)  The next words off his pen are:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1)

This is a huge shout of victory and triumphant.  My own rendering would be “Since this is true, there is not even one condemning judgment against those who are in Christ Jesus."  This is actually what chapter 7 is trying to teach, that we have died with Christ to the requirements of the Law.  And, this is what is restated in Romans 8:2:

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:2, ESV

We are under a new law, the law of the Spirit of life.  The idea of this law was introduced in chapter 7 verses 4 through 6.  It is worth quoting the whole text here:

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.  For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.  But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.  Romans 7:4-6, ESV

This is the difference and the answer to why there is no condemnation.  Jesus has set us free from that which held us captive.  He has defeated sin in our flesh.  This is Romans 8:3-4:

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.  By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8:3-4, ESV

This answers why there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  They do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  The three common responses are according to the flesh.  The uncommon response is according to the Spirit.  This is a huge difference, and it makes all the difference in a person's life.  Romans 8:6 says it best when it says:

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6, ESV

We see the difference the uncommon response can make in a person's life.  The difference is here described as being the difference between death and life.  We also see the difference in the people.  The passage above talks about the set of the mind.  In English, we speak of "mindset."  This describes the assumptions and/or notions that govern our lives.  The Greek being translated does not use the word mind.  It uses the word "φρονοῦσιν" (phronousin), which means:  I think, judge, observe.  Therefore, the text is talking about thinking, judging or observing according to the flesh or the Spirit.  It is uncommon to think, judge and observe our lives from the perspective of the Spirit, and here is why.

Romans 1:17 says it when it says; "The righteous shall live by faith."

To walk according to the Spirit is uncommon because faith is uncommon. 

There is another passage that describes how a person walks according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.  Galatians 2:20 says:

I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20, ESV

As you can see, faith figures prominently in how a person lives.  This passage says, "...the life I now live...I live by faith."  Salvation is a gift, a free gift.  There is nothing we must do to earn or deserve it.  It is something we receive and we receive it by faith.  In other words, we receive it by believing.

One of the things we must believe in order to receive salvation is that there is nothing we can do to earn it.  This is why the Apostle Paul says very clearly, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh."  (Romans 7:18)  This is another reason why faith is uncommon.  We try to be good.  We try to change ourselves.  We try to keep the rules.  We do not like to accept the truth that is pointed out in "nothing good dwells in me."  The Spirit of the Lord, speaking through the Apostle Paul says,

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  Romans 8:7-8, ESV

The mind that is set on the flesh is the natural mind.  It is the way we are born.  According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, and he or she is not even able to understand them.  Spiritual things are foolishness to the natural person.  This is why the common responses actually reject the truth.

The life of the Spirit is evidenced by faith, and faith is evidenced by walking in the Spirit.  This is circular.  We cannot have one without the other.  The life of faith shows itself in not living to please the flesh.  It is described as Christ living in me.  It is living according to the law of the Spirit of life.  It is entirely a work of the Holy Spirit who is Christ living in me.  It is something we receive by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life.  He is the Spirit of Christ.  This is why Romans 8:9 says:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  Romans 8:9, ESV

Many Christians throughout many generations have testified that life in the Spirit is joy and happiness and peace.  Many Christians have testified that if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you know it.  The Apostle Paul points this out when he says:

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…  Romans 8:16, ESV

The Christian life is not easy.  It is impossible for us in the flesh.  However, the Christian life lived in the Spirit is a life of rest and joy and peace.  It is described in the words of Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20, ESV)

There is no condemnation.  We have been set free.  Life in the Spirit is life without condemnation.  Life in the Spirit is a life of freedom.  However, unbelief keeps us from entering into this rest that God has provided.  First, we still believe we can be good enough by our own efforts, and second we fail to apprehend by faith the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Comforter

John 16:1-15

Who is the Holy Spirit?

This is a rather audacious question to try to answer.  The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity.  Therefore, He is a person, and as such, He is much more than a term to be defined.  As a person, He has a mind, He has emotions and He has a will.

To say the Holy Spirit is a person does not mean He has hands and feet.  Hands and feet are part of having a body, but are not necessary in order to be a person.

