Sermon The Spirit of The Lord Is Upon Me

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME.”

Let’s Look At The Holy Spirit Throughout The Bible

• Today, I want to look at the HOLY SPIRIT throughout the entire Bible.
• Specifically, I want you to see the differences in the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testament.
• The Holy Spirit comes upon people and fills people. He leaves. The Holy Spirit also indwells people.
• There are differences. For example, we see the Spirit of the Lord leaving King Saul.

[3] 1 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

• King Saul ends up killing himself. He doesn’t have the Spirit of the Lord with him, but he goes to heaven.
• The Prophet Samuel is called up from the dead, which means Samuel is in heaven.
• And watch what Samuel says to King Saul.

[4] 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

• Samuel says, “Saul, tomorrow you AND your sons will be with me.” Where’s Samuel? In heaven.
• Did Saul and his sons die the next day? Yes, they did. Saul went to heaven.
• And you might ask, “How did Saul go to heaven without the Spirit of the Lord? He killed himself.”
• Today, we’re going to find out what this means when the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.
• Another example that we’ll look at today is King David.
• After King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he says this in Psalm 51.

[5] Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

• Some false preachers will say that you can lose salvation because you can lose the Holy Spirit.
• They’ll say, “SEE!!! King Saul lost it and King David was going to lose it if he didn’t repent of his sin.”
• But they miss the part that King Saul went to heaven. King Saul didn’t repent of his sin.
• So, the Bible clearly says that the SPIRIT OF THE LORD can depart from people.
• In the New Testament, we know that the Holy Spirit is called the COMFORTER. Watch what this says:

[6] John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

• That’s Jesus Christ HIMSELF speaking. He says the COMFORTER will abide with you FOREVER.
• We also see in the NEW TESTAMENT that we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit.
• In other words, the Holy Spirit is not leaving us.

[7] Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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 of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

• You were sealed (past tense) with the HOLY SPIRIT of promise.

The Spirit Of The Lord Leaves People But Cannot Leave People???

[8] Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

• So, we see that the Spirit of the Lord leaves people and that the Spirit of the Lord cannot leave.
• This can be confusing, so let’s start looking to the Bible for the answers.
• Let’s start in the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis.

[9] Genesis 41:38-40 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

• Joseph could interpret dreams because He had the SPIRIT of GOD with him. No one around was wiser.

[10] Exodus 31:1-5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

• God fills certain men with the SPIRIT OF THE LORD to build the tabernacle and all the things within it.
• Notice that these men didn’t start flopping around on the ground or laughing hysterically.
• They didn’t start speaking in some unknown babble. He filled them with wisdom and knowledge.

[11] Numbers 24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

• Balaam, a false prophet who practiced witchcraft, had the SPIRIT OF THE LORD come upon him.
• When that happened, he didn’t prophesy falsely. The Spirit of the Lord leaves him later.
• In other words, you’ll see that the SPIRIT of the Lord comes and goes as he pleases.

[12] Judges 3:9-11 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. 11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

• In the Old Testament, you’ll see this often. The SPIRIT of the Lord comes upon someone.
• And something miraculous happens like winning a great battle or war.
• This happened with Othniel who was able to take down the King of Mesopotamia.

[13] Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abi-ezer was gathered after him.

• Gideon took 300 men because God made him continue to reduce the number of men that would fight.
• Gideon and his 300 men took on a HUGE number of people.

[14] Judges 7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

• When the SPIRIT OF THE LORD comes upon you, miraculous things will happen.
• In the Book of Judges, you’ll see the SPIRIT OF THE LORD coming upon all of these judges.
• These judges were the leaders of the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. God gave them an anointing of the SPIRIT.

[15] Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

• The SPIRIT of the Lord came upon Jephthah who was a judge of Israel.
• Everybody knows Samson. He’s a judge or a leader for the children of Israel.
• Where did Samson get his miraculous strength? From the SPIRIT OF THE LORD. It sure wasn’t Samson.

