Holy Spirit Teaching Series by Mark Jackson

Part One: An Introduction

I dont know about you, but it sure feels like we are in the last days. We
need the Holy Spirit in our lives more today than an any point in history, yet
we are so disconnected with Him and who He is that we live life without him.
I think it is important in the season surrounding Pentecost Sunday that we
get back to the power source of our faith, the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:17 HCSB
And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all
humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men
will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
Let me start with a disclaimer as part one of my series on the Holy Spirit. My
wife once called me a Pentecostal snob. What she meant by that is that my
beliefs on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are strong, but I have at
times been judgmental of denominations that do not hold the same beliefs. I
seek to correct bad attitudes in this area and give a Biblical approach to the
subject. On this devotional list I have everything from Catholics, Methodist,
Baptist, Church of Christ, and Assembly of God and if I left you out, then I
apologize. The bottom line is we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The
other bottom line is that we all know in part only till Christ returns. We also
agree on 98% of the Bible and if we have to agree to disagree, we should be
able to do so in Christian Love.
Point #1: The Holy Spirit is not a point of dissension!
The Devil is a liar and let's start with a point of agreement. I think we can all
agree that the Holy Spirit was never intended to be a point of dissension.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to all Christians! So over for the course of this series
let us take a Biblical look at the person of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spiritthe Father will send Him in My name
will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
Part II: The Spirit Can Do What I Cannot!
I am not sure how many parts to this teaching there will be, but I feel that
God wants me to thoroughly cover this subject. My flesh says tread lightly
and do not offend. But the Holy Spirit says speak truth in love and
understand that I should never be offensive to those who know and love the
Lord!

Point # 2: The Holy Spirit is first and foremost a gift from God to
Believers:
The Holy Spirit has many jobs but one of its primary jobs is to be a
"helpmate" to help us walk out this Christian Faith. In many ways we have
tried to do Christianity without the Holy Spirit. Churches have programs,
rules, rituals, and the like but are sadly often missing the presence of God in
their midst. Don't get me wrong, the problem does not lie with God. The
Holy Spirit is a person and as such is the ultimate gentlemen. The Spirit will
let us do it in the flesh if we must. But I sense God is pleading with us to
stop, get your focus back on HIM and what HE is doing and then join HIM!
Point # 3: Stop fighting spiritual battles with reason and logic:
We are fighting against humanism and human wisdom with logic and reason.
The world is not saved, it does not follow the truths in the Bible because it
does not believe them or know them. So the world comes up with faulty
logic and beliefs that sound good and are centered around the philosophy of
self and pleasing self.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
How long are we going to fight losing battles trying to remake the world into
our image. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, so why do we
continually fight with flesh and blood. We cannot do what the Holy Spirit can
do. We cannot save people. We cannot heal people. We cannot give a
peace that surpasses understanding. BUT WE CAN BE VESSELS THE HOLY
SPIRIT CAN USE TO DO THESE THINGS. WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND START TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
TO FIGHT THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES THAT ARE THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUES WE
FACE.

Part III: Power

When we left off in this series on the Holy Spirit, we were discussing the fact
that in America we are often guilty of doing Christianity without the help of

the Holy Spirit. I think it is more correct to say that we do Christianity while
only partially tied into the power source. I am not saying that we do not
commune with the Holy Spirit at all. I have several men and women of God
on this devotional list that I know spend a great deal of time communing with
the Holy Spirit. I know many people on this list that live lives led by the Holy
Spirit. I believe that I write these devotionals by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit. For instance, I dont think it is a coincidence that God has prompted
me to do a devotional series on the Holy Spirit during this time. This Sunday
June 12th is the Day of Pentecost on the Jewish Calendar. In the American
church we celebrated Pentecost Sunday on May 15th of this year. Here is an
explanation of what that means:

Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving

of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of
the first Pentecost when Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and
with fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus confirmed this prophecy with the
promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples inJohn 14:26. He showed
Himself to these men after His death on the cross and His resurrection,
giving convincing proofs that He was alive. Jesus told the disciples to
wait in Jerusalem for the Fathers gift of the Holy Spirit, from whom
they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth
(Acts 1:3-8). After Jesus ascension to heaven, the men returned to
Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room. On the Day
of Pentecost, just as promised, the sound of a violent wind filled the
house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were
filled with the Holy Spirit. They were given the power of
communication, which Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus
had prepared him. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did
not stay in the room basking in Gods glory but burst out to tell the
world. This was the beginning of the church as we know it.

