“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2Co 1:20-22)
Review Since Pentecost Sunday, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit, we've been talking about the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday, we explored who He is and what He does by looking at some of the symbols that represent Him in the Bible. The first symbol we looked at was wind. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the Bible says that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The word for "Spirit" is also translated as “breath” or “wind” of God. Wind is invisible, yet it's real and powerful. It moves things, changes things, and makes its presence known. Even though we can't see it, we can definitely feel its strong influence. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is unseen, yet truly present and at work in our lives. The Holy Spirit is not a passive presence, but an active and mighty force at work within us. He moves us, empowers us, and leads us in the direction of God’s will—taking us where we could never go on our own The second symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. All throughout Scripture, fire represents God's nature—His holiness, His guidance, His purifying work, His jealous love, and even His judgment. In the same way, the Holy Spirit comes upon us like fire. Jesus said He came to bring fire to the earth—and the fire He was referring to is the fire of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, this fire came upon the disciples as they prayed. It burned away their fears, weaknesses, and sinfulness. It purified and renewed them from the inside out. The fire of the Holy Spirit ignited a holy passion within them, empowering them to proclaim the gospel boldly—without fear or hesitation. This same fire is what the Holy Spirit desires to give us today. When we are filled with His fire, we can overcome our weaknesses and sinful nature, live in victory, and be empowered to share the gospel with boldness and passion. The third symbol of the Holy Spirit is water. Jesus once cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (Jn 7:38) Here, the “living water” Jesus spoke of refers to the Holy Spirit. Water represents life—and just as our physical bodies can’t survive without it, our spirits can’t truly live without the living water the Holy Spirit provides. His presence is essential for keeping our spirits awake, alive, and healthy. Just as a dry branch can’t produce leaves or bear fruit, anyone without the living water of the Holy Spirit becomes spiritually dry—lifeless and unfruitful. Without the Holy Spirit’s living water, our faith becomes dry and weak. We might look religious and godly on the outside, but there's no real power on the inside. We may call ourselves Christians, yet show little to no reflection of Christ’s likeness in our lives. That’s why we must continually come to the Holy Spirit with spiritual thirst, longing for the living water that only He can provide. When we confess our need and draw near to Him, He delights to fill us with the rivers of life He has promised. Then, like trees planted by streams of water, we will flourish in every season—like a well-watered garden, a spring whose waters never run dry. 4. Anointing Oil All right. These were the three symbols of the Holy Spirit we talked about last Sunday, and today, I want us to continue by reflecting on three more powerful symbols of the Holy Spirit that help us understand who He is and how He works in our lives. The fourth symbol of the Holy Spirit is oil. In the Old Testament, oil was used to consecrate kings, priests, and prophets. It served as a special sign that God had chosen and set them apart for a unique purpose. In 1 Samuel 16:13, we read about the prophet Samuel anointing David with oil. ‘So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.’ (1 Sam 16:13) In this scene, we see a connection between being anointed with oil and the coming of the Holy Spirit. From the very moment Samuel poured oil on David, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in a mighty way and started working through his life. This connection between the Holy Spirit and anointing oil is also found in one of the most famous Messianic prophecies in Scripture. Isaiah 61:1-3 says, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Is 61:1-3) This prophecy was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of Isaiah, and read this very passage. And, after reading it, He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) By saying this, Jesus made it clear that Isaiah was speaking about Him—that He had come into the world to fulfill this prophecy: to proclaim good news, heal the brokenhearted, set captives free, and bring comfort to those who mourn. His ministry began with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Peter, who walked closely with Jesus and saw everything firsthand, also testified about the connection between the anointing of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ ministry. Peter said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem” (Acts 10:38-39) And, verse 44 says, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” (Acts 10:44) The anointing of the Holy Spirit was with Jesus in everything He did. After Jesus ascended to heaven, that same Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples in the same way—giving them power and boldness to share the good news. And when they preached, the Holy Spirit also came upon the people listening to the gospel. The same Holy Spirit still comes to us today. Just like how the Spirit came on David, on Jesus, on His disciples, and on those who heard the gospel through them, that anointing is here for us too. