This morning we talked about the Holy Spirit and how His ministry is perfectly entwined with both the Living Word of God (Jesus Christ) and the Written Word of God (the Holy Bible). The Holy Spirit, the Parakletos, was sent to us by Jesus to guide us "into all truth", to help us understand and apply the truths that our Father has laid out for us in His written Word. Yet many Christians have negated this power, negated His power, because they have walked away from the Word of Truth.
 

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It is like the Yankee fisherman who invited all his friends over to see his new fishing motor. When they came, they saw the motor attached - not to his boat, but to a post in the ground. The fisherman said, "let me show you how this thing runs", started it up, and as the motor ran and smoked he beamed "look at how that baby runs!". When his friends asked where his boat was, he said "I traded it in for this fine motor".

Many people have traded in the Word of God and yet, like this foolish fisherman, expect the Spirit to still be fully operational in their lives. Just as Jesus our Lord came proclaiming the Word of Truth (remember "it is written"), just as Jesus' parables, lessons, and miracles all supported the proper interpretation of this Word of Truth, the Holy Spirit likewise will use the same Word of Truth to make a difference in our lives. When we put the Word away, we pull the motor out of the water. When we put the Word away, we remove the Truth that the Spirit is trying to guide us in. In so doing, we fall into behavior patterns that are distinctly worldly, anti-Christian, unlovely.

What did Jesus say about us, and about the Spirit He was sending to us? Heed the Word of Truth:

John 14:23-26  "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love (agapao, have the love of God for) me, he will keep (tereo, jealously guard) my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24]  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. [25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. [26]  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Look what our Lord said. First, and this is very unpopular in our world today, Jesus said the test as to whether you love Him or not is whether you "tereo" His words, and all of His words. "Tereo" is a military term that means to guard something you value with your very life. Those who heard Jesus teach this fully understood what He meant, for they were familiar with the dedication of the Roman soldier. When a Roman soldier was given a task to do, he threw himself into it. If he was placed on guard duty, you'd have to kill him to get him off his post. When Jesus was buried and the guards set around his tomb, they were placed with the knowledge that if they failed in their duty, they would be put to death. So they guarded, "tereo" the grave with a fatalism fantastic to see. They failed because God intervened and Jesus rose again, but not due to lack of trying!

In the same way we who are Christians are called to "tereo" our Lord's Words, which are the written Word of God. Only if we do this can we be said that we love Jesus. Let me tell you something else - want to has nothing to do with it! I have had people say of and to me, "Wonder why Brother David did this or that?". Why? Usually, dear friend, it's because I am fully convinced that the Word of God teaches that behavior, demands that action. "Want to" has nothing to do with it. It would be easier for me if I compromised with the world and allowed certain things in my life and in the Church of Christ. It would be a far easier path to walk if I said, "O.K., let's ordain us some women to the ministry", or "It doesn't matter what kind of life you live. If you want to be a Deacon or a Minister, go for it!". Yes, it would be easier - but then I wouldn't be "tereo", jealously guarding the Word of Truth, and by my behavior I would be saying that I have no love for Jesus. Again:

John 14:23-24  " keep (tereo, jealously guard) my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24]  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

I want you to notice several things about this text. Let's do it by the numbers:

1. Jesus and the Father abide with the Christian only when we guard the Scriptural truth. That is exactly what this text says in "keep (tereo, jealously guard) my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him". You see that little word "and". Often my children wanted to play when they were growing up. I told them, "Get your chores done and you can play". What was I saying to them? Well, I was saying if you want to play then you must get your chores done first.

2. In the same way Jesus placed a condition on His and the Father's union with us. You see, Jesus said "the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me". Jesus was "tereo", jealously guarding the Father's written Word, and every word He spoke reflected this state of being "tereo". Jesus jealously guarded Father's word because He loved Father, and Jesus said if we love Him then we will respond in kind. If we respond in kind then the Triune God abides in the believer. If not, then the Father and the Son do not abide.

