These are the last notes I had typed for that sermon. Some of it I didn't flesh out on the computer, but in my mind, and then as I spoke.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. [Gen 1:1-2] There in the blackness, God's Spirit was an awesome wind blowing over the face of the Earth. He was present in creation from the first moments, changing formlessness into beauty, emptiness into glory...and if that's all He ever did, we would praise Him and seek His presence in the gentle breezes, and in the mighty hurricanes that blow across creation today. But He has done more.
Pharoah said to his servants, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has the spirit of God in him?” [Genesis 41:38] The Holy Spirit guided Joseph, and gave him wisdom and insight, leading him from slavery and imprisonment to freedom and royal power. Through Joseph He shaped the destiny of Israel, bringing the family of Jacob to the fiery sands of Egypt, in which to forge a new nation that should bear the both the oracles and the lamb of God...and if that's all He ever did, we would worship Him and declare His wisdom in leading Joseph and his people from defeat to victory. But He has done more.
The LORD also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God's Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. [Exodus 31:1-5] Who could possibly create a tent worthy to be the dwelling place for the Presence of the Lord? Who could represent His glory in wood and cloth, or even precious metals and gemstones? The Spirit of the Lord gave a man such wisdom and skill. Through the fingers of Bezalel God's Spirit crafted the holiest of spaces, filled with majesty and wonder and beauty and the violence of redemption, a doorway through which to glimpse both the wrath and the mercies of the Judge of Israel...and if that's all He ever did, we would wonder at the ark and the altar, and the promise of salvation sewn into the veil. But He has done more.
When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God descended on him, and he prollaimed his poem. . .Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, “I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times.” [Numbers 24: 2, 3a, 10] The Holy Spirit watched over His people, turning cursing into blessing, protecting His sheep from the wolves who would feast on them. For forty years He shepherded them, bringing them surely to the Promised Land, the land to which the Messiah would come centuries later...and if that's all He ever did, we would rest easy today in the care of that same Spirit, trusting Him to guide and protect us as well. But He has done more.
The LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and commission him in their sight.” [Numbers 27: 18-19] As God prepared to take Moses away from His children, He would not leave them without inspired leadership. The Holy Spirit was in Joshua, to guide him as he led the conquest of the Promised Land. God's Spirit had protected them on their journey thus far, and He would lead them to victory in Canaan...and if that's all He ever did, we would praise Him for His grace and pray for His presence in our own leaders' lives. But He has done more.
The Spirit of the LORD was on him, and he judged Israel. Othniel went out to battle, and the LORD handed over Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram to him, so that Othniel overpowered him....The Spirit of the LORD enveloped Gideon, and he blew the ram's horn and the Abiezrites rallied behind him....The Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah, who traveled through Gilead and Manasseh, and then through Mizpah of Gilead....The Spirit of the LORD took control of him, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed 30 of their men. He stripped them and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. In a rage, Samson returned to his father's house. [Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 14:19] After leading His people to inhabit the Promised Land, the Spirit of the Lord watched His people turn aside from the path He was leading them on. Time and time again, they worshiped other gods, the Lord disciplined them through the armies of other nations, they cried out to Him in repentance, and He raised someone up to lead them in throwing off their oppressors. God's Spirit empowered these judges and used them to bring mercy to His people, despite the human weaknesses of the individuals He chose to lead...and if that's all He ever did, we would continue to tell the tales of Gideon, Samson, and the others, certain that if God can use these men He can use us as well. But He has done more.
The Spirit of the LORD took control of David from that day forward....Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul...The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded...In the midst of the congregation, the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel...The Spirit of the God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, “This is what God says: 'Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands and you do not prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, He has abandoned you.' ”...The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners. [1 Samuel 16:13b, 14a, 2 Chronicles 15:1, 20:14a, 24:20, Isaiah 61:1] After the Judges came the Kings and the Prophets; the Spirit's work continued unabated. He blessed, guided, and spoke through them, declaring judgment and mercy. God's Spirit moved through each phase of Israel's history, guiding individuals, nations, and events, moving ever closer to the moment when it would be God not merely in Spirit, but also in flesh, who spoke to His people...and it that's all He ever did, we would be confident that the Spirit of God could carry us through each phase of our own journey as well. But He has done more.
The angel replied to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God....The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. [Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18]
After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him....Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil....If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. [Matthew 3:16, 4:1, 12:28]
The Spirit is the One who gives life....Jesus Christ...was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness....And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you... [John 6:63a, Romans 1:3b,4b, 8:11a]
Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. [Acts 2:2-4]
Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders.”...When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness....When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers. As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to." ...Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. [Acts 4:8,31, 8:39, 9:31 13:2,4]
Inspiration of Scriptures—2 Peter 1:21
Empowerment of preachers—1 Peter 1:12
Illumination of hearts—1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Conviction of sinners—John 16:8
Regeneration of souls—John 3:5-8
Sealing of salvation—Ephesians 1:13
Indwelling of believers—1 Corinthians 6:19
Joining of members—1 Corinthians 12:13
Giving of gifts—Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12
Sanctification of saints—2 Corinthians 3:18
Production of fruit—Galatians 5:22-23
Creation of intimacy—Romans 8:14-16
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