The Spirit Of The Lord Comes Upon Samson

[16] Judges 14:5-6 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

• So, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson and he takes a lion and he ripped it into pieces.
• A normal man doesn’t do that no matter how strong that man is. It’s tough to rip a phone book in half.

[17] Judges 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.

• Samson goes up against 30 PHILISTINE men. No problem? Why? The Spirit of the Lord came upon him.

[18] Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

• Do you see what happens? When the SPIRIT OF THE LORD comes upon people, great things happen.

[19] Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

• But then we see that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Samson. That’s when Delilah cut his hair.

[20] 1 Samuel 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

[21] 1 Samuel 10:9-10 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

• Right there, you know that SAUL was a saved man. God gave him another heart. He prophesied.
• That’s something we’ll see in the Bible often.
• The SPIRIT OF THE LORD comes upon someone and they preach and prophesy.

The Spirit Of The Lord Comes Upon David

[22] 1 Samuel 11:6-7 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

• Next, we see the SPIRIT OF THE LORD coming upon David.

[23] 1 Samuel 16:13-14 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

• Earlier, we see that King Saul is saved. Saul doesn’t obey God and God gets angry with him.
• The Spirit of the Lord comes upon David and leaves King Saul.
• So we see that the Spirit of the Lord coming upon people isn’t permanent at all in the Old Testament.
• Samson lost it. Saul lost it. Balaam definitely lost it.

[24] 1 Samuel 19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

• When God needs to say something, the SPIRIT OF THE LORD comes upon people.
• Preaching is prophesying. When you tell someone about Jesus, you need the SPIRIT OF THE LORD.

[25] 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

• So again, the SPIRIT of the Lord comes to people for preaching and prophesying.

[26] Ezekiel 11:5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

• And then we see the SPIRIT of the LORD leads people. He causes you to rest or to take action.

[27] Isaiah 63:14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

• We also see the SPIRIT OF GOD give people POWER AND BOLDNESS to preach and speak.

[28] Micah 3:8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

• We’ve seen the SPIRIT OF THE LORD in the Old Testament coming upon people and filling people.
• We’ve seen that The SPIRIT does what it needs to do and then it stays with that person or leaves them.
• When the HOLY SPIRIT comes UPON someone, this is an anointing.
• You’ll see kings or prophets anointed with oil. King David was anointed with oil by Samuel.
• This is a picture of the HOLY SPIRIT coming upon them.

[29] Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

• That’s talking about Jesus Christ being anointed with the OIL OF GLADNESS above all thy fellows.
• Jesus is speaking in this next verse in Luke, but this Scripture comes from Isaiah the prophet.

[30] Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

• Jesus was anointed by the HOLY SPIRIT with an unmeasurable anointing above anyone else.
• Jesus didn’t need that anointing to be SAVED. It had nothing to do with SALVATION.

What Changes With The Holy Spirit In The New Testament?

Now, we’re going to move into the New Testament and see what changes with the New Testament.

• You’ll see that there is an inward DWELLING of the Holy Spirit once someone is saved.
• The Holy Spirit coming upon someone can still happen, but it’s not the same as the inward dwelling.
• They are two very different things. You get the inward dwelling of the Holy Spirit when you’re saved.
• And it’s not temporary. It’s forever. It’s permanent. The indwelling of the Spirit doesn’t leave you.
• Once you believe on Jesus 100% to save you, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you.
• But make sure you hear this next SCRIPTURE because we see something NEW here.
• This is going to tell us there is this NEW indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT.

[31] John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

• Once you believe on Jesus, you receive the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• This isn’t what we saw in the Old Testament because the Bible says so right there.
• “FOR THE HOLY GHOST WAS NOT YET GIVEN BECAUSE JESUS WAS NOT YET GLORIFIED.”

The inward dwelling of the Holy Ghost, “OUT OF HIS BELLY,” was not given at that time.

