Sunday Recap (27th May 2012)

Holy Spirit- The Enabler

Revival is never the initiative of man or the result of man’s actions. The Holy Spirit is directly or indirectly mentioned in the Great Commission? First let’s look at Matthews’ account of the GC. Matt 28:18-20

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore …And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It’s so important to realize that Jesus mentioned not only the commission but the enablement to do it. He gives a clue at the beginning of the commission and completes the clue in the last lines. How is He with us always? Who is the ONE who manifests CHRIST IN US? The Holy Spirit!

In Mark’s version of the GC and we will see EVEN MORE why it began with God and not man. Mark 16:14-20

¹⁴ … and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen…..  ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in … they will speak in new tongues…

²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]

Notice first of all that it did not start with the disciples’ initiative. It’s alright if we notice people in unbelief and hardness of heart. It’s alright if we are in that condition because the God can still get to us!

In v17, something or someone accompanies them. There seems to be an enabling, empowering given to the disciples to carry out the commission. What or Who is IT? “they will speak in new tongues”; It’s The Holy Spirit!

One key event of this enabling is not mentioned by Mark between vv19-20. Luke mentions it in his version of the GC and then further expounds on it in the Book of Acts. Luke 24:44-49

⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

1.      Jesus opens our minds to understand the scriptures (OT and NT).

2.      He opens our minds to the message of the Gospel throughout scripture. “Thus it is written”. He defines the message that is in the OT and NT. The work of CHRIST. The purpose of the CROSS.

3.      How does He do it? Through the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT points to CHRIST. We cannot point anyone to CHRIST. Only the HOLY SPIRIT CAN! In us and through us!

Jesus chooses us and the HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES us to fruitfulness!