The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian

When we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27) we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). So what are the benefits to the believer in having the gift of the Holy Spirit?
The greatest benefit the Holy Spirit provides to the believer is that He is our guarantee, our earnest payment, for our eternal salvation. Paul says in Ephesians 1:13-14, 13. In Him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14. Which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit also helps us by acting as intercessor with our prayer life. Paul states in Romans 8:26-27, 26. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. 27. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Jude adds in Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;" (Jude 1:20).
I believe the Holy Spirit also can help prick out conscience when we begin to go astray. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption," writes the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:30. He also bears us witness of our speaking the truth: "I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit," (Romans 9:1).
The Spirit is also the means in which we receive the love of God: "and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)
The Holy Spirit is also instrumental in bringing the believer righteousness, peace, hope and joy: "For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;" (Romans 14:17). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13) "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit;" (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
The Spirit sanctifies us as being acceptable offerings to God: 15. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16. to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16)
It is through the Spirit's washing and renewal of us that we are regenerated, which is another word meaning reborn, in Christ: "He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5).

The Gift of the Spirit

“And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before He ascended off the Earth to take His just and apt place at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). Jesus told the apostles they were not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit anointing came upon them with power, and this happened ten days later on the Day of Pentecost. This, Jesus proclaimed, was the “power from on high.” Jesus also disclosed that this was the promise of His Father. Since Jesus spoke what the Father told Him to speak (John 5:19), and since They are unified and One (John 10:30), whenever Jesus gives us a promise it is also guaranteed and given by the Father Himself. The same is true in regards to the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit: the promise came from both the Father and the Son. The Source of the power is from on high and comes from the Father.

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John 3:5, He told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” When Paul wrote to the congregation in Rome in Romans 6:4 and said, “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life,” the “newness of life” of which Paul writes is the same thing Jesus said of being “born of water and the Spirit.” This is why Jesus further told Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’” The transformation is performed by God through the power of the Holy Spirit, and this occurs at baptism. This is also why John wrote in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power. . . .” We share in the first resurrection when we share in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ when we are buried with Him in baptism (Romans 6:3-4). Hopefully, you can by now see that our burial with Christ in that watery grave of baptism is also the baptism with the Holy Spirit. They are one and the same. And if we refuse baptism, then we are not Christ’s, for we do not have His Spirit. Peter said it was at baptism that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and the Apostle Paul wrote that if we do not have the Spirit of Christ then we are not His: 9. But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. 10. But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. 11. If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit Which dwells in you. (Romans 8:9-11) And only those who have the Spirit of Christ can be called the sons of God: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit means we have been anointed with the Holy Spirit. John says in 1 John 2:23-29, 23. No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25. And this is what He has promised us, eternal life. 26. I write this to you about those who would deceive you; 27. but the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you; as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him. 28. And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. 29. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right is born of Him.

Play Ball!

Damien and Donovan Ferguson's Kid Pitch Baseball season for 2009 officially opened up last night as their First Baptist club lost to Buffalo Wild Wings 7-5.

Damien Ferguson went 1 for 3 at the plate. He was given the green light on a 3-0 count with the bases empty in the bottom of the 3rd inning, and he did not disappoint as he drove a one out triple deep into left field. He eventually came in to score on a double by Dalton Stephens. In his other plate appearances, Damien popped out to the catcher on a 1-0 delivery in the bottom of the 1st. In the bottom of the 5th inning and with his team trailing by 2 runs, Damien lined a first pitch fastball between short and third that appeared to be heading into left field for extra bases, but shortstop Brock Smith went into the hole to his right, speared the smash off the bat of Damien, and wheeled and fired a strike to first base, just nipping Damien as he was racing down the line.

Younger brother and teammate Donovan Ferguson made his Kid Pitch baseball debut in stunning fashion as he drove in 2 runs on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the 2nd, giving First Baptist a 3-0 lead at the time. He was stranded, though, as Drake Jeffries grounded out to the first baseman unassisted to end the inning. Donovan came to bat one other time in the bottom of the 4th inning and he struck out swinging on a 3-2 count with Brayton Sparrow at third base. Brayton had reached on a single into right center to start the inning and he promptly stole second and third, but unfortunately, his teammates could not bring him in.

Donovan and Damien brought their gloves with them to play as well as their bats. Donovan made a sensational grab of a sinking line drive to his left as he was playing left center in the top of the 5th. Not to be outdone, brother Damien scooped up a hard hit grounder to his left from the shortstop position and stepped on the bag to beat the runner from first to end the inning. Both of these plays prevented Buffalo Wild Wings from scoring and putting the game out of reach.

The Lord's Supper

There is much that can be said about Jesus and His partaking of the Last Supper with the apostles. It was evidently with a heavy heart that Jesus gathered those closest to Him that evening, saying in Matthew 26:21, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

In writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reminded them of the importance attached to remembering our Lord’s death properly. He says in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29,

23. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, 24. and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." 25. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

27. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.