3. People often use the word "love" but fail to understand that true use of the word demands a willingness to accept one while rejecting all others. For instance, I "love" my wife. This means that, tonight after Church, I will be going home with this one wife. If she makes a mistake, or I make a mistake, since we are in love I will stay fixed to her. I will not go home with other women, and I will do my utmost to stay fixed on my own wife. In the same way, if I love Jesus then I will reject the other faux jesus' that are running around this world and remain fixated on the words of my Jesus. I will not follow the spirit of this world, but the Holy Spirit of God as He teaches me the truths in this written Word. I will not follow my own human spirit, but the Word that my Jesus spoke.
 

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At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young   players,  "Do you understand what cooperation is and what teamwork is all about?"    The little boy nodded in the affirmative.    "Do you understand that what really matters is not whether we win or lose, but that we play together as a team?"    The little boy nodded yes.    "Good," the coach continued.  "And, when a strike is called, or you're thrown out at first, you don't argue, curse, attack the umpire with a bat, or throw dirt in the opposing team members' faces.  Do you understand all that?"    Again the little boy nodded, "Well, sure, coach.  That's what you taught us."    "Good," said the coach.  "Now, please go over there and explain all   that to your mother." TFTD

John 14:26  "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Finally, the primary job that the Holy Spirit has - that precious Spirit that indwells the Christian - is to remind us of the things that our Lord, whom we love, said to us. He is to "bring all things to your remembrance", which is in stark contrast to the way some Christians operate. Some, when offended, begin to bring the offense to remembrance as they plot vengeance. We saw last week that such actions of lovelessness grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4.30), for these patterns are more in keeping with the ways and spirit of the world rather than the ways and Spirit of Christ. The Spirit did not come to focus us on ecstatics - though those who are Spirit driven may, at times, be ecstatic. The Spirit did not come to focus us on a specific spiritual Gift -  though those who are Spirit driven will possess and operate a spiritual Gift.  The Spirit did not come to be showy, to promote one member above another. He came to help us focus on Christ in the way we live our lives both individually, and in the church.

This is the ideal. Sadly, though, 80% of the Church does not follow this ideal, but follows after the spirit of this world. How can I make such a bold statement? Because numerous studies by Church leaders have shown that 20% of the Church membership does 80% of the work in the Church, with 80% of the Church membership doing little to nothing. On any given Sunday 40-50% of the Church membership rolls will purposely seek to avoid attending Church Services. It has been my experience that as much as 30% of the Church membership has permanently walked away from the Church  because of internal conflict. This is not in accordance with our Lord's words, and is not love nor an act of loving Jesus.
 

- Can the Parakletos, the Holy Spirit, operate in my life if I walk away from God's Word? Why or why not?  - What is the “test” as to whether we love Jesus or not? Who established this test? (John 14:23-26) - What does “tereo” mean? Where do I apply this word? - What should the motive behind my actions be?  - Will Jesus and the Father be with me if I fail to guard the Word of Jesus? Why or why not?  - What is the primary job of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 And I, brethren, when I came  to you, came not with  excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with (pros + Accusative = face to face with you, on the same level with you) you in  weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (John 16.8-11)  5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom (en + locative sophia = in the sphere of wisdom)of men, but in the power (en + dunamis = in the inherent power) of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: (teleios, mature {believers})  yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes (archon, highest rulers. Refers to those who ruled Rome and Israel at this time, who were guilty of crucifying Jesus) of this world, that come to naught: (katargeo, Pres Pas Part = to render useless or powerless, become null and void, abolish)7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, (en + musterion = in the sphere of the mystery, fraternal secret. Col 1.25-26; Rom 16.25-26; Eph 3.1-6) [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained (promeletao, Aor Act Ind = to pre design) before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love (agapao, Pres Act Part = kept on loving him)him. (Isaiah 64.6) 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth (ereunao, Pres Act Ind = to keep on investigating to the very depths of, trace, explore) all things, yea, the deep things (bathos, deep, hidden) of God. (John 14.26; 16.12-15; 1 Cor 2.10; 1 John 2.27) 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know (oida, Perf Act Subjunctive = know intuitively with continuing results)the things that are freely given (charizomai, Aor Pas Participle = graciously given)to us of  God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words  which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things (pneumatikos, Neuter Accusative = spiritual phenomenon)with spiritual. (pneumatikos, Neuter Instrumental = spiritual structure, means) 14 But the natural (psuchikos, soulish, unsaved) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness (moria, absurdity, silliness) unto him: neither can (dunamai + negative = is not dynamically able, not inherently able) he know  [them], because they are spiritually (pneumatikos) discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have (Present Linear Aktionsart echo = keep on having and holding) the mind of Christ. (Isaiah 40.13)