So I believe God led me to do a series on the Holy Spirit during this time,
because like I said earlier, I believe God wants a fresh outpouring of His Holy
Spirit in the American Church today.

Point #4: The Holy Spirit provides the power we need to be

Christians

So let me get back to my main point before I close today. It says in Acts 1:38 that we would receive POWER to be witnesses to the ends of the Earth. I
think we are only partially tapping into the power source. I think it is very
similar to how our brains work. We only use a portion of our brains power.
God has a power source that is so much greater than we can think or
imagine. God is trying to say, look there is so much more to the Power of
Holy Spirit than you are using. There is so much more available. I think God
looks at us as we toil and struggle to live our daily lives and to do His work
and says, you are working way to hard at this, let my Holy Spirit be the
Power you need to live this life, to do my work, to walk in my will. I am going
to get into the gifts of the Spirit in this teaching, but I dont want you to get
caught up on the gifts of the Spirit and think that is what I am talking about
when I talk about the Power of the Holy Spirit. Gifts are only a manifestation
of that Power. The Power is so much more. The Power of the Holy Spirit
allowed Stephen to be stoned and forgive the people stoning Him all at the
same time. The Power of the Holy Spirit told Paul where to go and not to go.
The Power of Holy Spirit raised Lazerus from the dead.

Some of you are saying that was then. My question to you is simple, has the
Holy Spirit changed? Some of you are saying I dont see signs and wonders
like that today? My question would be, do you think that is a God issue or
have we gotten so used to self dependence that we have lost touch with the
who the Holy Spirit is and how he works?

Here is what I want you to do in the next few days. Go on Netflix and watch
the movie the Holy Ghost. If you dont have Netflix I have included
information on how you can watch it online for 3.99. Watch the documentary
and be in prayer about what and who the Holy Spirit is to you. Bottom line,
this series is not about what Mark Jackson thinks about the Holy Spirit of tells
you about the Holy Spirit, this is about you and your own personal
relationship with the Holy Spirit. Seek Him, not any gifts or special powers,
seek Him, reconnect with Him and let Him speak for Himself.

Holy Ghost
2014 Documentary 1h 53m

Play trailer on YouTube

8.5/10IMDb4.5/5iTunes - Apple91%Rotten Tomatoes
Holy Ghost is a 2014 American Christian documentary film written and
directed by Darren Wilson, to take the viewer to locations around the world
to see if the Holy Spirit can really lead a film. Wikipedia
Release date: September 6, 2014 (Redding)
Director: Darren Wilson
Film series: Holy Ghost Film Series
Initial DVD release: September 16, 2014 (USA)
Budget: 357,665 USD
Available on
From $3.99
YouTube
From $3.99
iTunes
From $3.99
Amazon Video
From $3.99
Google Play Movies & TV

Part Number IV: The Guide Within

In my mind, I was planning out this series, the logical part of me said, well
you have done a good introduction, lets do the gifts of the Spirit. But, I felt
nudged by the Holy Spirit not to get in a hurry on this series. And since it is
his series, I will be obedient. With that said I feel like we should look at Acts
16:6-10
Evangelization of Europe
6

