THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER

Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is multifaceted; He has a role to play in every area of our lives. The Holy Spirit has a very important role to play in prayers (Romans 8:25-26). The Holy Spirit helps us intercede to God the Father because we do not know of all what we should pray for, even if we know how to pray.

 As humans, we pray only according to the five senses of the physical; which is a limitation for we do not see beyond the natural. The Holy Spirit helps us contact those things that are outside the reach of our natural senses because the physical things are controlled by the spiritual which is a greater realm. As God Himself, the Holy Spirit prays for us according to the will of God concerning us (1corinthians 2:9-10). (Hebrew 9:24) Jesus Christ makes intercession for us before the father in heaven. God gave us the earth for dominion; as thus, He needs a human body to perform administer His will on earth and that is the reason Jesus came in human flesh to fulfill God’s work for us (psalm 115:16). Post-ascension of Christ, our flesh is needed in prayers as keys for God to act for we are the bodies of Christ here on earth (Hebrews 10:1-5) but the flesh needs to be incorporated with the spirit to pray out the will of God and as a sign, we pray in unknown tongues (1corinthians 14:2). When we pray in an unknown tongue, the Holy Spirit speaks mysteries through us unto God in an encoded language only God understands except we are given revelation of it. Praying in unknown tongues builds us spiritually (1corinthians 14:4, 14). It helps us connect our spirits to the Spirit of God in prayers according to God’s will. The Holy Spirit prays for us in the prayer language of God. Praying in the spirit connects us to the supernatural realm of mysteries and there the powers of the enemy are effectively destroyed.

The ministry of Christ in us concerning prayers is accomplished when we pray to the Father in Christ’s name as the Holy Spirit gives us utterance. In every situation we pray for, when we pray in the spirit, He connects us to the perfect solution from God the Father concerning that situation. Praying in unknown tongues is the prime means of praying for people and events we don’t even know have or will occur. As Christians, it is important to discover our individual prayer languages in the spirit which comes as a gift upon the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

THE REASON FOR PENTECOST

 



Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

 

Pentecost was referred to in the Old Testament as the feast of weeks and harvest. In the New Testament, the day of Pentecost marked the mighty entrance of the Holy Spirit upon earth as Jesus promised before His ascension (John16:7-15)(John15:26). Jesus promised of another comforter that would come into us to abide forever (luke24:49). John the Baptist predicted the coming of Jesus Christ to baptize us in the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus came to bring forth the kingdom of God unto the earth and not a physical kingdom as the disciples earlier thought (acts 1:1-8).

The baptism of the Holy Ghost was for Jesus Christ disciples to be witnesses unto His resurrection with power to do signs and wonders as evidence. All of Jesus works on earth was by the power of the Holy Spirit and thus He sent forth that same Holy Ghost on the 120 disciples on the day of Pentecost. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is an initiation into the supernatural realm of God causing us to work in Gods power here on earth. The Holy Ghost is the unlimited power and glory of Christ living in us as Christians. On the day of Pentecost, the church of Jesus Christ was born.

The purpose of Pentecost is to bring in the harvest of souls to the kingdom of God. The signs and wonders that follow the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for the witnessing of Jesus Christ to the world for soul winning. (Matthew 24:14) The second coming of Christ is as a function of the outreach of the gospel to the uttermost ends of the earth. As Christians we are baptized in the Holy Ghost to be world changers for Jesus Christ and it is our duty to witness His resurrection with the power of the Holy Ghost working in us to do signs and wonders as evidence that our Lord Jesus Christ lives.

UNDERSTANDING WHO YOU ARE

 

Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

In order to possess your possessions in Christ, you must understand who you are. Your membership of a family connects you to its heritage and entitlement in that family and this applies in the spiritual as well. God created the earth and all in it for His children for our inheritance. Your connection to God gives you access to what He owns; by your membership of His kingdom. God gives on the basis of our love for him even as an earthly father passes down heritage according to his love for his children (1corinthians 2:9) (john 14:15). The way to prove our love for God is by keeping His commandments. You must have knowledge of your inheritance from God in order to possess it (Ephesians 1:17-18).