The understanding that the Holy Spirit is a person is at once very basic and of utmost importance.  Over against and opposed to the concept of the Spirit as a person stands the idea of the Spirit as an impersonal power or force, a power that fills believers and yet is subject to the will of the believer enabling him or her to do what would not otherwise be possible.  The best example I can think of is to liken the "impersonal power" concept as being in nature similar to the concept of "the force" made popular by the Star Wars series of movies.  In some ways, these ideas are not similar at all.  However, the main similarity would be the idea of being able to grasp and use the force for one's own personal benefit or aims.  In this scenario, being "filled with the Spirit" would be a means to a happier life for the person able to obtain such "filling."

Our goal in asking the question, "Who is the Holy Spirit?" is to know Him and to grow in a relationship with Him.  There is nothing in this opposed to a happier life, and in fact, it is a way to a happier life.  However, the means are different in that the way to a happier life is in subjecting our wills to the will of the Spirit rather than using the Spirit according to our wills. 

In order to introduce us to the Holy Spirit, I want to look at how Jesus introduced His disciples to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promised that as a result of knowing the Spirit, the disciples would be guided into all truth.  John 16:1-15 takes place on the night that Jesus was betrayed.  Jesus had been working for some time to prepare His disciples for these events, and at this point, the time is upon them.  He tells them:

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come.  If I do go away, then I will send him to you.  John 16:7, NLT

I want to look at the circumstances surrounding this statement, who this "Advocate" is and why it is best if the Advocate is sent.

First, let's look at the circumstances surrounding this statement.  Jesus explains these circumstances when he says:

But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.  Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.  John 16:5-6, NLT

The occasion was the immediate departure of Jesus, and because of this, the disciples were grieving.  Jesus says, "...and not one of you is asking where I am going.”  This indicates their state of mind.  A little earlier, Peter had asked Jesus where He was going because he wanted to go with Jesus.  (John 13:36 and following)  The discussion that followed Peter's inquiry illustrates that the disciples had no idea what He was talking about when He said He was going away.  They were confused, afraid and shaken.  They had moved beyond wondering where He was going to complete bewilderment.

In addition to His own departure, Jesus also gave them some very bad news.  He said:

I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.  For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.  This is because they have never known the Father or me.  Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning.  I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.  John 16:1-4, NLT

The bad news was that not only would they be expelled from the synagogues, but they would even be killed for their faith.  This is not the first time Jesus has mentioned this.  Just prior to this, in chapter 15, Jesus told them:

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.  John 15:18-19, NLT

If they were troubled at the beginning of chapter 14 when Jesus told them to stop stirring up their hearts, this news would have done nothing to allay those fears.  It seems apparent that Jesus was telling them this as they were walking to the Garden after finishing the last supper.  (John 14:31 indicates that Jesus said, "Come, let us be going" at the end of supper)  It was a night of trouble, uncertainty and anguish of soul.

In view of these circumstances, Jesus promises to send "the Advocate.”  Let's take a moment to consider what this word "Advocate" might mean.  The King James Version translates this word "Comforter."  The Greek word of the original text is "Παράκλητος.”  (Paraklētos)  This word is formed from two words "para" and "klētos.”  Para means "close beside," and klētos means “to call.”  Therefore, the word means someone summoned to one's side, especially as an aid.  The most common use was for legal counsel and advice.

In view of their confusion, bewilderment and fear, the disciples needed a counselor, advisor and friend.  Jesus told them:

There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.  John 16:12, NLT

They were not able to understand what He had already given them, but here He is saying He wants to tell them so much more.  His clear statement is, “...you can't bear it now."  There were truths that Jesus wanted to teach them that they simply were not able to handle.  In telling the disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14:17, Jesus says:

But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.  John 14:17, NLT

Here we see that the Holy Spirit was with them but would later be in them, and the fuller context shows that He would be making truth clear to them.  This is consistent with the later teaching of Scripture, which says:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV  

The Scriptures teach in these instances that the advocate/counselor to be given would make the things of God understandable to the disciples.  In addition, this ministry is necessary because of the circumstances that the disciples would be in.  In John 16:1, Jesus tells His disciples, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith."  He tells them this in the context of telling them they would be hated and persecuted for His sake.  This gives us an idea why the Advocate, or as the KJV translates it, the Comforter, is necessary. 

