Preaching, Teaching, and Notes Do we know the Power of the Holy Spirit? Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” I have felt of late that I need to explain a little about the power of the Holy Spirit, that I talk so much about…. His power is not like a balloon, where we are filled with this power and stay blown up…no. His power is pictured as a vine and branches (John 15:4), and as water (John 4:14, 23-24). It is something that must be continually received and used. It flows in us, for us; and through us to others, in our words, actions and just being, when we are right with God. It is not something we store….we are not granaries….but living expressions (epistles) of Christ, here…..and that is, by the Holy Spirit in in us. 2 Corinthians 3:3 “Forasmuch as ye have manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.” The Holy Spirit is God in us….pushing, pulling, directing, reminding us of Christ and His Word (John 14:26) and…. Is the well of water springing up to cleanse, refresh, strengthen, encourage. 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.” It is continual……He is never stagnant within us. He is either giving us all He has for us, or we have shut down the flow from Him to us somehow; and are receiving little from Him. He is a Person of the Godhead, therefore we can grieve Him. Ephesians 4:30 “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” He is called the Comforter by Christ Jesus, because He was going back to Heaven and not able to stay with His disciples. He would not leave us alone, so…….He sent the Holy Spirit to be an abiding Person with us. John 14:16-17 “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world can not receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” He comes to us in power: the power of the saving grace of Christ, and imparts to us the faith, by which we overcome in the world. This faith is not “hope so” stuff….but living substance and evidence of God in our lives. By it we are given “spiritual sight” to see Him, and His will. 1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” His Voice is an inner voice, which gives discernment to us about what we hear and see….is it of God, or man? (Hebrews 5:14) 1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” And His power of love is constant….it is felt…for He makes us know that we fit into God’s family…. Romans 8:15-16 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” And that He will never leave us or forsake us….though correct us He will. Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation (our walk, not just our talk) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We are to give ourselves to the Holy Spirit….in scripture it is called “yield”….for it is a term of subjection, and love. Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?” All that the Holy Spirit does is to manifest Christ….in us, by us, and for us. For He was sent of Christ to abide in us, forever. [I am not really preaching, here….just giving reminders of what our Holy Guest within us does, and will do for us. I use the term “the power of the Holy Spirit” so often, I thought a little reminder of what He does, might be helpful. There is a lot more: He teaches us to pray, gives us the spiritual fruit of God within our lives, and helps us to come out of ourselves into the glorious liberty of Christ…..etc. He gives purpose to our days, raising them up into service for Christ, by yielding to Him; and He gives us songs in the night, amid troubles and doubts. There is so much more I, myself, and you, yourself can come to know about Him; for what He will do for us, personally, is always between us and our Lord. I send this out, with prayers, that everyone of us might “be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”. (Ephesians 3:16)]