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2Co 1:21-22) The apostle John also said, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” (1Jn 2:20) This anointing of the Spirit sanctifies us and gives us the power we need to carry out the work God has called us to do. The second meaning of anointing in the Old Testament is connected to holiness. When kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in the Old Testament, it wasn’t just a sign that God had chosen them—it also meant they were set apart as holy for God’s special purpose. When God told Moses to build the Tabernacle, Moses followed every detail just as God showed him. And once everything was finished, God gave one final instruction: anoint all the items with oil. That anointing made them holy. Exodus 40:9-10 says, “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy.” (Ex 40:9-10) This is what it means for us to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. It means that we are chosen—we belong to God. It also means that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made holy and set apart for God’s purpose for us. That’s why we should always be asking for the anointing of the Spirit in our daily walk with God—so that we can stay full of His power, His purpose, and His presence. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was divided into two main parts: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In the Holy Place stood three sacred items. The first was the table of the Bread of the Presence, where holy bread was continually laid before the Lord (Ex 25:30). The second item was the golden lampstand, made of pure gold (Ex 25:31). The third item was the altar of incense. These three things stand for some really important parts of our faith: God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and the prayers of God’s people. Of the three, I want to focus specifically on the lampstand. The lampstand had seven lamps, and they were supposed to stay lit all the time—they could never go out. To keep the flames burning nonstop, the Israelites had to keep pouring in pure olive oil. It wasn’t a one-time thing; they had to do it continuously as their ongoing responsibility. God said, “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.” (Ex 27:20-21) This is the oil we must always ask to be filled with. Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we can’t keep our fire burning. The Spirit comes to us as fire, but without oil, how can that fire keep burning strongly? So, just like the Israelites kept the lamps burning with oil, we too need to keep asking for the Holy Spirit’s anointing so that we can live holy lives and carry out the mission God has given us. We should continually pray that the power of the Holy Spirit remains alive and active in our lives every day. The anointing of the Holy Spirit isn’t just a one-time event—it’s an ongoing necessity for every Christian’s daily walk. In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In it, five wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five—thinking the bridegroom would arrive quickly—assumed what they had was enough and made no preparation for a delay. But when the bridegroom finally came, only those who were ready with enough oil were allowed to enter the wedding banquet. This parable teaches us something really important. The Christian life isn’t a short sprint—it’s a marathon. We have to keep running all the way until the day God calls us home. We need to keep our fire burning and continue shining our light. In order for us to do so, we need the oil that keeps the flame going. Without it—without the ongoing anointing of the Holy Spirit—we begin to lose our love for God, our passion fades, and we risk giving up on the mission God has given us. But when our lives are filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, then—and only then—can we truly live out our calling. It is through His power that we remain holy, stay faithful, and finish the race of faith. I pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit would fall powerfully on everyone gathered here. May His power keep the fire of the Spirit burning in us, make us more passionate than ever, and help us shine the light of Jesus Christ brightly in this world. Now, let’s briefly look at two more symbols of the Holy Spirit. 5. The Dove The fifth symbol of the Holy Spirit is the dove. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Matthew 3:16-17 says, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:16-17) In Scripture, the dove is seen as a clean and pure animal, often used in sacrifices and symbolic of peace and innocence. In Leviticus 1:14, God instructs that if someone brings a bird as a burnt offering, they should offer a dove or a young pigeon. “If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, he is to offer a dove or a young pigeon.” (Lev. 1:14) One of the most important requirements for the sacrifices used in the Old Testament was that they had to be clean, pure, and without any defect. So the fact that doves were used as sacrifices means that they represented those same qualities—purity, innocence, and being without blemish. Jesus also taught His disciples in Matthew 10:16: “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16) The dove also stands for life and peace. In the story of Noah’s ark, Noah sent out a dove three times to see if the floodwaters had receded. The second time, the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf. Genesis 8:11 says, “When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” (Gn 8:11) This signified that God’s judgment had ended, and a new era of peace and reconciliation had begun. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is the One who brings peace, reconciliation, and new life between God and us, making us holy and righteous before Him. 6. The Seal Now, let’s move on to the last symbol of the Holy Spirit: the seal. In ancient times, seals were used to mark ownership, authenticate documents, and ensure security and protection. Similarly, the seal of the Holy Spirit signifies that we are God’s people, and that the Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1, “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:13-14) He continues in the same letter, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30) And again Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Cor. 1:21–22) All these passages emphasize how important it is for us to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is connected to His ministry of confirmation, assurance, and protection. When we are sealed by the Spirit, we are assured that we belong to God, that we are saved, and that we are secure in His guidance and protection. This assurance is eternal and secure because it doesn’t come from us, but from the One who gives salvation. We cannot guarantee our salvation on our own because we are receivers, not the Giver, of salvation. Only the One who gives salvation can also give us assurance. In this way, being sealed by the Holy Spirit fills us with confidence and hope in our salvation. Sometimes, we lose confidence in our salvation. When we see ourselves not living according to God’s Word and His will, when we notice our weaknesses and sin causing us to stumble and fall, it’s easy to start doubting our faith and whether we’re really saved. However, when we stumble in weakness or sin and begin to doubt, the Holy Spirit reassures us. He reminds us in those moments that we are still God’s children and reignites the passion and love we once had for God. He reminds us that we are still loved by God and that we will inherit His kingdom one day as His children. Paul writes in Romans 8, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…” (Rm 8:16-17) This is what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives right now. When we rely only on our own strength, we’re bound to stumble. We can’t be sure about our salvation on our own. But when we depend on the Spirit, He gives us that assurance and keeps us safe and guides us all the way until we receive our final salvation. When we start to doubt that we’re God’s children, the Spirit stands up for us and testifies that we belong to Him. So whenever your faith feels shaky, run even closer to the Holy Spirit. He will refresh you, renew you, and give you new strength to rise and live for God. Conclusion Today, we’ve reflected on three additional symbols of the Holy Spirit: oil, the dove, and the seal. The anointing oil of the Holy Spirit shows us that God has chosen us and set us apart, and through His Spirit, we are continually empowered to live out our calling. The dove represents the gentle, peaceful, and pure nature of the Holy Spirit—He brings reconciliation and leads us into a life of holiness. And the seal of the Spirit assures us that we are God’s beloved people, protected and guaranteed eternal life through His presence in us. So today, let us once again invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. Let’s return to the Lord and ask Him to anoint us afresh—so that the oil of the Spirit overflows in our lives and in every place we go. Let’s pray. Prayer Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, We thank You for revealing to us today the depths of the Holy Spirit’s work through Your Word. We come now asking for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. We praise the Holy Spirit for healing us and leading us on the path of restoration. Fill us with the presence of the Holy Spirit so that we may fulfill the calling You have given us without growing weary. Come to us like a dove. Gently touch our hearts. Fill us with meekness and peace. Calm our troubled souls and lead us into a life that is holy and pure. Thank You protecting us and assuring us with the seal of the Holy Spirit. When we are weak and burdened with doubt, we profess that He testifies with our spirits that we are Your children. Through Him, we rest in the confidence that we are sealed and protected until the day of redemption. Now, Lord, we long once more to be filled with Your Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, and anoint our hearts. Let the oil of Your anointing overflow into every area of our lives. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit keep burning within us so that we can shine Your light wherever we are. We pray all of this in the most precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [Reflection Questions] 1. Where do you see the anointing of the Holy Spirit working in your life? Why do you need this anointing, and how can you receive it more fully? 2. In what ways can you imitate the qualities of the Holy Spirit as the dove—being innocent, peaceful, and harmless—in your relationships with God and with others? 3. When do you find yourself doubting your faith or salvation the most? How does the seal of the Holy Spirit comfort and assure you in those moments? How does that assurance strengthen your confidence in God’s promises? 4. Of the three symbols we talked about today—oil, dove, and seal—which one resonates most with your current spiritual condition, and why? What is one specific prayer you want to offer to the Holy Spirit today in response to what He has revealed to you? “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Ac 2:1-4)
Review Last Sunday we talked about who the Holy Spirit is. The Holy Spirit is one of three persons of the Triune God. We believe in one God. Yet at the same time, the Bible also testifies about the three persons of the one God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Though the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are of the same essence and are one God, they have different roles. God the Father created the world and planned salvation. Jesus came to this earth in human form, died on the cross, and rose again to fulfill that salvation. And the Holy Spirit comes to everyone who believes in Jesus in order to accomplish the work of salvation, shape us to live holy lives that reflect the image of God, and empower us to carry out the mission of proclaiming the gospel. The Holy Spirit is also a personal and relational being. The Bible portrays the Holy Spirit as one who possesses intellect, will, and emotions. He rejoices, grieves, feels sorrow, and even experiences jealousy. These emotional and intellectual qualities show that the Holy Spirit fully understands and helps us like a personal counselor. He leads us into truth using our intellect, moves our will to obey God’s will, and works through our emotions to love God. Because the Holy Spirit is a personal being, we must relate to Him personally. We must not reduce the Holy Spirit to a mere force or energy. We are called to have a close, intimate, and deep relationship with Him on a daily basis. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:13: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:13) The Greek word for “fellowship” is koinonia, which means fellowship and union. This is what must happen in our daily lives in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. When we walk in union with the Holy Spirit, He will guide our thoughts, minds, wills, decisions, and emotions to restore the image of God in us, make us more like Jesus Christ, and lead us into the holy life God desires for us. Symbols of the Holy Spirit Today, we continue our reflection on the Holy Spirit. We will specifically look at several biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is invisible and does not have a physical body, Scripture often uses symbols to help us better understand who the Holy Spirit is. There are 6 symbols in total. Each symbol tells us something important about who the Spirit is and what He does. Today, we’ll talk about the first three symbols of the Holy Spirit. 1. Wind The first symbol is wind. Genesis 1:2 says: “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Gen. 1:2) The Hebrew word for “Spirit” here is ruach, which basically means breath, wind, or spirit. So it is also appropriate to translate the phrase “the Spirit of God” as “the breath of God” or “the wind of God.” When God created the heavens and the earth, all three persons of the Trinity were present and active. The Son, Jesus, was there as the Word of God, and the Spirit was there as the breath or wind of God. Psalm 104:30 also testifies to this truth. “When you send your Spirit(Ruach), they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” (Ps. 104:30) So, one of the powerful symbols that tell us who the Holy Spirit is is wind. The depiction of the Holy Spirit as wind signifies His invisible yet powerful presence guiding and directing us with His divine strength and purpose. Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) Although wind is invisible, we can clearly see and feel its effects. Similarly, although the Holy Spirit cannot be seen, He is very real and has a powerful presence in our lives, bringing about change, so that people can notice His influence in the lives of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. One of the passages that best describes the Holy Spirit as wind is Acts 2:2. It says, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2) This “violent wind” represents the powerful and overwhelming nature of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever experienced strong wind? You can’t see it directly, but you certainly know it’s there by its influence. I came to Dayton in 2019, and within just three months, a tornado swept through the city. Some of you may remember it. I watched the scene from the window in my apartment, and it was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Cars were shaking, streetlights went dark, traffic lights swayed in the wind. I saw gravel on the ground suddenly lift and beat against the windows. After seeing that, I quickly ran to the hallway. I felt a deep reverence for the sheer power of the wind. I couldn’t see the wind itself, but I clearly felt its power. The Holy Spirit is like that powerful wind. He comes with divine force, transforms lives, and influences us and those around us through us. Just as wind can’t be seen but its impact is evident, so is the life of someone filled with the wind of the Spirit. Another role of wind is guidance. A ship at sea depends on the wind to move forward. The Holy Spirit is God’s wind that leads our lives. When we are lost or unsure of where to go or what to do, the Spirit directs us with His wind. Our part is to surrender our own plans, trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and let the wind of the Spirit carry us forward naturally. 2. Fire The second symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. In the Bible, fire is far more than a natural phenomenon. It is frequently associated with God’s presence and His holiness. When God called Moses, He appeared to him in a burning bush. This fire revealed both the holiness of God and His eternal, unchanging nature. When God led the Israelites in the wilderness, His presence was manifested in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This fire represented God’s guidance and protection. In Malachi, God is portrayed as a refiner’s fire, one who purifies and cleanses. Malachi 3:2 says, “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” (Mal. 3:2) Just as gold is purified by passing through water and fire, the fire of the Holy Spirit burns away all that is impure in us and all that opposes God, making us pure and holy. The Holy Spirit also sets a fire in our hearts and makes us more passionate about the calling we’ve received from God. John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance, but he said that the One who comes after him—Jesus—would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Mt. 3:11) Jesus also revealed that His purpose in coming to the world was to bring fire to it. Jesus said, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49) These words were fulfilled when the Holy Spirit descended in power at Pentecost. Acts 2:3-4 says, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:3–4) The fire that descended upon the disciples was not destructive, but rather refining and recreating. It burned away their fear, sin, and weaknesses, purifying their hearts and filling them with boldness and passion. This radical transformation of their lives gave birth to the Church. Even today, the Holy Spirit comes to us like fire. He burns away the impurities, sinful nature, and desires of the flesh within us, refining and renewing us. When we pass through the fire of the Holy Spirit, all the filth of our lives is consumed, and we are transformed into blameless children of God. The fire of the Spirit