The Holy Spirit

Sermon notes from November 2014

Jeremiah 17 verses 1 – 10

Here in the book of Jeremiah we see a young prophet who was set against a rebellious nation.  God had a plan for the nation of Judah at this time.  God would deliver them into the hands of the cruelest enemies ever to come against the nation, would hand them into the hands of the Babylonians.  We live in an age of great deception, great belief that all roads lead to God and to heaven.  There is much deception that everyone is a Christian no matter how they live, still on way to heaven and home.  Here is the contrast that God makes.  Verse 7 there is a difference in people.  Look at the man who trusts in God and in contrast there is a man who trusts in man.  Which category do you and I fall into?  Are you trusting in God as Saviour because he has saved your soul?  God is here contrasting these 2 men.  The picture here is of a man trusting in the Lord.  Verses 7 and 8 what a picture.  God takes Jeremiah’s heart and mine and says see the picture I am painting for you.  This is the man trusting in the God of heaven, nothing else.  Wherein lies the great truth – “by the waters”.  Here’s the source of the tree – water that was plenty.

The symbol of the waters

God explains here very carefully that the man or woman who is trusting in the God of heaven is like a tree.  A lesson of stability.  Your roots need to be really down, don’t be like Paul says “blown about by every doctrine.”  He is the only sacrifice for sin.  He is the one who said “I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved.”  Once we open the door and allow the Lord to come in the roots have to go down.  Only by reading God’s word, getting into place of prayer and seeking God’s face daily.  We have the symbol of water which is a picture of the Holy Spirit.  The tree is like a man positioned right beside the waters, best place to be drawing from the water.  So the man or woman of God is drawing from the Holy Spirit.  The third person of the Trinity.  The one who came into the world to guide us to the Lord himself.  Our roots have to be in him because he will not lead us into anything that is wrong.  Water washes, cleanses, purifies, empowers us.  Acts 2 the disciples in the upper room, band of people couldn’t even agree with one another, so afraid, in behind closed doors in case anyone found out they were followers of Christ.  They were gathered together when something special happened.  The Holy Spirit came from heaven, purified their hearts and lives and made them clean then he empowered them.  He took them out into the streets to preach the word of God.  Jesus spoke to Nicodemus “verily, verily except a man be born of the Spirit he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3 verses 5 and 6).  The woman at the well “whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again but whosoever shall drink of the water I give shall never thirst again” (John 4 verses 13 and 14).  John 7 at the feast of tabernacles Jesus said “If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (verses 37 and 38)  “But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”

The secrecy of the water

What the tree displays is not down to itself.  It is the waters that brings forth fruit and greenness.  Everything it gains is through the waters.  Verse 6 “heath” a bush in the desert, dry and barren which bears no fruit – why – because it is barren.  The secrecy is in the water.  Verse 8 Jesus spoke of 2 crops growing together, good and bad.  Both grew together in the one field.  God gives some idea here in Jeremiah of how it was growing.  There was a certain amount of life there but the man trusting in God is trusting totally in him.  Standing stable maybe or you as a Christian this has been hard times.  Problems, things come against you but you are still standing.  You know why, because of the Holy Spirit in your life.  Bringing exactly what you need.  The secrecy of your life is not down to one person.  It is the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  He makes the difference.  God points to the waters flowing past it.  The tree is drawing from it.  You and I are drawing from the Holy Spirit to keep us alive.

The supply of the waters

The water was there.  The source of the water was God.  The source of your life and mine as a believer is of God.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.  God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  It is God who grants the Holy Spirit into our lives.  Remember Saul in his day.  The people of God were turning against God, they wanted a king and it grieved Samuel’s heart.  Here was a nation turning their backs on God.  God has been so good to us and we need to be careful we don’t neglect him and turn our backs on him.  1 Samuel 12 verse 17.  It was in the hand of God. God was dealing with Ahab the wicked king.  God sent Elijah into him and was told to say “I will close the heavens for 3 ½ years, there will not be one speck of rain on the land for 3 ½ years."   After that time he tells his prophet in 1 Kings 8 verse 1 “I will send rain upon the earth.”  It was in God’s hands alone to send the rain.  Imagine if God decided to close up the heavens and not send rain for 3 ½ years then decided to send it again.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit are from God himself when he told them in 16 verse 7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you.".  Are you getting the roots down or are you just living here day to day?  Are you getting them down into God’s great love and mercy and into the Holy Spirit?  As Christians sometimes we neglect to draw from the Spirit of the living God.  God just wants us to drop on our knees and cry unto him and draw from him the Holy Spirit.

The sufficiency of the water

How the tree fares and looks is down to the flow of the waters – “by the river”.  When I think of the river I think of a gentle running stream clear and clean running past the tree but its roots are going out to it.  Going out not to a stagnant pool but clean and clear waters.  Acts 2 when the disciples met together, filled with the Holy Spirit going out to preach the word of God “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Greatest business for any Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power.  Peter in Acts 4 verse 8 “then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost”.  That is what we need to be praying for – for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  Paul said “for me to live the Christian life, it cannot be done under our own strength.”  “Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Holy Ghost.”  He is speaking to believers when he says this – Galatians 5 verse 18.  It is possible to have the Holy Spirit but another thing to be filled with the Spirit.  The fruit of the Spirit gives us love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, meekness, temperance,.  God says do you see that tree with its roots well down drawing from the waters running past it?  That is like a man trusting in God.  There is nothing false here.  Drawing from the Holy Spirit.  It will not wither or fade away.  We will produce the fruits we have been reading about here in Galatians 6 verses 22 and 23 – why – because it is the Holy Spirit that is within us saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 44 verses 1 – 11

It tells us in verses 3 “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.”  This had come at a point in the nation of Israel when if you read chapter 43 it seems as if God has set his people aside.  They had rebelled against him, given into so much evil that it seems as if God turns his back on them.  Verse 1 “yet now hear O Jacob my servant.”  He wants to speak directly to them, wants them to open their hearts to hear the voice of God.  God desires one thing, for someone who is thirsty for the things of God. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”  Water is something that washes, purifies, cleanses, empowers with great force and might.  The Holy Spirit is someone not something!  He comes to the child of God and purifies our hearts and thoughts, empowers our lives to live for Christ in these days.  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  Don’t think there was a time when the Holy Spirit wasn’t around.  Just as simple as this – until Jesus was taken out of this world the Holy Spirit could not come into the world.  He could not lead us as child of God.  The Holy Spirit only came when Jesus went back to heaven.  The refreshing nature of the Holy Spirit.

