RIGHTEOUSNESS – 14th

STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (L)

Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.

• Special note: Raising a standard against the enemy is part of the wonderful work of the HOLY SPIRIT! God desires to FILL HIS PEOPLE WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT, which brings great blessing and wonderful fruit. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22,23). Part of the Biblical definition for the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT IS “RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Ephesians 5:9). RIGHTEOUSNESS brings exaltation. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS goes before a fall. Raising a RIGHTEOUS STANDARD through the powerful work of the HOLY SPIRIT brings exaltation in a nation, but sin, unholiness, disobedience, and rebellion brings destruction.

Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

When we are cleansed through the blood of Jesus (I John 1:7) our sins are forgiven, and His RIGHTEOUSNESS imputed to us. He takes away our UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, and exchanges it for HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Corinthians 5:21).

THE STANDARD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…

• Special note: The Lord does mighty and powerful things by the working of HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Is a Christian to “Be filled with the Spirit”? Of course! It’s not an option, or presumption, it is a direct command. Peter, under the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT in Acts 2 laid the Apostolic firm foundation for the church in verse 38 – 1) Repent; 2) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and 3) you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit is integral and vital in the church Jesus is building that will prevail over the gates of the enemy – (Matthew 16:18,19).

Acts 4:31 – …when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Micah 3:8 – …truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord…

Acts 1:8 – (Jesus said) …you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; 

Zechariah 4:6,7– “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power (man’s power; don’t depend upon your own power or strength), but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!

Romans 15:13,19 –  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit....in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Paul)

• Special note: The HOLY SPIRIT IS POWERFUL, and MIGHTY!

SAMSON WAS EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT

Judges 13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14 – And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him …the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand… …the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily… the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him…

Special note: Obviously, the secret of Samson great strength and mighty acts was the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

JESUS WAS FILLED AND EMPOWERED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Luke 2:40; 4:1,14 – And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him…Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,.. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee.

John 3:34 – (John the Baptist said of Jesus) For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.

• (AMP) – …for God gives the [gift of the] Spirit without measure [generously and boundlessly]! Since Jesus left us an example for the church to follow in His steps, that must be the Lord’s goal for us, as well (I Peter 2:21). Like Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:19 – … that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…

Acts 10:38 – …God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

• (Messianic fulfillment of) Isaiah 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound…

Isaiah 11:2 – The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

JESUS WORDS ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE-GIVING

John 6:63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

THE LORD PROMISES TO POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT UPON US IN THESE LAST DAYS

Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;

Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Acts 2:16-18,32-33 – But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17  ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy… This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear... Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

• Special note: Obviously, it was not just to be a one time event, but to be a blessing experienced by many generations.

Isaiah 32:15 – Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.

Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring…

Ps 81:10 – I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Spirit of the living God

(A Prayerful Scripture Chorus)

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me,

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me..

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. ⁽¹⁾

THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE

2 Corinthians 3:6 – who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Romans 8:2, 6, 10, 11 – …the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death… For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace… And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

• Special note: Verse 10 – “the SPIRIT IS LIFE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS“. Reminds of our important theme – “THE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” being raised by the SpirIT OF GOD!

Job 33:4 – The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

John 20:22 – when He (jesus) had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.

• Special note: The SPIRIT OF GOD is the BREATH OF LIFE. God breathed life into man, and he (man) became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). During the flood, God destroyed all flesh wherein was the breath of life – except those preserved in the ark (Genesis 6:17,22). Job said, “the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

Acts 17:28 – …in Him we live and move and have our being…

Galatians 6:8 – For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

(again) John 6:63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

THE SPIRIT-FILLED, SPIRIT-LED LIFE

It is very important that those who who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit continue to be filled with the Spirit daily. His might and strength enables us to walk in the fullness of the Spirit.

One of God’s commands to us is: “walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit…. Our conduct controlled by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16,25).

Galatians 5:16,25 – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

It is God’s REVEALED will for us to be Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:17,18 – …do not be unwise, BUT understand what THE WILL OF THE LORD is. ^18 … be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT…

The HOLY SPIRIT enables us to live a pure, victorious, and Spirit-filled life as we walk it out on a daily basis. Some Christians who claim to be baptized with the Holy Spirit may have lost the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. If we lose the fresh flow of the rivers of living water of the Spirit on a daily basis, what is left of the Spirit-filled life?