also ignites our hearts with passion, empowering us to testify boldly to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are seized and led by the Holy Spirit, we can carry out our mission with joy and courage, no matter the challenges—even in the face of mockery, suffering, or persecution. The prophet Jeremiah was a man who was overtaken by this holy fire. He confessed: “Whenever I speak, I cry out, proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”(Jer. 20:8–9) Jeremiah ministered during the final days of Judah before it fell to Babylon. God’s message through him was that Judah’s judgment was already decided, so they should surrender rather than resist. This sounded like treason—it was as if he had sided with the enemy during wartime. Who would welcome such a message? Because of the message God gave him to proclaim, Jeremiah suffered greatly. He was left alone, rejected, ridiculed, and persecuted. But he could not keep silent. The fire of God burned so powerfully within him that he could not stop preaching God's word, even if it meant suffering and hardship, or even death. This is the fire of the Holy Spirit we must ask for to carry out our calling to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Now, I would like us to take a look at our lives. Are there any areas that have yet to be purified? Have we lost the burning zeal and passion for God that we once had? The fire of the Holy Spirit purifies and restores. It consumes our weaknesses, fears, and sinful desires and rekindles holy passion within us. Today, may we experience that fire. May it consume everything impure within us. May it cleanse us and make us holy. May it set us ablaze with power and zeal so that we can joyfully and boldly carry out the mission Jesus entrusted to us. 3. Water Now, I want to speak on one more symbol of the Holy Spirit before concluding today's sermon. The third symbol of the Holy Spirit is water. Jesus cried out in John 7:37–38, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37–38) The Apostle John explains what Jesus meant by “living water” in the next verse. “By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (John 7:39) So, what does it mean for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives like water? Water is one of the most essential elements for sustaining life. Although we can survive for several days without food, it is almost impossible to survive for more than a few days without water. So, water symbolizes life. Just as our physical bodies cannot function without water, our spirits cannot survive without the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit. Unless our spirits are refreshed daily by the living water of the Spirit, we will quickly become dry and barren. Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” He also said that those who believe in Him will have streams of living water flowing from within them. The thirst that Jesus speaks of here is not physical, but spiritual: a deep longing that comes from the core of our souls. Nothing in this world can quench the eternal desire God has placed within us. The more we try to fill this void with finite, worldly things, the thirstier and emptier we become. Only the Holy Spirit, who is the Living Water, can satisfy this spiritual thirst and bring true satisfaction in our souls. That’s why we must come to the Holy Spirit with hearts that are poor in spirit—like a deer that pants for streams of water. If we come with such longing and desperation, He will never turn us away. He will satisfy us with His living water, the water of life that wells up eternally. God said in Isaiah 44: “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.” (Is. 44:1–4) This passage gives us comfort and hope. Sometimes, we see the state of our spiritual lives and realize how dry and dead we’ve become. Rather than living like a tree planted by streams of water which produces its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, we are sometimes more like withered branches with dried leaves and no fruit. But in those moments, we must not fall into despair or discouragement. Instead, we must turn to the Lord. We have no living water in ourselves. That water can only come from the Lord, and He is delighted to give it to us. Every soul that comes to Him with thirst will be filled and satisfied. Let’s read Isaiah 58:11 together. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Is. 58:11) I pray that this promise would be fulfilled in our lives today. When we are filled with the living water of the Holy Spirit, it will cleanse us from all impurity. It will satisfy the deepest thirst of our souls. It will give us life and vitality. That water will not just remain inside us; it will overflow from our hearts and bless others, enabling us to become a source of life for many. So today, let us come before the Holy Spirit, our Living Water, and bring our thirst to Him. May we be filled to overflowing and become a channel of that life to others. Today, we reflected on three symbols of the Holy Spirit. Firstly, the Holy Spirit comes to us like wind, guiding us, leading us, and empowering us. Secondly, the Holy Spirit comes to us like fire, burning away everything that is impure and unholy, and filling us with holy passion and boldness to proclaim the gospel. Thirdly, the Holy Spirit comes to us like water, cleansing our souls, satisfying our spiritual thirst, giving us life, and making us fruitful. That’s why we should always pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then He will come like the wind, fire, and water and renew us completely. May the Holy Spirit come upon each of us fully today, so that we may live the holy and blessed life that God desires for us through His help. Let’s pray. Prayer Gracious and loving Father, thank You for revealing to us the deep work and abundant grace of the Holy Spirit through Your Word today. Lord, we confess that we are often weak and do not know where to go. Come to us like the wind of the Spirit, and breathe new direction and hope into our lives. Burn away all impurity, sin, and weakness within us by the fire of Your Spirit. Set our hearts ablaze with holy passion, so that we may boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, unashamed and unwavering, no matter the cost. Lord, we are often parched and weary. Come to us like living water. Wash over us. Renew us. Revive us. Quench our thirst. Satisfy our souls. Let Your life flow within us and bear fruit in our lives. Make us a spring of life to others. We earnestly seek to be filled with the Spirit You have promised. Come dwell in us fully today. Govern our hearts and lead us. May we no longer live by our own strength, but by the power of the Spirit. Fill us with the wind, fire, and water of the Holy Spirit. Use us to bring true life and hope to wherever we are. We pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen. [Reflection Questions] 1. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to be wind? In what ways have you experienced the invisible yet powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How is your life being guided by the wind of the Holy Spirit? 2. What does the Holy Spirit do as fire? What areas of your life still need the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever experienced a holy fire that compelled you to speak or act for God, even when it was difficult? What is one way you can invite the fire of the Holy Spirit to rekindle your passion for God’s mission this week? 3. Explain the role of the Holy Spirit as water. Have you ever experienced a deep spiritual thirst? What one step can you take this week to be nourished by the Holy Spirit's living water? 4. Among the three symbols—wind, fire, and water—which one resonates most with your current spiritual condition, and why? What is one specific prayer you want to offer to the Holy Spirit today in response to what He has shown you? “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2Co 13:14)
Review We’ve been talking about the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday, we reflected on the meaning of the Holy Spirit as another Advocate. Jesus told His disciples that another Advocate would come, indicating that He Himself is our Advocate, and the One He sends is of the same kind—someone who will carry out the same role as He did. The Greek word used for Advocate is Parakletos, which can be translated as helper, mediator, intercessor, or comforter. Jesus is the Mediator and Advocate between us and God. John said, “… If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1Jn 2:1) Even when we sin, we don’t have to worry about the terrible eternal consequences of our sins because Jesus has already paid the full price for them and declared us righteous. To pay that price, Jesus came into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh, bore our sins, and died on the cross, shedding His precious blood. Only through Jesus Christ our sins can be forgiven and we can stand righteously before God. Nevertheless, we still need the Holy Spirit because our sinful nature is still alive within us and continues to have a powerful influence over our lives. We are too weak to live the good and holy life God desires from us by our own strength alone. So, knowing our sinful nature and human weakness, God sent us two Parakletos to help us. One is Jesus, and the other is the Holy Spirit. Jesus delivered us from the power of sin. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, strengthens us in our weakness so that we may have the ability to fully obey God's Word. Because this Holy Spirit is with us, we—though weak and flawed—can still courageously carry out the mission God has given us, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, Jesus justifies us, gives us salvation, and allows us to be born again. The Holy Spirit then sanctifies us and enables us to keep our salvation until the end. He helps us to conform more to the image of Jesus Christ day by day and empowers us to obey God’s word and live a life worthy of the calling we have received from Him to proclaim the gospel. These are the two Advocates that God has sent to help us and make us His holy people. They are both interceding for us even now, which is truly good and comforting news as we continue to struggle with sins and weaknesses every day. Just remember: even though we’ve lost the image of God because of our sins and ignorance, we were created in His image. We were created to be so much more than who we are now. We were created to reflect God’s character—His love, mercy, holiness, and more. What God is doing now is recreating us to be new creations in Him through Jesus Christ His Son, and His Holy Spirit. When we acknowledge our sins and humbly go to Him in total deference to Him through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God will surely help us and transform us. The Triune God All right. That’s what we talked about last Sunday, and today, we will continue talking about the Holy Spirit. We’ll discuss who the Holy Spirit is and how we should treat Him. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Triune God. The Trinity is a profound mystery we cannot fully comprehend with our limited intellect. Yet based on what the Bible tells us, we can gain a glimpse into who the Holy Spirit is. So let’s briefly talk about the Trinity. The Trinity is the important fundamental Christian doctrine which says that God is one Being in three persons. Here, the word person comes from the Latin word persona, which was originally used in ancient Roman theater. Actors would use different masks to play different roles, and each mask was called a persona. Over time, this word came to mean a character or role played by an actor. This is why early theologians referred to God as one being with three distinct persons. We believe that the one true God reveals Himself in three distinct roles and persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. This doctrine of the Trinity was first affirmed in the Nicene Creed, one of the most important creeds in church history. The Nicene Creed was formulated at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. This council was convened to counter