A recognition of the condition

That should really search our hearts to day.  We come into his house saved by the grace of God, washed in his precious blood, are we content enough to be here today or is there a hunger and thirst upon our soul today?  If there is then God says ‘I am prepared to pour out my Holy Spirit on you.’  You must show a thirst for the things of God.  That is what you must do.  If you were in the Middle East water is not just such a commodity you would know something about what it was to have a deluge of rain.  It is a parched land.  When we begin to thirst after God then we will know what it is to have a deluge of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Is there a recognition in our hearts for God today?  That you don’t have that power any longer?  Remember the Old Testament story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 1 and her situation.  She recognised her condition in the home she lived in.  There was another woman who had children but Hannah had no children.  She was hurt and grieved about that.  Something she was embarrassed about.  Hannah felt she was barren and dry.  She didn’t go and complain to her husband, she took it to the God of heaven.  She began to bear her soul to God because of the condition she felt in her heart.  Do we pour out our hearts this morning?  Because there is a barrenness when I come to the things of God, the word of God has no meaning to me any more.  What a wonderful situation.  Once we recognise it then God is able to do something for us.  Just like the day when we were saved.  Remember that day.  You felt in your heart you were not right before God.  Conviction of sin, poured out your heart to God.  God did something for you – he reached down into the depths of your heart, removed your sins, forgave you and made you a new creature in Christ.  You might look back and see a void in that heart.  Christians can be grieved and get out of touch with God, focus on the hurt rather than on God.  God says I am waiting to pour out my spirit on you today.  Samson - not a razor was to come on his head.  The Philistines couldn’t deal with him because of his strength in his hair.  Samson married Delilah and the Philistines asked her to find out the source of his strength.  Samson told her “there hasn’t come a razor on my head ,if there was one on my head I would become as any other man and have no strength.”  Delilah shaved his head and the Philistines came in on Samson.  He rushed out to face the battle.  He didn’t know the Lord had departed from him.  Are we guilty of rushing out into the day, forgetting to seek the Lord for the day ahead?  God says if you are hungry to day I will pour water on you.  Are we living just on past blessing or are we all up to date on the Holy Spirits empowering?

The refreshing purpose that God has

Your land that is hard baked is the picture before us.  Once you recognise that then I will pour water on you.  When you realise your need of the Holy Spirit then I will pour my spirit on you.  Maybe we need to confess our weaknesses, confess that which we have between one another and bring it before the God of heaven and lay it before him.  I will pour water on you, bring the Holy Spirit on you.  Prayer is more than asking for safety and protection on individuals but rather that God will pour out his spirit if we are willing to pray for it.  The Laodicean church was neither hot nor cold.  What did God say he would do?  “I will spew you out of my mouth for you are neither hot nor cold.”  Are you thirsty enough for God to open the windows of heaven and pour out his spirit on you?

The request that God awaits to know

Our condition is not enough.  Laodicea did not see the inner most depths of heart.  In Acts 2 a group of people sat around waiting on God.  I can ask myself what are they waiting for?  Can hear everyone of them saying ‘we are waiting for the power of God’. “But ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you.”  They had a mission but God knew they needed the Holy Spirit.  They were instructed to wait until that power came.  Luke 11 verse 13 Jesus “if ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  It is critical that we know the condition, confess that condition, request that God do something about it.  Here’s a picture of a man presenting himself before God hungry and thirsty.  God says I will pour out my Spirit on him.  We must do as James said ask in faith.  Hannah went into the house of God and prayed about her condition.  She prayed ‘if you give me a man child I will give him back to you.’   We are not praying for something to give us a head start to the Christian life but give us solace day by day to take us through difficult times.  He will give the Holy Spirit.  W’e give it back to him that he might be able to use it for the extension of his work.  There’s a gift God has given to you.  Paul said to Timothy ‘stir it up."  God waits for you to present yourself to God today.  When we pray are we saying ‘Lord if you answer this prayer for me I will give it back to you.’  When we go out into the world do we pray for the salvation of our family and ask the Lord to do what he wants?

What will be the results that God gives?

If God can find one person who is thirsty for God "he will pour water upon him that is thirsty … and flood upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”  If you are ready to confess you are thirsty for God then he promises to pour blessing upon our seed or our family today.  When the disciples would receive that Holy Spirit blessing they would be blessed throughout their families.  Peter had been a fearful unbelieving disciple, sitting in that room in Act 2 he was scared in case he would be taken and put to death.  When the Holy Spirit came and filled them with power Peter went out into the streets and he preached the word of God.  As a result 3000 souls were saved.  Cornelius was sitting on his knees in his house thirsting for God.  He believed in prayer, gave to the poor, helped everyone he could.  When Peter came into his house Cornelius had brought his whole family in there.  He knew he would hear something mighty and powerful.  When the word of God grips our hearts and the Holy Spirit is given to our hearts others will be reached.  I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.  Only for those who are thirsty.  When I get that man or woman I will send floods on a dry province.  Maybe that is what God is waiting for today – just one person so he can use mightily.

John 14 verses 16 – 31

In Acts 1 Luke the physician, the great doctor now in Acts 1 speaks again.  Theophilus is a man, a person, a good friend of Luke.  Verses 1 and 2 here’s Luke the physician taking pen to paper.  He wants to write a record for Theophilus, wants to tell him about Jesus.  He wants to introduce it in a special ink.  He wants to show how things have now changed.  In the books of Acts changes his role because times have changed.  The Lord has gone back to heaven but his work is still going on on earth in and through the Holy Spirit.  “Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.”  I showed you his miracles, teachings, doctrines, healings all through my book, now I want to show how Jesus is working on the earth through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ is still trying to communicate with you and I the things of God.  Jesus’ work was still continuing through the administration of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes we are guilty of thinking that the Holy Spirit has no real role.