Having bemoaned the spiritual status of the Church, do I declare that the Church has gotten worst over the years, better, or that it is unchanged? Well, truthfully, the Church has gotten poorer at evangelization when compared to the early Church. Most members would rather be whipped than tell someone about Jesus, and "Visitation Nights" at most Churches are becoming extinct creatures consigned to dank museums. Though the population of America has grown over the past thirty years, the number of active Church going Christians has not grown nationwide. Oh, some denominations and Churches have grown while others have shrunk, but in most cases the growth has been attributed to shuffling between Churches. In other words, believers get dissatisfied or upset with their current Church and go to another. New conversions to the faith are at an all time low.   Yet, the struggle in the Church between the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God has not changed. From the very beginning the spirit of this world has gently wooed Christians into powerlessness out of ignorance. The Corinthian Church was a good example of that wooing.

1 Corinthians 2:1-4 And I, brethren, when I came  to you, came not with  excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with (pros + Accusative = face to face with you, on the same level with you)  you in  weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (John 16.8-11)  5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom (en + locative sophia = in the sphere of wisdom)of men, but in the power (en + dunamis = in the inherent power) of God.

Paul starts out by reminding the Corinthians that there are two standards presented to every Christian: the spirit of the world (man's wisdom) and the Spirit of God (Spirit and of power). A faith that stands in the spirit of this world is a powerless faith, yet this type of faith invaded Corinth just as it has tried to invade every Church in America today. Oh, this spirit of man's wisdom looks powerful enough. Want to get ahead? Stomp on one another on your way to the top. Love? Go ahead, have sex with anyone you want. Hate? Sure, go ahead and take vengeance on one another. After all, me first! Yet such a faith is powerless. You have a choice - you can pump human "sophia" into your faith, but every drop of this vile concoction decreases your power rather than increases it. If you want "dunamis", dynamite power, you must follow after the things that Jesus taught in the Word by means of the Holy Spirit of God.
 

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When I was in the military I often had to drive two types of service vehicles. One of these vehicles, a large truck, ran on diesel fuel, whereas the other vehicle - a smaller truck, ran strictly on gasoline. Now both of these fuels - diesel and gas - will properly burn, but only if burned in the right kind of engine. One day I drove the gasoline engine truck to the fuel depot and - you guessed it - without thinking pumped the tank full of diesel. Just as I finished topping the tank of it occurred to me what I was so stupidly doing. Before I could start that engine I had to pump all the diesel out of the tank and refill it with gas. What a mess!

In the same way, some of you are filling your spiritual tanks with the wrong kind of fuel. You are compromising with the world, following after its ways, and then wondering why your faith is so weak. When the slightest resistance comes your way you crumble because your tank is full of spirit of this world rather than Spirit of God. You spend hours watching television, minutes reading your Bible. Hours going to Church and days hating those who have offended you.

If you want a tiger in your tank, then start working with the Spirit. Do as Paul did: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.". Focus on Jesus, focus on Jesus. Divide, divide!

1 Corinthians 2:6-8  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: (teleios, mature {believers})  yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes (archon, highest rulers. Refers to those who ruled Rome and Israel at this time, who were guilty of crucifying Jesus) of this world, that come to naught: (katargeo, Pres Pas Part = to render useless or powerless, become null and void, abolish)7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, (en + musterion = in the sphere of the mystery, fraternal secret. Col 1.25-26; Rom 16.25-26; Eph 3.1-6) [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained (promeletao, Aor Act Ind = to pre design) before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The things of this world, the things that satisfy this world, they are known to the world and the worldly. The truths that the spirit of this world teaches are plainly revealed. Yet the truths that we live by, the Word of the Lord, now this is a mystery. The word "mystery" or "musterion" means something known to just a few who are privileged to be in the fraternity. They are the secret things that no one else understands, but we understand. For instance, the world believes in retaliation in kind, destroying those who attack you. But we of the "musterion", the mystery of God, believe:

Matthew 5:44-48  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45]  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [46]  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [47]  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? [48]  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Here, then, is power. Not the power of the world, but the power of loving Jesus, and loving others through Jesus. There is power in loving the unlovable, and this is what we are taught to do. Those outside of the "musterion" teach retaliation in kind, and thus live bitter lives eaten up by hatred. Those within the "musterion" try to love as Jesus loved, try to keep his commandments, try to follow His word. The world says, "stomp on others on the way to the top". The Word says,

Psalms 75:5-7  "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. [6] For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. [7]  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."

The spirit of this world says that money should be sought after at all cost, but Jesus' Word says:

1 Timothy 6:10-11 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11]  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

The spirit of this world says to worry about where your next meal is coming from, but Jesus says:

Matthew 6:28-33 "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29]  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30]  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31]  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32]  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33]  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

And the spirit of this world tells us to compromise the Word of Jesus in order to make the Church more palatable to worldliness, to trade power for comfort. Yet Jesus tells us:

Romans 16:17-18  "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. [18]  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love (agapao, Pres Act Part = kept on loving him) him. (Isaiah 64.6) 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth (ereunao, Pres Act Ind = to keep on investigating to the very depths of, trace, explore) all things, yea, the deep things (bathos, deep, hidden) of God. (John 14.26; 16.12-15; 1 Cor 2.10; 1 John 2.27) 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know (oida, Perf Act Subjunctive = know intuitively with continuing results)the things that are freely given (charizomai, Aor Pas Participle = graciously given)to us of  God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words  which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things (pneumatikos, Neuter Accusative = spiritual phenomenon)with spiritual. (pneumatikos, Neuter Instrumental = spiritual structure, means) 14 But the natural (psuchikos, soulish, unsaved) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness (moria, absurdity, silliness) unto him: neither can (dunamai + negative = is not dynamically able, not inherently able) he know  [them], because they are spiritually (pneumatikos) discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have (Present Linear Aktionsart echo = keep on having and holding) the mind of Christ."

We who are Christians have the "musterion", the fraternal secrets of Christianity only if we are resistant to the spirit of this world and submitted to the Spirit of God. We possess the "musterion" only if we read and revere the Word of Christ above word of the world. You cannot fence sit and experience the power of God. No, if you want the Spirit to be fully operational in your life you must keep on having and holding the mind of Christ, this precious Word, above all else. When it becomes "merely a book" to you, then how different are you from the world?

"But we have (Present Linear Aktionsart echo = keep on having and holding) the mind of Christ."
 

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Never, never neglect the Word of God. The Word will make your heart rich with truth, rich with understanding, and then your conversation, when it flows from your mouth, will be like your heart, rich, soothing, and sweet. Make your heart full of rich, generous love, and then the stream that flows from your hand will be just as rich and generous as your heart. Above all, get Jesus to live in your heart, and then out of your heart shall flow rivers of living water, more rich, more satisfying than the water of the well of Sychar of which Jacob drank. Oh! go, Christian, to the great mine of riches, and cry to the Holy Spirit to make your heart rich unto salvation. So shall your life and conversations be a boon to your fellow man; and when they see you, your face will be like an angel of God. Wise men will stand up when they see you, and men will give you reverence. (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

- The struggle in the Church is between two spirits. What are they? (1 Corinthians 2:1-16) - Has the Church in the world improved or degraded over the years. Explain. - If I want spiritual power in my life, where must it come from? - What is “musterion”? How does it relate to my life? Do I follow the “musterion” or my own agenda?  - How should I treat my enemies (Matthew 5:44-48)? - Should I promote myself? (Psalms 75:5-7)  - Read and apply the following: 1 Timothy 6:10-11; Matthew 6:28-33; Romans 16:17-18. Now, do I have the mind of Christ?

Next Sunday we will focus on the truths found in Romans 8. May God strengthen us as we learn more about Jesus and the precious Holy Spirit.