Peace and grace from our Lord, Jesus Christ be multiplied in your life on this beautiful day! I pray that word of God impregnates you with life and strengthens your spirit, soul and body through His word today. We are continuing to discuss that as children of God we need and we depend on the Holy Spirit for effective life and ministry. We have to be filled with the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance every day. As we have already clarified in our previous address: 1) Jesus Himself, while living on the earth, relied on Holy Spirit in everything, and we are called to follow in His step. 2) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a God’s commandment for us, and not just an advice. 3) The Holy Spirit is a promise given to us by the Father, so we can receive the by faith through prayer. 4) The Holy Spirit empowers and anoints our life. We will not able to demonstrate the things we preach, even if they are the truth, unless the Holy Spirit confirms our message. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth.
« This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth ». (1st John 5:6).
«When the Counsellor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning».(John 15:26-27).
In addition to all the above, the Bible tells us that: 5) Jesus went up to Heaven, so that our Helper – the Holy Spirit can come down to the Earth. When Jesus was taken to Heaven, His disciples continued gazing into the sky, waiting for something to happen. But an angel showed up and told them: «… “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem …». (Acts 1:11-12).
As long as Jesus stays in Heaven, until the time set by the Father, we have to collaborate with the Holy Spirit to fulfil the task we have received from Jesus, – to fulfil The Great Commitment.
«The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies. Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array…» (Psalms 110:1-3).
«… and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets ». (Acts 3:20-21).
Right now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father, while His work is not completed yet, it’s still being done. But Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever more! He wants to carry out His work through each of us. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus went to Heaven for our benefit, so that the Holy Spirit could come down and dwell in us. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can we receive ministry, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit thus becoming effective witnesses of Christ.
«Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counsellor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you ». (John 16:7).
Jesus said we would do the works He did and greater works than those would we do.
« Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to my Father ». (John 14:12).
However, we cannot do it by our own power. Jesus did many miracles and signs not by might, not by power but by the power of the Spirit of God, because God was with Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge that we need that Helper – the Holy Spirit. We need help, strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit on a daily. This is the only way we are equipped to represent, reveal and manifest God to people around us. This is the only way we are enabled to do the works of Jesus – preach the Gospel, heal the wounded and broken hearted, set people free from captivity and do good on Earth. Be filled with the Holy Spirit! God bless you and your relatives abundantly! See you tomorrow! Rufus Ajiboye, pastor
