Luke 24:49 - The Life That Really Lives.
Luke 24:49 (NLT) And now I will send the
Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay
here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and
fills you with power from heaven.
INTRODUCTION
Christs visible presence was about to
be withdrawn from the disciples, but a new
endowment of power was to be theirs. The Holy Spirit
was to be given them in its fullness, sealing
them for their work. Behold, the Saviour
said, 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. Luke
24:49. For John truly baptized with water; but
ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence. 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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:5, 8.
The Saviour knew that no argument,
however logical, would melt hard hearts or break
through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He
knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly
endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as
it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips
made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is
the way, the truth, and the life. The work
committed to the disciples would require great
efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong
against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in
command of the forces of darkness, and the followers
of Christ could battle for the right only
through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give
them. AA30-31
COMMENTARY PEARL
The disciples had to tarry until the day
of Pentecost not for their own preparation
only; they had to wait until the Lord was
glorified historically. As soon as He was glorified,
what happened? "Therefore being by the right hand
of God exalted, and having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed
forth this, which ye now see and hear." The
parenthesis in John 7:39 ("For the Holy Ghost was not
yet given; because that Jesus was not yet
glorified") does not apply to us; the Holy Ghost has
been given, the Lord is glorified; the waiting
depends not on God's providence, but on our fitness.
The Holy Spirit's influence and power
were at work before Pentecost, but He was not
here. Immediately Our Lord was glorified in
Ascension, the Holy Spirit came into this world, and He
has been here ever since. We have to receive the
revelation that He is here. The reception of the Holy
Spirit is the maintained attitude of a believer.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive
quickening life from the ascended Lord.
It is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost
which changes men, but the power of the ascended
Christ coming into men's lives by the Holy Ghost
that changes them. We too often divorce what the
New Testament never divorces. The baptism of the
Holy Ghost is not an experience apart from Jesus
Christ: it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost does not
make you think of Time or Eternity, it is one
amazing glorious NOW. "This is life eternal that
they might know Thee." Begin to know Him now, and
finish never. [My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald
Chambers]
COMMENTARY
The Power of the Holy Spirit
The principle we will explore today is
basic but so powerful that it determines whether
we experience victory in our lives.
You are probably familiar with the book
The Little Engine That Could, in which a small
engine keeps repeating the words "I think I can."
By using sheer willpower, she pulls an entire
train over the mountain. That's a nice children's
story, but the truth of the Christian life is very
different. In the real world, our efforts and
determination often fall short. Only by walking in the
power of the Holy Spirit can the godly life be
achieved.
Throughout the Old Testament, God's
Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a
particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to
heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell permanently
within each believer. Consider what this means: If
you're a Christian, God is living inside of you,
available to help all through life by providing
guidance, comfort, and empowerment.
Obedience to Christ is too difficult for
anyone relying on his own strength. And discerning
what to do in every situation is far too
complicated for a fleshly mind. For some reason, though,
Christians often try to live life by depending on their
own energy and reasoning. Defeat and failure are
unavoidable without His power in our lives.
Do you recognize your need for the Lord?
Begin each day confessing your dependence upon
Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all
you think, do, and say will be an overflow from
Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways
through you. Watch what almighty God can do. [In
Touch Daily Devotional by Charles Stanley at
www.intouch.org]
The Holy Spirit: An Absolute
Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as
our Savior - He forgives us, transforms us, and
sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are
redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin,
it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our
service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally
become greater.
Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in
church week after week, going through the motions
yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is
such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers
are unaware of the essential ministry of God's
Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a member of the
Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the
Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us
that He existed before the formation of the earth
and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2,
Gen. 1:26). Today, He has the critical role of
helping and counseling all believers.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child
of God. His presence within us isn't something
we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a
marvelous privilege - by indwelling our hearts, He can
guide and strengthen, steering each believer away
from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8).
Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could
experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only
when we listen to His Spirit and obey.
Are you experiencing the abundant life
Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy
circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible
through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking
in this area, consider your understanding of
the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His
promptings. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles
Stanley at www.intouch.org]
The Holy Spirit Brings Gods Truth to Mind
God speaks through the Holy Spirit. He
gives you thoughts. He gives you suggestions. He
puts impressions or notions in your mind. When
the Devil talks to you, he tempts you. But when
God talks to you in your mind, he inspires you.
Jesus says in John 14:26, The Helper,
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, will teach you everything and make you
remember all that I have told you (GNT).
