Today we continue our series, “Follow Me - 7 Traits of A Spirit-Filled Disciple.” In our last post, we discussed worshipping in Freedom and specifically mentioned needing to worship God in Spirit and Truth. We need to worship God with our feelings/ emotions AND facts.

We talked about truth or God’s Word in the first week of this series. Today, I want to talk more about worshipping God in Spirit. Specifically the Holy Spirit. Why? Because we are an Assemblies of God church that wants to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit right here in Saint Clair Shores!

But before I dive into our scripture and topic of the day, check out this video from The Bible Project.

Ruach

Today I want to share this message around the concept of Ruach. When spoken, the word engages one’s breath and lungs. Typically when we think Holy Spirit, we think of the New Testament. From the book of Acts onwards. But that first mention of Ruach is in Genesis 1. So let me read some of Genesis 1 for you…

What do we see happening? God Speaks, the Word is proclaimed, and Action occurs. There is energy in the Word of God. God the Father speaks the Word, and Action happens.

And that Action is Ruach! This is why when we look at Jesus, his miracles were not magic tricks, but He spoke things into existence. And the reason why Jesus simply spoke is profound! Check out John 12:44-50

But Jesus could only say and do that which the Father called him to do because he was the personification of God’s Word (God’s Word become Flesh). Then the Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus at his Water Baptism activates that Word into motion. Jesus doesn’t have to do anything magical in his miracles because His existence is God’s execution of His promise!

That is why the moment of Water Baptism is so important for His ministry. That is why it is so crucial for you as well. It’s not just something we do; it is a way for us to develop a proper relationship with Jesus and do what the Father commands.

Ruach In The Old Testament

Ruach is described as a wind (Numbers 11:31 and Exodus 10:13) but also as a spirit (in Judges 6:34, 1 Samuel 16:14, and 1 Kings 18:12). And then, in Job, it is translated as breath (Job 12:10).

But the meaning we should pay the closest attention to is spirit – because it also applies to the name of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that, we will realize that Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) appears already in the Old Testament!

For example, in Psalm 51:11, when David prayed:

“Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take your Ruach HaKodesh from me.”

Similarly, Ruach Elohim means the Spirit of God. In many references in the Old Testament, the Ruach Elohim comes upon an individual and allows him to speak for the Lord. In Genesis 41:38, After Joseph reveals Pharaoh’s dreams, he says… “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Ruach Elohim?”

The Ruach Elohim was present when the Temple of the Lord was built. The Lord filled Bezalel with Ruach Elohim, along with the ability, craftsmanship, and skill to execute the creative designs. The Lord inspired all the artistry according to what He had in mind for His holy Temple.

In the Old Testament, we see that the Ruach Elohim, or the Ruach HaKodesh, quickens, fills, comes upon, and comforts. This is also what we know that the Holy Spirit does in the New Testament.

In Ezekiel 37, Ruach gave life to the dry bones that Ezekiel saw in his vision. Once the words are spoken over them, they come to life and grow muscle, tendons, ligaments, and flesh. In this case, the Ruach gives life, whereas previously, there was none.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Undeniably, it is the work of the Spirit when a person comes to faith in Jesus the Messiah. The most extreme example that comes to mind is the supernatural encounter of the Apostle Paul.

After seeing a vision of Jesus on Damascus road, Paul is temporarily blinded, and as Ananias lays hands on him, the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit, falls on Paul. The scales fall from his eyes at that encounter, and his sight is restored.

How the Ruach Moves

The work of the Ruach – the Spirit, does two important things. First, he restores sight by waking up the human spirit through confession. The Spirit removes the obstacles of being “dead in one’s trespasses.”

But at the same time, He functions as a light Himself. He illuminates us to the truth and reality of life with God in Christ. The Ruach (Spirit), in the words of Sinclair Ferguson, “does not add information about Jesus; he simply opens our eyes to see who He really is.”

The Ruach quickens us to the integrity of Scriptures, which are God-breathed. The Spirit verifies them and makes our hearts respond to the truth therein. The role of the Word and Spirit are intimately entwined, and God breathes the word.

Our Helper

Like a flashlight shone in the darkness, the Spirit of God lights our path. The Ruach shines a light on all our undesirables and ministers to our needs with gentle correction and care. Ruach reminds us of Jesus’ words in the gospels, leads us to truth in the epistles, and shows us the things to come in Revelation.

He is our comforter, our counselor, and our helper. You may have been to therapy or had a deep conversation with a friend, but another person will never give you a complete picture of your situation.

They don’t have the same experiences or memories, or thoughts. And likewise, our compassion for others will be limited by simply not having walked a mile in their shoes.

But think of Joseph, or the prophets, or Jesus. The Spirit quickens us to do what God calls us to do. As we become more like Jesus, we are to live out the Word, and the Spirit gives us the ability to do that very thing. On our own, we are not capable, but with the breath of Him who spoke the universe into existence, look out.

We need to spend time in the Word getting to know Jesus so that the Spirit can bring that into remembrance and execute it through us

What Does This Look Like For Us?

We desire to see the following things manifest in the lives of Spirit-Filled Disciples at The Shores Church…

Pre-School

Know that the Holy Spirit is God
Understand that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God
Understand that the Holy Spirit can help them be and live more like Jesus.

Elementary

Disciples are born again, understand that the Holy Spirit is God, understand His roles (comforter, Teacher, etc.), sense God’s Presence, and are beginning to learn how to hear God’s voice and exercise their gifts.
Disciples seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, and allow the Holy Spirit to empower them to share their faith.
Disciples recognize behaviors that demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit and grow in their understanding of a transformed life.

Youth

Disciples experience a new birth in Christ, and develop a greater understanding of the Person f the Holy Spirit, His role in salvation, and how He helps us become more like Jesus.
Disciples continue to seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues, and understand the connection of this experience with empowerment for the mission of reaching their family and friends.
Disciples identify and begin to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and seek opportunities to grow and demonstrate that fruit and the virtues of a transformed life.
Disciples identify and become aware of their God-given gifts and talents and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, use them in all areas of life.
Disciples continue to develop in creativity and innovation, allowing the Spirit to lead them in all aspects of life.

Adult

Disciples have experienced the new birth, know the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and know that the Holy Spirit is God, worthy of adoration along with the Father and the Son.
Disciples seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, and connect this experience with increased intimacy with God and empowerment for the mission of reaching the lost.
Disciples enjoy a clear conscience and are growing in self-disciple and personal holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to purify and transform their mind and heart and embodying the fruit of the Spirit and the virtues of a transformed life.
Disciples know their God-given gifts and talents and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, use them in all areas of their life.
Disciples grow in creativity and innovation, allowing the Spirit to lead them in all aspects of life.

Want to study this topic deeper and get a first-hand experience of the Holy Spirit? Then view the full sermon here on YouTube!