June 5, 2005
Morning Sermon Outline
”The Holy Spirit’s Old Testament Work”
John 7:37-39
According to this morning’s text from John 7, at the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Some have misunderstood this to imply that the Holy Spirit had no ministry at all among men until after Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet, when we read the Old Testament, we realize that was not the case. The Holy Spirit is mentioned often and He is very active. His activity before Christ’s coming into our world is what I would like to consider today.
If we look at the Old Testament:
I. We see the Holy Spirit active in the work of creation – Genesis 1:2
1. In this work, as in others, the Holy Spirit works cooperatively with the other members of the Godhead, the Father and the Son, to each creative power is attributed – Acts 4:24; John 1:3; Job 33:4
2. In this work, each member of the Godhead had / has a particular role
(a.) The Father begins or plans things – Romans 11:36
(b.) The Son builds, establishes and upholds things – Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3
(c.) The Spirit finishes and perfects things, we see this in His part of the work of creation – Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13
3. The Spirit was not only active in the initial creating of the world but He is also active in the continued sustaining of it, the reviving of it – Psalm 104:27-30
4. The Holy Spirit was He who gave man the breath of life – Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4
II. We see the Holy Spirit inspiring the Old Testament prophets – 1 Peter 1:10-12
1. Scripture was a result of the moving of the Holy Spirit – 2 Peter 19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. God (the Holy Spirit) speaks through them:
(a.) Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams is credited to the Holy Spirit – Genesis 41:38
(b.) The Spirit spoke through Azariah to encourage King Asa’s reforms – 2 Chronicles 15:1-9
(c.) The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, the prophet who predicted God’s fighting for Jehosaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:14-30
III. We see the Holy Spirit also giving men ability to govern, to create artistically and even to fight:
1. The Spirit to govern wisely was given to the seventy elders of Israel who would rule with Moses – Numbers 11:16 & :24-26
2. Great gifts of craftsmanship were given to Bezalel by the Spirit while he built the tabernacle – Exodus 31:1-4; 35:30-31
3. Strength to rule, judge and fight courageously were given to the judges of Israel by the Spirit – Judges 3:9-10; 6:34; 11:28; 13:24; 14:16; 14:19; 15:14
4. David was given God’s Spirit when He was anointed King – 1 Samuel 16:13-16
5. The Spirit even gave David the blueprint for the Temple – 2 Chronicles 28:11-12
6. The Spirit was also upon Balaam and Saul – Numbers 23& 24; 1 Samuel 10:6&10
Application for Today
1. Be humble about the gifts of the Spirit
2. Realize those gifts have a grand purpose