The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30); resisted (Acts 7:51); quenched – I Thessalonians 5:19)… Bitterness, pride, coldness of heart, and many other sins result. 

John 7:38-39 – He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

May believers hunger for holiness, for overcoming power, for a closer relationship with the Lord, etc… Jesus promises that when we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we will be filled – (Matthew 5:6) There is often a sense of helplessness and desperate need that can only be satisfied by the HOLY SPIRIT.

• Special note: Let’s hunger and thirst continually for righteousness, and all the fruit of the the SPIRIT OF GOD to experienced and displayed in our lives! This is possible for true Christians. We can live a SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE, that is filled with the wonderful fruit of the SPIRIT OF GOD.

Acts 1:8 – is for today!… (see above).

To “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” or be “baptized with, or in the Holy Spirit” is the initial in-filling of the believer’s life with the Holy Spirit, after personal salvation has been received. The “fullness of the Holy Spirit” is the living of a continuously Spirit-filled life, by being constantly filled with the Holy Spirit, after the initial Baptism of the Holy Spirit has been received. ⁽²⁾

GOOD NEWS! The power of the HOLY SPIRIT is for us today!

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

• Special note: Jesus, the baptizer in the HOLY SPIRIT is still baptizing and filling His people with the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16).

(Again) Ephesians 5:18 – Be filled with the Spirit...!

• Special note: Let’s live a Spirit-filled Life! We wouldn’t be instructed to be filled with the Holy Spirit if it was not possible!

THE SPIRIT IS GOOD

Psalm 143:10 – Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness (RIGHTEOUSNESS).

THE HOLY SPIRIT CHANGES OUR LIFE

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.

SAUL WAS TRANSFORMED BY THE SPIRIT

I Samuel 10:6,10; 19:23 – (Samuel told Saul)  …the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man... 10 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day… 23 – the Spirit of God was upon him (Saul) also, and he went on and prophesied…

RENEWED BY THE SPIRIT

Psalm 51:10-11 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 104:30 – You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.

Ephesians 4:22-24 – …that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Titus 3:5 – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,…

SPIRIT-FILLED EXAMPLES

The importance of being FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT is confirmed over and over again in the Bible. Even in the Old Testament (Bezaleel; 70 elders; Othniel; Gideon; Samson; David; etc.). It is not only emphasized in Jesus life, but in the church; Paul and Barnabas and other disciples, etc.

Below are some of the supporting Scriptures that refer to works of the SPIRT, and being FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT:

BezaleEl

Exodus 33:3,33 – And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship… He has filled him with the Spirit of God…

70 elders

Numbers 11:25 – Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied…

Othniel

Judges 3:10 – The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel.

Gideon

Judges 6:34 –…the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.

Samson

(Again) Judges 14:6 –And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart…

David

I Samuel 16:13 – Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.

The Disciples

(Again) Acts 2:4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(Again) Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Barnabas

Acts 11:24 – …he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

Paul

Acts 9:17 – And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Simeon

Luke 2:25 – …there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

The SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE WITH THE APOSTLES

Acts 6:3,5,10; 7:55 – Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he (Stephen) spoke.…But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

Believers at Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 – Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

CORNELIUS AND COMPANY

Acts 10:44-47 – While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 

Ephesian believers

Acts 19:1-6 –  …Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples ² he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized? So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

gift of the holy Spirit

(Again) Acts 2:38-39 – Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 10:44-46 – While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. 

• Special note: The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is an important, foundational doctrine of the Church. Above in Acts 2:38-39 there were 3 foundational things emphasized – 1) Repentance; 2) Water Baptism; 3) Holy Spirit Baptism (the gift of the Holy Spirit). Referring the the day of Pentecost which followed, Jesus said in Acts 1:4-5 – …wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” In Hebrews 6:2 it talks about the doctrine of BAPTISMS (plural), not just baptism (singular).

Acts 1:8; 2:4 –  …you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…they were all filled with the Holy

PRAYING and singing IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

They knew that the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. Why? FOR they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God (Acts 10:45-46).

I Corinthians 14:14,15 – If I pray in an unknown tongue, my sprit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

• Special note: In the above verses Paul is talking about UNKNOWN TONGUES, not known tongues. Also, praying and singing in the spirit is notably different then praying and singing with our understanding.

Jude 20-21- Beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Special note: Praying in the Holy Spirit (see I Corinthians 14:14-15 above) builds us up in faith, and helps us maintain our love relationship with God.

WHAT OFTEN HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IN THE BOOK OF ACTS?