The reality of the Holy Spirit.  When we talk of the reality of the Holy Spirit got to tread carefully lest we fall into trap of false perception.  Some would say he is no more than a mere influence but he is more than that – he is a person.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the godhead, the Trinity.  The Trinity is made up of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  He is a real person not an influence.  They will try to tell us the same about Jesus.  They will say he was a very good person who died on the cross of Calvary but not dying as the Saviour.  They will twist it around then will tell us he didn’t die at all in the tomb.  People stole it away.  They will not tell us he is the Saviour.  That is why we have to tread carefully.  It is the Holy Spirit who takes the things of God and applies them to your heart.  He is not an influence.  When Jesus spoke here he refers to the Holy Spirit as such – John 14 verse 16 “give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever.”  I will not leave you as orphans.  Jesus is using the word as that – “comfortless.”  When Jesus left his disciples on that particular day he taught “I will not leave you as orphans, I will send you another comforter.”  It means an advocate, someone to defend you, protect you, instruct you in all the ways I have been doing.  I am sending the Holy Spirit.  One little word stands out in reference to the Holy Spirit – “that He may abide with you for ever.”  He doesn’t say “it”.  If it had been a mere influence he would have referred to it as “it”.  It is important to grasp that.  In Acts 8 we read of the eunuch coming up from Jerusalem.  He was mighty under Candace the Queen.  As he sat in his chariot he opened up the word of God and began to read all about how the Lord had suffered and died for him.  “The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip” that angel was none other than the Holy Spirit.  I have never heard of an influence speaking before.  The Lord gives the Holy Spirit utterance here.  Acts 5 verse 3 shows that people began to murmur a little so they devised a plan to split the money, give to the house of God and give to those in need.  Ananias and Sapphira were one couple who had a bit of land and decided to sell it but only give some to the disciples and keep some back.  Ananias offered the money to Peter and Peter said to him “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost”.  He is a real person, not an influence, the person of the Holy Ghost.  Paul in Ephesians 4 verse 30 said “grieve not the Holy Spirit.”  How can you grieve an influence?  How can you lie to a person?  We can grieve the Holy Spirit by the things we do or say, by our attitude, by what something is done to us or says about us.  We find that he is a person, that is the reality of the Spirit.

The relationship of the Holy Spirit.  This is a wonderful relationship enjoyed within the Godhead which we cannot put interpretation to.  Ephesians 4 verses 4 – 6 the Holy Spirit enjoys a relationship within the Godhead.  One Holy Spirit, one God, one Father.  These 3 are together.  By one Spirit we are baptised into one body.  There are many names for the Holy Spirit.  Chapter 14 verse 17 “the Spirit of truth”, “Spirit of righteousness”, “Spirit of wisdom”.  When Jesus was baptised at the River Jordan he went straight away out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  When he went to Nazareth brought up in front of the synagogue turned to portion of scripture that said “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach unto the poor.”  The relationship of the Spirit to Christ.  He presents Christ to the church.  He gives us the word of God and applies it to your heart.  That is the relationship the Holy Spirit has to the word of God.  What is his relationship to the church?  He is the one who gives the gifts that we can use them to function in the church.  What is the Holy Spirit in relationship to man.  The Holy Spirit gives saving grace.  The Father is the one who came into the Garden of Eden.  He was the one from the foundation of the world, created everything we have.  God planned the redemption story through his Son.  It is none other than the Holy Spirit who reveals that to us today.  Notice the harmony of that relationship – Genesis 1 verse 2 “and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.”  There was God the word, God the Father and now God the Holy Spirit working together. 

The role of the Holy Spirit.  It tells us in John 14 verse 26 “he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.”  When the Spirit of God came on the Day of Pentecost coming to abide with his children forever.  John 7 verse 39 “But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”  Only on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to dwell in all his fullness.  1 Samuel 10 the Spirit came but did not remain.  1 Peter 2 verse 12 the moment you bow your knee and take him as Saviour the Spirit comes to your heart, dwells in that heart of yours, leads you, instructs you in the things he would have you to know.  It is the Spirit of God keeping you and keeping you in touch with him.  He came in the act of salvation.  John 16 verse 8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment.”  When Paul stood in the throne room of Felix and spoke to him of righteousness, temperance and judgment the Holy Spirit took that to Felix’s heart and he trembled as a result because God was speaking to him.  When God came He showed you your sin, the righteousness he had for you and the judgement to come.  We are still in the day of grace, still in the day when the Holy Spirit is revealing to men and women their great need of salvation.

Acts 2 verses 1 – 18

It is to this wonderful portion of scripture of the Holy Spirit coming on the people of God that we turn to today.  For every child of God the Holy Spirit takes up his residence today.  John 14 verse 17 “even the Spirit of truth”.  Another name for the Holy Spirit.  There are different names for the Holy Spirit “whom the world cannot receive.”  Only those who are saved by God’s grace can receive the Spirit.  We need to be open and sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  In Revelation 3 verse 20 we see the picture of the Laodicean church.   Jesus was on the outside of the door trying to gain entrance into the church.  A church that thought they had everything yet Jesus saw them blind, poor and naked.  It is a wonderful picture of the sinner.  Jesus only knocked, he never barged his way in.  He waited for an invitation to come in.  Will not come into your heart and life and save you from your sin until you ask him.  That means you have sinned and need him to take away your sin to live within you.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us, tells us wrong from right.  Elijah in the Old Testament sitting in the cave heard the thunder and lightning.  God wasn’t in any of those mighty acts of nature.  God came to him in a still small voice.  John 14 verse 26 “but the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.”  He will teach us what we need to be and what need to be doing.  He will bring all things to your remembrance.  That is why it is so important to read the scriptures and study the scriptures.  Somehow the Holy Spirit can bring it to your mind and help you through difficult circumstances.  Want to think about this day when the Holy Spirit came.  Chapter 2 verse 1 the disciples have made their way back to the upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for God to do something mighty “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”  The arrival of the Holy Spirit.  This is not the birth of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is the third person of the triune God.  God the father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Holy Ghost – not his birth but his arrival.