It is interesting to note that although the apostles of the Lord made many mistakes that are recorded in the Gospels, I believe we sometimes fail to realize or acknowledge the times they did things right, and acted in a manner that showed them to be men of worthy character. I believe the night these men were sharing the Passover meal with the Lord in which He took the bread and the cup and proclaimed the time of the new covenant was dawning is one of these occasions.

Look at how these men reacted to those dreadful words in which Jesus announced that one of them was going to betray Him. Did they point their fingers at each other, and start making accusations? Did John look at Peter and say, “Lord, is it him?” Did Bartholomew shout out, “I know who it is, Jesus! It’s gotta be Mathew He’s a Publican, a tax collector for Rome!” No, they did not react this way. They did not even accuse Judas Iscariot who, as it turned out, was the one who betrayed Jesus. No, these men did not accuse their friends. Instead, they asked Jesus very sorrowfully and meekly, “Is it I, Lord?” (Matthew 26:22).

May we all learn to be as humble and examine ourselves as these men did. May we hearken to the words of Paul who says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Jesus' Suffering and Death

In the Book of Hebrews chapter 2 verse 9 the Hebrews writer says, “But we see Jesus, Who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” How easy is it to give one’s life for somebody else? The Apostle Paul pondered this question in Romans 5:7 when he said, “Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.”

It is not easy to die for anyone! Humanly speaking it is certainly nigh on impossible to think about laying down one's life for unworthy and sinful mankind!

Once again, let us ponder this most striking text. “But we see Jesus, Who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

Only Jesus Who is both God and Man can attempt and accomplish the impossible. Only Jesus, filled with love and compassion for all of mankind, can endure suffering and death for us.

The grace of God reminds us that we, who are sinners, are totally undeserving beneficiaries. God’s grace teaches us much about the God of our salvation, especially about His love. As Paul says in the very next verse to the Romans, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) We did nothing to earn this love, and we can do nothing to earn God’s love or grace.

When the Hebrews writer says, "He might taste death for everyone," the writer is giving us a beautiful description that speaks of Jesus as our Substitute. Christ had paid sin’s penalty of “death” through His own suffering and death. "Death" has no more power over all who are justified by Christ through His death. The individual, however, must appropriate personally the significance of Christ's death through exercising obedient, saving faith in Jesus as Savior. Only then will one obtain God’s mercy. And one demonstrates one’s obedience by confessing Jesus as our Lord and Savior before men (Romans 10:9-10) upon hearing the good news of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17), repenting of our sins (Acts 2:38), and acting out the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus by submitting to be buried with Him in the watery grave of baptism (Romans 6:3-4). If we are faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10) then we will hear Jesus proclaim to us before His Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master” (Matthew 25:23).

United Way's Season Comes To A close

The United Way 6th Grade Boys' Basketball season came to a close on Saturday, March 14, 2009 as they were knocked out of the post-season double elimination tournament, losing 40-25 to Blue Cross/Blue Shield and 37-33 to Crites Title Company. With the losses United finishes with a 5-3 record.

Blue Cross won the championship, defeating Crites 25-23.

A broken wrist, a reinjured pulled groin, and a fever were the biggest reasons United ended up losing both of their games. Jackson Berg broke his wrist earlier in the week at a baseball practice, so he was completely unavailable to play. Lucas Carpenter, who pulled his groin last summer playing baseball and reinjured it at practice on Thursday, March 12, was not nearly as effective as he normally is. Malik Joyner showed up for the game running a temperature over 102 degrees, which his coach only learned about from Malik's mother at the conclusion of the second game.

United had a chance to take an early lead as Daniel Ferguson should have had 4 assists in United's first 4 possessions of the game, but Lucas Carpenter's and Malik Joyner's shots were all falling short as they both were struggling from the field. It was obvious that Lucas was in a lot of pain from his injury, and it affected his shot, as well as his defense. He ended up being shut out for the first time this season, going 0-5 from the field and 0-4 from the free throw line. Malik Joyner, too, failed to connect early on as he was unable to attack the basket and the boards as he normally does due to his weakness from the fever. Daniel Ferguson, seeing how his teammates were struggling, tried to do too much on his own on both ends of the court and he got into foul trouble trying to help out as the Blue Cross players were able to consistently drive by the injured legs of Lucas Carpenter and the slow Bobby Pearson. Daniel also turned the ball over 3 times in the opening period as he was trying to dribble between the double team that Blue Cross threw his way all the game. So instead of being up early, as they normally would have been with the easy shots they were getting, they found themselves down after 1 period of play trailing 22-4.

Malik Joyner seemed to catch a second wind in the 2nd quarter as United pulled a bit closer as they outscored Blue Cross 9-2 in the period. However, United was unable to pull any closer as they were on the short end of a 10-9 score in the 3rd period and a 10-3 score in the 4th.