Often what happened when people were filled with the Spirit of God as recorded in the book of Acts – they spoke in other tongues. (Again) Acts 2:4 – …they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 10:44-47 – …the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Acts 19:6 – when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

TONGUES

The Bible says that speaking in unknown tongues brings edification – (strengthening, encouragement, building up). – I Corinthians 14:2 – “He who speaks in an UNKNOWN TONGUE edifies himself…” Do we want to be strengthened? The Bible says that we are to “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” – Ephesians 6:10. Since speaking in tongues is something that helps make us strong, it is something that is to be a blessing and help in the life of a believer.

Does a person have to speak in tongues? As my father used to say “No”, a person doesn’t even need to eat food. We eat according to our will to eat, or not. However, there are consequences and results when we eat, or when we don’t eat food. We are not forced to eat, but there are wonderful benefits when we do, and dreadful consequences if we don’t…

There are some tongues that should be interpreted, when they are given as a special message to a congregation. There are also some tongues that are a prayer message to God in which only He knows the message (because it is “unknown” to us). (Again) I Corinthians 14:2 – “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” I Corinthians 14:14 – For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Tongues is one of the ways the Lord also speaks to us – (Isaiah 28:11). I Corinthians 14:21 – In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.

Jesus spoke of the speaking in new tongues as one of the signs of the believers. Mark 16:17 – these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues…

IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES ALWAYS A KNOWN TONGUE?

As seen above, The answer to that is obviously “no”.  How can something be known, and unknown at the same time? The Bible talks about both (Acts 2:5-12; I Corinthians 14:2). Speaking in tongues is not always done in a “known” language. Sometimes it may be known, and sometimes it is not known. The Bible talks about “speaking with the tongues of men and of angels” – in I Corinthians 13:1. How many of us know the tongues of angels? In Acts 2 the tongues spoken were in known languages. However, that was not the only time people were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. There are many other times recorded, as well, in which it was not specific at those times what languages were spoken, or if they spoke in known languages. In the context of “All Scripture”, there are other Scriptures that describe speaking in tongues that are unknown, too. Speaking in tongues can be done in either known tongues, or unknown tongues.

HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED INTERCESSION

The Holy Spirit intercedes through us as we speak in tongues. In Romans it states that we don’t know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes through us according to God’s will (Romans 8:26,27). (see above)

SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS NOT TO BE FORBIDDEN

Clearly in Scripture, we are told not to forbid people to speak in tongues, in I Corinthians 14:39. Those who discourage SPEAKING IN tongues, forbid them, and teach that they are a work of the devil instead of the Holy Spirit are out of line with God’s Word.

In Philippians 2:11 – “every tongue” is to confess Jesus is Lord, and glorify the Lord. Anything that is contrary to His Lordship, and doesn’t bring glory to God is not a true work of the Holy Spirit.

WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT

God is a Spirit – we must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

• Special note: Without the HOLY SPIRIT, true worship is not possible.

 As God’s HOLY SPIRIT moves upon us, our spirits pray and worship.

WORSHIP IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

Our words of praise and worship are part of the beautiful fruiT our lives. Our lives are to bring forth the fruit of praise.

Hebrews 13:15 – …by Him (Jesus) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

I Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2 – Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

2 Chronicles 20:21 …he (King Jehoshaphat) appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”

• Special note: There was a mighty victory over their enemies when they praised the Lord in the beauty of holiness, for His mercy that endures forever (see above). We can also expect to see mighty victories when we worship in spirit and truth, according to the Lord’s RIGHTEOUS STANDARD

THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

John 14:17,26 – …the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

I John 4:4 – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

• Special note: The SPIRIT OF GOD within us is greater than that of the world, flesh, and devil. In Isaiah 59:19 (see above) it talks about the Spirit of the Lord raising a standard. The work of THE SPRIT OF LORD overcomes the evil darkness of this world and the devil.

Colossians 1:27 – God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS

Romans 1:4 – …and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I Peter 1:15,16 – …but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 9:31- And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

(Again) Isaiah 32:15 – Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness (meekness), self-control. 

Ephesians 5:9 – …(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)…

I Thessalonians 1:6 – …having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…

MORE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Communion

2 Corinthians 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians 10:16 – The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

BOLDNESS IN SHARING THE WORD AND WITNESSING

Proverbs 28:1 – The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

• Special note: In consideration of our theme about the Spirit of the Lord raising up a standard of righteousness, let’s be reminded that the HOLY SPIRIT gives the righteous boldness.

