November 4 , 2007

Now there are five really great kinds of encounters with the Holy Spirit. These encounters are meant to last a lifetime and on into eternity.

John 7:37–39:

1. We must come thirsty .

2. We must come to Jesus and drink . There's something I do…action I take.

I'm thirsty for more of God and I drink, and from that drink flows streams of living water within us. John said that the Holy Spirit is the stream of living water that flows within the person who receives. Want More of God? Then take a thirsty man's trek to the waters of God.

In the Bible five great encounters, primary times, that will cause the Holy Spirit streams of living waters to flow within you. Each of these five great encounters with the Holy Spirit has a special purpose and a special result . Each encounter fosters a bold, new, refreshing aspect of relationship with God the Father, and with Jesus.

1. The first encounter is called conviction . TBS. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).

Holy Spirit conviction is not a one-time occurrence before we are saved. His conviction is an on-going process – before the Christian life and after we are given new life in Christ.

The difference between conviction and condemnation: Condemnation is the devil telling you how worthless you are. Conviction is God telling you how valued you are.

2. The second kind of encounter with the HS is called "regeneration" or " renewal ." Paul: God our Savior… saved us through the washing of rebirth ( KJV -"regeneration" ) and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-5).

Jesus said, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). Regeneration is the same thing as being born-again.

If the Holy Spirit wasn't involved, you cannot be born-again. You are not saved. Salvation is based on an redemptive encounter with the Holy Spirit.

3. The third encounter is His indwelling . The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit means that He moves in the moment we are born again. Paul wrote in the NT: Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1 Cor 3:16)

To others Paul wrote: If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Ro. 8:9).

Ephesians 1, Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal , the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (13-14).

4. The fourth great encounter with the Holy Spirit is through His maturing work. If you live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature . For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature (Gal 5:16-17).

5. The fifth great encounter with the Holy Spirit is His empowering, or what the Bible calls His anointing on our lives. Jesus had told the disciples before His death and resurrection, I am going to send you what my Father promised; so stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

This promise of Father God to believers was to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You can be such a believer. All you have to do is want more.

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