The Church in all ages has suffered persecution, difficulties and trials.  Without the presence and help of the Advocate/Comforter, we would not be able to endure.  We would all abandon our faith.

This then helps us to understand what is meant by calling Him the Comforter, but in addition, Jesus gives several reasons why it is advantageous for us if He goes and the Spirit comes.  Jesus speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the world and in relation to His disciples. 

In relation to the world, Jesus speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of convicting.  He says:

And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.  The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.  Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.  Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.  John 16:8-11, NLT

Here we see that in relation to the world, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment.  All these have to do with the necessity of salvation.  He makes us aware of our need for a Savior in the conviction of sin, and He makes us aware of the availability of salvation in the conviction of righteousness.  Finally, He makes us aware of the necessity of a decision in the conviction of judgment.  This is a simplified and abbreviated treatment of the subject, but it is shared to show that without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit no one would come to Christ for salvation.

In relation to the disciples, the work of the Holy Spirit is shown to be an Advocate or Comforter.  Jesus says:

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.  He will tell you about the future.  He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.  All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'  John 16:13-15, NLT

He is the Spirit of truth and He guides us into all truth.  The Holy Spirit guides us into knowledge of our Savior.  Colossians 2:3 says of Jesus, "...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  (Colossians 2:3, ESV)  The Holy Spirit makes Jesus known to us.

In John 14, Jesus taught an important truth to His disciples.  He said:

...Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?  John 14:9, ESV

What is true of Jesus and the Father is also true of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, to know Him is to know the Father and the Son.  We worship one God.  The Holy Spirit is shown by Jesus' teaching to be a separate person from the Father and the Son, and yet they are One.  According to Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus known to us.  As our Comforter, He gives us the strength to face the trials of life.  As our Advocate, He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26, ESV

The work of the Holy Spirit is so essential to the life of the believer that the Scriptures say:

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  

Romans 8:9, ESV

Do you hear His voice of conviction?

Are you involved in things you know are not pleasing to God?

What do you do with the thought, that still, small internal voice that questions and asks, "Should you be doing this?"  Until you learn to listen, you will quench the Spirit.  He is an Advocate/Comforter.  He will not overpower our will.  A loving relationship requires that both parties willingly participate.  God loves us and desires our love in return.  In fact, He requires it as a condition of our relationship with Him.  The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart.

In addition to His voice of conviction, do you seek to hear His voice through His word?  The Holy Spirit has given us the Bible.  Do you read it, asking Him to make clear those things you do not understand?  If one does not seek to understand and obey the word of God, it is hard to see how the Spirit of God is at work in that person.  I am not saying the Spirit of God is not at work.  I am saying it is hard to see.  James 1:22 is speaking of this when it encourages us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.  It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to both hear the word and apply it in obedience in our lives.

Who is the Holy Spirit? 

He is God, Himself, come to dwell within us until Jesus Christ returns to take us to be with Him.

All Authority

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:18

We have come to the end of a year.  Tremendous blessings as well as challenges have filled this year. 

Each of us has faced our own personal challenges and victories, and I trust grown in our relationship with God.

At the end of the year and the start of a new year, we traditionally make resolutions.  This serves as a time to review the past year and set goals for the coming year.  Today, I want to do something a little different with you.  I want to review the last days of Jesus on earth after the resurrection but before His ascension into heaven.  I want to consider what He showed us as being most important.  Then, from that perspective, I trust the Spirit will show each one of us what his or her highest priority should be for the coming year.

Of course, I say this fully expecting that Jesus will return any day now, and knowing that if He does not return, some of us may not have another year.  Any one of us can be called home at any time.  Therefore, we should live each day in view of these eternal implications.

We are told in Matthew 28:1-7:

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake!  For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.  His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.  The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.  Then the angel spoke to the women.  “Don’t be afraid!” he said.  “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here!  He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.  Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see him there.  Remember what I have told you.”  Matthew 28:1-7, NLT

The disciples were in Jerusalem.  The Passover had brought the nation together in Jerusalem, and it was during this festival week that Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed for us.  John 20:28 tells us that on the day of His resurrection, the disciples were gathered in a room with the doors locked and Jesus stood among them.  This happened in Jerusalem.