As Christians, We are branches emerging from a root in Jesus Christ (john 10:15). We are connected to the inheritance from God the father through Christ (john 20:21). Heaven is the original hometown of Christians and so is our inheritance from above. Until you discover who you are as a Christian, you can’t inherit anything from God. (2peter 1:3-4). Salvation is the life of God in a man and not just an escape route to heaven from hell. (John 10:35). It takes understanding to know who you are and what is available as your heritage. Redemption is the only key to all that God has. Our inheritances have been paid for by the death and resurrection of Christ. We are joint heirs in Christ in the manner of a joint ownership venture, thus we own Gods inheritance in the same measure and coequally with Christ (romans8).

An equally relevant means to access our inheritance in God is the word of God (acts 20:32). You must be built up in God’s word to acquire what God has in store for us; salvation alone isn’t enough (job 22:21-25). The Holy bible is the written code to unlock, understand and live as who and what we are as Christians.

WHY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME

 

 

Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

The major reason why the Holy Spirit came is to give life. The Holy Spirit was actively involved in creation (genesis 1:1-3) (john1:1-4). The spirit of God is the life-giving spirit (2corinthians 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit came also to renew both the heavens and the earth (job 26:13) (psalm 104:30). He is the renewer of the lives of men. The Holy Spirit was sent forth to form the creatures of the earth (job 26:13) He gave them their attributes and also directs them. (Psalm 104:26-30).

The Holy Spirit gave life to us humans (job 33:4) (genesis 2:7) (job 27:3). He is the one who gave us our personality traits and features (psalm 139:14). He made us distinct and unique in our features. The Holy Spirit came to give us the word of God for direction, as food for our spirits and as an order of life. (Ephesians 6:17). The word of God is the sword of the spirit. He came to be the force, power and life behind the word of God (john 6:63). The Holy Spirit made salvation possible (john 16:8). He brings revival to the circumstances of men (Isaiah 32:15). He came to free us from sin, disease and death (Romans 8:1-2). The spirit of life passed unto all men from Christ. The Holy Spirit is the life of God dwelling in every believer (john 14:17).

It is vital to acknowledge the Holy Spirit of God brought Jesus to life on earth (Matthew 1:18-20) (Luke 1:35) as thus can make alive our aspirations and dead situations. He came to set the captives free and break yolks and burdens of men (Isaiah 10:27). He is the spirit of revelation (1corinthians 2:10-13). He came to help our weaknesses in prayers (Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit came so we might have dreams and visions giving us purpose in life (Joel 2:28-30).

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

 

The Holy Spirit is a divine person. What makes you a person is not the body but the characteristics you possess. Jesus described the spirit as a person by use of personal pronouns (john14:15-17) (luke2:25). Jesus spoke of being the first comforter before the Holy Spirit. The comforter does the job of advocacy, director, helper, counselor to guide us.(John 14:26). The Holy Spirit teaches as reminds us of God’s word. The Holy Spirit is a supernatural being (Matthew 28:19). (2corinthians 3:17).

 

ATTRIBUTES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

1) He speaks (Revelation 2:7). (Acts 14:2). He brings down the voice of the Father to our spirit level. He communicates as God with men.

2) He has a reasoning ability (1corinthians 2:10) (Isaiah 11:1-2). He is a spirit of wisdom and understanding and knowledge. He has a mind of his own (Romans 8:26-27).

3) The spirit of God prays for us (Romans 8:26). He helps us pray for even those needs we don’t know we have.

4) The spirit has a will and can make decisions (1corinthians 12:4-7, 11). He chooses what gift to give to whom He wills it.

