The Breath Of God Brings Life
- When we think of God’s Spirit we are not thinking about some mystical and impersonal energy like the force in Star Wars. The Spirit of God is in fact God Himself. — Acts 5:1-11
- We first see God’s Spirit bringing order and life from chaos (Genesis 1:2). Indeed, through the rest of Scripture this is His role.
- The Hebrew word for Spirit, is “ruach” which can also be translated as wind or breath. It is by the “breath” of God that life was brought to creation and mankind. — Genesis 2:7; Psalm 33:6
- God the Father wills, through His Word (the Son), and His will is accomplished by the power of the Spirit. In short, the Spirit brings life. — Romans 8:5-10; 2 Cor. 3:6
- Even the life of our salvation is wrought by the Spirit of God. — John 3:5-8
- This is why Jesus is emphatic about our need of His Spirit in our lives.
We Depend On The Spirit
- In Acts 1, Jesus has conquered sin and death through His resurrection. The disciples are pumped and ready to tell the world!
- However, they are instructed to “wait” (vs. 1:4.) They are not ready for the mission of evangelism just yet. They need the promise and power of God’s Spirit to be fruitful witnesses of Jesus in this world (1:8.)
- Jesus had previously taught them it was to their advantage that He ascends into heaven so that the Spirit will come to them. — John 16:7
- It is more important for us to depend on the Spirit than it is for Jesus to remain in human flesh on Earth! Our strength, fruitfulness, and growth in Christ all stem from the work of the Spirit in our lives. — 2 Cor. 3:1-18; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 3:14-21
Victory Is Ours
- After the exile, God’s people were commanded to rebuild the Temple. The process was arduous and there were many moments of discouragement and exhaustion.
- God reminds His people that its not their strength they should depend on, but His Spirit. — Zechariah 4:6
- God’s Spirit still helps us today in our weakness. Our encouragement and victory in the hardest of times springs forth from the Spirit of God dwelling in us. — Romans 8:26 - 9:1
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