• AT THIS TIME in our lives, Jesus has already been glorified and we get the SPIRIT when?
• Verse 38 says, “HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME.” It doesn’t list any other requirement.
• Verse 39 says, “They that believe on Him should receive.” You will receive the Holy Spirit.
• We call it the inward dwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT because that’s what the Bible says it is.

[32] John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

• “FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU.”
• It’s not the Spirit coming upon you, and then you show a miraculous feat of strength.
• Or, you take 300 men with you and conquer all of China or Russia.
• Or, when people BELIEVE and they’re saved, we have all kinds of news stories.
• “This man believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and lifted a bus on his shoulders.”
• That’s not the same as the occurrences in the Old Testament. It’s something new after Jesus is glorified.
• JESUS, obviously, is not the HOLY SPIRIT because He says, “My Father will give you another Comforter.”
• We were just in John Chapter 14. In John Chapter 20, Jesus gives the disciples the Holy Ghost.

[33] John 20:21-22 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

• So, in the timeline of things, this is right after Jesus was risen from the dead.
• He had already died on the cross, and He was in His glorified body.
• The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, “RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST” and breathes on them.
• That right there is the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT that Jesus gives to the disciples.
• But, the Holy Spirit is always there working in the world today. It’s not JUST the indwelling of the SPIRIT.
• When someone is SAVED, it’s because the HOLY SPIRIT is there working.
• But once you believe, you now have the INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus says so.

The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit Doesn’t Replace The Holy Spirit Coming Upon People

But you can’t be confused here and think that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit replaces the Holy Spirit coming upon people or filling people.

• That still happens. The indwelling doesn’t replace the Holy Spirit coming upon people.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not a replacement. It’s something new. It’s an addition.
• GOD NEVER says the indwelling of the Spirit in believers replaces the Holy Spirit coming upon people.
• The Spirit still works in the same way He worked in the Old Testament PLUS the indwelling of believers.
• So remember, 1) there’s God sending the Holy Spirit upon you and then 2) there’s the indwelling.

[34] Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

• Many days before Jesus ascends into heaven, He says that in the last chapter of Luke.
• He says, “I’m going to send the promise of my Father upon you.”
• And remember, Jesus was on earth AFTER He arose for 40 days.
• After this, in Acts Chapter 1, we see this.

[35] Acts 1:3-5 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

• Do you remember John Chapter 20 that we just went over? Jesus breathed on them.
• That was the INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that Jesus gave to them at that point.
• There weren’t any miracles mentioned. The disciples didn’t get up shouting and doing miracles.
• They didn’t have the HOLY GHOST upon them with POWER. It’s very clear to see this.
• And then right here in this SCRIPTURE, Jesus tells them that they will be BAPTIZED with the Holy Ghost.

So they already had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But now, the Holy Ghost will come upon them.

• And when this happens, it’s done with POWER and MIRACLES.
• In Luke 24 that we just read, Jesus tells them to WAIT in Jerusalem UNTIL you are endued with POWER.
• Watch what Jesus tells them NEXT in Acts Chapter 1.

[36] Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

• So remember, they already received the INDWELLING of the Holy Ghost in John Chapter 20.
• But now Jesus says, “YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER ONE THE HOLY GHOST COMES UPON YOU.”
• With the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, we don’t receive POWER.
• We receive comfort and guidance, but we don’t receive miraculous POWER. It says so right there.

You only get miraculous power when the HOLY GHOST comes upon you.

• That’s what we see in all of those OLD TESTAMENT examples. They didn’t have the indwelling of the Spirit.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is new and is given AFTER Jesus was risen and glorified in His new body.
• The disciples had to WAIT for this power AFTER Jesus had breathed on them.
• They didn’t have that power in John Chapter 20.