Later, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until the gift from the Father, the Holy Spirit, was given.  (Acts 1)  However, at this point He was sending them to Galilee, apparently for a gathering of the disciples.  This makes sense if we consider that interference from the governing authorities and those who crucified Jesus would most certainly have accompanied any large gathering of believers in Jerusalem, and a sufficiently large space to accommodate a crowd of disciples would have been both hard to find and very conspicuous. 

1 Corinthians 15:5-6 tells us:

He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  1 Corinthians 15:5-6, NLT

This reference to being seen by more than 500 disciples at one time is assumed to be a reference to the meeting in Galilee that Matthew talks about.  Jesus had His disciples travel the long way from Jerusalem to Galilee, three to five days, just to meet with them in a safe, unmolested group.

What was so important that He needed this meeting?

This is what we are going to consider.  If it was important enough for Jesus to arrange this meeting then, it is important for us now.  In other words, this is the one moment when Jesus is going to communicate the message He wants all His followers to hear.  The message He gives is known as the great commission.  From this great commission we get our purpose of "making disciples."

A commission is a charge.  It is the marching orders, responsibility and mission of those to whom it is given.  Jesus called this meeting to give His Church her marching orders.  As we consider our role in this and what our priorities should be in view of this, let's look a little closer at what Matthew tells us about all that transpired.

Matthew 28:17-18 tells us:

When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Matthew 28:17-18, NLT

First, we see the worship and doubt among His followers.  This can teach us about our own hearts in relation to what Jesus says.  Our faith does not have to be perfect before Jesus will speak to us.  At one point, when the disciples asked Him why they could not cast out a certain demon, Jesus said:

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them.  “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible.”

Matthew 17:20, NLT

Faith even as small as a mustard seed is enough, and yet Jesus is pointing out the lack of even this.  Faith does not come naturally to most of us.  Even the Apostles, who spent three years in Jesus' presence, had to be confronted about their unbelief.  On the night that He was betrayed Jesus told them:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me."  John 14:1, NLT

If you are waiting until your faith is stronger before acting in obedience to Jesus, you will never get out of the starting blocks.  The first thing is to meet with Jesus.  Only the people on the mountain actually met with Jesus.  Even though some had doubts, they were on the mountain.  Jesus had said to go before Him to Galilee so they went -- doubts and all.  Jesus still says to come to Him if we are weary and burdened.  Come to Jesus -- doubts and all.  If you have not done this yet, you need to do it now.  As I said, not one of us is guaranteed another day let alone another year, and in addition, Jesus is coming back soon.

Coming to Jesus is the only way to be forgiven of our sins and to receive eternal life.  It is the only way to become a part of God's family and one of His children.  In addition, this is not difficult.  We see this in how Jesus treated those on the mountain.

Our text says, "Jesus came and told his disciples...”  (Matthew 28:18, NLT)  This translation misses part of the emphasis of the original.  The original word translated here as "came" means to draw near.  Jesus drew near.  He approached and spoke to them in a familiar way.  The text is specific in the drawing near and in the familiarity of His speaking.  It purposefully stresses the closeness and familiarity.  It does not say, He preached, chided, rebuked or exhorted them.  It says, “He spoke to them saying…”  It is important for us to realize that Jesus is approachable.  He is so approachable that Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:15-16, ESV

In review, we have seen that we need to come to Jesus and now we see that we can approach God boldly because of Him.  Notice, that we can do these things along with whatever goals we might set and whatever New Year’s Resolutions we might make.  However, what Jesus says next requires more consideration. 

Jesus said, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth."  (Matthew 28:18, NLT)

This is an incredible statement.  He has been given all authority.  He is exalted above all rulers, nations, principalities and dominions.  He has the name that is above all other names.  His is the final word in the universe.  If He tells the sun not to shine, it will not shine.  If he tells the stars to move around and mix it up a bit, they will move around and mix it up a bit.  If He tells Mount Rushmore to move to California, it will move.  He has that kind of authority.  He has the authority to tell the angels what to do.

