the SPIRITUAL GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT

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murjahel

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LUKE’S GOSPEL AND THE BOOK OF ACTS,
WRITTEN UNDER THE HOLY SPIRIT’S DIRECTION BY LUKE,
GIVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
OF THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT​


Luke was one of the seventy disciples of Jesus, and later joined with Paul in missionary trips. He was an accurate historian, and became a theologian explaining in detail the beginnings of the revival of the early church.

Luke knew of Matthew’s testimony of John the Baptist’s ministry, and from the often references to it, he likely was witness to the testimony of John the Baptist and his references to the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:16-18 (KJV)
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Luke had likely heard these words, at least once, from John the Baptist:
Matthew 3:11
"I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER UNTO REPENTANCE; BUT HE THAT COMETH AFTER ME IS MIGHTIER THAT I, WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY TO BEAR; HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND WITH FIRE:"

Luke was also one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and much of what he told those two, is not recorded, but a few verses later we see that the message of Jesus that day included:
Luke 24:49 (KJV)
49 And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The opening of the book of Acts continues that message.
Acts 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Then, Luke recalls the promise that this subsequent event of infilling would equip for witnessing power.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The whole book of Acts is a commentary on the events fulfilling that promise of infilling power of the Holy Spirit. Luke emphasizes the aspects of ministry brought about by the infilling power.

Luke tells us much about the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As we look at his narrative accounts in the book of Acts, we see that the Holy Spirit infilling is subsequent from regeneration.

The first instance of the infilling is found in Acts 2:1-4:
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This event was subsequent to the conversion of the disciples.

Luke 10:20 (KJV)
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Had the disciples died prior to the day of Pentecost, they would have gone to heaven. The disciples somewhere before that time had come to a time of conversion, of regeneration, of being born again. Yet, though the Holy Spirit was involved in that event of salvation, there was still a subsequent event that occurred on the day of Pentecost.

The event of new birth had happened to them, as it did right after the resurrection of Jesus, when Jesus:
John 20:22 (KJV)
... breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

The New Testament never uses the expression ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ with regeneration, it is always used for persons who were already believers.

Secondly, the Samaritans had already accepted Jesus, accepted the gospel message, believed and were baptized in water.
Acts 8:5-12 (KJV)
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
And there was great joy in that city.
... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
... Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:


The Samaritans were genuine followers of the Lord, they had believed and were baptized. They had accepted the Word of God, which is an expression that is synonymous with conversion.
(Acts 2:41 (KJV)
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 11:1 (KJV)
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.)

Then Peter and John arrived, subsequent to these conversions, and they laid hands upon them. This was for them to ‘receive’ the Holy Spirit’s infilling. They had already had the Holy Spirit convict them, and immerse them into Jesus, and now they needed a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:17 (KJV)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.


more proofs from Luke's writings to come...
 
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murjahel

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Thirdly, Saul of Tarsus, is another example of the subsequence of the infilling following a conversion.

Acts 9:17 (KJV)
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Saul was sent to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, three days following his conversion on the road to Damascus. That subsequent event is said to include a healing of his sight, and an infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Ananias, before the infilling, addressed Saul as ‘brother Saul’, which indicates a spiritual brotherhood of the family of Jesus. Ananias did not call for repentance and belief, for Saul had already done that three days prior to meeting Ananias.

Fourthly, the household of Cornelius, had an almost simultaneous salvation with the infilling. Cornelius, prior to salvation to Jesus was already a ‘God-fearer’, so it took very little time following conversion for the Holy Spirit to infill them. They had prior to this sermon sent for Peter, having already heard of Jesus, and the salvation offered through repentance to Him. Their hearts had already been convicted by the Holy Spirit, and while Peter was preaching, they made commitment in their hearts, and instead of an altar call, that conviction followed by a change of heart toward sin, brought salvation without even an invitation having been given by Peter.

Acts 10:43-48 (KJV)
43 To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

There is no time mandated for how long it takes from salvation to the subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit. One must first be saved, but that salvation can be moments before the infilling. No one has to humanly confirm what God has done, it is only God Who needs to see the converts as true, and then the infilling can immediately proceed, once salvation has been received.

Fifthly, the disciples in Ephesus, had a subsequent to salvation infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.

These ones in Ephesus were already disciples, and had accepted the Jesus Whom John the Baptist had preached. These were Christians in need of teaching, and were taught by Paul about the subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit. Paul sensed a spiritual lack in their faith, but did not deny their salvation. He preached a further infilling of the Holy Spirit, and aided in their acceptance of this subsequent event. Paul knew that his reception of the infilling was subsequent to his conversion, and so he gently led this group of disciples to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
 
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murjahel

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THE COMMAND FOR INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS


A PRESENT TENSE, NOT PAST TENSE, INFILLING IS NEEDED


Ephesians 5:18
"BE NOT DRUNK WITH WINE, WHEREIN IS EXCESS, BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT."