GOD NEVER SAYS that you’ll receive POWER when you receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

• Once you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, THEN you can begin to understand the Bible.
• That doesn’t mean you’ll MIRACULOUSLY understand everything all at once. That would be a miracle.
• You need to read it, study it, and work on it. The Holy Spirit is there to guide you and comfort you.
• He’s there to give you knowledge, wisdom, and understanding IF you put the effort forth.
• IF you go to Him in prayer and ask for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
• The indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT doesn’t lead to POWER and MIRACLES.
• In order for that to happen, the Holy Spirit must come UPON you.

There’s Not Always A Great Miracle

And when the SPIRIT comes upon you, it doesn’t mean a GREAT MIRACLE will happen.

• Remember, use the Old Testament examples. What happened in those examples?
• When the Holy Spirit came upon people, they PREACHED God’s Word. That happens today.
• And it’s one of the greatest things that can happen. You might not think so, but it is.
• Why? Because it spreads the WORD OF GOD. And you won’t be scared to preach the word.
• When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, there is no fear. There’s BOLDNESS to say what needs to be said.
• But, let’s see some examples from the New Testament where the Holy Spirit comes UPON people.

[37] Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• This is NOT the indwelling of the HOLY GHOST. You need to make sure you see that today.
• Obviously, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They could hear it with the mighty rushing wind.
• They could see it with cloven tongues of fire. They were all FILLED with the Holy Ghost.
• John the Baptist mentions God baptizing with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
• This is what John was talking about. FIRE COMES UPON THEIR HEAD.
• A great rushing and mighty wind surrounds them. They are immersed in the Holy Spirit. BAPTIZED.

This isn’t the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which is very obvious.

• If it were, you would see saved people walking around with fire on their head.
• No, the Holy Ghost came AND then later the Holy Ghost leaves. That’s not the INDWELLING.
• With the INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, God says He will never leave.

Speaking in tongues is a miracle and it’s not some BABBLING BOLOGNA. It’s actual languages being spoken.

• 17 different languages are listed DIRECTLY in Acts Chapter 2. And one of them isn’t BABBLE.
• BABBLE isn’t a language. It’s made up. There’s no structure to it. God doesn’t work that way.
• In Acts Chapter 2, people would speak and all the others would hear them in their own language.
• That was the miracle seen in Acts Chapter 2. When the Holy Ghost came upon them, miracles followed.
• THAT’S POWER. No one but God could do something like that.

For example, a man from Zimbabwe could walk through the door and not know any English.

• He would speak to me in his language, and I would hear it in my language of English.
• They didn’t slowly learn the languages through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• No, they KNEW them immediately because of the HOLY GHOST and HIS POWER.
• The Holy Ghost left, and they couldn’t understand the languages any more.
• The Holy Spirit left Samson, and he didn’t have his strength any more.
• We know that the Holy Ghost left those people because in Acts Chapter 4, He comes back to them.

[38] Acts 4:29-31 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

• So, it’s obvious the HOLY GHOST comes upon them again and fills them. The place was SHAKEN.
• They didn’t speak in different tongues here. What happened? THEY PREACHED WITH BOLDNESS!!!
• The rulers of the Jews at that time were putting people in prison. They didn’t like the SERMONS.
• They pray for boldness to speak the WORD OF GOD. And what happens? GOD RESPONDS.
• Now, look, God didn’t make them. God didn’t take over and control them. They prayed for that.
• Same thing with you. If you’re scared to preach the word of God, pray and ask God to help you.

The Spirit Of God Doesn’t Fear Anything Or Anyone

That’s the only reason I’m up here right now. I don’t like to talk. You might say, “Well you sure aren’t showing it.”

• Well, I’m a quiet person. I would rather listen. I would rather learn from someone else.
• But God must have put this within me because I didn’t do it myself.
• Throughout my life, I would get fearful and scared to get up and talk in front of people.
• “What are they going to think about me?” Now? I don’t care what you think about me.
• GOD GIVES BOLDNESS TO PREACH HIS WORD. Ask God for it. Pray for it. You won’t have fear.
• In our weakness, we are made strong. I am a weak speaker and a weak preacher ON MY OWN.
• But not with God on my side. HE MAKES ME STRONG. Understand that.
• Moses was a weak speaker and preacher on his own. BUT NOT WITH GOD.