The ceremonial nature of this day.  One of the main feasts of the Jewish nation when people came together.  That is why there was this crowd in Jerusalem on this particular occasion.  Pentecost means 50 and comes from Leviticus 23 verse 15.  The fiftieth day, the day after the seventh Sabbath.  God sent forth the requirements of coming to worship God and expects certain rituals for use.  There is a danger in our worship, a slackness in our worship when we don’t pay detail to what the Lord might require of us.  When Moses wanted to take the Israelite people out of Egypt he told Pharaoh that God was asking them to go 3 days into the wilderness to sacrifice.  Pharaoh told them “take all you need but leave the animals here.”  Moses replied “no I cannot do that, I don’t know what God would ask of me to give.”  We need to come with a heart open to God.  Need to be ready to give what he wants from us.  God has been putting something in that heart of yours, asking you to give it to him.  Are we willing to let him have it?  Verse 15 notice the priest was asked to come in before the Lord and bring a sheaf of corn before the Lord.  When the time came that the children of Israel were brought into land of Canaan and it came to harvest time they were to take the first sheaf and bring it in before the Lord and wave it before the Lord.  It was the first fruits of the land.  It was promising them there was more to come.  When Jesus rose from the dead he was promising that all those saved and in the grave would rise again from the dead.  Jesus was the first fruits of those who had died.  All those who had died and were saved by God’s grace they would rise again.  When the priest stood with that one sheaf of corn then the people were to count 50 days after that.  They were to take and bake 2 loaves and bring them before the Lord.  This was the day of Pentecost.  Ceremonially speaking these 2 loaves pictured the church of Jesus Christ.  The  sheaf of corn had separate ears of grain.  God was picturing for you and me something far richer.  One of those loaves represented the Jewish people.  Acts 10 Peter took the gospel to Cornelius a Gentile.  Peter opened up the door of saving grace to give it to the Gentile people.  The 2 loaves were united together.  The church of Jesus Christ.  The birth of the church of Jesus Christ.  Verse 16 “and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.”  The priest was to offer something new.  On the day of Pentecost God was going to do a new thing, bring about the church of Jesus Christ, making one people on this day of Pentecost.  The apostles offered the first fruits of the offering of the Holy Spirit.

Notice the celebratory nature of this day verse 21.  Not just to be one day only.  It was repeated yearly.  That is why the word of God says “throughout your generations”.  On this day of Pentecost they were gathered together to remember what God had done for them.  God promised the children of Israel “I will bring you out of Egypt and into the land flowing with milk and honey.”  Now centuries later the people were gathered together that God would do something special on that day.  They were there to celebrate.  We come today to celebrate what God has done for us.  If it had not been for God sending his great love on us, looking on us with sympathy and grace we would be lost for ever in Christless hell.  He took the best he ever had, sent his son into the world to suffer and die for you just to save you.  That is what God has done.  We need to take some exhortation from the word of God.  The Hebrew Christians were suffering persecution, going through hard times and got their eyes off the Lord.  It is easy to get our eyes off the Lord, very easy to do that, to put our eyes on difficulties, disappointments and before you know it eyes are off the Lord.  The Hebrew Christians were in danger of complete backsliding.  Many do not gather together for public worship.  Hebrews 10 verse 25.  On the day of Pentecost the believers were gathered together and as a result God sent the Holy Spirit.  Wouldn’t it be awful if your seat was vacant and God came to do something special and you missed it?  Remember Thomas he missed the Lord’s coming to them.  The disciples told him about his visit.  He didn’t believe it but the following week when they met together he was also there.  God can still do a marvellous thing.  Leviticus 23 verse 16.  The Lord is calling out men and women from the world, saving them, baptising them into God’s family, giving them the Holy Spirit to live within them.  In Acts 20 verse 7 when Paul was in Troas on the Lord’s day “the disciples came together to break bread.”

There is the characterised nature of this day.  A supernatural day.  Verse 2 “and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind.”  Speaks of the functions and power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s not doubt God today.  He can still work today.  Verse 3 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them.”

The challenging nature of this day.  They were to go out into the streets and deliver what the spirit had done to them on the Day of Pentecost.  Peter took that challenge and went out on that day and preached.  As a result of 3000 were saved.

Galatians 5 verses 13 – 26

The problem in the church at Galatia was this.  The disciples had proclaimed the word of God and many were saved.  However there were those who came in and disturbed the people so that they decided to go down the road of legalism ie obeying the rituals for the sake of doing them but not really believing in what they were doing.  Chapter 1 verses 6 and 7.  Now in chapter 5 verse 1 he says “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

We have been thinking much in these past moments of the battle Paul had raging here in the church of Galatia.  Verse 25 was his answer.  “If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit.”  Here we see the outworking of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  That is something we must always look to.  Paul speaks now specifically of a renewed nature and a reformed character.  He is talking of the fruit that needs to be continuously nurtured.  Here he makes the comparison of the old nature residing in and the Holy Spirit now coming to live and settle in their heart.  We may have been religious and good living but still had the nature against God and it would take us to lost eternity.  The moment we bow the knee and take the Lord as Saviour and Lord something really specific happens.  The blood of Christ cleanses us.  We become new creatures and we are given the Holy Spirit.  This fruit only comes when we walk with the Holy Spirit.  His inner voice leading us and directing us.  CH Spurgeon gave the illustration of a tree that he had watched outside his study window.  He watched it every day and as he studied the word of God through the changes of the year.  The spring time shows buds coming on the tree and then through the summer its leaves and foliage were produced.  Autumn time leaves began to blow off the trees.  Not every leaf would fall from the tree.  Some would hang on as winter season comes.  Something very special happens.  The sap rises on the old and the leaves have to fall away, to lose their grip.  The more the Holy Spirit takes a grip on you and me the old nature dies.  Sometimes it takes a little while but the old things will pass away as the Holy Spirit comes.  This is only as we give way and give credence to the Holy Spirit.  There are 3 sets of triplets in verse 22.  The first triplet is love joy and peace, the second is longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and the third triplet is faith, meekness and temperance.  The first triplet is my communion with God – love, joy and peace through my relationship with God.  The second triplet is my relationship with you, your relationship with me and our relationship with others.  The third triplet is the innermost character we produce.