Spirit-filled believers are more obvious than drunks. People see and feel a difference about "filled" saints. Sometimes they don't know what they sense, but they know that they sense something. The Spirit-filled saint doesn't need to hang a sign up that they are being used of God. People will call or visit them to seek advice and prayer. They will seek counsel from this "filled" Christian without the person ever seeking to be a counselor. Sick people will invite them over to pray for them. Convicted sinners will seek their company. Hardened sinners will avoid them like a plague. Sinners will clean up their language, while the "filled" saint is near. The presence of the Spirit-filled person will change the situation.

In too many churches, the demonstration of the Gospel power in these ways is lacking. We need a demonstration of power in the churches and in the lives of the Christians. If saints are Spirit-filled, with a present tense filling, there will be signs and wonders occurring. If the baptism experience has been lost, or not stirred up to be fresh -- then the church can be dull, dead, and lifeless.

Too many churches have a "FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF." Some churches, and Christians, proudly proclaim the gospel message; yet, there is an obvious lack of demonstrative power of the gospel. Paul's ministry came with demonstration -- not just proclamation.

I Thessalonians 1:5
"FOR OUR GOSPEL CAME NOT UNTO YOU IN WORD ONLY, BUT ALSO IN POWER, AND IN THE HOLY GHOST."

To have that kind of power, and demonstration of the Spirit in your life, and in the church -- you must have a present tense filling. Not a "I was filled long ago in 1998..." type filling. No, but you need a "I am still continuing to be filled with the Spirit..." type filling.

Acts 4:7-8
"...THEN PETER, FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, SAID UNTO THEM..."

The verse, according to the actual Greek, should have been translated as - " Then Peter, still in the process of being filled with the Holy Spirit..." The verb, "filled," is a present, continuing action word in this verse.

Many Christians, and many churches are like sail boats upon which the wind has ceased blowing. They sit dead in the water, unaware that the boat is no longer being pushed along by the wind. The Spirit wants more than to give Christians a "one-time" blessed experience. He wants to continue to work in and through their lives.

The infilling is subsequent to salvation, and is dissimilar to salvation though, in that it needs to remain a continual infilling. Salvation is received, and even if carnality, or spiritual apathy occurs, unless we deny Jesus, we are saved. Yet, the infilling of the Holy Spirit must be sought, kept in a receiving position. One can in carnality no longer be ‘full’ of the infilling, and may only have a ‘sprinkle’ or ‘drip’ of it flowing through them. To be full and have the ‘rivers of blessing’ flowing out of their innermost being, one must keep it present tense.
 
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murjahel

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How do we get a present tense filling in our lives ?

First, eliminate is the thought that the reception of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the end product of God. It is not ! It is like opening a door to a new and vast expanse. We can now enter in and begin to experience many more wonderful events because of the event we call the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." Many Christians have received the baptism of the Spirit and gone off to stray back to the dead, lifeless, and powerless ministry they had before. That is not God's plan or desire.

Secondly, let's have some goals to seek and expect.

A. We should expect to progressively become free from sin and the death that the devil wanted us to experience.

Romans 8:1-2
"THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH."

B. We should expect to progressively have a new way of thinking about things. Our old sinful pattern of thinking should progressively be replaced with a pattern of thinking that is from the Spirit.

Romans 8:5-6
"FOR THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH, DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH; BUT THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPIRIT, THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE..."

C. Righteousness should be steadily increasing in your life. This does not mean we will be perfect. This does not mean we will not struggle with temptation. However, as the Spirit continues to fill us, we should see progress made against the struggle with sin and temptation.

Romans 8:9-10
"BUT YE ARE NOT IN THE FLESH, BUT IN THE SPIRIT, IF SO BE THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU... THE SPIRIT IS LIFE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."

The flow of pure water will cleanse and purify that over which it flows. The Spirit is that purest water, that if we allow Him to keep flowing through us will keep purifying us.

John 7:38
"...FROM OUR INNERMOST BEING FLOWS RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS."

D. As the Spirit continues to fill us each day, we should see a progressive death to our selfish desires, and a new Spiritual creation arising within our bodies. This stronger, new person, will be more and more able to say "no" to self.

Romans 8:12-14
"...WE ARE DEBTORS, NOT TO THE FLESH, TO LIVE AFTER THE FLESH. FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE; BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE. FOR AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD."