[39] 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

• Paul was weak in his flesh. He says so over and over.
• Paul says right there, “When the POWER OF CHRIST rests upon me, I glory in my weaknesses.”
• Paul says that He will gladly take sickness, pain, persecution, distress so the Holy Ghost can take over.
• “FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.” How? Through the HOLY GHOST. That’s it.

So, you can lose the HOLY GHOST UPON YOU. The Holy Ghost comes and goes as He needs. He is God.

• He comes upon people when they need it. When His will needs to be fulfilled, He comes upon them.
• But then He leaves. And then He comes back. That’s what happened to King Saul. He left.
• It wasn’t the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that left Saul. That wasn’t yet given.
• The indwelling wasn’t given until Jesus breathed on His disciples.
• So, when we read this verse again from King David, this should make sense now.

[40] Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

• King David didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He had the Holy Spirit upon him.
• That was after he committed a great sin, and he didn’t want to lose the Spirit like Saul did.
• PROOF that you can’t lose your salvation is right there in that SCRIPTURE. It’s amazing.
• David doesn’t say, “Please don’t take my salvation away. He knows that he can’t lose that.”
• He knows that the Spirit of God can leave him. It’s not the indwelling of the Spirit that David had.
• But notice David says, “Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation.”
• He didn’t lose his salvation. He wanted the JOY of his salvation back.
• He lost that joy because of the great sins he committed.

When you’re saved and you go out and commit great sins against God, you will lose your joy.

• God will punish you, and He will chasten you just like He says He will all throughout the Bible.
• What happened to King David? He lost his joy. Why?

[41] 2 Samuel 12:15-16 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

• David loved his children. You can see that within the Bible.
• David lost 4 of his children. He lost the kingdom. He was running and hiding all the time.
• He didn’t have an easy life because of his great sins of adultery and murder.
• And listen, he had the Spirit of God with him when he chose to do those things.

God Doesn’t Take Over Your Body

You have a choice. God doesn’t take over your body and cause you to flop around.

• Or lose consciousness. Or speak in babble. Or laugh hysterically like these TV preachers.
• Nope, God gives you the choice. King David allowed his flesh to take over and made bad choices.
• King David NEVER lost his salvation, got it back, lost it again, repented, got it back.
• He only lost the JOY of his salvation, and he wanted it back.
• Sin causes you to lose the joy of your salvation. You don’t want to lose that joy.
• You don’t want the punishments from God. He says that He’ll do it. HE WILL.

So, you should now see that there’s 2 ways the HOLY SPIRIT works in the Bible.

• ONE: the Holy Spirit comes upon people and fills people. “The Spirit of the Lord is UPON ME.”
• This leads to boldness. Miracles. GREAT POWER from God. Healing. Prophesying. Preaching.
• Understanding a language or tongue that you didn’t know or speak. Great things with POWER.
• TWO: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to comfort you and to guide you. And to grieve you when you sin.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is leading you to a closer relationship with God.
• You can choose to go that way, or you can choose to go further from God.

Today, if you’re saved, you already have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

• That doesn’t mean that you’re FILLED with the Holy Spirit. There’s a difference.
• If the indwelling of the Holy Spirit means you’re automatically filled with the Spirit:
• This next SCRIPTURE in the New Testament wouldn’t make any sense.

[42] Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

• In verse 18, God commands us to BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.
• He wouldn’t command that if we were already “filled” with the SPIRIT.
• Once you believe on Jesus, you get the indwelling of the Spirit.

[43] Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

• Once saved, you have the HOLY SPIRIT living within you. He never leaves.
• But God commands us to be filled with the SPIRIT. And how do we get that?
• Ephesians Chapter 5 gives us a clue. King David gave us a clue. King Saul gave us a clue.
• We need to obey God. When we mess up, we need to ask forgiveness from God. David did.
• Saul didn’t. The Spirit left Saul. Ephesians Chapter 5 teaches us to obey God.

