Holy Spirit's Work on Earth: Understanding God's Plan

Jesus' announcement on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles invites all to come to Him for living waters and eternal life.

The invitation is general, but life-saving, and is given to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The invitation is gracious and kind, and Jesus promises to make those who come to Him eternally joyful.

Those who come to Jesus Christ will receive spiritual blessings, including peace, happiness, and the promise of gratification and peace of mind.

Music Music Since we all like titles, the title of this message today is called The Holy Spirit's Special Work in Coming to the Earth. Well, first of all, we are going to look at our primary scriptures, which tell about the most important day in history for all of mankind in regards to the gospel invitation to come to Him. Come to Jesus Christ and find living waters and the promise of receiving comfort, peace, and happiness, which is found only in Jesus Christ. We'll begin in John chapter 7, beginning in verse 37. Jesus declared, Now on the final and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and he cried out in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Verse 38, He who believes in me, who cleaves to, trusts in, relies on me, as the scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow continuously springs of living waters. But he was speaking here of the Spirit, whom those who believed, trusted, and had faith in him, were afterwards to receive, for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified, raised to honor. You see, dear listener, contained within these few scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ gave the most important announcement and proclamation to the whole world of mankind for that time and generation, and yes, even up to now, in this generation, for all who would have ears to hear. We read that the last great day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus gave this invitation when he cried out in a loud voice and announced that all who were thirsty were invited to come. This eighth day celebration concluded and it was made known. This was a very solemn holy occasion and assembly in which he made this announcement and gave this invitation to this massive crowd that day. Many people were gathered together, and it was hoped that our precious Savior, that many would accept his life-giving salvation offer. People were now returning to their homes, and he would give them this lifetime invitation to carry away with them as his parting word. And we think in the reality of this whole matter, when this great crowd was dismissed and about to scatter, in all probability they would all never meet together again. And therefore, never personally as they did on that day, hear Jesus' resounding cry in their ears and their hearts to come. Jesus made this appeal on that last day of the feast. To those who had turned a deaf ear to his preaching on previous days of this holy week, he would make another appeal to them once more. If they did hear his voice and came to him, they accepted Christ's invitation and chose to live. when we read how our precious Savior gave this invitation we read that Jesus stood up and he cried out loud which indicates and expresses his great earnestness and urgency and this shows how the very depth of his heart was the matter and task at hand at the time and still is today dear ones and that is to bring poor souls into himself. This is a salvation cry. Just think about it, dear listener. The very fact that our Lord stood up and elevated his voice to a loud, thundering appeal were great indications of the intenseness of his heart for lost souls and the very reason that he divested himself of his glory and came to this earth. Jesus' desire was that all might take notice and take hold of this wonderful gift and invitation to come to him and receive eternal life. How sad it is that men and women must be pleaded with in order to experience true joy. and yet how joyful and wonderful the sweet grace of Jesus Christ is that he will plead with them to come. In Isaiah chapter 55 verse 1 we see the words that our Savior spoke through the prophet. Verse 1 Wait and listen. Everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come buy priceless spiritual wine and milk without money and without price, simply for the surrender that accepts the blessing. You see, the invitation itself is very general, but understand, it is very life-saving. If any man thirsts, whoever he or she is, They are all invited to come to Jesus Christ, whether they are rich or poor, young or old, Jew or Gentile. The invitation is given to everyone to come. The invitation is also very gracious and kind. If any man thirsts, let him come to me and drink. if anyone truly desires to be eternally happy God Almighty declares let him come to me submit his will to me be governed by me and I will endeavor to make him or her eternally joyful what an invitation the people invited are those who thirst and this can be understood either those who may be penniless destitute or impoverished of the comforts of this life it may be those with the burden of life, those with sicknesses, those with affliction that will draw them to Jesus for supernatural peace which the world can neither give nor take away when it comes from the Prince of Peace Hallelujah Dear listener the call, the invitation is to come If anyone wants spiritual blessing, which Jesus said, these blessings will be provided only by him. The invitation is just to come. Also, some people have all they need in material and physical comforts of life. By, they know, deep within their hearts and soul, they are absolutely lacking something more in life. and that lack is called spiritual joy and happiness. The invitation declares, if any man hunger and thirst after righteousness, that is paraphrasing, if they truly desire the only one who can supply and satisfy these things, they will be found by the one whose true and genuine desire is towards Jesus Christ. you see if those who are not yet a part of Jesus' sheepfold accept the invitation they have been given a promise of gratification and peace of mind dear listener when people come to Jesus Christ and drink they shall have what they come for and they will have abundantly more because they will have that which not only refreshes but that which replenishes a surrendered soul that desires to be happy and joyful, but longs to experience the peace that transcends all human understanding. This gracious promise is found in John chapter 7 verses 38 and 39 This compassionate and loving call is to those who believe in Jesus Christ Verse 38 He who believes in me who cleaves to and trusts and relies on me as the scripture has said from his innermost being shall flow continuously springs and rivers of living waters. But he was speaking here of the Spirit, whom those who believe, trusted, had faith in him, were afterwards to receive, for the Holy Spirit had not been yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified, raised to honor. Notice please what the call involves and encompasses for those who truly come to Jesus Christ. It is to believe on him, as the scripture has said. It is to receive and have communion and fellowship with the King of kings and the lover of our souls as he is offered and presented to us in the gospel. True believers must not construct or build imaginary ideals of Jesus according to their deceived delusions, but believe in a precious Savior according to Holy Scripture. You see, souls who come to Christ, who is the rock, and who lives within them, whereas in the past, in the time of Moses, who provided water when he struck the rock in the wilderness by the command of God, who was the one who created the miracle of water coming from the rock in the middle of the desert. You see, Jesus Christ is the living God who lives in true genuine believers and he is a well of living water. One of the names of Jesus is the rock. King David in Psalms chapter 18 verse 2 declares, declares, The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my keen, firm strength in whom I trust and take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. And Jesus, in Matthew chapter 7, verse 24, tells us himself, So everyone who hears the words of mine and acts upon them obeying them, will be like a sensible, prudent, practical man who builds his house as a rock. Jesus is portrayed as smitten, struck, violently afflicted, in order that the Holy Spirit of life may flow from him to all who are thirsty and who will drink from the river of delights found only in him. John chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 declare, Jesus answered her, all who drink of this water will be thirsty again. Verse 14, but whoever takes a drink of water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty anymore. But the water that I will give him shall be a spring of water welling up, flowing, bubbling continually within him unto, into eternal life. This scripture speaks of a promise that the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in believers is a fountain of living water out of which plentiful streams flow as cleansing water which makes them fruitful and joyful. Hallelujah! We must understand that the gift of the Holy Spirit was purchased by the blood of Christ because when Jesus told of all those who drink of this water that he would give, it would be after he ascended to be with his heavenly father after his death upon the cross. It would be then that the Holy Spirit would be first poured out at Pentecost upon all those who were faithful to wait for him as instructed by Jesus before he went to the cross. The Holy Spirit, being one of the three personalities of the triune God, has always existed, has always been active in the spiritual world. In the New Testament Greek, the Holy Spirit is called pneuma, p-n-e-u-m-a, which means air, wind, to blow, to breathe, which tells or indicates his origin and destination or manner of action is unable or incapable to be perceived. Jesus, in John chapter 3, in verses 7 and 8, was speaking to Nicodemus, saying, Marvel not, do not be surprised or astonished at my telling you. You must all be born anew from above. Verse 8, the wind blows, breathes where it will, and though you hear the sound, yet you neither know where it comes from or where it's going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, in Hebrew, is called Ruash. Here we see his first mention and earliest appearance in the world in the Word of God in Genesis chapter 1 verse 2, which declares, the earth was without form, an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very deep. The Spirit of God was moving, hovering, brooding over the face of the waters. Again, this is the first mention in scripture of the Holy Spirit's appearance in the world. And remember, our message today is titled, The Holy Spirit's Special Work in Coming to the Earth. Another mention of the Holy Spirit's work is found in Job chapter 32, beginning in verse 6. This is the account of the younger man among the so-called friends of Job, whose name was Elihu, who declared to those who thought they were wise in reprimanding Job for his horrible disaster in losing everything he owned, including his family. Young Elihu said, I am young, and you are aged. For that reason I was timid and restrained, and dared not declare my opinion to you. Verse 7, I said, age should not speak, and a multitude of years should teach wisdom, so let it be heard. Verse 8, but there is a vital force, a spirit of intelligence in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding. It is not the great necessarily who are wise, nor always the age who understand justice. You see, the Holy Spirit was associated with the divine covenant of Israel and the equipping of various officials for the service of God. Haggai, in chapter 2, verses 4 and 5 declares, Yet now be strong, alert, and courageous, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord. Be strong, alert, and courageous, O Joshua, son of Jehoshadah, the high priest, and be strong, alert, and courageous, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work. for I am with you says the Lord of hosts verse 5 according to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt so my spirit stands and abides in the midst of you fear not hallelujah we can see the Holy Spirit's special work and involvement in coming to the earth in these few verses that we have covered so far there are many phrases used in scripture regarding the Spirit of God, which show his activity, his knowledge and character, and are attributed to showing and demonstrating his personality, his power and deity. The Lord Jesus Christ, as a non-material spiritual person who was independent of the Father before his incarnation, it is also with the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit was always existent and active but there was an incarnation of the Logos which means the word in John chapter 1 verse 14 and there is a special coming to the earth of the Holy Spirit also although he was not incarnated in a visible physical spiritual body as was Jesus Christ our precious Savior This divine special manifestation of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost which means the 50th day. It was 50 days after