THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit can never be downplayed so far as our walk with God in this Kingdom is concerned. We can navigate this world of darkness through this agency of the Holy Spirit. He was also in the beginning with the Word and God and this can be found in Genesis 1:1–3.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:1–3 (KJV)
After the creation of Heaven and Earth, there was darkness and chaos but remember that the ways of God are perfect and not like man. This a very broad question but let’s make our emphasis on today’s title of the message, the ministry of the Holy Spirit. So we see the Spirit hovering over the waters. why? In verse 3, we see God called forth light and light came and saw that it was good. What at all did the Spirit do while hovering over the waters that God said “Let there be light and there was light. Meaning, that the Spirit located the missing component that the absence of it had caused chaos and darkness upon the face of the deep. Through the spoken word of God by calling forth light, light emanated. This implies that the Spirit of God searches even deeper things that are missed in our spiritual life and builds on them. Therefore, the union of the Spirit and the spoken word was what brought light into existence. Without the Spirit, that hidden light would not have been revealed unto the earth. This was the genesis of the ministry of the Holy Spirit that He searches deeper things and makes them known to us.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10–11
(KJV)
JESUS TALKED ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
From the study of the Scriptures, Jesus Christ assigned him names which reflect his services unto the believer. He called him the Spirit of Truth, Helper or Comforter towards our walk with Him.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:12–13 (KJV)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 (KJV).
The reason why Jesus said this in John 16:12 was not because of the absence of enough space the disciples needed. Their inability to produce exactitude of the spoken words of Christ was the issue that required the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Howbeit, this indicates that there is a possibility that when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide them into all the truths. Through this truth, they would be able to bear these many things and be witnesses of them bringing these words into reality. Acts 1:8 also confirms that after the Holy Spirit has come upon them they will be witnesses unto Him. A witness confirms what has been said or written about someone or something. The disciples began to walk in this power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of Jesus effecting the spoken words in the demonstration of the Spirit and Power.
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, THE HOLY SPIRIT
In my previous messages, I talked about the meaning of the truth which is the inspiration or guidance the believer receives from the Holy Spirit in his quest to know God and how to access his goodness, mercies or any other spiritual blessings through the word of God. The truth is only found in the word of God and nothing else. So Jesus said, “…for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 (KJV). When he comes, he guides you into the truth through the word of God. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… John 16:13 (KJV). Hence, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is also dependent on the Word of God. They go together to reveal the truth, the hidden wisdom and mysteries of this Kingdom about God, what He does and can do in the life of the believer.
THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
The seed which is the word of God can bear fruits in the believer’s life and even unto others with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is with the help of the Holy Spirit that the believer can be a disciple, one who bears many fruits. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8 (KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22–25 (KJV)
Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the believer will fail to bear these fruits. But before then, he trains and teaches you how to go by them to be able to live in the Spirit.
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are accessed through your partnership with Him irrespective of whether you are an apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist or teacher. Remember that no one is born with any of these gifts except an individual who may probably fall into any of the five-fold ministries as a call from God. But then, when you begin to bear these fruits of the Spirit, he rewards you with these gifts. This is because the fruits of the spirit can sustain the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. He gives unto everyone according to his abilities and strength to the glory of the name of God. These gifts demonstrate His power, honour and glory that belongs to Jesus Christ.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:7–11 (KJV)
WHEN PRAYING…
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
(KJV)
What does it mean to pray in the spirit?
First and foremost, the believer must pray always in the spirit. This is why we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and evil spirits in high places.
Praying in the spirit is not a matter of finding yourself in the realms of the spiritual world, but then being led by the Holy Spirit and not necessarily the speaking of tongues. We pray in the spirit because the weapons of our warfare are not canal as captured by scriptures. One who is led by the spirit prays according to the directions of the spirit as given unto him.
THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
This presence goes beyond those times when God could appear in the form of a cloud in the tent of meeting or the tabernacle. Moses could see the presence as it came and then left. This is not the same as the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:17 (KJV)
Concerning the presence of the Old Testament in the scriptures, God’s spirit did not dwell in the sons of men and even unto them who were called had “the spirit upon” and not the “spirit within”. Now in the dispensation of this Christian life, the believer regardless of whether you have a calling into the priesthood or not, there is an advantage of the “spirit within” through the presence of the Holy Spirit. He dwells with us and is in us under the appropriate conditions that sustain his intimacy with us.
HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Acts 19:2 (KJV)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word
Acts 10:43–44 (KJV)
The first step to receiving the Holy Spirit is to believe in Jesus Christ and not necessarily the need to be baptized as the primary step. One may be baptized while the heart is not fully ready to accept and believe in Jesus Christ. The concept of baptism cannot be neglected but one which gives room to the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual is a contrite and broken heart that has indeed accepted and believed in Him. While Peter spoke to the house of Cornelius concerning the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, they suddenly had the Holy Spirit before they were later baptised because they believed when they heard the word. You may even be baptized alright while you may lack the baptism of the Holy Spirit as it happened in Acts 19. It is the heart that activates the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Baptism is a core element of salvation but the heart which is desperate for God will receive this gift of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 (KJV). Remember when you have the baptism of water and lack the baptism of the Holy Spirit, your salvation can be hindered. Perhaps, you may have the Holy Spirit and there is nothing to hinder you from being baptized with water if you have not done so.
Be desperate for Him and make your heart ready to walk with the Holy Spirit after you have believed in Jesus Christ. Tell him you cannot start the journey without His divine help. Bear with me that your desperation and heart readiness will bring him into your life without any laying of hands.
HOW TO BUILD INTIMACY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Five modus operandi in building intimacy with the Spirit of God is categorised into two main sections;
- What you would have to do with the Holy Spirit
- Working on yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit
What you would have to do with the Holy Spirit comes in two specific ways;
- Consistent studying the word of God
- Consistent praying in the Spirit
These spiritual activities provide room for the Holy Spirit to operate and draw closer to you.
Working on yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit also comes in three specific ways;
- considering what you speak
- considering what you listen
- considering what you watch
These three basic elements must be considered very necessary in the life of the believer as the individual builds his intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
EMPOWERMENT FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts1:8 (KJV)
As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, our access to power in this Kingdom is through our partnership with the Holy Spirit. The anointing of God upon your life will only be effective when you obtain grace from the Holy Spirit. In your collaboration with him, he leads you into the ministry of the Word to access all the truths. Through this guidance into the truths concerning this kingdom, you begin to generate the power of God authorized by the Holy Spirit to confirm these truths to be true and faithful. Your consistency with the Word as you receive deep teachings from the Holy Spirit will keep you in the power of God to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. You receive the power to become a child of God and power against the works of the devil. Above all these, never neglect the ministry of prayer and I will soon publish this for deeper understanding.
Keynote;
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 (KJV)