Look at the first triplet and our communion with God.  That indwelling of God in my life.  What does the Bible tell me about love?  Remember John writing in chapter 4 verse 10 “herein is love, not that we love God but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins.”  When we were born into the world we were sinners, had no love for God.  We may have had respect for him and respect even for his day but no love.  He saw us as helpless sinners.  God sent Jesus into the world to be our substitute for our sin.  That he had such a love for you and I that he would do that.  Paul writing of love said in Romans 5 verse 5 “hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  The Holy Spirit imparts this love in our hearts, cultivates it day by day by studying his word.  He is the great example.  By praying with him, talking with him.  Have we that great love for the Lord?  Do we love him with all that we have?  Jesus said “I go and prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself.”  The Christian Paul says when writing to the Colossians in chapter 4 verse 6 “let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.”  When you and I speak lets have this love in our heart.  There is a taste to it.  That others might see what you are saying.  It doesn’t pull them down but builds them up.  In Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas were visiting the church “they caused great joy unto all the brethren.”  Second aspect of the triplet is joy.  Not talking here about fits of laughter every moment of the day.  For the Christian suffers like any other but the Christian has a secret and it is the Holy Spirit in our heart that brings forth joy no matter what the situation is.  I know the Christian suffers sickness, tragedy, pain and they are not immune from them. Thankfully the Holy Spirit can give us joy as we go through the Christian experience.  In the city of Samaria the people were given to such tremendous sickness.  Philip came down to that city and began to preach the word of God.  Others looked on his face and realised there was something they hadn’t got – joy.  One by one they began to believe, came to saving knowledge in Christ.  Acts 8 verse 8 “and there was great joy in that city.”  In Acts 13 the Christians were being persecuted but it says “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.”  Many Christians do not give joy but cause hurt and division.  Third part of the triplet is peace.  This is our communion with God.  Only God gives peace.  Paul was able to say he gave him a peace that passeth all understanding.  He proved it time and again.  Ridiculed, thrown into prison, proved it when he sang praises in the Philippian jail.  Love, joy and peace.  Peace of a renewed fellowship with God.  Gone is the dread of judgement.  “It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgement.”  Each and every one of us stands in judgement.  Our sins will be judged on that day.  Jesus Christ took our judgement, our penalty upon him.  Every sin was laid on him, that he died to pay the price, might take God’s perfect peace and set it upon our heart today.  When I close my eyes in death it is absent from the body and present with the Lord.  Paul said have you that peace because Jesus has taken your judgement, you stand with no judgement looming.  A peace revealed by those who have gone through great time of suffering and persecution.  Romans 8 “there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.”  Have we got that peace today?  The Spirit of God indwelling in us.  Love, joy, peace comes from the spirit within.

The second triplet – peace, longsuffering, gentleness.  This is my company with others.  That is what others see as look on me or is it all it is?  Some may have to suffer longer than others but God gives us longsuffering.  When things are not going right we through the Holy Spirit of God can persevere without throwing in that towel or flaring up in front of others.  That is the Holy Spirit.  Dwelling within you and I, producing fruit in us that others may recognise they don’t have that life.  Job is a great illustration of that.  He was the earliest man recorded who knew God personally.  The devil tried to bring him down but God held his servant up as his great example.  The devil asked God to let him at him for a few moments and he would show you who he really loves.  God gave the devil access.  Remember how one day Jesus said to the disciples “Satan hath desired to have you but I have prayed for you.”  God allowed the devil to tempt his servant Job but he restricted him.  He took his herds, flocks, family then smote Job with illness.  Imagine the pain Job was in.  Through all this tragedy – why has God allowed all this to happen.  When things happen to us what do we think?  Job didn’t know what was going on in the heavenly places.  Job was living his normal life until one day it all changed.  Job was brought into the most awful trials and sufferings but he did it with longsuffering.  His 3 friends came in to Job but not to encourage him.  They told him he had sinned, broken God’s commands and there was no way God would allow this to happen.  James said “remember Job’s patience.”  God brought Job through his suffering.  That is the fruit of the spirit.

A message for Christmas day!

Luke 2 verses 8 – 17

Here’s the account of the shepherds out on the hillside watching over and guarding their sheep.  Maybe would sit around and talk about all the news but were unaware of what was happening in Bethlehem.  They did not know about Mary and Joseph coming down to the stable, that the baby born to them would be the Saviour of the world.  All of a sudden the angels came down from the sky and began to talk to the shepherds.  The shepherds were ignorant of all that was happening yet this divine messenger came from God.  So like each of us even this morning – ignorant of what God has done for this very point of time.  Maybe blinded by God of this world, unaware of what he has really done for us.

The judgement they make.  This was no different from the night before.  They had done this on many occasions.  This evening would somehow be a different time for these shepherds.  Something would change their hearts and minds for the present and for eternity.  Maybe we have celebrated so many Christmases before.  Maybe this will be different.  Maybe this is the morning God would take away the blindness from your heart.  Jesus Christ came into this world for a special and specific purpose.  He came by the virgin born in a lowly place into a manger.  That was only the start of his ministry.  He would take his earthly father’s trade but when he got to 33 years of age was rejected of all his own people.  They turned their backs on him.  They could not believe for one moment that this was the Messiah.  Jesus was the one who came into the world to save us from our sins.  Here was this message the angels brought to them “fear not because I bring you great tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.”  Is he my Saviour?  Only if we allow him to be.  If we allow him to come into our lives and allow him to come into our hearts, open up the door and allow him to come in, acknowledge our sin and allow him to come in.  The shepherds never heard a message like this before.  They had to do something about it.  They must come to judgement.  As we come around to another Christmas morning you and I must make a judgement.  Luke 2 verse 1.  This was message from the Lord.  “Let us go now even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which hath come to pass which the Lord hath made known unto us.”  You could have the greatest preacher preaching to you every day but unless the Lord reveals it to us then it is in vain.  When Paul preached in Athens talked about the Lord Jesus coming into the world, then when he came to the resurrection of the Lord some mocked him, some said we will hear you again.  They hadn’t made up their minds.  Maybe they had preconceived ideas of their Messiah.  The philosophers of Athens called him a babbler, a setter forth of strange things (Acts 17 verse 18).  They had preconceived ideas of what God should be.  Today people still think that, they have preconceived ideas.  Look at what happened when the shepherds came to see the baby in the manger – “Mary kept all these things in her heart.”