5) The Spirit has emotions (Romans 15:30) (Matthew 3:5). The Spirit can show love, grief, joy, anger, pain e.t.c. for He is tender-hearted.

6) The Spirit teaches (john14:26). Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Ghost to remind and teach us of all things.

7) He testifies and promotes Jesus to us. (john15:26).

8) The Holy Spirit guides (john 16: 7-13).

9) The spirit calls men into ministry (acts 13:2).

10) He comforts believers (acts 9:31)

11) He can be insulted (Hebrews 10: 28-29). Despising the Holy Spirit attracts punishment. The Holy Spirit does not forgive; as thus one must be careful as not to mock exhibition of spiritual gifts.

12) He can be lied to. (Acts 5: 3-4). Ananias and his wife lost their lives as a result of lying to the Holy Ghost.

    It is important to recognize the Holy Spirit as a person as believers so we can optimize our sonship with God. He is the most important person in the life of the believer. We don’t pray to the spirit but rather fellowship with Him, thus opening doors into the supernatural realm.

THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED

Speaker: Pastor Henry Tobin-West

Text: Matthew 29:19

 

The Holy Spirit is the power of God head. The Holy Spirit is God, He is the absolute of God (Hebrew 9:14) (1corinthians 2:10, Luke 1:35, Acts 8, Psalm 139:7, Genesis 1:1-8; Job 3:13, Genesis 2:7). The Spirit of God is the one that gave mankind life.

The Holy Spirit was the one that helped the Jesus in his early ministry (Luke 3:21-22). The Holy Spirit is our comforter; He is the joy of the father. The Holy Spirit is the best friend we ever wish to have. (John14:15-16).The Holy Spirit is God at work: creating, speaking, transforming us, living within us, and working in us. Although the Holy Spirit can do this work without our knowledge, it is helpful for us to know more.

The Holy Spirit has the attributes of God, is co-equal with God and does work that only God does. Like God, the Spirit is holy; so holy that insulting the Spirit is just as sinful as trampling the Son of God under foot (Hebrews 10:29). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:32), this indicates that the Spirit is holy by nature rather than having an assigned holiness such as the temple had. Like God, the Holy Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14). Like God, the Holy Spirit is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-9). Like God, the Holy Spirit knows everything (1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:26). The Holy Spirit creates (Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30) and empowers miracles (Matthew 12:28; Romans 15:18-19), doing the work or ministry of God.

The Holy Bible refers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as equally divine. In a discussion of spiritual gifts, Paul puts the Spirit, the Lord, and God in parallel constructions (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). He closes a letter with a three-part prayer (2 Corinthians 13:14). Peter begins a letter with a different three-part formula (1 Peter 1:2). These are not proof of unity, but they support it. The baptismal formula has a stronger indication of unity:“in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The three have one name, suggesting one essence and being. When the Holy Spirit does something, God is doing it. When the Holy Spirit speaks, God is speaking. When Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he lied to God (Acts 5:3-4). As Peter said, Ananias did not lie to God’s representative, but to God himself. People do not “lie” to an impersonal power. In one passage, Paul says that Christians are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); in another he says that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). A temple is for the worship of a divine being, not an impersonal power. When Paul writes “temple of the Holy Spirit,” he implies that the Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit and God are also equated in Acts 13:2: “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’Here, the Holy Spirit speaks with personal pronouns, speaking as God. Similarly, the Holy Spirit says that the Israelites “tested and tried me”; the Holy Spirit says that “I was angry... They shall never enter my rest” (Hebrews 3:7-11). But the Holy Spirit is not just another name for God. The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, as shown in Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). The three are distinct, but one. The Holy Spirit does the work of God in our lives. We are born of God (John 1:12), which is the same as being born of the Spirit (John 3:5). The Holy Spirit is the means by which God lives in us (Ephesians 2:22; 1 John 3:24; 4:13). The Holy Spirit lives in us (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16)—and because the Spirit lives in us, we can say that God lives in us.