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented
by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. 7 When they came to
Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow

them. 8 So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 During the night a
vision appeared to Paul: A Macedonian man was standing and pleading with
him, Cross over to Macedonia and help us! 10 After he had seen the vision,
we[b] immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God
had called us to evangelize them.
So what does, prevented by the Holy Spirit, from speaking the message
look like? I dont know for sure, but I know that Paul had learned to be
sensitive and listen to the Holy Spirit. There was no doubt in Pauls mind that
the Holy Spirit told him no and he was obedient. This is someone who is
comfortable with the Holy Spirit and does not do anything with the Holy
Spirit. Then is verse 7, the Spirit of Jesus kept Paul from speaking at Mysia.
Now I am not sure why in verse 6 we see the term Holy Spirit and verse 7
Spirit of Jesus, unless Jesus himself visited Paul in Spirit and to make sure
Paul got the point. What we do see is two of the three persons of the Trinity
which are separate but yet one. Regardless, Pauls plans were not Gods
plans. And notice Paul was spreading the Gospel, we can be doing religious
work and still miss God! Then in verse 9, I believe that the Holy Spirit
allowed Paul to see the Macedonian man pleading and crying out to God in
prayer. See it was not that the people of the other places did not need to
hear the Gospel, it was that God does everything in HIS timing and the Heart
of God was moved by a man crying out for help in Macedonia. Paul was the
mans answered prayer.
Point #5: The Holy Spirit is the guide within us.
Have you ever felt like you missed God? Have you ever felt like you know
you are not where you should be? Have you ever been stubborn and not
obeyed God because of pride of busyness?
We have to get more connected to the Holy Spirit. I used the word we
because this a struggle of mine as well. There is a new country song out
called Noise and my wife says I constantly have to have noise in the
background. We have to be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. I dont
care what denomination you are, if you are a Christian, you have the Holy
Spirit living inside of you, it is the Holy Spirit that does the work of salvation!
We have to hear Him, have an ongoing dialogue with Him. In the
Charismatic world, we have the word anointed that we often use to describe
someone who is doing what God has called them to do with the anointing
of the Holy Spirit on them. We have to get comfortable with the work of the
Holy Spirit in our lives. So comfortable that when the Holy Spirit prevents us
from preaching in Galatia we listen. So comfortable that we know when it is
time to go to Macedonia and be the answer to the mans prayers.
I will finish with these closing thoughts. Will the Holy Spirit ever lead you out
of Gods will? Will the Holy Spirit ever give you bad advice? So if we live

lives led by the Holy Spirit, regardless of what happens, it will work out and
life will come into sharper focus! I first wrote that life will get much easier,
but if you study Paul, easy is not Gods goal! Gods goal is advancing the
Kingdom, not easy!
Part V: Why are you working so hard?
Continuing on our theme of the Holy Spirit, I think God is stressing to us as
His people that we are working way too hard. With good intentions we do
"works" in his name, but by our power!
John 14:16-17
15 If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 I will ask the
Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you
forever.17 That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept
him, because it doesnt see or know him. You know him, because he lives
with you and will be in you.
If Jesus told us we would have a helper, the Holy Spirit, why do we live as
though we are all alone in this life. In fact, according to verse 17, the Holy
Spirit and its power that works in us, is what separates us as Christians from
the rest of the world. The do not know him and cannot accept Him. BUT
YOU KNOW HIM AND HE LIVES WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU! Well if that is
true, then for what purpose, to do the mission God gave us, go into the world
and make disciples. Unlike the Blues Brothers, you really are on a mission
from God. Yet, most Christians in America live, work, and even do ministry
without the help of the Holy Spirit! We must learn to reconnect with the Holy
Spirit. The secret to saving the church in America is to get humans out of
the way and letting the Holy Spirit have His rightful place, both corporately
as a church body and individually. I think the word for the church today is
the same word that God have to Zerubbabel in a vision in Zechariah Chapter
4.
Zechariah 4:6
6 So he answered me, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by
strength or by might, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.
Point # 6: God says we have tried and failed miserably by strength
and by might, it is time to give His Spirit room to operate!
Part VI: They Said
I think the whole point of the devotional series on the Holy Spirit is for each
of us to go on a personal discovery for ourselves of the person of the Holy