The journey they make.  They believed it was from the Lord.  Everything they heard they believed.  They have to get up and make a journey, to go in the strength of what they heard to the city where they were told they would find a Saviour.  They found it exactly as had been told them.  The Lord wants to take you to Calvary, to the place where Jesus suffered and bled and died, to show you the greatest need in your heart.  Thank God he is born for you.  They left their sheep sitting on the mountain to find the Saviour.  Maybe there is something you will have to leave behind to find the Saviour.  Maybe the sins of this old world.  Sometimes we have to leave the thing we are holding onto most to get hold of the Lord.  Have you made that journey yet?  You have felt him speaking to your heart many times in the past.

The joy they found.  The returned glorified and praised God for all the things they had seen or heard.  Not talking about happiness, a smile on your face but joy that comes from knowing the Lord.  Philip in Acts went down to Samaria where the people were facing great persecution, given over to all sorts of false doctrine and teaching.  Philip came to them, preached the gospel and men and women were healed and delivered from evil spirits.  “There was great joy in the city.”  There is still great joy when we find the Saviour as Lord.  Thank God he came for a purpose and reason – to save your soul and my soul.

The women surrounding Christmas

Luke 1 verses 5 – 25

I want us to look at some of the women folk around the birth of Christ and come really up to date and apply the principles and teachings we find here to our lives.  I want to look at Elisabeth and Zechariah and what it meant for that home.  Is this a time of great joy?  Sadly for many Christmas is not about the merriment and joy. 

Notice a woman who knew disappointment.  Verse 18 Zechariah “I am an old man and my wife is well stricken in years.”  He was speaking to the angel who had come.  That is the home we are looking at here.  Zechariah was a priest.  His job was to offer incense and prayer for the nation of Israel.  While in the temple something special happened.  The angel from heaven came to where he was.  He had a special message for him.  When we draw near to God, God draws near to us.  Can you imagine taking your place in the place of prayer, that as you do that God will draw near to us?  Cornelius got before God of heaven in privacy of his own home.  As he draw himself into that place God sent his messenger into his home.  We need to remember that God sees our hearts, he knows our situation.  There is no bluffing God.  God sent his angel to Cornelius and said “I have heard your prayer and it is answered.”  Verse 36 Elisabeth was also old who was called barren.  With God nothing shall be impossible.  God had a message for this elderly couple.  Verse 6 doesn’t say sinless.  They had a right relationship before God and they were blameless.  We are not perfect but thank God we can have a relationship before God that we are blameless.  Verse 5 they both loved and served the Lord and were united in matrimony in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Verse 13 “for thy prayer is heard.”  God points out a home with a relationship in it, shows a people of prayer, each careful to marry right, chose partners within the marriage relationship.  This was a woman though who was disappointed.  Time after time, year after year had prayed for a child and year after year God said no.  Zechariah feels it is impossible.  She kept the faith.  Verse 6 both were righteous.  God speaking about this moment in time.  Not 25 years ago or 5 years ago.  No he finds a pair who are righteous.  God looks on our testimony today, not the testimony of years ago.  God looks on us right now.  This moment looks into our hearts.  Does he see us where we should be today?  In that right faith with himself?  2 Corinthians 11 verse 25 “thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”  2 Timothy 4 verse 10 disappointed with people.  Verse 16 when I stood before Nero the emperor I looked for someone to help me to stand with me they all forsook me.  Verse 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.  Sought to bring him down.  Saw all manner of evil reports against him.  Acts 26 verse 22 Paul before Agrippa “having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.”.  God found a righteous woman still looking to him.  2 Timothy 4 verse 7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”  With all these disappointments I have kept the faith.  We will face and have faced many difficult situations.  Are we still keeping the faith?  We will face many problems with people but are we standing strong?  God comes in the midst of all her disappointment and says “thy prayer is heard.”  Perhaps she had stopped praying for a child yet God says “thy prayers are heard.”  All the prayers I have prayed they are all stored somewhere.  Can you imagine that for a moment?  The prayers you prayed 20 years ago God could come to you and say “thy prayer is heard and I am going to answer that prayer.

There is a new direction for her in her life.  God is going to change the direction of your life.  Maybe you are on way to lost Christless hell that will be for all eternity.  No second chance, no come back.  Maybe today God is going to reach down and show you your need of salvation and you will accept God’s offer of mercy and the direction of your life will be changed forever.  Through God this home will be blessed and this home will be a blessing to many people.  Verse 16 John the Baptist their son would turn many to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here was a woman and three quarters of her life was in relative seclusion.  God comes to her now, sets his hand on her life and sets her in a different direction.  Maybe this is the day God will pick you up and change the direction in your life.  Moses for 40 years was minding sheep in the wilderness.  Maybe just a different memory to the children of Israel.  His last act was one of murder.  Distant memory even now in Pharaoh’s mind but not to God.  He sees all, knows all, knew exactly where Moses was.  God knew where he was in the wilderness, knew what he would be doing on this exact day by striking fire in the bush.  He knew Moses would stop and look into the bush.  Maybe God is going to stop you in your tracks.  He knows all about you and where you are today.  In Matthew 6 in the sermon on the mount when Jesus spoke to his disciples he was instructing and teaching them.  In verse 3 he was teaching them about doing alms, doing good deeds, the little things we do for people “but when thou doest thy alms let not thy right hand know what thy left hand is doing.”  Verse 4 “and they father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”  Maybe that act did on the quiet no-one else knows about it but God sees it.  Matthew 6 verse 25.  Verse 5 bringing it into place of prayer.  Things done only that men see them not God.  Verse 6 “shall reward thee openly.”  My God sees you in the secret place.  Knows where you are, knew this woman was righteous woman and Zechariah were righteous people.  The birth of this child would change this woman’s life.  We may enter into the private place, think no-one sees nor hears but God sees into the secret place.

A devotion this woman lived by.  Imagine Zechariah going home from the temple.  The angel came down and told him his prayer is answered you are going to have a child.  Zechariah replies “I am old in years and my wife is well stricken in years.”  With God nothing shall be impossible.  When Elisabeth heard the news she hid herself 5 months.  Some commentators take the thought she was ashamed.  Perhaps this woman wanted to be alone with God, wanted to get herself to prayer.  Verse 25 she wanted to take herself off to be alone with God.  When God shares something with us we need to get into the secret place.

