PREACHING ON JULY 14, 2024:

Brother Marco Vittorio

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In our spiritual search, we have explored the importance of seeking help from the Holy Spirit in prayer. Now we will delve into understanding His person and the crucial role He plays not only in prayer but in every aspect of our existence. The Holy Spirit is a guide, a comforter, and a source of divine strength that transforms our daily lives. Through this deeper understanding, we will see how His intervention can positively influence our decisions, relationships, and overall spiritual journey. Often, the Holy Spirit is considered less important than God and Jesus, despite being a fundamental part of the Trinity. The Bible states that the world cannot receive or know the Holy Spirit, and even in the Church, more focus is placed on God and Jesus, neglecting the One who interacts most directly with us in everyday life. It is essential to recognize that the Holy Spirit is equally significant as God the Father and God the Son. His presence is clearly manifested to those who seek Him, and God's Word helps us understand and appreciate His role a free gift from God that should be received with gratitude and valued. In the Old Testament, access to God's presence was reserved and risky, with the priest entering the temple only once a year. Jesus transformed this dynamic, introducing God as Father and allowing humanity to become children of God, making the relationship with Him intimate rather than formal. Although the Holy Spirit manifests in some episodes of the Old Testament, He had not yet been given to humankind. Jesus received a promise from the Father: God would give the Holy Spirit to the Church and disciples, who would remain with them forever.

John 14:15; 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

How many of us truly love Jesus? Often, we misunderstand, thinking that God's love allows us to do whatever we want, relying on His forgiveness. In reality, Jesus challenges us with a different question: "If you truly love me, you will keep my commandments." It's not enough to merely know them; we must honor and diligently follow them. Let's sincerely ask ourselves if we love God, because genuine love for Jesus is revealed in our desire to do what He asks.

Verses 15-16; 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Jesus teaches us that if we love Him, we will do His will, introducing the theme of the Holy Spirit and explaining that, since we cannot do it on our own, we need the help of the Comforter.

Verses 17-18; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

In the Old Testament, God was with man, and the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus, enabling Him to perform miracles. But today, we have something more: the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We're not talking about just any figure, but the Most High God, the Master of the universe, who has chosen to inhabit our lives, giving us strength and support at every moment. Jesus promised His disciples that God would be with them not just occasionally, but always, ensuring the constant presence of the Holy Spirit within us. This promise assures us that the Holy Spirit will never abandon us, unlike people who may disappoint us; He will always be with us and in us. Jesus said He would not leave us as orphans, yet many people often feel lonely and abandoned; it's essential to understand that the Holy Spirit takes care of our lives and does not forsake us. Often, there are issues in the Church because many people seek paternal attention from pastors, but they cannot replace our true parents; it is the Holy Spirit who can fill this void in our lives. The Holy Spirit, part of the divine Trinity alongside God the Father and God the Son, deserves the spotlight. To grasp this concept, we can look at the human being created in the image and likeness of God, trinitarian in essence: spirit, soul, and body. So is God: the Father reigns on the throne, Jesus intercedes for us at His right hand, while the Holy Spirit, who does not act alone but receives from the Father and the Son, operates on earth, manifesting Himself when we pray and worship. The Holy Spirit is significant because He has manifested Himself many times on earth since the beginning; in the book of Genesis, God says, "Let us make man" using the plural, because Jesus and the Holy Spirit have always been present. He is part of every significant beginning; if we want to do God's will, we need Him, the driving force of our lives, igniting the spark, providing us with energy, and giving us the necessary sprint to fulfill divine purposes. Even though we can accomplish humanly feasible things, it's not the same to do them without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the creation of man and the coming of Jesus when Mary was visited by God.

Luke 1:35; 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Holy Spirit carried the seed of God in Mary's life, thus initiating the revolution of humanity. We see the Holy Spirit at the beginning of Jesus' ministry when He is baptized in water at the age of thirty and receives the Holy Spirit upon Himself. He is always present at the outset of every purpose, transforming destinies.