Christ's resurrection that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples who were assembled at Jerusalem in the upper room. After that, the manifestation for the Jews, there was one for the Gentiles, and is spoken of in Acts chapter 10 and 11. There was also a powerful, supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit for John the Baptist's disciples, found in Acts chapter 19, beginning in verse 1, which declares, while Apollos was in Corinth Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus where he found some disciples verse 2 and he asked them did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed on Jesus as Christ and they said no we've not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit verse 3 and he asked into what baptism were you baptized they said into John's baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the one who was to come after him, and that is in Jesus, having a conviction full of joyful trust that he is Christ the Messiah and being obedient to him. Verse 5. On hearing this, they were baptized again this time in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as Paul laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in a foreign unknown tongue languages and prophesied. Verse 7 And there were about twelve of them in all. And he went into the synagogue, and for three months spoke boldly, persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God. Verse 9 But when some of them became more and more stubborn, hardened and unbelieving, discrediting, reviling and speaking evil of the way of the Lord before the congregation, he separated himself from them, taking the disciples with him and went on holding daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus from about 10 o'clock till 3. Verse 10. This continued for two years, so that all the inhabitants of the province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the word of the Lord concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. so we see that those who had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit was because they only knew the baptism of John but they did receive it through the laying on of Paul's hands and we see throughout these scriptures Jesus predicted the coming of the Holy Spirit and he made it clear that the Holy Spirit's special coming would be realized after his ascension from the earth In John chapter 15, verses 26 through 27, Jesus declared, But when the Comforter, the Counselor, the Helper, the Advocate, the Intercessor, Strengthener, the Standby comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, who comes, proceeds from the Father, he himself will testify regarding me. Verse 27. but you also will testify and be my witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. And also, John chapter 16, beginning in verse 7, we read of the ministry of the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus pointed out that the revelation of his departure had made the disciples sad rather than happy. they now had little interest in where he was going. What concerned them now was the sorrow that his departure had produced for them. Peter and Thomas had previously asked where he was going, but Jesus evidently hadn't regarded those questions as expressing genuine interest in themselves. The disciples were full of grief, the scripture tells us, because they did not realize how excellent it was going to be for them when the Holy Spirit, their helper, came to dwell within them. Really, it was to the disciples' advantage that Jesus would leave them because this was God's plan, and this was a special work of the Holy Spirit when he came to the earth. Consequently, Jesus proceeded to give them more information about what the Holy Spirit coming would mean for them when he came. Some of the benefits of the new covenant that Jesus made legal by his death and authority, which all believers who then entered at Pentecost would require and need the indwelling presence of God's Holy Spirit to be guided into all truth after Jesus went to be with his Father. Now we read this in John chapter 16, beginning in verse 7. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send him to you. Verse 8. And when he has come, he will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. and verse 9, and of sin, because they do not believe in me. Verse 10, of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more. Of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, For he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears, he will speak, and he will tell you those things to come. He will glorify me, for he will take of what is mine and declare it to you. Verse 15. All things that the Father has are mine. Therefore, I said, he will take of mine and declare it to you. Throughout these verses, we see the necessary and essential need of God sending his Holy Spirit to this earth. Besides the necessity of the Holy Spirit convicting the world of their sin and righteousness, he also convicts sinners of the judgment that will come because of their sin. Now, as we have previously heard at the beginning of this message today, is that one of the first mentions of the special manifestation of the Holy Spirit was made by Jesus in John chapter 7, verses 37 through 39, which again declare, Now on the final and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood up and he cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. And he who believes in me, who pleads to, trusts and relies on me, as the scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow continuously springs and rivers of living water. But he was speaking of the Spirit here, whom those who believed and trusted and have faith in him were afterwards to receive, for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified, raised to honor. The Jews at this time of Jesus's announcement of the mention on the inference of the Holy Spirit, were for seven days celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and living in tents. It was on the eighth day that they had the solemn assembly, and it was on the eighth day it was seen as a symbolic entrance and establishment of the people in the land of Canaan. Abandoning their tents, they went in a procession to the temple. From there, everyone returned to his own home. It was then that Jesus spoke, and he spoke out loud, and he said, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. You see, the symbolism to the water was due to the fact that during seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, after the sacrifice, the people, led by a priest went down from the temple of the fountain of Siloam, which was located almost next to where