Isaiah 9:6 says of Him:

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6, NLT

Now with that kind of authority, what do you think His concern is?  He does not say, "Therefore, go and get me the nicest chariot in the world and set up a throne in Jerusalem."  Although that day is coming, that was not His first concern.  Remember what Philippians 2:6-8 tells us about Him?

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  Philippians 2:6-8, NLT

Now, we are His disciples and followers.  We are expected to follow His example.  His first concern is that we should make disciples.  Why is this? 

Jesus told us:

"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”  Luke 19:10, NLT

Jesus expects us to do the same. 

We live for ourselves, looking out for number one.

I have heard people say, "Surely, God wants me to be happy.”  This is usually in the context of justifying some lifestyle decision that is disobedient to the clear Word of the Lord.  I heard this from another preacher and I think it is worth passing on. 

Let me see if I understand you.  God sent His Son into the world to be spit upon, scorned, ridiculed and crucified, but YOU He wants to be happy.  Is that about right?

Of course, God is interested in our eternal happiness.  This is why James 1:2 tells us we can rejoice when we encounter trials.  The Bible is clear.  We can expect hardship and even suffering on this side of heaven.

Let me ask you something.  If Jesus thought that others were important enough to die for, should we not also consider them important?  I am shocked at how much our convenience shapes our relationship with God.

In calling us to make disciples, Jesus was calling us to live for others.  In calling us to teach others all that He had taught, He is calling us to be like Him.  His words are:

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20, NLT

I see in this a call to be like Jesus, to continue the work He started.

In summary, we have said we need to come to Jesus for life, approach God boldly because of Him, and finally Jesus has commissioned us to be like Him.  In the coming year, I want to be more like Jesus.  Join with me in praying for this.

Truth Made Clear

Matthew 2:1-12

Gold, frankincense and myrrh are well known as the gifts of the wise men.  No doubt, these were meant to be representative of the products of the nation from which they came, and as such, they represent the first homage or respect paid by the Gentiles or the nations to the Jewish King and Messiah.  A day is coming when all people everywhere will acknowledge Him as King and Messiah.  These men were the first from among the Gentiles.

The three gifts do not mean there were three wise men, nor do we know their names.  Much ambiguity exists about the visit of the wise men because Matthew's account is brief and therefore limited in detail.  As the first representatives of the Gentiles or nations to give homage to the King of the Jews, these men represent us.  They represent the truth that God has caused light to shine in the darkness.  1 John 4:9 tells us:

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  1 John 4:9, ESV

This then is what I wish to look at today, how the love of God was made clear among us by the birth of His Son.  I believe we see this in the story of the wise men and their journey to Bethlehem.  My approach will be to consider who these wise men were, their time and place, their journey and the person all these elements led them to.  In all these things, we will see the hand of God.

Matthew 2:1 says:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem...  Matthew 2:1, ESV

The term translated "wise men" in our Bibles is the Greek word "μάγοι" (magoi).  This is the word from which we get our word "magic" or "magician."  The term "Magi" was used in the Septuagint, by Philo, Josephus and by other writers of the New Testament era in both an evil and a good sense.  The evil sense refers to those who practiced magical arts that we would term witches or warlocks.  The good sense refers to Eastern (especially Babylonian or Persian) priests or sages, whose research seems to have embraced much deep knowledge that was a mixture of science and superstition.  While this knowledge is alluded to in the Bible, much of it remains lost to us.^[1]  However, the influences of idolatry and demons in the religion of the Babylonians and Persians were great.

Speculation and theories as to what country in the east these men came from would take volumes and many hours to cover.  At the period in question, the priestly caste of the Medes and Persians was dispersed throughout what would have been called the East.  In addition, the Jews were also dispersed throughout the same area.  This would make the knowledge of the great hope of Israel available to the sages of many places.  The oldest opinion, though on insufficient evidence, traces the origin of the wise men to Arabia.  In favor of this view is that at the time there was a close relationship between Palestine and Arabia.  In addition, from about 120 B.C. to about the sixth century A.D., the kings of Yemen held to the Jewish religion.^[2] 

Because these wise men lived in a time where the Jews were widely dispersed, and because they lived in the area of the world where these things took place, they were in a position to play a role in the story of the Gospel.  We are not told the details of who they were and how they got there, but we are told they came, worshipped and gave gifts.