If you are a Christian, then the Holy
Spirit is your teacher and counselor. Some people
spend thousands of dollars on a life coach.
Youve already got one!
Notice that John 14:26 says the Holy
Spirit will make you remember. The Holy
Spirit speaks directly to your mind. He doesnt
speak in an audible voice. Why would he need to?
He doesnt need to go through your ears. He
goes directly to your mind. His Spirit joins
with our spirit to affirm that we are Gods
children (Romans 8:16 NLT).
The Holy Spirit brings Gods truth to
mind, but he relies on you to put Gods Word in
your mind. Thats why you need to get into the
Bible. When you read, study, and fill your mind
with Gods Word, you are storing up truth
inside of you - truth the Holy Spirit will bring to
mind at just the right time. [Daily Devotional by
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/
re John 14:26]
From the Page to Our Hearts
Have you ever been reading the Bible and
a passage seemed to jump off the page because
it was so relevant to your situation? Or maybe
someone sent you a Scripture verse that was very
appropriate for what you were facing. Perhaps you were
in church listening to a message, and it felt
as though the speaker wrote it just for you.
That is what the Holy Spirit does. He
teaches us. Jesus said, But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He
will teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14:26
NKJV).
Jesus also said, And I will pray the
Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He
may abide with you forever (verse 16 NKJV).
The Holy Spirit can open Scripture
passages to us in an incredible way, and that comes
as we study and read the Bible. The Holy Spirit
takes the Word of God and brings it home to our
hearts. Thats part of the work He does in the
life of the believer.
It isnt some great preacher; its a
great God whose Holy Spirit illuminates His Word.
He sheds more light on the original light. The
apostle Paul wrote, But as it is written: Eye
has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man the things which God has
prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians
2:9 NKJV).
If you want the Holy Spirit to illuminate
Scripture, then you must read it or listen to it. You
cant simply hold the Bible up to your head and
pray that you absorb it somehow. You need to read
it and process it, and then the Holy Spirit
will bring it to life for you. [Greg Laurie from
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com re
John 14:26]
ILLUSTRATION
What You Need to Know and Where You Need to
Go
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he
promised his followers hed send a helper, the Holy
Spirit. This helper would always stay with Gods
people - and that includes you and me!
The Holy Spirit fulfills many roles,
including telling you what you need to know and
revealing where you need to go.
The Holy Spirit teaches you a lot of the
big things that you need to know in life - like
letting you know whats true and whats not.
He also gives you insight moment by
moment. As you learn to let the Spirit lead you, he
tells you what you need to know just as you need
it.
Have you ever read a Bible verse one
morning and then, a few hours later, recalled that
verse at a moment when you really needed it? That
was the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says in John 16:13, When the
Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all
truth (NCV).
Sometimes God does this for your benefit.
But sometimes he does it for someone elses
benefit. God lets you share the truth hes shown
you.
Gods Spirit will also help you get
where you need to go.
Has God put a dream in your heart that
you could never achieve on your own? If you let
the Holy Spirit guide you, you will go to places
you never imagined.
The Bible is full of examples of people
who followed Gods guidance.
Luke 2:27 says, The Spirit led Simeon
to the Temple (NCV). When Simeon arrived at
the temple that day, he had the highest
privilege: He dedicated the baby Jesus to God.
In the book of Acts we encounter the
story of another person who obeyed Gods Spirit.
A man named Philip was walking down a dusty
road one day when an Ethiopian leader rode by in
a chariot. Acts 8:29 says, The Spirit said
to Philip, Go over and join this
chariot (ESV).
Philip obeyed the Spirit and found the
man reading in the book of Isaiah about the
Messiah. Philip told him that the Messiah had come.
The man immediately asked to be baptized, and he
took Christianity with him back to Ethiopia.
Because Philip listened to the Holy
Spirits nudge, he got to be part of Gods work.
When you listen to Gods Spirit, hell let
you in on his work, too.
If Simeon and Philip hadnt listened,
they would have missed what God was calling them
to do. And if you dont learn to listen to
God, youll also miss things.
When you listen and follow the Holy
Spirits direction, youll find your faith
increasing because youll consistently see God at
work in your life. Youll learn you can count
on him to tell you what you need to know and
show you where you need to go. [Daily Devotional
by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/ re John 16:13]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Acts 1:8 - Witnessing In The Spirit.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140706-1436.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