Don’t be drunk. Don’t need an excess of things including food and money.

• Speak to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. SING. Make melody in your heart to God.
• GIVE THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS TO GOD. Have the fear of God. Help each other understand God.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit seals your soul from any further sin. He doesn’t leave. You’re saved.
• But then you should want the HOLY SPIRIT upon you.
• When you preach, you NEED the Holy Spirit upon you. NO FEAR. NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE.
• Not scared what someone will think. No panic. No anxiety. No worry.

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

In your every day life, BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. God commands that.

• If you aren’t obeying God, you won’t be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
• It doesn’t matter if you’re a child, dad, mom, brother, sister, grandpa, grandma.
• It doesn’t matter your job. EVERYONE needs to be filled with the SPIRIT.
• You’ll know if I was filled with the SPIRIT when I write and give a sermon.
• I know if Pam was filled with the SPIRIT when she makes us dinner. Sometimes it’s great.
• Sometimes it’s, well, you know, just good. It’s never bad.
• It doesn’t matter what you’re doing each day, we need to be filled with the SPIRIT!

[44] Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

• What else do we need to do to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
• PRAY FOR IT. That’s what happened in Acts Chapter 4. They prayed. God sent it.

[45] Luke 11:9-10 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

[46] Luke 11:11-13 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

• Ask God for the HOLY SPIRIT to fill you every day. ASK FOR IT. PRAY FOR IT.
• And look, when you ask for this, do you think you’re asking to HELP YOURSELF?
• No, you’re asking to be filled with the SPIRIT not for you but to help others.
• That’s when God will give it. That’s when God will fill you with the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Right before the verses we just read, it explains all of this.

[47] Luke 11:5-6 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

• This friend of yours comes to you at midnight and asks you for bread. Why?
• Your friend has another friend who needs bread and he didn’t have any bread to give.
• So your friend comes to you so he can help his friend on his journey.
• In other words, I ask to be filled with the SPIRIT when I write sermons and preach.
• Not for myself, but for you. I GO TO MY FRIEND WHO IS GOD and ASK HIM FOR BREAD.
• I say, “God, I need bread to feed my friends. It’s not for me, God. It’s for my friends.”
• God says, “ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE.”

I don’t go to God and ask Him for miraculous signs so I can show how great I am.

• God’s not going to give anything to anyone who is selfish in that way.
• “God, I need your help. I can’t do anything on my own.” So I go to the WORD OF GOD.
• And I ask in prayer for God to lead me and guide me. “Please give me the truth, God.”
• Why? So I can give it to others. I don’t want it for myself. It’s for others.
• If you want to keep it all to yourself, God isn’t going to give it to you. You have to get it out.

Do you remember when Samuel prophesies to Saul and tells him that he will meet three men?

• Saul meets those men and they give Saul BREAD (1 Samuel 10). That’s when Saul is SAVED right there.
• That bread is the WORD OF GOD. We need the word of God to be saved.
• We need the WORD OF GOD to be filled with the SPIRIT.
• The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Saul with the loaves of bread.
• Same thing happens in Luke Chapter 11.

We need the WORD OF GOD. Read and study often. We need to prayer. We need to ask for it.

• We need to obey God. When we mess up, ask forgiveness and be grieved for what you’ve done.
• HATE the sin that you have in your life. Follow the SPIRIT and not your desires.
• Think of others over yourself. Be not drunk. Be sober in all things. Don’t search for excess in things.
• Be thankful. Sing with GRACE to the Lord. Understand you don’t deserve what God gives you.
• SPEAK ABOUT GOD to others. Get it out. Give thanks always to God. Fear Him in all things.
• Sing to God. Praise God. That’s why we sing often here at Church. That’s why we start with it.
• There’s a reason for that. We want to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit as we study and learn.
• I hope this sermon has helped you to understand the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible.

Let’s pray.