Acts 4:29-31 – ….Now, Lord… grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

(Again) Acts 1:8 – JESUS said, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…

Acts 4:13 – when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

• Special note: After they received the gift of the Holy Spirit they took the message of salvation through Christ to a lost and dying world!

2 Corinthians 3:12 – …since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech…

Ephesians 3:12 – …in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Philippians 1:20 – with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

INCREASED Fruitfulness

(Again) Isaiah 32:15 – Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.

2 Peter 1:8 –  …if these things be in you (are yours)and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Genesis 1:28 – …God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;

Colossians 1:10 – …that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…

Jeremiah 17:7-8; Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. ⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit... Blessed is the man…² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS to YOU

(Again) Acts 1:4 – …He (JESUS) commanded them… to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me”…

(Again) Acts 2:33-39 –Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. ³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / (BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT)

As we see in Scripture, “Receive the Holy Spirit” is God’s command to sinful men and women for laying the only foundation at the commencement of their Christian lives! The gift of the Holy Spirit is nothing added or an experience beyond what is expected of every Christian. It is not an experience received only by a select few only after years and years of godly living to make them “super-Christians”. It is one of the 3 normal steps through the door into full salvation. It is part of the 3 steps of the “only foundation” that are meant for the Christian at the beginning of his Christian life. (1) Repent; 2) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and 3) you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Do not be robbed of the blessing of a complete foundation for your Christian life by thinking that God is pouring out His Spirit on just a select few…⁽²⁾

HOW CAN I OBEY GOD’S COMMAND TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

It is important that we receive the wonderful gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. Some wonder, HOW? Here are a few reminders from Scripture to prayerfully consider for those seeking to be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT...

jesus is the baptizer

It’s good to focus on Jesus, not ourselves, or others, or formula’s. He is the source. Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1). Praying, praising, and declaring God’s Word and precious promises (as seen below) is important in the process of waiting on Him to baptize us, and fill us with His HOLY SPRIT. Jesus is the baptizer – He is our source – He is the one who sends the Holy Spirit promised by the Father, and baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6;

John 20:22 – And when He (JESUS) had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

THROUGH FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIm.

Mark 16:17 – And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues… 

Mark 9:23; 11:24 – Jesus said… “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” … Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mark 11:22-24 – Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God... ²⁴ Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

BY THE WORD

Romans 10:8, 17 – …“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”… So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

THROUGH PRAYER

Luke 11:9-13 – “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

(Again) Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…

In Acts 1 they were commanded to wait for the promise before the day of Pentecost outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT in Acts 2. How did they wait? …they went up into the upper room where they were staying:…¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.

THROUGH REPENTANCE

(Again) Acts 2:38 – Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

THROUGH PRAISE

AS WE PRAISE, according to God’s Word He dwells in the praises of His people. Having an attitude and atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving is important.

Psalm 22:3 – …You are holy, O You that inhabit (dwell in) the praises of Israel. (DARBY – …thou that dwellest amid the praises of Israel; AMPC – You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].)

• …thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Isaiah 57:15).
• …the Spirit of truth… you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you -(John 14:17).
• (Again) …if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
• …Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you (I Corinthians 3:16)?

Ps 81:10 – I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I WILL FILL IT.

• It is helpful to seek the Lord expectantly with faith-filled hearts and mouths that are full of praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 100:2-4 – Come before His presence with singing… ⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RAISING A STANDARD

The standard of righteousness is being raised by the Holy Spirit. God says that ” No weapon formed against you shall prosper… This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

We are given the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD, and are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... (Ephesians 6:17-18),

May the SPIRIT OF THE Lord continue to raise up HIS standard of righTEOUS ALL OVER THE WORLD! AMEN!

We started this post with emphasis on “the SPIRIT Of THE LORD RAISING UP A STANDARD” against our enemies (Isaiah 59:19). The HOLY SPIRIT is essential to living an overcoming, victorious life. There is so much more that could be said, because this is a very important theme in Scripture. Let’s continue to hunger and thirst to be filled with the fullness of God, through the working of His Holy Spirit in our lives.

Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled!

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1. Special thanks and acknowledgement to Daniel Iverson (1926) for composing this special chorus that is such a blessing for a century, now.
2. Also special thanks and acknowledgement to Dick Iverson and Graham Truscott for their insightful input in this study.