Cultivating the Presence of the Holy Spirit

1 June 2014

1. Introduction

· John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you a truth. It is to your advantage that I go away, for it I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

· The greatest gift that God gives to each of us – the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit.

· Helper = NT 3875 One called alongside to help us – role description – life coach.

· Notice vs 13 – 15

· “Guide you into all truth.”

· “Speak what he hears.”

· “Tell you things to come.”

· Reveal Jesus to us.

2. Holy Spirit can be experienced (felt)

Rom.14:7 “Kingdom of (heaven – God) is not eating and drinking (rule keeping) but is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

· Righteousness            right standing as a son in the presence of God.

· Peace                          can be experienced, felt, is an internal referee. (Col. 3:15)

· Joy                              can be experienced, felt, characteristic of the Holy Spirit.

(Gal. 5:22, Rom. 15:13)

· The life of the Spirit is an energising force that you can experience. (Phil 2:13)

· God is everywhere – the problem we have is experiencing Him, feeling His presence.

· We need to train our spirit and soul to become conscious of the Holy Spirit, aware of Him.

3. Every Person can ‘Enter’ the Presence of God

· Enter       = to experience the reality of the Holy Spirit; not mean to go somewhere.

= to become aware, conscious of what is true – God is with me.

· Heb. 10:19 “Having boldness to enter the holiest of holies by the blood of Jesus.”

· “Draw near” =NT4334= to approach, come near to someone.

· You can train yourself to become aware of the Holy Spirit – hear, see, feel.

· E.g. Worship Service – people tend to think:

(1) Trying to bring God down

(2) Trying to get into some place

These are wrong concepts that produce striving.

Worship Service = becoming aware of what is always true – God is with us.

4. Practical Ways to “Enter” (experience) the Presence of the Holy Spirit

I. Gratitude

Expressing thanks and appreciation for who He is and what He has done.

Opposite: Complaining, Negative, Critical, Ungrateful.

Ps. 69:30 Magnify Him with Thanksgiving.

II. Praise

Focus attention upon Him by acknowledging who He is and what He has done.

Ps 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.”

Heb. 13:15 “Offer sacrifice of praise, fruit of lips, giving thanks …..”

III. Meditation: Fix mind upon Him

Col. 3:2 “Set your affection (mind) on things which are above …”

Ps. 16:8 “I have set the Lord before me.”

Meditation: Use imagination to fix mind on the truth.

Imagine the truth – what it looks like – what it feels like.

Where your mind goes your heart opens up to.

IV. Confidence

Heb. 4:16 “Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace …”

Need to resist and overcome negative, condemning thoughts (Rom. 8:1)

Confidence is based on knowing and holding what the Word of God says about us.

V. Expectation

Rev.1:10 “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day and I heard a voice ….

Don’t be passive – expect a response, expect the Holy Spirit to respond.

Expect = to hope, anticipate, look for.

VI. Focus

Tune into impressions – sensations – see, hear, feel.

Rev. 4:1 “I looked and I saw….”

Focus means eliminate distractions and give your attention to one thing.

VII. Waiting

Ps. 27:14 “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen …”

Waiting is not passive – it is resting in the Love of God in anticipation of intimacy.

VIII. Respond to Holy Spirit impressions

Mk 4:24 “To him that has ears to hear – more shall be given.”

As you sense the promptings presence of the Holy Spirit – respond

Pursue more – speak and act upon what you are receiving: Journal.

IV.       Yielding – intentionally responding to impressions and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Mt. 8:2 “Unless you are converted and become as little children in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Children are trusting and responsive to adults.

V.        Sensitivity

Eph. 4:28-30 “Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit”

Identify attitudes and actions that grieve the Holy Spirit and quickly address by repentance and confession.

VII.      Practice His Presence

            Develop a lifestyle of tuning into and responding to the Holy Spirit.

1 Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”