Today, we’re going to talk about important purposes and functions of God’s Spirit. The main purpose for the power of God’s Spirit is given to us in Acts. All the purposes of God’s Spirit are targeted to accomplish this greater purpose. The greatest purpose of God’s Spirit’s revealed in the promise by Jesus:
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. (Acts 1:8)
The power to become witnesses for Jesus is the true evidence of God’s Spirit. It was present immediately in the life of Apostle Peter. Before Peter experienced God’s Spirit for himself, he fearfully denied he knew Jesus. But after receiving the enduement of the power of God’s Spirit, Peter stood and gave a powerful witness to the Gospel that resulted in the salvation of 3,000 people.
It was the power of God’s Spirit in the early church that resulted in the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The gospels are the best read for learning about Jesus. If you want to learn about God’s spirit, read the books of Acts. The book of Acts is a record of the powerful witness which was evident as a result of baptism in God’s Spirit.
God’s spirit is Power:
But God hath not given us the SPIRIT of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
After Jesus returned from His wilderness experience, the
bible states He returned in power fully equipped to do the work of the Heavenly
Father.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:
and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14)
That "spirit of power" is God’s Spirit. Jesus was anointed with God’s spirit and the power that comes with it:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and
with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil; for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38)
Jesus became famous in His region for doing good, for healing the oppressed – he was able to do this because He was full of God’s spirit the same as we should be.
God’s Spirit ministers and enables us in many powerful ways and has many purposes in the lives of believers. God’s Spirit:
Unites us in one spirit with God and other believers: There is great power in unity as demonstrated in the account of the tower of Babel (See Genesis 11; especially note verse 6). When we are filled with God’s spirit, we become part of the body of Christ and the body works in unison.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
Intercedes for us: This powerful intercessor prays for us according to God's will.
God’s Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But God’s Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Guides us: God’s Spirit enables us to walk in power and not confusion. He guides us to the place of power, the perfect will of God.
But when the truth-giving Spirit comes, he will unveil the reality of every truth within you. He won’t speak on his own, but only what he hears from the Father, and he will reveal prophetically to you what is to come. (John 16:13)
Imparts the love of Christ to us and through us:
Apostle Paul talks about the hope that we have because of the love of God; how
Reveals Biblical truth to us: Powerful spiritual revelation comes through God’s Spirit.
God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through God’s Spirit, who constantly explores all things. (I Corinthians 2:10)
Comforts us: He comforts us and gives us rest in times of grief and misery in our down times.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts 9:31
Conforms us to the image of Christ: We are powerless to change ourselves into the image of Christ. Self-improvement plans are inadequate and usually doomed to failure. But through the power of God’s Spirit, we can be conformed to the image of Jesus.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Teaches us: The greatest teacher takes up residence within us when we are endued with the power of God’s Spirit. Knowledge is powerful, and God’s Spirit imparts spiritual knowledge.
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)
Inspires us to true worship: Praise and worship are powerful spiritual strategies. In some Old Testament battles they were the main methods used against the enemies of God. It is far more powerful that an emotional move; it is spirit led!
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
Quickens us: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us to quicken us. This means we are endued with resurrection-like power while yet in these mortal bodies.
Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in us, he will also raise our dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into us. Romans 8:11
Changes us: Power is necessary to effect change and God’s Spirit gives power for positive change.
he came to save us. Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done but only because of his extravagant mercy. Titus 3:5
And when he comes, he will expose sin and prove that the world is wrong about God’s righteousness and his judgments. John 16:8-11
We bear this out through the sanctifying power of God’s Holy Spirit leading us to repentance and righteousness.
Gives assurance of salvation: Knowing our position gives us power. God’s Spirit assures our position in Him.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:16
Gives us liberty: Liberty provides the greatest opportunity for power. God’s Spirit gives liberty through Jesus Christ.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Speaks through us: We are not limited by our own speaking ability. God’s Spirit speaks God's Words of power and authority through us.
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark 13:11
Demonstrates God's power: God’s Spirit enables the demonstration of His power in every area of our life.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: I Corinthians 2:4
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16
All of these are purposes of God’s spirit residing in us! They are the reasons we need God’s spirit dwelling in us; leading and directing our life. By and through the power of God’s spirit, we become new creatures; fit for the king’s use; we become ambassadors of the Kingdom; kingdom representatives. Spiritually fit and activated to witness to a lost and dying world the gospel; the good news of Jesus Christ.
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