Spirit. The core problem with the Holy Spirit and the American Church is that
too many people relate to the Holy Spirit based on what "they said." They
could be a denomination, a preacher, an evangelist, your uncle, whoever. I
sense the Holy Spirit saying, come meet me for yourself. Go the Word,
search the word, then search for me. You don't have to go far, He is right
there where you are.
Today I am going to begin to discuss the controversial topic of the "Power" of
the Holy Spirit. I think in terms of the Holy Spirit, this is the area where we
have let "they said" cause us to live far below our intended level as
Christians. Here is what Jesus told his disciples,
Luke 24:48-50Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what
My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered
from on high.
What had he promised? In John He had promised them the Holy Spirit. Why
did they need to go to Jerusalem, to be empowered!! The Holy Spirit is the
one who gives us Power to live this life! Our power source as Christians is
the Holy Spirit, but so many of us are not connected to the power source. It
would be like living in a house with the electricity hooked up to it and
working, but never plugging anything in or turning on the lights. If you are a
Christian who lives without the power of the Holy Spirit then that is exactly
what you are doing! Don't let what they said determine who he is and what
he can do!
Point #7: Wait for the Power on high for yourself and do not be
limited by what they said!

Part VII: Hammering Out the Details

The power of the Holy Spirit, a controversial and divisive topic. Going back
to my original point, in America we have let Satan turn the Holy Spirit into a
controversial and divisive topic, as Chris Berman would say, "Come On Man".
As we discussed yesterday, Jesus instructed his disciples to go to Jerusalem
and wait for power from on high, BEFORE, they went out and did ministry!
The church was started by a visitation and imparting of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-8
The Holy Spirit Promised

4 While He was together[a] with them, He commanded them not to leave

Jerusalem, but to wait for the Fathers promise. This, He said, is what you
heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with
the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring
the kingdom to Israel at this time?
7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father
has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends[b] of the earth.
Acts 2Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one
place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from
heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And
tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested
on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for
speech.
Peters Sermon
14

But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to
them: Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain
this[b] to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not
drunk, as you suppose, since its only nine in the morning.[c] 16 On the
contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17

And it will be in the last days, says God,

that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18
I will even pour out My Spirit

on My male and female slaves in those days,

and they will prophesy.

Ok lets hit some key points from this scripture as an introduction to the
Power of the Holy Spirit and then we will continue tomorrow.
1. Jesus told them they would be filled with the Holy Spirit, WHY, so they
could do ministry. Now if they could do ministry under their own
power, would they need the Holy Spirit? So it looks like to me the Holy
Spirit has POWER to do things we cannot!
Point #8: We are filled with the Holy Spirit to do Ministry.
2. Note the Holy Spirit was poured out to a group of people in UNITY AND
IN DEEP PRAYER!
3. When the Holy Spirit showed up, He did so with a grand entrance, a
demonstration of POWER. The purpose of the POWER was to point
them toward God. This is a key point, if it is the Holy Spirit it will
always point you toward God and build up the Kingdom of God.
4. The demonstration of the Holy Spirt living in them was that they began
to speak in different tongues. Why, because if the Holy Spirit came in
wind and fire only, there would not be evidence of them being filled.
Why tongues, because it is our most unruly part of our body right,
the Holy Spirit took control and showed evidence through the tongue.
Point #9: The initial evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirt in Acts
is speaking in different tongues
5. The Holy Spirit changed these people visibly to those around them, to
the point where they thought they were drunk. If you are going to get
drunk, it is much safer and fulfilling to do it on the Holy Spirt than
alcohol. Just saying!
Point #10: When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are
changed, bottom line!
6. Peter then pointed them back to the prophecy of the prophet Joel. In
the last days, God will pour out his spirit on all humanity. He makes
the point that it will be male and female and the important as well as
the seemingly unimportant. If you look at it from Gods timetable, in
the last days can last several thousand years. According to the Jewish
Calendar it is the year 5775 which I believe to be much more accurate
for the date of the Earth than that of modern scientist, so if Jesus lived
32 years roughly, he would have died and been raised again in 32 AD

and it is 2016 then there would have been 3727 years prior to the
pouring out of the Holy Spirit putting us living in the last days. Point is,
I dont think Biblically you can use prove that the prophesy of Joel, first
poured out on the day of Pentecost has expired and does not apply to
us today.
Point #11: Though we may not agree on what it looks like, the
Power of the Holy Spirit is still at working and alive and well!