The difference in the game really was the 1st period as United did manage to outscore Blue Cross in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th periods 21-18. United had its opportunities early on, but not only did they miss from the field as Daniel Ferguson was the only United player to make a bucket and score, they also missed all of their free throw opportunities. Lucas Carpenter went 0-4 from the charity stripe and Daniel Ferguson went 0-1 from the line. Malik Joyner was the lone bright spot at the free throw line, connecting on all 6 of his attempts in the game. United went 7 for 14 for the contest.

With the loss, United next faced Crites Title Company, who had advanced by defeating Conlin 37-12. United played much better in this game as both teams exchanged baskets to end the 1st period in a 6-6 tie. The offenses picked up for both teams in the 2nd quarter as United led at halftime 17-15. The third period came to a close with United nursing a 1 point lead 24-23. However, United seemed to run out of gas in the 4th period, which had been very good for United all season. Malik was obviously tiring out, and Daniel Ferguson was being hounded by double and triple coverage throughout the game. As the buzzer sounded United bowed out, losing 37-33.

United Way may have lost the games, but they played honorably. Crites played dirty as they threw elbows from the start of the game to the end, and they also committed intentional, flagrant fouls. It is unfortunate that they do not get called for these fouls as often as they should, although one was called in the overtime period in which these 2 teams played the previous week when Daniel Ferguson was shoved from behind getting knocked down to the floor following a steal. Ben Sheff took an elbow thrown deliberately into his throat in the contest played on the 14th, and the game had to be stopped for a few minutes in order for him to recover from the blow. No foul, however, was called.

Daniel Ferguson finished with 9 points in the first game as he went 4 for 12 from the field and 1 for 3 from the line. He had 1 assist, 2 steals, 7 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 5 turnovers. Malik Joyner, in spite of the fever, scored 14 points as he went 4 for 8 from the field in addition to his 6 for 6 from the charity stripe. He had 4 steals, 8 rebounds, 1 blocked shot and 4 turnovers.

In the last game, Daniel Ferguson scored 12 points as he went 4 for 11 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line. Malik Joyner had 11 points on 4 for 13 shooting from the field and 3 for 3 from the line. Lucas Carpenter added 6 points while Zachary Brooks and Sean Dawson both chipped in with 2 points each. Daniel Ferguson had 3 assists, 3 steals, 5 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 3 turnovers. Malik Joyner contributed with 2 assists, 2 steals, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots while committing just 1 turnover.

Sean Dawson's 2 baskets for the day were his first points of the season, which was really good to see.

Daniel Ferguson's stats for the season are as follows: 11.0 points per game; 4.4 steals per game; 7.4 rebounds per game; 2.3 blocked shots per game; 2.8 turnovers per game; and 3.3 assists per game. The average score per game was United 30.3, their opponents 27.0.

The Triumphal Entry

“And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying unto them, ‘Go into the village that is just ahead of you, and straightway you shall find a donkey tied, and a colt with her: untie them, and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them’; and immediately he will send them.’ Now this is to happen that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, meek, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ’ And the disciples went, and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey, and the colt, and put on them their garments; and He sat thereon. And most of the crowd spread their garments in the road; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the road. And the crowds that went before Him, and that followed, cried out, saying, ‘Hosanna [save now!] to the Son of David: Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.’ And when He was come into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the Prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:1-11)

The incident we just read comes on the Sunday of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ prior to His crucifixion that Friday. This is obviously a very important event for it is recorded in all four Gospels, but if the reader is not careful he will miss the great significance and lessons being brought forth in its message. But the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is brimming with treasure to be gleaned from its study. One of the first things that strikes the reader is that we have evidence of the supernatural powers of Jesus put on display. Jesus, as King, sends two emissaries into Bethpage to retrieve the animals, a donkey and its colt, that He would ride as He entered into His city. This is not something that had been planned in advance, for when the owners see the emissaries untying the animals, Jesus instructs His them to inform these men, “The Lord has need of them.” The owners were obviously disciples of the Lord Himself, for when they hear the phrase “the Lord,” they unquestioningly allow the disciples to take the animals with them. We also see how Jesus has supernatural power over the animals themselves, for Mark 11:2 tells us that the animal He chooses to ride, the colt, has never been ridden by a man before. It is not without significance that the colt made no resistance to having to carry the Lord on its back, proving once again that Jesus is Divine, having acknowledged power over nature itself, just as God did when He opened the mouth of the donkey to speak in Numbers 22:28 and when He sent the whale to swallow up Jonah in the deep.

Although this very same crowd in just a few short days will turn on the Lord and cry out for His crucifixion, they nevertheless at this point acknowledge Him as the true King of Israel, saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The people were moved to shout "Hosanna," a Hebrew word of exclamation and adoration which means "Oh save!" or "Save now!" May we never forget to acknowledge the Lord as our Savior and King!