Her delight – verse 58.  This child would blaze a trail for others to come to know the Lord for themselves.  Elisabeth opened her heart to the Lord.  Imagine getting that news – “whatever the Lord wants I will do it.”  Is God speaking to us today?

Luke 1 verses 39 – 45

I want us this morning to continue on with a few thoughts surrounding Elisabeth, the wife of Zechariah the priest.  Last week we thought of the news she had received and the reaction she had when she received that news.  The news was that she would give birth to a son in the latter years of her life when she was far beyond the age of conceiving.  This was a miraculous birth.  God wants to do so much with us today.  The angel told Zechariah in the temple.  The first thing he said “whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years.”  He was struck dumb as a result of his unbelief.  Unbelief in our hearts stems the work of God.  We need to be careful that there is nothing that would stem the work of the Holy Spirit.  He can be grieved with things we hold in our heart.  We need the cleansing blood of Jesus to make us clean again.  I believe Elisabeth saw more than just the birth of John the Baptist.  She was given an interest into Mary’s role as well.  The excitement of Elisabeth was seen last time.  Are we excited by what God can do or are we going through the mundane things of life not very fussed by all that is happening?  Elisabeth was excited when she realised what God was going to do.  Now look at the encouragement she gave to Mary.  Are we an encouragement to people today?  Are you and I encouraging someone today, someone going through a difficult hard time to a new Christian?  Can you give an arm around their shoulder, a pat on the back?

The company Mary received.  Mary has just found out she would have a child who would be none other than Christ himself.  In verse 39 she seeks out company.  In verse 40 Mary sought out Elisabeth because of a family connection.  Verse 36 Elisabeth was her cousin.  There was a drawing because of the family connection.  We need to be an example to our family, an encouragement to the family.  Mary sought out Elisabeth because both women were separated by God for a specific purpose.  They had a fellowship together.  If Jesus has saved you and I today we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, working together.  Elisabeth and Mary were like that.  Elisabeth separated to bear John the Baptist into the world.  Mary carried the Lord himself.  He was the one who came into the world to die on the cross of Calvary for the world’s sins.  Have you a specific role that God wants you to do?  Do you know what your role is today?  These women shared a wonderful experience.  In verse 43 look at Elisabeth’s language – “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”.  In verse 47 we notice these 2 had a special bond that couldn’t be broken.  It is important that we seek out those with kindred minds and spirits if we believe that he was the son of God who came to earth to die on the cross, was raised from the dead on the third day and is in heaven today waiting to bring his people home.  The word of God has so much to say about company.  In verse 40 we see something special about the Christian home - that all and sundry are welcomed into it.  Amos 3 verse 3 “can 2 walk together except they be agreed.”  Remember the days of Lot and Abraham?  They had spent time in Egypt, were full of wealth and riches.  When they came out of that place their flocks had increased so much the land couldn’t bear them.  The herdsmen of Lot and Abraham fell out with each other.  Other people were seeing that.  Abraham realised the solution for this.  He told “This cannot go on, people are seeing this.  I want you to choose the land you want and I will take whatever is left.”  What happened with Lot?  Lot lifted up his eyes, saw the choicest of green pastures and thought to himself what a place for my flocks and herds.  He looked down across the valley and saw the crystal water flowing.  Water was a commodity.  As he chose that land it took him towards Sodom.  We need to be careful about the choices and company we make and keep.  Lot could see it was the best but he made the wrong choices.  Genesis 13 verse 13 “but the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”  It may have been alright to look at things in good light but later would suffer accordingly.  He will fall from grace.  Paul speaking of Alexander the coppersmith said “he hath down me much evil the Lord reward him according to his works of whom be thou ware also for he hath greatly withstood our words.” 2 Timothy 4 verses 14 and 15

The conversation Mary and Elisabeth had.  Good company promotes good conversation.  Mary was only a young pilgrim.  The angel had only met with her, explained what would happen to her.  Elisabeth was woman who knew and loved the Lord.  They began to have a conversation that leaves Mary encouraged.  A conversation directed by their devotion to the Lord.  Malachi 3 verse 16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lrod and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”.  Remember the 2 on the Emmaeus road on the day of resurrection.  They were making their way home to their own village, shoulder to shoulder, the only topic of conversation was what happened in Jerusalem that the woman had went to the tomb and there was no body in the tomb.  On the mount of Transfiguration Peter James and John climbed the hill with Jesus when they saw his raiment shining bright.  Matthew and Mark record that Elijah and Moses came and talked with Jesus.  Mark 9 verse 4.  You and I were lost in our sins, on the way to a Christless eternity.  No help or hope for us.  Jesus took his place on the cross, nailed his hands and feet to that tree. placed a crown of thorns on his head that he bore your sin and mine.  These 2 mighty prophets could speak nothing only of Christ’s death.  Our conversation - is it an encouragement to others?

The comfort Mary received.  As she listens to the song of Elisabeth Mary breaks into song too.  This comes at a time when Mary was exposed to suspicion and doubt.  Joseph her husband even cannot understand it.  He has decided to put her away privily.  Elisabeth says in a loud voice “blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”  Elisabeth continues “what a privilege it is for you to come into my home.”  Not talking here about flattery but using sincere words of encouragement.  “I know there are those ridiculing you, criticising you at this moment in time, who look down their noses at you but I know what you have in your womb is none other than my Lord.  It is a great privilege that you ever came to my home.”  Here was Mary just getting to her feet.  She needed a word of encouragement.  Paul told Timothy to be an example to the believers.  Timothy was a young man and Paul put great responsibility on his shoulders.  Acts 4 verse 36 and 37 Barnabas had land and sold it then gave the money to the apostles.  In Acts 11 verse 22 he was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch because the church had heard people were getting saved.  He told the people in Antioch they should cleave unto the Lord.  I’m sure he saw those who made mistakes, there were those plodding along from one incident to another in their Christian life but he had the love of God for this people in this city and he was glad about it.  He encouraged them to keep on going.  Mary in the face of ridicule criticism meets Elisabeth who tells her to keep on going.  That is the word to you today – keep on going. 