the heretical teachings of a priest named Arius, who claimed that Jesus was a created being and therefore not equal to the God the Father. Arius believed that only God the Father is eternal and absolute, and that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are inferior beings. This teaching was dangerous because it undermined the entire doctrine of salvation. Christianity is founded on the incarnation—God becoming a man—and the belief that the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, accomplished our salvation. The reason Jesus' atoning death can bring forgiveness to all is because He is God and thus He is sinless and able to represent all humanity. But Arianism denied the deity of Jesus and thus rejected the heart of the gospel. Although this might sound obviously false to us today, at the time, theological frameworks were not yet well established. Arianism spread throughout the Roman Empire and was even supported by several emperors, causing great confusion and division in the early church. As a result, church leaders gathered in Nicaea in AD 325 to formally address the issue. The document they produced was the Nicene Creed, and it holds historical significance as the first creed to explicitly affirm the doctrine of the Trinity. It’s not that long, so let me now read the Nicene Creed for you: The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Here, the expressions "one God,” "one Lord," and “one Being with the Father” are very important. Christianity is not polytheistic; it is monotheistic, which means that we don’t believe in three different gods, but in only one true God of the universe. This is the most important aspect of Trinitarian theology. Nevertheless, while the Nicene Creed affirms one God, it also speaks of the three persons of the one God. God the Father created the world and planned salvation. God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to this world in human form to accomplish that salvation. He fulfilled it by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. And now, God the Holy Spirit comes to us as Spirit so that we may continue to walk in salvation, live sanctified lives, and boldly testify to the gospel. However, these three persons are not three separate gods. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one God who share the same essence and being. Human language cannot fully express the mystery of the Trinity, but this is the God testified to in Scripture, and we must humbly accept it by faith. The Personhood of the Holy Spirit The key point is this: The Holy Spirit is the same God as the Father and the Son. And because the Holy Spirit is God, He possesses personal attributes. That is the core of today’s message. One common misunderstanding about the Holy Spirit is that He is merely a mysterious power, force, or energy. Of course, the Holy Spirit gives us strength and power. But it is wrong to regard Him as a non-personal, mystical force. The Holy Spirit is a personal being, just like God the Father and Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must not treat Him like a spiritual power source, but rather pay close attention to our personal relationship with Him. When God created humans, He said: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over… all the earth’” (Gen 1:26). Every time I read this verse, I wonder what Moses was thinking when he wrote it. Moses was the one who proclaimed absolute monotheism—that there is only one God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, he said, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deut. 6:4) The word one clearly means there is only one God. Yet, in Genesis, Moses records God saying, “Let us make mankind in our image,” not “in my image.” So, why did Moses depict God as a plural being, and what did he mean by it? Of course, I believe God revealed the truth to him and that he had some understanding of the Trinity. Still, it remains a fascinating mystery. Returning to the main point, the Bible tells us that human beings are made in the image of God. And that God refers to Himself as “we”. This means we were created in the relational image of the Triune God. So, one of the essential characteristics of humanity lies in relationship. We were created in the image of God to have a relationship with Him, with one another, and with the world He created according to His will and in His love. So, as we, who are made in the image of the triune God, are relational, the Holy Spirit is also a relational Being. He is a personal being. He cannot be reduced to just power, ability, or wisdom. That is what we must remember when we think about the Holy Spirit. The Bible testifies to several personal attributes of the Holy Spirit. First, the Holy Spirit has intellect. Jesus called Him the “Spirit of truth.” This means the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Jn 16:13 says, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (Jn 16:13) Second, the Holy Spirit has a will. According to the Book of Acts, when Paul and Timothy tried to enter Asia during their second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit stopped them. Acts 16:6 says, “They were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” (Acts 16:6) It doesn’t explain how or why the Spirit stopped them, but the result was that Paul’s team went instead to Macedonia and Achaia to preach the gospel. Later, during their third missionary journey, they preached in Ephesus, the central city of Asia Minor. What this teaches us is that the Holy Spirit has intention and will. Third, the Holy Spirit has emotions. We often prioritize intellect and consider emotion to be weakness, but that shouldn’t be the case. Just as we have intellect, our emotions also come from being made in God’s image. So, the Holy Spirit, like us, has emotions. He rejoices, grieves, and more. First, the Holy Spirit grieves. Paul said in Ephesians 4:30: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” (Eph. 4:30) The Greek word for “grieve” here is lypeō (λυπέω), which refers to deep sorrow or pain. The Holy Spirit sometimes grieves. When we sin or live contrary to God’s will, the Holy Spirit who dwells within us is pained and distressed. Second, the Holy Spirit rejoices. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 The. 1:6) At the time, the Thessalonian believers were going through great suffering due to persecution. Yet, in the midst of those trials, they kept their faith and became examples to all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia. What enabled them to do so was the joy of the Holy Spirit that filled them and gave them the strength to overcome. So, the Holy Spirit rejoices. When we live in obedience to God's will and pursue holiness through the fullness of the Spirit, He rejoices in us. Third, the Holy Spirit is jealous. The apostle James says, “Do you think Scripture says without reason that that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously?” (James 4:5, NIV) God is a jealous God. When we love the world more than Him, He becomes jealous. Likewise, the Holy Spirit loves us with such passion that He yearns for us with godly jealousy. He wants our hearts to fully belong to God and expresses holy jealousy for us. Lastly, the Holy Spirit groans. Paul writes in Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Rom. 8:26) The Holy Spirit groans on our behalf. When we wander without even not knowing what to pray for, He intercedes with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. So, as we have discovered, the Holy Spirit is a personal Being with intellect, will, and emotions. Because He has personhood like us, He can move our minds so that we may understand the truth, grant us His will, strengthen us with boldness, and understand all our emotions and use them to comfort and strengthen us. The fact that the Holy Spirit is a person tells us how we should treat Him. Because the Holy Spirit is a personal Being, we too must relate to Him personally. Jesus Himself had a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. When He was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested for forty days. All the miracles He performed were through the power of the Holy Spirit. And He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, from His birth to His ministry and even in His resurrection, every moment of Jesus’ life involved deep fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. Not only so, we read how the apostles were empowered and led by the Holy Spirit in the Bible. This is what should happen in our daily lives as well. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:14, let’s read it together again. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:14) This verse is Paul’s blessing to the believers in the church in Corinth, and it is often used as a benediction at the end of worship services. In this passage, Paul refers to the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and specifically, the “fellowship” of the Holy Spirit. Here, the word fellowship is the rendering of the Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία), which means fellowship, communion, and union. So the fellowship of the Holy Spirit refers to intimate communion, union, and a mutual relationship with the Spirit. Again, the Holy Spirit is not just a force or energy — He is an integral part of the triune God who has personhood. He is a personal Being who knows us personally. We can actually talk with Him, be led by Him, and enjoy a deep relationship with Him. That is the true source of power in the Christian life. As believers, our wisdom, strength, and courage flow from our deep communion and unity with the Holy Spirit. That’s what I want us to pray for and experience in our daily lives. I hope this deep fellowship with the Spirit of God would be restored in our lives today. It is not enough to merely acknowledge the presence of the Spirit or say we need Him. Our knowledge of the Holy Spirit must become concrete in our lives through experience and real relationship. That is why we must seek the fullness of the Spirit every day and come before Him in prayer. So I want to strongly encourage you to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit. As you cultivate this personal relationship with Him in your daily life, you will grow to live a victorious and holy life through the strength and power He gives. Let’s pray. <Closing prayer> Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for sending us the Holy Spirit. At this time, we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. We confess that He is one with the Triune God—worthy of all glory and praise along with God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, help us not to treat the Holy Spirit as a mere tool or a means to gain something. Forgive us for our ignorance and indifference toward Him. Let us encounter the Holy Spirit personally in our daily lives, so that we may live sanctified lives through His presence and deep fellowship. Now, we invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Let His joy become our joy, and grant us the spiritual sensitivity to feel His grief, so that we may not live in a way that saddens Him, but instead live in a way that brings Him delight and refreshes His heart. We desire to always dwell in deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit, within the love of the Triune God. Lord, reign in us, and renew us daily through the presence of the Holy Spirit. We pray all these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [Reflection Questions] 1. What does it mean that God is “one Being in three persons”? Why do you think it is important in Christian faith? How would you explain it in your own words? 2. Who do you think the Holy Spirit is? In what ways do Christians sometimes treat the Holy Spirit more like a tool than a person? What does the Scripture say about the personhood of the Holy Spirit, especially about His emotions? 3. What does “fellowship with the Holy Spirit” mean to you personally? Are there any areas where you’ve been ignoring the Spirit’s voice or leading? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper, daily relationship with the Holy Spirit? |