they were celebrating the feast The priest filled the golden picture at this fountain and carried it through the streets amid joyful shouts of the crowds with the sounds and cymbals and trumpets And during the tribulation that the people were experiencing at that time, they shouted the words from Isaiah chapter 12 verse 3, which declared that therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And let's look at that beginning in verse 1. That's chapter 12 again, verse 1. And in that day you will say, I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you've comforted me. Behold, God, my salvation, and I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. Therefore, with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say, give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name, and by means of his name in Solomon's treaty, declare and make known his deeds among the peoples of the earth. Proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done excellent things, glorious. Let this be known to all of the earth. And we can see that this is a song of praise and the people comforted themselves with the love of God and the proofs they had of his love in their hearts. And this is why they could sing, therefore, because the Lord Jehovah is your strength and song and will be your salvation, you shall draw waters with joy. Hallelujah. Dear listener, the assurance that God has given us of his love and the experiences that we have in the benefits and comforts of his grace should greatly encourage our faith in him and our expectations from him should ignite songs of praise within our hearts and spirit too and cause us to sing out of the wells of salvation in you oh god who is the fountain of all good to your people i will draw waters of joy of peace and comfort from your holy spirit Please understand, it is our personal responsibility and duty by faith to draw water out of these never-ending wells which flow from God's Spirit just as he promised. There are many names and titles and functions of the Holy Spirit, and several of his names is called the Spirit of Life and the Spirit of Truth. As a spirit of life, the Holy Spirit revives our lost souls and impregnates us with his life and truth, creating the divine life of God within our hearts. Jesus said in John chapter 17, verse 3, And this is eternal life. It means to know, perceive, recognize, and become acquainted with and understand. You, the only true and real God, and likewise to know him, Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, whom you have sent. And as a spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit gives us witnesses and unction to the truth that we have learned as transparency to our conduct, bringing us to a more perfect revelation of God. We see this in John chapter 15, 26 when Jesus declared, But when the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes proceeds from the Father, he himself will testify regarding me. Also, in John chapter 16, verse 13, Jesus tells us, Dear listener, it is the will of God that we should totally and truly answer the call given when Jesus invited us to come to him. Our precious Lord knew that all people would not come to him, or else he would have not said in Matthew chapter 13 verses 14 and 15, Wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many are on it. But narrow is the road that leads to eternal life, and few are on it. The Lord knew each person would have to confess his or her need of Jesus Christ. They would have to come to Jesus as an individual. He knew they would have to drink for themselves if they want their spirits quenched. You see, coming to Jesus is compared or identified with faith in him. One genuine step towards answering the call to come is the beginning of your faith walk with your Savior. The promise of the Holy Spirit would come upon all who believe. And I repeat again the scripture in John chapter 7, verses 38 and 39. He who believes in me, who trusts in, cleaves to, relies on me, as the scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow continuous springs and rivers of living water. But he was speaking here of the Spirit, whom those who believed and trusted had faith in him, were afterwards to receive. For the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, but Jesus was not yet glorified, raised to honor. They that believe in Greek are the believing ones. They were not a select group from among the believers, but they were all who believed. Dear ones, we have coursed, in a very small nutshell, the Holy Spirit's special work in coming to the earth. We spoke of his first mention in Genesis 1, where he brooded over the waters, and when the word who was Christ gave the commands, let it be, in the creation of the world, the Holy Spirit was the almighty dunamis power, who caused the let it be to form the world, including the earth and all that is in it. we have seen where the Holy Spirit came and began his ministry amongst the disciples of Christ and then when he came at the right moment in time with his first waiting disciples faithful disciples with his dunamis power and we have seen these things written in scripture and those of you who have been faithful followers of Jesus Christ you have experienced the wonderful supernatural power and love of the Holy Spirit in your own life. You have experienced the awesome change in your own soul and heart and the recreating the old man into a new creature in Jesus Christ. You have experienced the many benefits and promises when you came to Christ and answered the call to come to him when you were given the many privileges such as to pray in the name of Jesus and you would see those things that you prayed for according to the word of God, they would be answered. It is wonderful to allow the Holy Spirit to burden us with prayer requests. The Spirit knows the mind of the Father and can lead us to pray for those things that God wants to give us, not just the things that we want. can you dear one honestly say I know that the Holy Spirit's special work in me has truly created me as a new creation in Christ I am not the same person I used to be I never want to go back to my old life again all I can say then is the Holy Spirit's work in your life has done a very special work in ministry and this is why he came to the earth. This is why you were included in this wonderful blessing and promise. Never look back, but continue on this straight and narrow road and continue to look up and keep your eyes fixed on the one whom your heart loves and let him continually do his finishing work in your life until he comes to take you home. Thank you.

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