Cooperating with the Holy Spirit's Ministry (2)

Introduction: 
  • The work of the Holy Spirit is always that of application, development, enablement, and strengthening—whether in creation, salvation, service, or spiritual growth.
  • Many glorious and powerful activities are attributed to the Holy Spirit: conviction (John 16:8-11), the new birth (John 3:3,5), baptism (1 Cor 12:13), sealing (Eph 1:13), indwelling (Eph 2:22), empowerment (Acts 1:8), illumination (1 Cor 2:9-13), gifting (1 Cor 12-14), cleansing (Rom 8:13), guidance (Rom 8:14), teaching assurance (Rom 8:15-17), fruitfulness (Gal 5:22,23), and the promise that He will resurrect us from the grave (Rom 8:11), to mention only a few.
  • Why, if all of these glorious and powerful activities are a reality for every believer, why are we so often weak, discouraged, without assurance and unfruitful?
  • There can be only one answer: we do not believe and therefore do not practice these truths! What we all have legally does not, therefore, become our experience.
  • One major barrier to the power and enjoyment of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is our failure to cooperate with Him. Consider the seriousness of this sin. It is the answer to those who ask, “I was once powerfully filled with the Spirit, where did the joy and power go?” Look up and meditate on 1 Cor 2:6-13.