Topic: The Works of the Holy Spirit In the Church
Works in Pastors and Ministers
1. He appoints and commissions ministers (Is. 48:16, Acts 13:2, 20:28) – He’s the one who commissioned pastors and workers to do things for God, which make pastoring a noble calling. A privilege of serving God. That is why it should not be easy to take out a pastor without any due cause. Be very careful not to bear false witnesses on ministers because it is the Holy Spirit who called them and appointed them. And pastors can stay in the church as long as the Spirit is leading him to do that.
2. He directs ministers where and when not to preach (Acts 8:29; 10:19-20, 16:6-7) He is the one who tells the ministers where to preach or to do work. He usually uses other people to tell the pastors where. The only thing is that the pastor should be sensitive enough to recognize that.
3. He instructs ministers what to preach. (1 Corinthians 2:13) It is the Holy Spirit who instructs the ministers what to preach. He tells the pastor “preach this, preach that”. Though we have sensitive matters to address - example coming late during Sunday worship – it is still worth listening to hearing God’s rebuke.
4. He speaks with the ministers (Acts 1:16; 2 Peter 1:21) When we speak to you – especially during Sunday sermons, the words that comes out from us, our sermon manuscripts does not come from us alone. It is from God which was given by the Holy Spirit.
Works in General Membership
1. Strives with sinners Genesis 6:3 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." He is with us. Even in our struggles in life, in our spiritual battle. He is our commander. He is with us, all the time. This is why I believe that there is no habit that cannot be changed, because the Holy Spirit is with every believer.
2. He reproves (John 16:8) He corrects us in our mistakes and sins. John 16:8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. If we are convicted of sin, it is the Holy Spirit who is at work with in us. If we sin against God, we feel the guilt inside us. I tell you brothers and sisters, it is the Holy Spirit who is at work inside us when we feel that. And after you asked forgiveness to God, rejoice and be thankful, for the Spirit of God is inside our inner being. Because if we do not feel that, I doubt if we really have accepted Jesus Christ.
3. He comforts (Acts 9:31) Acts 9:31 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit comforts us whenever we face trials in life. He renews our strengths. He encourages us all the time. Sometimes we seek God when we face trials in life. He comforts us and gives us wisdom about the will of God.
4. He helps in our weakness (Romans 8:26) Romans 8:26 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. The Spirit intercedes for us. Take note that it is with “groaning that words cannot express”. Probably whenever we feel weak, the Spirit feels so sad that He groans for us.
5. He teach (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 12:3) John 14:26 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. He’s not only a teacher, but a reminder. We tend to forget of things that we that we already learn and it is the Holy Spirit who reminds us. Warning, it is easier to go away than to live in accordance to his will. Take note that these were the past teachings that you have received.
6. He guides (John 16:13) John 16:13 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. This now concerns our future. He will be guiding us to know all the truths in Him. All we have to do is to be open in what he is saying to us. Do not be deaf, hear his word, listen and do it.
7. He sanctifies (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11) 1 Corinthians 6:11 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. He washed us from our sins. Take note that it was the Holy Spirit who sanctified us, in all our transgressions. The issue here - in 1 Corinthians - is all about the people who still live a worldly life. But we are those people who have been sanctified and justified and in which God expects to follow him.
8. He testifies of Christ (John 15:26) John 15:26 6 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. We can see here in the passage that the Holy Spirit works by testifying about Christ. He then works in the lives of those people that we pray and they themselves will come to believe in Christ Jesus. But it does not end there because in verse 27, 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. Take note the word “you” it is for disciples. Are we not God’s disciples? We have to testify God’s goodness. Sometimes what we want to do is just to pray, but we do not want testify about Christ.
9. He dwell with saints (John 14:17) John 14:17 …But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. The Holy Spirit is in us and will be with us. That is why there will be no sin that will not be known because he lives in us. And for that we will feel guilt. What we have to do then is to confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness.
Conclusion
The spiritual battle is on going, and the Spirit of God is in the battle field with us. He is at work in our lives yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
By: Ptr. Vincent Olaer
http://lighthouseresource.blogspot.com
Lighthouse Christian Ministry
Cadeliña Offices, Rizal St.
Ormoc City, Leyte 6541