E. Our relationship with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit should be always on the increase. The work of the Spirit in one that is continuing to be filled with the Spirit, includes the encouragement of relationship with the Trinity.

Romans 8:15-16
"...YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY YE CRY, 'ABBA FATHER'. THE SPIRIT HIMSELF BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD."

Fellowship between the Spirit and the saint will increase. It will become more and more common to hear directly from God. Fellowship is vital. God never meant for us to have to await a message in tongues on Sunday to hear from the Lord. He wishes to speak with us daily. This fellowship will renew us on a daily basis. Our daily use of the prayer language, and of our own language, to worship the Lord will also edify us on a daily basis.

II Corinthians 4:16
"EVEN THOUGH OUR OUTWARD MAN IS PERISHING, YET THE INWARD MAN IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY."

F. Speech, vocabulary, and conversation will increasingly be different for the Spirit-filled person. The person, who is still in the process of being filled with the Spirit, will speak differently. "PRAISE THE LORD." (Psalms 150:1) will replace the cursings, gripings, and complaints. The old songs that once held such appeal will be replaced with songs to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19
"...SINGING AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD."

Conversations will include often the mention of what God has been doing for the person.

Ephesians 5:20
"GIVING THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS TO GOD THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST."

G. The Spirit-filled saint will seek to serve, not rule.

Ephesians 5:21
"SUBMITTING YOURSELVES TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD."

This service is not given grudgingly, but in love for the ones we serve.

I Peter 1:22
"SINCE YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT, IN SINCERE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER FERVENTLY WITH A PURE HEART."

H. Prayer and intercession will keep increasing.

The Spirit-filled saint will often confess to the Lord, give supplications to the Lord, give adoration to the Lord, intercede for loved ones and even for the enemies, give thanks to God for His blessings, and praise the Lord for Who He is. The new prayer language will continue in all these saints. The gift of tongues is a separate gift that is given to some saints, but the prayer language is for all Spirit-filled saints to use on a daily basis.


I. The entire life of a Spirit-filled saint will be enriched by this experience. The Spirit will enrich the study life.

John 16:13
"...GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH...SHOW YOU THINGS TO COME..."

He will enrich our emotional life. Our lives will show more and more peace in the midst of storms, more love in the midst of hatred, more joy in the midst of misery, more ability to live righteously in the midst of temptation.

Romans 14:17
"...KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT MEAT AND DRINK, BUT RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT."

The "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT," that is detailed in Galatians 5, is manifested greatly in the life of a Spirit-filled saint. God has intended that these be the identifying sign of our relationship with God.

John 15:16
"I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, AND ORDAINED YOU, THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN."

J. Gifts of the Spirit will be manifested more and more.

The Spirit wishes to impart to each Spirit-filled saint gifts that will edify the body of believers. Each one is to have at least one. Usually God will impart one to start and as the saint continues to receive the infilling, more will be added. Many gifts were found in the life of Paul. God is not a respecter of persons and He wants to give each of us many gifts. These gifts are set in the church for the purpose of "PERFECTING THE SAINTS, AND FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH." (Ephesians 4:12) These divine gifts are the demonstration of power that the church and the world see in our lives. Without them we may have the correct doctrines, but we are supposed to have "SIGNS AND WONDERS" following our message.

Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

These signs should constantly be seen in the lives of a person that is still being filled with the Spirit. Yet, though these similarities will be evident, there will be diversities amidst Spirit-filled Christians.

Some will have high standards of conduct. Others will still have some old habits hanging onto them. Many Pentecostals have been startled to see other new charismatics still smoking, occasionally drinking, etc. Why can there be such diversity ? The answer is that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an inner work that does not come in response to a perfect outer conduct. All of us are still growing in holy living. While the one Spirit-filled saint may still smoke, another who thinks that is a terrible sin and that the Spirit should not have filled them yet, is displaying a judgmental, critical, Pharisaical attitude that the Lord is trying to purge. Yet both may be Spirit-filled. We did not receive the baptism of the Spirit because of worthiness. As "SONS OF GOD," we are to be "LED OF THE SPIRIT." His leading will eventually, if we allow, bring us to unity of the faith and holy living. The Spirit does not fill us because of how far along we are in the walk of holiness. He fills us because we want to walk in the right direction, and He wants to walk with us.

Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God...

This verse is enveloped in verses that show that what "grieves" the Spirit is bitterness, unforgiveness, malice, speaking against others, etc. The Spirit-filled saint that criticizes another filled saint, that has a lack of holiness in some way, is more likely to "GRIEVE" the Spirit than the saint that is striving but yet unable to overcome their battle with an old habit.

