Do we “have the Spirit” about the Spirit? THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MISSIONS

Dreams & Healings What do we make of them? Why do we find them so compelling? Should we be drawn to them? Skepticism or Acceptance Is skepticism a manifestation of unbelief? Is their eager acceptance a manifestation of unbelief? MISSION FIELD REPORTS

Correcting confusion What the Spirit says about himself Scripture as the Spirit’s explanation of his own ministry Holy Spirit ≠ Feeling or Emotion How should we receive reports of visions and dreams? THE HOLY SPIRIT

Hebrews 1:1-2 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Jesus as the Latest Last Word Word and Deed relationship Turning off the “fire hydrant” myth Turning off the Bible PLUS myth JESUS AND THE WORD OF GOD

John 16: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Unity of the Triune God: Father, Son, Spirit The Spirit’s Ministry and Jesus The Spirit’s work bounded by Christ’s redemptive work The Spirit’s work is not about the Spirit JESUS AND THE SPIRIT

What is the Spirit of Christ doing now? Jesus Christ: “take what is mine and declare it to you.” Spirit of Life (John 6:63; 1 Cor 15:1-58) Spirit of Truth (John 14:16-17; 16:13) Spirit of Holiness (Eph 4:30; Rom 8:9-11) Spirit of Prayer/Intercession (Rom 8:26) JESUS AND THE SPIRIT

Idolatry: Lusting for Experience Pride: Competitive Spirituality – Special Knowledge Disunity: Conflicting “Words of Knowledge” Feelings: Spirituality of emotion vs. mind Dissatisfaction: Reported “extraordinary” is greater than the “ordinary” means of grace ABUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Dishonor: false attribution (3 rd commandment) Careless Interpretation: Redefining visions, tongues, miracles unbiblically Confession-less Faith: Abandoning Spirit-given biblical discernment of the Church ABUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit’s Freedom: “The Bible is the living voice of the Holy Spirit today. This is the structure or pattern of working which the Spirit has set for himself in his sovereign freedom.” ( Richard B. Gaffin) “It is no ignominy for the Spirit to be in conformity with himself.” (John Calvin) Holy Spirit and Illumination (Eph 1:15-23) Scripture and understanding The People of God – private vs. corporate HOLY SPIRIT AND SCRIPTURE

Regional & cultural dimensions to phenomena Reports 2 nd and 3 rd hand Experience and Scripture (cf. 2 Pet 1:16-21) Undergoing experiences Interpreting experiences Maintaining Spirit-given boundaries Secret ministry of Spirit (John 3) Openness = accepting Spirit-given boundaries REPORTS OF DREAMS, HEALINGS

The Spirit of God is at work He is drawing sinners to Christ Jesus He employs the means that Christ Jesus gave the Church “The visible church … is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation…” (WCF 25.2) The ordinary means of the Spirit are themselves extraordinary The Spirit works mysteriously, but not magically (Jn 3) MISSIONS: THINKING IN THE SPIRIT

Dreams & visions They are not trustworthy norms. The Spirit’s Word is. They are not new revelation. The Spirit’s Word is the revelation. Their interpretation must be subjected to the Spirit Their value must not be determined pragmatically The Spirit of Jesus and the task of Gospel Ministry MISSIONS: THINKING IN THE SPIRIT

Colossians 3:16 / Ephesians 5:18 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ MISSIONS: THINKING IN THE SPIRIT