Anderson Hills

Sunday, November 1, is All Saints Day, which is an opportunity for us to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith. Though they are now in the eternal, their stories continue to help increase our faith and inspire us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We thank God for the heroes of the faith found in the Bible as well as those who have personally impacted our faith. No matter how discouraging the events of our lives are, we can make it through with the encouragement of those who modeled how to live a godly life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture tells us that the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power. Before Jesus started His ministry, He went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, and He received power from heaven to walk out His mission to bring salvation to the world, giving sight to the blind and setting captives free. That power is the same power in which Christ followers walk, but many do not exercise that power. If we all did, the world would be a very different place. The power of the Holy Spirit is within each Christian, but it can only be manifested as we walk in obedience to the opportunities which we have before us. We have, through the Spirit, power over sin, power over sickness, and power over all the powers of the devil!

Scripture tells us that the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power. Before Jesus started His ministry, He went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, and He received power from heaven to walk out His mission to bring salvation to the world, giving sight to the blind and setting captives free. That power is the same power in which Christ followers walk, but many do not exercise that power. If we all did, the world would be a very different place. The power of the Holy Spirit is within each Christian, but it can only be manifested as we walk in obedience to the opportunities which we have before us. We have, through the Spirit, power over sin, power over sickness, and power over all the powers of the devil!

Jesus was often called or referred to as “Teacher.” When He spoke of His leaving, His disciples were distraught. How could they possibly go on without Him; He had the words of life and truth. Jesus assured them that He would not abandon them, promising that Father God would send the Holy Spirit to be with them, and He would teach them all things and would remind them of everything He has said. The Spirit of Truth would come and guide them into all truth. This would be even better than Jesus’ physical presence, as the Spirit would be ever-present with them at all times, encouraging, guiding and teaching.

Jesus was often called or referred to as “Teacher.” When He spoke of His leaving, His disciples were distraught. How could they possibly go on without Him; He had the words of life and truth. Jesus assured them that He would not abandon them, promising that Father God would send the Holy Spirit to be with them, and He would teach them all things and would remind them of everything He has said. The Spirit of Truth would come and guide them into all truth. This would be even better than Jesus’ physical presence, as the Spirit would be ever-present with them at all times, encouraging, guiding and teaching.

The third Person of the Godhead, and perhaps the least understood, is known to us as the Holy Spirit. From Scripture, we see that He is described as a teacher, comforter, helper, advocate, and empowerer. The Holy Spirit is the One who takes God’s love and truth as it has been revealed and accomplished in Christ, and administers it to the particular needs, places, times and circumstances of God’s people. We need to pursue a close relationship with Him, just as with Father God and Jesus. While we do not have the physical presence of Christ today, we now enjoy the comforting guidance of His spiritual presence dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit, who is there for us in times of despair and sadness, bringing us comfort.

The third Person of the Godhead, and perhaps the least understood, is known to us as the Holy Spirit. From Scripture, we see that He is described as a teacher, comforter, helper, advocate, and empowerer. The Holy Spirit is the One who takes God’s love and truth as it has been revealed and accomplished in Christ, and administers it to the particular needs, places, times and circumstances of God’s people. We need to pursue a close relationship with Him, just as with Father God and Jesus. While we do not have the physical presence of Christ today, we now enjoy the comforting guidance of His spiritual presence dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit, who is there for us in times of despair and sadness, bringing us comfort.

Jesus, the Son of God, is also known as our Mediator, or Intercessor. As the Father is the source of all the Godhead’s purposes, the Son is the one who mediates the Father’s love to us and who mediates our prayers and fruit-bearing to the Father. Jesus is interceding on behalf of those who have put their trust in Him for their salvation. Although Christ’s work to secure the salvation of the elect was completed on the cross, His care for His redeemed children will never be finished. Our salvation is not only based on a historical event, but also on the life and intercession of Christ in the present and in the future. He is able to intercede nonstop because He always lives. Jesus is the only human mediator between God and man.

Jesus, the Son of God, is also known as our Mediator, or Intercessor. As the Father is the source of all the Godhead’s purposes, the Son is the one who mediates the Father’s love to us and who mediates our prayers and fruit-bearing to the Father. Jesus is interceding on behalf of those who have put their trust in Him for their salvation. Although Christ’s work to secure the salvation of the elect was completed on the cross, His care for His redeemed children will never be finished. Our salvation is not only based on a historical event, but also on the life and intercession of Christ in the present and in the future. He is able to intercede nonstop because He always lives. Jesus is the only human mediator between God and man.

The second person of the Godhead is the Son. Jesus is called by many other names in Scripture and fulfills many roles for us throughout our lives. This week, we’ll look at one name that helps us to develop and maintain a close relationship with Him: that of Friend. Understanding this friendship relationship is powerful. Jesus was and is eternally God. As God, Jesus represents the greatest friendship we can ever experience. Some struggle with the concept of “friendship” with Jesus; He is our King, not our Friend, is the sentiment. But friendship with Jesus does not diminish His glory nor does it diminish His authority in our lives. Jesus is both our King and our Friend, and we need to cultivate that friendship.