Supernatural Revelation

Supernatural Revelation

John 16:13

http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SupernaturalRevelation.html

When Billy Graham was a young preacher he got lost in a town in which he had

travelled to preach. He was trying to mail some letters, and couldn't find

the post office. He rolled down his window and asked a kid on a bicycle for

directions. "Oh sure, it's just down this way, mister." Graham said,

"Thank you, and if you'll come to the crusade tonite I'll tell you how to

get to heaven." "I don't think so...you don't even know the way to the post

office!"

The Holy Spirit is our guide, given us by God to show us the way. In this

church age He does not just 'come upon us' like in the OT. He's not just

'with' us. He is 'in' us! Our body is His temple!

Why does God place His Spirit in us when we get saved?

1. As a mark of ownership.

Ephesians 4:30

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of

redemption.

We are stamped with His seal of ownership. [like a brand]

2. As a promise of heaven.

It's not presumptuous to say you know you are going to heaven, so long as

you base that on what Christ did for you, and not what you have done.

Ephesians 1:13-14

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the

gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were

sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest [down payment] of our inheritance until the

redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God: "I'm so sure THIS ONE is going to heaven, that I will advance you the

Holy Spirit as a down payment [earnest money]"

For God to send me to hell He would have to send the Holy Spirit to

hell. [not gonna happen!]

3. As a means to overcome our flesh.

Galatians 5:16

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the

flesh.

We don't get victory over sin by mere willpower, but by the power of the

Spirit. When a believer continues to live a life of sin, it is not because

the HAS TO, but because he WANTS TO. Anytime we choose we can draw on the

Spirit's power ... the power to say no!

4. As an intercessor for our prayers.

Romans 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we

should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for

us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Sometimes there's no words, but the feelings are there, and we can lay those

burdens on God's back as well. Tears are a language that God understands!

5. As a fruit bearer.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

These aren't qualities we must seek to possess. These are the fruit which

we naturally bear when filled with the Spirit. [not simply indwelt, but

surrendering full control]

ill.--an apple tree bears apples by its very nature. It does not struggle

to produce, so long as it has nutrients to draw on and deliver. So, don't

be a sap ... let the Spirit of God flow thru you. He is the vine, we are

the branches!

6. As our teacher and guide.

We don't have to be super smart or highly educated. We just have to be

teachable. Are you? If not, your growth stops right there.

ill.--we should honor all our teachers. They exist to help us learn. Let's

show them appreciation now!

I only had one mean teacher, Ms. Madden [mad dog]. She was so mean.

We put tacks on her chair and snakes in her drawer. She was really mean!

A girl in our class brought her a boxed gift for teacher

appreciation day. Her dad owned a flower shop. Ms. Madden sniffed it and

asked, is it roses? No. Lilies? No. What is it? Tulips!

A boy whose dad owned a candy shop brought a box. She smelled the

box and asked, is it chocolate covered cherries? No. Buckeyes? No. What

is it? Chocolate covered almonds!

Another boy whose dad owned a Starbucks brought up his box and a

little warm fluid was leaking out. Ms. Madden licked her fingers and asked,

Is that French vanilla? No. Is it hazelnut? No. What is it? It's a

puppy!

That didn't really happen, but if it did, it couldn't have happened to a

nicer person than Ms. Madden!

v. 13 The deep truths about God are concealed from the world and