There are still doctrinal differences amidst the Spirit-filled saints. Even in the early church who first experienced this baptism of the Spirit, there were misconceptions of the truth. They argued over whether the Gentiles should be allowed to have this same baptism. They argued over whether they should eat certain meats. They argued over which day to worship. In our day, there are many doctrinal differences amidst Spirit-filled saints. Some are Calvinists, some are Arminians. Some argue over the mode of water baptism. Some are Pre-tribulation believers, and others are mid-trib, or post-trib believers. Being filled with the Spirit does not make one doctrinally perfect.

However, though we have doctrinal differences, and differences in standards of conduct, we should have many similarities by the working of the same Spirit in our lives. If we allow the same Spirit to work our lives, the Spirit will have us concentrating on how we can be used of this Spirit. The Spirit will equip all of us with power to change ourselves, and to change the world in which we live.

The subsequent event of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, not only follows salvation, but it also is a continuing, progressive, revelation of God’s power. Salvation brings one into the kingdom, and the subsequent infilling equips and enables ministry for the Lord in salvation.
 
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murjahel

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We have studied in depth, the gifts and the application of such.

What does it mean? How are we to use them? What is next?

These gifts are not Christmas toys to be played with for the day. They are not certificates on the wall to brag about. These gifts are given for a purpose, and it is humbling to face the truth of the charge that goes with the gifts.

John 15:26-27
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.

John 16:1-33 (KJV)
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
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.
8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of His disciples among themselves, What is this that He saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that He saith, A little while? we cannot tell what He saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world.


Many want to be Spirit-filled, but do not realize those who are filled must be a witness for the Lord.

John 15:26-27
"But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, Whom proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me; and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning."

Many want to be given revelations from God, but few of these will realize that the only way to be so enlightened by God means they must be rejected, expelled from congregations, plotted against by the religious of the world.

John 16:1-3
"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me."

There are great benefits to abiding... We will know what the Lord is doing, we will have revelations, and we will not just be His servants, but will be His friends... Chosen, to be friends, to be witnesses, to be used of God, to be fruitful, to be clean and pure, to be joyful, to be given revelations, to be Spirit-filled, to be a blessing to others... Yes, we are so chosen, and the Lord is therefore now inspiring us with words spoken by the Father about us...

John 15:14-16
"Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, I call you not 'servants'; for the servant knoweth not what the Lord doeth, but I have called you 'friends', for all things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known unto you..."

We have been "chosen" of the Lord. We are chosen to abide... Denominations make lists and rules for deciding who they think is worthy to be chosen for ministries. Often, very often, the ones the denominations turn down, are chosen by the Lord. Likewise, many Christians look for ones with prestige, education, wealth, etc. when choosing ones to fill places of leadership.

God rips away all those standards, and does the choosing Himself... His choices usually astound and contradict the choices of mankind.

He chose David, when even David's father, Jesse, did not consider David a likely candidate.

God often chose the ones who were not the firstborn to take the blessings of the firstborn... (Jacob, not Esau; Seth, not Cain; Isaac, not Ishmael).

God chose a Pharisee who had helped stone one of the saints of God to be the apostle of the Gentiles (Paul).

God chose to use the adulterous woman at the well to evangelize a whole city.

Now, we know that we have been chosen of the Lord for a particular ministry... God chooses us... He has chosen you... He can and will do great things through you... if you will abide the tests, the trials, the persecutions... Do not blame God if the trial is hard to bear, if the cost seems too great! The reward for such trials is greater than we can realize.

I Peter 1:7
"...the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold..."

If you can abide:
the purging,
the scoldings and corrections of the Lord,
the necessary obedience to His commands,
the difficult tasks asked of us by our Lord,
the hatred and persecution of the world,
the humbling by our Lord,
the mistreatment without cause by the world,
the witnessing to a hateful world,
and the plotting against us by the world...
then you can have the CHOSEN CALLING AND ITS REWARDS.

And-- also remember, that God not only has chosen those the world has not chosen... He will also choose places we would not choose... in which to use and bless us. God chose an upper room into which to send the Holy Spirit, when we would probably chosen the Temple for such an event. God chose for Naaman to dip seven times into a muddy Jordan River, rather than into a clean pool. God chose to send His Son to a birth in a manger, and not to the palace room. God chose to reveal Himself to Moses in a desert via a burning bush, not in a crowded Temple in a large city... God will choose to bless you, in strange places, and in strange circumstances...

God also chooses the time. Everything has been planned in detail by God, since before the world ever began. He has times planned, and He will do everything according to His schedule, not ours...

Acts 17:26, 31
"hath determined the times before appointed... He hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness."
 
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