Praying for the Holy Spirit
Not long ago, Pastor heard about a pastor sending in bulletin announcements to the church office. The title of this pastor’s sermon was how to prepare for the spirit’s second coming. When the pastor arrived at church on Sabbath, he noticed in the bulletin that the sermon was titled how to prepare for Jesus second coming. The word spirit was left out.
Why are we not comfortable with the Holy Spirit? The holy spirit has unlimited power, is ever flowing in wisdom, and has the ability to transform our lives and hearts. When we are in trouble and need help, we gravitate to spiritual people that have a connection to the Holy Spirit.
What is happening in our lives? Jesus is coming soon. Are we looking for Him? God wants us to seek out the Holy Spirit.
Turn to Romans 8:26-27.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Are we wanting to recognize our weaknesses in our lives? Major reason we are not drawn to the Holy Spirit is we think the spirit is not as close to us as Jesus is. We have an awesome promise. There is a very intimate relationship between the two. When we have a relationship with one, we are close to the other also. It is not possible to be close to Jesus and be absent from the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was dying on the cross HE said, Father, I give my spirit up to you. Jesus felt separation from HIS Father. Please notice that we are never alone. Have you ever felt alone? Feel like you are the only one experiencing the pain or trial you are going through? Jesus and His Holy Spirit is with you. He wants you to tap into the power of His Holy Spirit.
John 14:17-23
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. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Indwelling of the Father and the Son
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
All three persons of the triune God dwell in us and manifest themselves through us. What comes out of our lives is a reflection of the God we serve. It is a witness to the God we serve. Around 10-20 percent of what comes out of our mouth reflects our relationship with Christ. It is our actions, behaviors and how we spend our time that matters. Do you want to be a Holy Spirit filled people for Jesus today?
What happens in our lives reflects who has control of our lives. We either have Jesus guiding us or another outside spirit. We are weak. We live in a sinful world. We live in a world that doesn’t want to think about sin. People and nations say: “I don’t need any help”. We have to admit we are weak and in great need of Jesus. When we recognize our sinfulness, run as fast as you can to the cross of Jesus.
Claim Jesus blood on your behalf. Admit we are wrong, repent, and be willing to turn away from that which is displeasing to the Lord. Turn from what separates you from Jesus and repent to be forgiven. Jesus told the woman: “Go Mary and sin no more”.
Even through our weaknesses, the Holy Spirit is willing to pray for us, do wonderful work for us, and bless us. The Holy Spirit is the answer to Jesus prayer to God the Father. This is the same Holy Spirit that will guide us, give us direction, prepare us for the second holy coming of Jesus. If we are willing, He will fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit.
We have learned throughout this year that we have two natures. One nature is led by Jesus and the other is not. If we feed the old nature, our heart and mind will move away from Jesus back towards Satan.
The Holy Spirit prays for and with us. He knows the mind of God and how to pray to God for us. Today, ask this question: “Am I willing to have this connection with the Holy Spirit?” Do we want His will to be in harmony with our will? Do we want to be in Harmony with Satan? There are only 2 options.
The Holy Spirit is fervently interceding for us. This is powerful and awesome. We don’t ever need groan alone in this life. Our great comforter is at our side absorbing our pain and problems.
Pastor remembers several years ago he was traveling back to college down I-5. He remembers crossing the Oregon-California border. He saw a terrible car accident. A person was trapped in the car and every bone must have been broken in their body. The person was groaning as they laid there in pain.
God hears the groans of His people. He wants to be the great comforter for all. God today is looking for faithful intercessors that are willing to stand in the gap for others.
Ezekiel 22:30
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. ( Land here is referring to ‘people’ ).
God wants a people that will stand in the gap. God is passionate about people. God’s desire is to find someone to pray for people. Intercessory prayer comes directly from the heart of God. God is looking for people today who will be intercessors.
There is a powerful book written by Ellen White called the Great Controversy. Pages 611-612
I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place-when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world; my message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning.
Christ has told us to watch; “for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” “Watch and pray” is the charge that is given us by our Redeemer. Day by day we are to seek the enlightenment of the Spirit of God, that it may do its office work upon the soul and character. O, how much time has been wasted through giving attention to trifling things. Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Is God going to come up empty handed today? We can make a choice. What choice will we make. Jesus is coming. Pastor fears today that as Seventh-day Adventist Christians, we know more about what is popular in our society or on the television than they know about Jesus.
Back in February, the Conference Pastors got together and prayed for baptisms, evangelism, increased enrollment in our schools, and for camp meeting. The prayers are being answered by the Holy Spirit as there was $500,000 raised at camp meeting, many people are getting baptized and the enrollment level in our Adventist schools is up.
We are beginning 40 days of prayer on Monday, 22 August 2011. Look in your book and dial the conference line each evening at 9:15 PM pacific time.
Pastor is earnestly asking everyone to participate. Don’t let the things of the world separate you from this nightly meeting over the phone.
Sermon given by Pastor Brandon Korter at Bellingham Seventh-day Adventist church on 20 August 2011.