1. Understanding the Holy Spirit in the Old Covenant
In the Old Testament, we often see the Spirit of God come upon individuals to fulfill specific purposes. Take Samson, for instance, who was empowered by the Spirit to perform supernatural feats of strength (Judges 14:6). Or consider David, who received the Spirit to lead the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13). During this time, the Spirit rested with God’s people temporarily, giving them the ability to conquer battles and lead effectively. Today, we will look at the differences between then and now, laying the foundation for understanding the great power available to believers today.
2. The Promise of a Greater Covenant - The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Ezekiel 36:27 and Joel 2:28 prophesied a time when the Spirit would not only rest upon people but would dwell within them. Jesus, too, spoke of this promise, saying, “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). This was a revolutionary idea, a promise of permanent indwelling rather than a temporary empowering. We will explore what Jesus meant by this promise and how it changed everything for believers.
3. The Day of Fulfillment - Pentecost
The game-changer for believers was the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, not just to empower them for a moment but to dwell within them permanently. This moment ushered in the new covenant, in which the Holy Spirit became our constant companion, guide, and source of power. Compare this to the fleeting presence of the Spirit in the Old Testament. Today, we are privileged to have access to God's power every day, yet many of us live without fully utilizing this gift.
4. Old Testament Triumphs - The Spirit with God’s People
Consider Gideon in Judges 6. He was a simple man, called to lead Israel against the Midianites. When the Spirit of God came upon him, he became a mighty warrior, leading Israel to victory despite overwhelming odds. We draw parallels between Gideon's triumph and the kind of victories that believers today can expect if they rely on the Holy Spirit who now lives within them instead of just coming upon them. The Spirit with Gideon enabled victory; the Spirit in us means we have even more reason to triumph.
5. The Spirit Within - A Different Kind of Power
In the Old Testament, the Spirit came and went as God directed for specific purposes. Today, the Spirit has made His home within us. Romans 8:11 tells us that “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.” This means we are not waiting for the Spirit to come to empower us; He is already here, ready to work through us. But why aren’t we manifesting power like Jesus did? The key often lies in our understanding, faith, and obedience.
6. Learning to Walk in the Spirit - Examples from Jesus
One reason we struggle to manifest the power of the Spirit is that we don’t fully understand how to walk in the Spirit. Jesus is our perfect example. He performed miracles, healed the sick, and even calmed storms, but He did so as a man empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 5:19: “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.” He showed us how to be in complete alignment with the Spirit. Today’s believers must cultivate a deep relationship with God and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in order to operate in His power.
7. Why We Lack Manifestation - Hindrances to Walking in Power
If the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, why do we often lack power? One reason is doubt and unbelief. In Matthew 13:58, Jesus could not perform many miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief. Another hindrance is disobedience or lack of intimacy with God. If we treat the Holy Spirit like an occasional visitor instead of a constant guide, we limit His ability to work through us. We will dive deep into the things that hinder us and how we can overcome them to truly manifest God's power.
8. Renewing Your Mind - The Key to Transformation
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” One major difference between those who walk in power and those who don’t is their mindset. In the Old Testament, people waited for the Spirit to move. Today, we must recognize that He is already within us, ready to act. Renewing our minds means shifting our thinking from passivity to expectancy, knowing that we are vessels of God’s power. This mindset change is crucial to living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. Living a Life of Obedience - The Key to Manifestation
The Holy Spirit empowers those who are obedient to God’s direction. Joshua experienced success in his battles because he followed God’s instructions precisely. In the New Testament, Philip in Acts 8 obeyed the prompting of the Spirit, which led to the Ethiopian eunuch's salvation. Obedience opens doors for God’s power to move through us. We will encourage readers to practice listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit’s promptings, however small, as a way to step into the fullness of God’s power.
10. Becoming Like Jesus - Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Ultimately, we are called to be like Jesus. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12). This means healing the sick, raising the dead, and transforming lives. To get to this point, believers must cultivate intimacy with God, walk in obedience, renew their minds, and actively trust in the Holy Spirit. We are not meant to live ordinary lives but to walk in the extraordinary power of God, expanding His Kingdom just as Jesus did.
Conclusion: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit was with the people of God in the Old Testament, empowering them for mighty acts. But today, He lives within us. This means that the potential for power is far greater—but it requires understanding, faith, obedience, and a renewed mind. Each entry in this series aims to show you how to align yourself with the Holy Spirit, so you can live a life that manifests God's power, just as Jesus did. The journey from knowing to living in power is about embracing the truth of the indwelling Spirit and acting on it.
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