The "Work" of the Holy Spirit

"....The Spirit...will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you."  (John 16:14, 15--NIV)

We have six more chapters to consider in John, which will take us to this coming Saturday.

The Holy Spirit does not glorify anyone or anything but Jesus, and our Lord Jesus Christ makes this very clear in John 16.  Beware what you "glorify," and what your particular "corner" of the Church glorifies.  Worship, prayer, sermons, "ministry," missions, everything which you and I do as Followers of Jesus, if it is done in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, will have Jesus "written all over it."

Life in the Holy Spirit is life in, "the Father, and with/in His Son Jesus Christ.  In Jesus is the, "secret place of the Most High,...from whence cometh my help."  Yet I sometimes feel as though the Holy Spirit brings some portions of the Church "kicking and screaming" into the reality of our text, "He shall glorify Me."  Why should this be, when, if you recall, and we should recall quite often, who and what you and I would be without Jesus, and that day when, "He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His Precious Blood"?!?

At the end of John 16 we read that our Lord Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome that world."  The psalmist had foreknowledge of this when he penned, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will never find a hindrance in me to, "He shall glorify Me."  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

More Life "Guidance" From John

"Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide I Me." (John 15:4)

This is the purpose of the Godhead for humanity; "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen."  The Bible calls this, "fellowship," or, "participation."  No human inventor-of-religion could have thought of this.  Plainly, this is God's will for humanity.

Then notice the condition of humanity if it does not walk in the "original purpose" for us, "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,..neither can you...."  And just a few Words later our Lord Jesus tells us, "....without Me you can do nothing," no fruit, in reality too, no life itself.  Have we really learned this?

The HCSB translates Psalm 119:26, "I told you about my life, and You listened to me...."  This was such a blessing to me today as I read the Psalms.  It reveals communion/fellowship/participation in the Living Triune God, just as in our text, a person and His Maker, His Savior, His Everything.  For me, it was another "call" from our text, Jesus calling us to an, "Abide in Me," Life Style.  It is a reminder to all, especially to those who think that "God does not listen"; quite the opposite. "I told You about my life, and You listened to me...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You so much for the call to, "Abide in Me."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

This Is The Answer

"Yet a little while and the world no more sees Me.  You, however, see Me because I live also you will live.  In that day will you know that I am in the Father of Me and you in Me and I in you."  (John 14:19, 20--Greek Interlinear)

Someone came to see me once and said that he just had lonely hours, couldn't function, couldn't forget the past, the sins, the mistakes, the heartaches.  One human to another just has no answer for this.  More of humanity is afflicted with this than any of us can imagine.

In our text Jesus is telling us that there is an offer of continual, moment by moment fellowship in the Godhead, no "lonely hours," enslavement to the past "sins" and "mistakes."  1 John 1 tells us of this glorious relationship in Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  It is referred to as, "....our fellowship...."  This fellowship, or perhaps the Word is better translated, "participation," because that is exactly what Biblical, "fellowship," means, is what our Lord Jesus is speaking of in our text.

Think with me for a moment.  At this very moment I am writing this and you are reading this, you and I are exactly living the Words of 1 John 1:3, "....and indeed our fellowship/participation is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."  This is now, my friend, no waiting to "get into His Presence," or waiting to feel this.  No matter what you are experiencing right now, Jesus is speaking these Words to you, "I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am I you."  Literally and eternally this is "where" you and I are.  Take comfort.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I can never thank You enough for this reality.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

John 12 & 13

"Then they came to Phillip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.'"  (John 12:21)

My Dad had someone in one of his parishes make a name plate with the Words, "We would see Jesus" (KJV).  He had it placed on the pulpit from which he preached.  What does that tell you about this man?  My Dad realized that "seeing" Jesus was the only Salvation, and there is no forgiveness of sin, no coming, "to the Father, but by [Jesus]."

This should be on the pulpit of every Church building in every city, state, nation in the world.  It is the Theme of Life.  May this be our daily, fundamental request of our Heavenly Father.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I, too, "would see Jesus."  Amen.

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"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  (John 13:15)

"Example"-- This does not mean "copy;" no one could ever.  This is Jesus in us serving one another, serving humanity.

This is the Supreme Servant telling us as His Servants to serve one another.  If you want to "pick" a good church, look for a "servant" atmosphere.  This is where you not only will be served, but just as importantly, you also will serve. 

Jesus tells us to, "....do as I have done to you."  Now I am not opposed to those who actually have foot-washing services, but personally I don't think this should be what we "take away" from our text.  In Luke 22:7 we read that Jesus said, "....I am among you as the One Who serves."  This is the "way" we are to be "among" one another, and, the world----- servants.

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me more "servant" opportunities today.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2