Luke 3:22; 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

From this moment onward, the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus, providing Him with the necessary support to perform miracles and extraordinary works. Even though He was the Son of God, Jesus recognized the importance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible recounts that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, demonstrating that He, too, needed a process of transformation. The desert represents a period of testing that exposes our weaknesses and helps us recognize our need for God, allowing us to be filled with His presence. At the beginning of the Church, Jesus promised His disciples a Comforter who would come after Him, providing support and guidance. The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, based on an episode where Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God. However, Jesus referred to Peter's declaration of faith, not his individual identity. Today, all who receive Jesus are part of the Church of God. In fulfillment of Jesus' promise regarding the Comforter, the disciples, shaken by Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection, devoted themselves to prayer for about 50 days, and eventually, the Holy Spirit descended upon them.

Acts 2:1-4; 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.

The Bible describes a glorious event: the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which radically transforms those who receive it through visible signs like fire and wind. Fire purifies and ignites, consuming sin in our lives, while the wind brings freshness and renewal. The Holy Spirit is not confined to a specific religion or church; it is a supernatural movement that daily changes those who experience it, offering rebirth and inner renewal.

Matthew 12:32; 32 And who soever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but who soever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Jesus teaches us that we can speak ill of Him because He forgives us, but we cannot afford to offend the Holy Spirit. By observing how much importance Jesus attributes to the Holy Spirit, we understand that the Son of God values the Holy Spirit more than Himself, as He is good and wonderful.

Mark 3:29; 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

God attributes great importance to the Holy Spirit, recognizing Him as our Comforter and defender. The term "Comforter", from the Greek "Parakletos", also signifies an advocate who defends us against the accusations of the enemy. He is our helper in difficult moments, sustaining us when we are weary, like a father encouraging his child during an important match. The Holy Spirit is our greatest supporter, urging us to persevere and infusing us with His power; in other words, He is the Comforter, the Paraclete, and our teacher.

Mark 13:11; 11 But when they shall lead you , and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

So, do not worry about what to say when evangelizing, because the Holy Spirit will inspire you; He is your guide and teacher.

John 14:26; 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Do you know why God chose Moses? Perhaps there were others who spoke more eloquently, but God chose Moses because he knew how to listen. This means that it's not about what we know how to say; it's essential to have an attentive ear to what the Holy Spirit wants to inspire in us. God doesn't need our talents because He is the Most High, the stabilizer of our world, who strengthens us when we feel weak and discouraged.

Ephesians 3:16; 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

What is the interior? The heart, the soul, and the spirit. The Holy Spirit strengthens our soul, stabilizing our mood swings and fortifying us when we feel discouraged or downcast. This is the marvelous work that it accomplishes, and it is essential because it dwells within us.

1°Corinthians 6:19; 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

What we may not have fully grasped yet is that we don't belong to ourselves. The moment the Holy Spirit entered our lives, He declared that we are His, purchased at a great price. Someone paid a high cost so that we could freely receive this gift. Therefore, let us glorify God with our bodies and spirits, recognizing the immense value of this gift and not treating it lightly. Through the Holy Spirit, heaven and earth reside within us, allowing us to receive all the things of heaven that He brings to earth. He is the bridge between heaven and earth. The Church not only received the baptism of the Holy Spirit but also began to operate through the lives of the disciples. The Bible tells us that Peter, in his first preaching, witnessed the conversion of 3,000 people. On other occasions, 5,000, 8,000, and thousands more were converted. Peter, who had once denied Jesus, now preached with power through the Holy Spirit. His shadow healed people, and one day, encountering a beggar who was lame, he said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk." This isn't science fiction; it's what the Holy Spirit, with His power, can do through us.

Let's conclude with an indication that comes directly from the Book of Acts:

Acts 4:31; 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

When the Holy Spirit comes, there is a shaking in our lives. But only when we are filled by Him do we realize that it's not just about receiving His baptism; we need to be continually filled.