The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

Paul the Apostle encountered a small group of believers as he entered pagan Ephesus. The first question he asked was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (Acts 19:2 NIV)

They answered, "We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 

Most Christians today would admit that they've heard of the Holy Spirit, but many have never truly encountered Him.

In this message we find out how the Holy Spirit is actually a part of the Gospel and available to all believers today, available to empower a victorious walk with God.

Lord, Show Us The Father -10 "Our Firm Foundation"

Jesus' life reflected the eternal values and goals of his Father. One of those values appears in his prayer to the Father as recorded in John chapter seventeen.

That prayer reveals Jesus' respect for the Father's will and his recognition that the Father has a plan for believers, one that will never fail.

"Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him." (John 17:1-2 NIV)

Jesus knows that the Father has chosen a people for himself and given them to Christ. As the Spirit said through Paul, "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his...”

The Father foreknew every person but left their free will intact. So, he created a group from those he knew would freely choose him, "The Elect". And that group has been given to Christ for all eternity.

Listen and learn more about our firm foundation that assures us of eternal life.

 

 

Lord, Show Us The Father -9 "Fellowship With Father"

Here's one way Jesus shows us the Father in Scripture. He lives out that spiritual Father / Son relationship in front of us.

At twelve years of age, Jesus stayed in the temple area at the Passover Feast all by himself for three days while his parents had headed home thinking he was in the family throng. When they found him, he said, "Why were you searching for me?"... "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49 NIV)

At that early age, Jesus knows the Almighty God is his Father, making him the Son of God. By the time Jesus receives baptism, we again see their relationship: "And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22 NIV)

Why does this Father / Son relationship matter to us? Because it's the template, the pattern for our relationship with the Father.

Listen. There's more on this podcast. 

Lord, Show Us The Father-8 "Like Father, Like Son"

Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9 NIV). You can see the Father by watching how Jesus related to the people around him. Watch how he related to the persistent human needs around him.

Not only did Jesus heal massive crowds of sick, broken people, but in his last hours on earth he powerfully revealed the Father's love for humanity. Listen and be inspired by his undying love.

Lord, Show Us The Father -7 "Father of Mercies"

When Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father", Jesus replied, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." (John 14:8-9 NIV)

So, as Jesus the Son of God walked this earth, he was constantly revealing the Father in Heaven to any who would watch and listen in faith.

One amazing characteristic he revealed about the Father is his compassion as the "Father of mercies" (2nd Corinthians 1:3 KJV). In the New International Version, he's called, "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort."

Listen and discover how our "Father of mercies" reacted to his Son's terrible suffering on the cross. And how he reacts to our own suffering and trials.

Lord, Show Us The Father -6 "A Passion To Save"

Jesus reminded his disciples that, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9 NIV)

So, watching Jesus can tell us all about the Father in Heaven. When Jesus exhibited a passion for "lost" people, he was showing us the Father's passion to save them.

Jesus knew Heaven firsthand and still does (John 3:13). And he also experienced Hell on the cross (Matt. 27:46). This means he knows that each human's destiny for eternity hinges on their decision to follow Christ. That's why he was so passionate to save lost people. And so is the Father in heaven.

Listen and hear more about God's "passion to save".

Lord, Show Us The Father -5 "Fading Faith"

Has your faith ever faded? Sure it has. Most believers have experienced it. So, what should we do? Begin right away to stop the fading of your faith. How?

Jesus directed us to "have faith in God" - so it's possible for us to live a fully alive Christlike faith (Mark 11:22). It's a choice, a daily choice. Want to learn more?

Listen to these Scriptures on how we can stop faith's fade and learn to hear from God. - a key to building powerful faith.

"Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17 LEB)

Lord, Show Us The Father -4 "The God Who Is Kind"

What is God really like? Certainly, the Bible can tell us, but so can our observation of the life of Christ. Jesus himself said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9 NIV)

When Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.", wasn't he reflecting the Father's attitude toward us? (Mattew 11:28-29 NIV)

The Father's kindness - which shines through Jesus' life - shows who he really is the Father full of kindness. 

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." (Titus 3:4-5 NIV)

Listen and learn more about "The God Who Is Kind".

Lord, Show Us The Father-3 "Zeal For Your House"

Jesus told his disciples, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9 NIV)

Here's something he showed us about the Father. When Jesus revealed his analysis of the Seven Churches of Asia in Revelation 2:1 - 3:22, the church at Laodicea got an 'F' on their report card. They were the church that sickened Jesus - "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.... Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:16,19 NASB)

Sadly, lukewarm churches filled with lukewarm Christians still exist. But zeal has always been part of God's nature. When the disciples watched Jesus clear the temple of money changers and marketers, it reminded them of what King Daivd had written - "Zeal for your house will consume me." (John 2:17 NIV)

Since Jesus shows us the Father, then we see in him the Father's zeal for his house, for his people, for his church.

Listen and learn how important zeal is to a satisfying Christian walk.

 

 

 

"Lord, show us the Father" -2

When Phillip asked Jesus to, "Show us the Father", he replied, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father". (John 14:8-9)

Anyone who has a deep need to truly know God can explore his amazing, supernatural being by spending time learning to know his Son, Jesus.

Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" and "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being". (Colossians 1:15 & Hebrews 1:3 NIV)

Listen and get on the path to experiencing God.