The Promise of the Spirit: Session 1 – Intimacy with God Through the Spirit

Notes:

Intimacy With God Through The Spirit    See Session Slides Here

‘Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith’ (Gal.3:13-14). It was foretold that the Holy Spirit would be given to God’s people to make the new covenant a reality, Ezek.36:27; Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39.

In His Farewell Discourse (John 13-17) Jesus spoke of the coming of the Spirit, Jn.14:16-18. This was fulfilled at Pentecost. ‘At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you’ (John 14:20). When the Spirit comes (‘in that day’) we will know our union with Christ, John 14:21.

  • The goal of salvation is intimacy with the Father. We have received the Holy Spirit for this purpose,
  • See Acts.10:44. ‘Fell upon’ (epipipto) = to give a warm embrace; a welcoming into the family of God, (see Lk.15:20).
  • The Holy Spirit throws His arms around us, Rom.5:5.
  • We are ‘in the Spirit’. The Holy Spirit joins us to Christ and makes His life a reality, Rom.8:9; Gal.4:4.
  • Satan will let us do anything except have intimacy with the Father. His opposition to this is not obvious but subtle. He is happy for us to have gifts but not the Giver. E.g. Success, prosperity, healing, etc., 1 Pet.3:18.
  • Intimacy with God through the Spirit is the Biblical motivation for holiness, 1 Cor.6:17,19-20).
  • ‘Temple’ is hieron, but holy of holies is naos, the dwelling-place of God’s glory. Wherever we go, whatever our circumstances we bear the presence and the glory of God.
  • Intimacy with God is a promise of the new covenant. It is promised to the least, Heb.8:11.
  • The Greek for ‘know’ here is ginosko. It means to know absolutely, so that we can be sure, confident and bold to speak. It also indicates that who or what is known is of great value and importance to the one learning, Jn.17:3; Jn.10:14.
  • After the Cross ‘following’ was replaced by ‘abiding’. To abide means that one person remains in union with another. To be one in mind, spirit, heart and will. As the Father and the Son, Jn.14:10-11; 14:20-21.
  • The Holy Spirit has joined our spirit with Christ. We are one with Him. We abide in Him who abides in the Father. We have His mind, His heart and His will.
  • We are joined to Him as a branch is joined to the vine. We must never think of ourselves except being joined to Jesus; and we must not think of Him except being joined to us, Gal.2:20.
  • Abiding is choosing to be available to Him who is always with us. The result is fruit bearing, Jn.15:4-7.

This is important because of:

  • The pressure within and without to live independently of Christ. This is living by means of the flesh. God has many self-appointed hired servants. To these He will say, ‘I never knew you’. The purpose of redemption is that we be His sons.
  • The pressure of others. Religion would yoke us to systems which produce works but cannot produce fruit. We are invited to be yoked with Christ by the Holy Spirit. Jesus called those who were weary because yoked to the Law, to Himself Matt.11:28-30. He didn’t offer law but life. ‘For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me’ (Rom.15:18).