The stories of the people in the Bible and history are all stories of people in the right time and place.  Abraham, Ruth, David and Esther are all stories of the right person for the time and place of God's choosing.  They did not start out that way.  Abraham was from an idolatrous nation.  Ruth was from an idolatrous people.  David was a shepherd, and Esther lived in the palace of a Pagan king, but God took each one on a journey that led to great things.  In addition, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Herod all had their place in the story.  It all fit together so that as Romans 5:6 says:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Romans 5:6, NIV

We almost never know the purpose that God is working through us.  However, God has worked in each of our lives to bring us to this time and this place.  God even works in the bad things that happen.  I am not saying that the bad things are not bad.  I am saying that God works in them.  I think of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers.  Many years later, he told his brothers:

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.  Genesis 50:20, ESV

It is strange that wise men from the east should know before the people of the land that the King of the Jews had been born, but God worked through history and circumstances that these men should know.  He has done the same for you.  However, the wise men did not know all the details before they arrived.  They made a journey, a journey of hope and discovery.

They knew from the star that there had been one born who was king of the Jews.  However, they did not know where.  Thus, they went to Jerusalem.  Matthew 2:2 says they asked:

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."  Matthew 2:2, ESV

It was from the Jews that they then learned that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.  However, it was not just the wise men that were changed by all this.  Matthew 2:3 tells us:

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;  Matthew 2:3, ESV

The wise men did not set out to stir up trouble.  They were following the light they had.  Why were there not more who recognized His coming?  Why did not the Jewish people, the priests and scribes recognize the signs of His arrival?  Jesus said:

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  Matthew 7:14, NIV

The wise men saw the signs.  They took these signs seriously and followed them.  It was a small gate and narrow, and it took them on a journey of discovery, growth and learning.  The priests, scribes and even the king had more opportunity to see the signs.  The priests and scribes lived and studied the scriptures that had led the wise men.  Surely, these whose very lives were immersed in the scriptures had more opportunity to see the signs.  However, their hearts were hard and they did not follow what knowledge they had.  Later on Jesus told them:

So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.  The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”  When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.  John 12:35-36, ESV

The Jews had the light.  The light lived among them, walked among them and talked to them.  Yet, they did not acknowledge, see or understand the light.  Jesus came to make the truth clear to them, but they were blind and could not see it.

I wonder which you and I will be.  Will we be like the wise men who responded to the truth they had, or will we be like the priests and scribes who were able to tell the wise men where to go, but did not go themselves?  It was only 5 miles.  Why did not any of the people troubled in Jerusalem go to see what the wise men were seeking?  The wise men traveled many miles, and these people could not be troubled to travel five.  This is also the reason the truth is not clear to many of our day.  Jesus taught:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8, NIV

The wise men traveled seeking and they found what they were looking for.  Matthew 2:9-10 tells us:

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  Matthew 2:9-10, NIV

God provided supernatural guidance on the last part of the journey.  This guidance led them to the place where the child was.  Their search ended in a child, a person.  They were overjoyed and they fell down and worshipped.  The NIV says they were overjoyed which is toned down from what the original says.  The original says they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy, using the strongest language possible to express the greatness of their joy.

The truth is not a philosophy, a place or a point in time.  The truth is a Person, and when the wise men reached the end of their journey they were overcome with joy at seeing the One who is the light of the world.

Jesus taught:

“I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6, NIV

God sent His Son and made manifest His love.  The wise men saw the signs and sought to know more.  In their seeking, they met the One who is the way and the truth and the life.  While all Jerusalem was troubled over what the wise men said, the wise men walked 1 hour and 50 minutes to Bethlehem to see the truth for themselves.  Why were they the only ones?

Christmas has brought us again to the star and the stable.  The One born King of the Jews invites us to come.  God has brought you to this point.  Enter at the small gate.

---

^[1] My source for this is chiefly Alfred Edersheim's work: The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, originally published in 1883, I use Barnes and Noble's Nook edition.

^[2] ibid.