Series: The introductions of the Holy Spirit by Jesus
In the previous studies we looked at the teachings of Jesus revealing the person of the Holy Spirit, by highlighting how we are to relate to Him - setting Him as priority and yielding to Him. In today's session we will look at who Jesus said the Holy Spirit is from the passage in Matthew 10. He is:
In the previous studies we looked at the teachings of Jesus revealing the person of the Holy Spirit, by highlighting how we are to relate to Him - setting Him as priority and yielding to Him. In today's session we will look at who Jesus said the Holy Spirit is from the passage in Matthew 10. He is:
The Spirit of the Father and Our Guide into the Father's Will - Matthew 10:1-20, 26-31
In Matthew 10:1-20 Jesus sent His disciples on a short mission. He asked them basically to do what they had been watching Him do for a while now - preach the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead...(7-10). He then gives them advise on how to travel (no money, no bags), and how to meet potential hosts (greet, ask nicely, and bless if welcomed) - verses 9-15.
From verses 16-18 Jesus begins to tell His disciples the realities of this mission, how risky it is. They would be maltreated and summoned to justice. But in verses 19-20 He says to them; don't think of what to say and how, the Spirit of the Father is with you, you can't get it wrong.
Again in verses 26-30 Jesus further encourages His disciples not to fear. And note His words in verse 29 (which in the context of 19-20 encouragement, introduces The Holy Spirit as the revealer of the will of the Father);
29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].
31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
--Amplified Bible.
The Spirit knows the mind of God/ the will of God. So the Holy Spirit at work in us will always manifest the will of God. Romans 12:2b, then, is indeed a consequence of Romans 12:1-2a; Galatians 5:25. Simply put, our duty is to keep in step with the Spirit who is the revealer of God's will - it's not our duty to try to figure out what God's will might be - Matthew 10:19-20, 29. And as we yield to the Spirit, He gently guides us into the Father's will. Further reading: 1 Corinthians 2:10.
Knowing God's will is a consequence of keeping in step with the Spirit - so keeping in step (loving God) is the bit we get to do, while knowing and revealing the will is the bit the Spirit of the Father gets to do in us. Isn't that a good news? Hallelujah.
God bless you exceedingly.
In Matthew 10:1-20 Jesus sent His disciples on a short mission. He asked them basically to do what they had been watching Him do for a while now - preach the kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead...(7-10). He then gives them advise on how to travel (no money, no bags), and how to meet potential hosts (greet, ask nicely, and bless if welcomed) - verses 9-15.
From verses 16-18 Jesus begins to tell His disciples the realities of this mission, how risky it is. They would be maltreated and summoned to justice. But in verses 19-20 He says to them; don't think of what to say and how, the Spirit of the Father is with you, you can't get it wrong.
Again in verses 26-30 Jesus further encourages His disciples not to fear. And note His words in verse 29 (which in the context of 19-20 encouragement, introduces The Holy Spirit as the revealer of the will of the Father);
29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].
31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
--Amplified Bible.
The Spirit knows the mind of God/ the will of God. So the Holy Spirit at work in us will always manifest the will of God. Romans 12:2b, then, is indeed a consequence of Romans 12:1-2a; Galatians 5:25. Simply put, our duty is to keep in step with the Spirit who is the revealer of God's will - it's not our duty to try to figure out what God's will might be - Matthew 10:19-20, 29. And as we yield to the Spirit, He gently guides us into the Father's will. Further reading: 1 Corinthians 2:10.
Knowing God's will is a consequence of keeping in step with the Spirit - so keeping in step (loving God) is the bit we get to do, while knowing and revealing the will is the bit the Spirit of the Father gets to do in us. Isn't that a good news? Hallelujah.
God bless you exceedingly.