The confidence that Mary gained.  Verse 49 “he that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his name.”  Mary came with a heavy heart, head down, with questions, not able to answer herself.  She left however with a spring in her heart, confidence to live out the Christian life.  This woman was carrying the Lord Jesus in her womb.  They encouraged one another and Mary leaves with a new confidence in the Lord.  After Philip talked with the eunich, the eunich went on his way rejoicing.  It is good to know Christ has come into this world.  The company we keep, the conversation we have, what about it today – can we be encouraged with one another?  Thank God leave confidence knowing that the Lord is with us in his work today.

LUKE 1 VERSES 26 - 38

God is not limited to places in whatever situation or circumstances we find us in.  He spoke to Moses at the burning bush out in the desert, Jonah in the depth of the belly of the fish.  He came to Mary and described what he would do to Mary.  She would be a vessel by which he would send his son into the world.  One day he was taken from Mary’s side, taken into judgement hall of Pilate.  There he was taken out abused, beaten, taken to the cross of Calvary.  He gave his life for the world.  John 15 “I have finished the work you gave me to do, I have glorified thy name.”  He gave his life that we might be saved.  Verse 39 “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah. And entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.”  The angel told her that Elisabeth was also to have a child.  She wanted to be in the company of her cousin first.  Elisabeth was to be the mother of John the Baptist, to be the forerunner of the Lord, to turn the nation back to God.  It started off with disappointment when she couldn’t have a child.  “If we think we are doing right in God’s eyes then we are not.  It is when we are not.  It is in those times when we don’t think that he is working through us.” Oswald Chambers  In the second study we looked at the encouragement she was for Mary.  This is a great ministry in itself.  She was good company.  Mary arose and went to where Elisabeth was.  Are we good company to be in?  Could God direct someone to us.  She was in good conversation.  She was good comfort.  Elisabeth was able to comfort Mary.  That is what God asks us to do in ministry of encouragement, that we might comfort others, give them a certain degree of confidence as leave us.

The mystery of Elisabeth’s faith.  There’s no point in coming today to take Elisabeth’s life unless we take that comparison to our own lives.  There was a mystery about her faith – verse 41 “and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.”  Mary walked into the house, she was with child herself.  The moment she speaks to Elisabeth the baby leaped in her womb.  Mary was now spoken to by the angel, shown what the mind of God was.  She was to deliver God’s son into the world.  Verse 42 the moment Mary spoke to her she responded “blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”  Elisabeth’s expression of faith based on the fruit of Mary’s womb not Mary herself but the fruit of her womb.  All of this was revealed to Elisabeth.  When you and I have a faith in our hearts then when we sit down with the word of God we have the mind of God revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.  The channel is the same.  As we apply it to our hearts it is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Mary sitting in her own home, the angel comes and steps into Mary’s presence.  “Fear not Mary” the angel says.  The news from heaven is you are to have a child.  How can I have a child when I don’t know a man.  What the angel was revealing to Mary was the very mind of God for her life.  Have you sought the mind o God?  The most important thing in this world is to know what God would have us to do, what God would require o us.  We must one day stand before God at the judgement bar and give an account of the life we have lived.  Wouldn’t it be awful to say “I never knew what your will was for my life” when we have the word of God before us.  Elisabeth was showing Mary her faith.  She knew Mary was carrying the Messiah.  Are we afraid to let others know too?  Remember the widow woman.  Her husband had passed away and the debtors would soon come to take away her 2 sons to pay off the debt owed.  The woman got before the God of heaven.  She was told to speak to the man of God.  Her faith was demonstrated when the man told her what to do and she did it.  She was told to take a cruise of oil and gather all the vessels to carry it  She poured oil until there were no vessels left to carry it.  She had to demonstrate her faith.  Are we really demonstrating our faith today?  Are we telling others of what God has done for us?  Do we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds?  Peter was already demonstrated to jump for the Lord Jesus.  One day he was told to go out and cast his nets out into the deep.  Peter told the Lord they had fished all night and had caught nothing.  He had to prove his faith.  To demonstrate it to everyone around him.  Today are we proving God’s word?  Our faith is based on the same foundation as Elisabeth’s.  Elisabeth knew in Mary’s womb lay the hope of a lost world, lay the hope in you and me.  Our hope is in the Lord Jesus.  James said “show me thy faith”.  Our faith has to be demonstrated.

The miracle of her faith.  Elisabeth’s mind was enlightened.  It is only when the Holy Spirit takes the word of God and applies it to your mind that you can see your need to be saved.  Your faith and mine is no less than a miracle.  Elisabeth proved her faith.  You and I don’t realise we are lost because the devil is so subtle and cute.  He has half the world believing there is no God.  People are deceived, they think they are young and have plenty of time to get saved.  The Lord takes the Holy Spirit and reveals to you your need of salvation.  That is a miracle and if that is not a miracle then you will not be saved.  In John 4 Jesus came to the well of Samaria.  The woman came out, a deep dyed sinner who had no thought for the Messiah.  What a miracle took place that day.  She talked to Jesus and went out into the city telling people “come see a man who told me all things ever I did, is not this the Christ?”

The maturity of her faith.  As Mary entered into Elisabeth’s house she starts to praise God.  Imagine 6 months earlier God had come and revealed to Elisabeth her son would be great, a man who would turn the nation back to itself.  Now she has to take in that Mary’s child would be greater than her child.  Imagine the jealousy, envy that might set in.  “But the God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5 verse 10)  We are to mature in our faith.  To add to our faith day and daily.  “Brethren, be not children in understanding” “1 Corinthians 14 verse 20)  “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (Ephesians 4 verse 14)

The motivation of her faith.  “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” verse 43  Elisabeth was motivated in her faith by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ not Mary.  Often we say it is thy presence that maketh the feast but Elisabeth’s meant it.  Out of her mouth came the power of praise.  Elisabeth’s faith was motivated by the presence of Christ.  Moses leading the people of Israel “if you be not with us take us not up hence.”  Is the presence of God real in our churches, in our lives?  What a tragedy for Jonah – he got up and fled from the presence of God.  Naomi left the house of bread and went down into Moab.  Ten years later she came back and people questioned if it was really her.