Isaiah 11:1-2

1. Since last September, we've been talking about the same topics in our church services and classes for children and teens, so everyone can share the same beliefs and thoughts. This year, our children’s coordinator and I decided to talk about the basics of Christianity until the end of March. After that, we are planning to start studying one of the books in the Bible. Today's topic, according to our plan and schedule, is about the Holy Spirit. This is still a topic that some people have different understanding about Spirit’s work. Some churches believe that the Holy Spirit is still performing mysterious things like healing and giving direct messages from God, while others don't agree. It's too big of a topic to cover in just one Sunday sermon. So, I'm going to give a simple explanation of what the Holy Spirit is.

2. What is the cornerstone of Christianity? Is it the act of following Jesus Christ and carrying out His work? Is it the endeavor to share the love of God and His boundless mercy with the world? While these actions are undeniably significant, they alone do not define our Christian identity. The essential first step in beginning the Christian journey is the confession of our faith, both to the Lord and to the church, which is the community of believers. Throughout history, various faith statements have emerged, such as the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Creed, the Schleitheim Confession, and more. These declarations have laid the groundwork for Systematic Theology. Among these statements, the Apostle's Creed is perhaps the most widely recognized and familiar declaration of faith. It confesses the God in three persons.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church (it is the true Christian Church of all times and all places), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Apostles' Creed serves as a cornerstone of our faith, outlining our core beliefs and guiding our actions. It affirms our belief in God, a single entity existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. Each person plays a vital role in our salvation and guides us on our Christian journey. The Holy Spirit, often acknowledged for his actions, is equally divine as God the Father and Jesus Christ. However, a focus solely on the Spirit's work can overshadow his very essence as a person. This lack of emphasis on the Holy Spirit's personhood can lead some to question his ongoing presence in our lives. Therefore, it's crucial to explore the nature of the Holy Spirit himself.  Isaiah 11:1-2 illuminates the essence of the Holy Spirit and his significance in our lives.

Isaiah 11:1–2 (NKJV)

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

4. In Isaiah 11:1-2, we learn about the Spirit of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah describes this spirit as having qualities like wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and reverence for the Lord. Although it may seem like different spirits, they're all part of the same Holy Spirit – the Spirit of the Lord. In the Bible, when it talks about the Spirit, the Hebrew word used is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which means wind or breath. This word is first mentioned in Genesis 1:2. And the word Ruach is shown in Genesis 6:1-3.

Genesis 1:2 (NLT)

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God ("רוּחַ" (ruach)) was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 6:1–3 (NLT)

Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit ("רוּחַ" (ruach)) will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

5. So, according to the Hebrew word, we can have two options to translate these verses. When we use the words "wind" or "breath" to translate these two phrases, they might look like this:

1. The wind or the breath of God was hovering. (Genesis 1:2)

2. My breath will not stay with humans for so long. (Genesis 6:3)

6. What are wind and breathing? Both are connected to life. For example, the wind carries nutrients that plants need in the spring to start growing, such as seeds or melted snow. Breathing sustains humans and animals. When we can't breathe or lose our breath, it means we are dead or no longer alive. When God created humans and breathed into them, humans became living beings.

Genesis 2:7 NRSV

then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

7. In this verse, breath is expressed by two terms, including "nephesh" (life force), "neshama" (breath), and "ruach" (spirit or wind or breath) in Genesis 1:2. These terms are often interchangeable by context. So when God breathed "ruach" into humanity, it became a living being in God's eyes. Therefore, we can understand that the Spirit of God is the source of our life, as well as the power to act according to God's will. It helps us maintain a perspective aligned with God's. The Bible speaks of human evil as a departure from God's will. People who have lost interest in God and refuse to follow Him are essentially disconnected from the breath of God. Without the Spirit's guidance, we cannot perceive God or understand His purpose and vision for our lives. However, when the Spirit of God reveals God's vision to us, we are empowered to act upon it.

Joel 2:28–29 (NIV)

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

8. This passage was mentioned by Peter when the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples of Jesus. Peter used it to explain what happened in the upper room in Acts 2. When the disciples were filled with God's Spirit, they all saw visions from God and started speaking in languages they didn't know and learn before. This shows that when God gives his Spirit to people, they can understand God's plans and speak his words. It's a sign that they are connected to God again. In the book of Genesis, it's mentioned that God's Spirit left humans because of their wickedness, and they became spiritually dead. But at a time chosen by God, his Spirit returned to humans, making them alive spiritually. So, the Spirit of God is what brings us to life. It helps us understand God's plans and speak his words.

John 16:7–8 NLT

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

John 16:9–10 NLT

The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.

8. This passage talks about the Holy Spirit and how it helped Jesus' followers after he was no longer with them. Jesus called the Holy Spirit a helper, advocate, and guide for his disciples. When Jesus was resurrected, even though Jesus commanded them to do His work, His followers didn't know what to do. And when Jesus went up to heaven, he told them they would talk about his work. But until the Book of Acts in the Bible, they weren't sure what they were doing. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they understood what they needed to do for Jesus. They began doing the same kind of work Jesus did when he was on earth. The Holy Spirit helped them understand Jesus' work and do it themselves.

Acts 2:1–2 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:3–4 ESV

And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 3:5–6 HCSB

So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

9. Following Jesus' ministry on earth, the disciples initially faltered, abandoning and denying him during the crucifixion.  However, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they began a new chapter, carrying forward Jesus' work. This demonstrates the transformative power of the Spirit.  Similarly, when the Spirit empowers us, we too can begin carrying on Jesus' work.  However, the disciples' actions offer valuable insight.  Before actively engaging in God's work, they prioritized building a strong community of believers.  They focused on mutual support and fellowship.  This foundational step highlights the importance of unity and love within the Christian community before venturing outward.

Acts 2:44–45 NIV

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Acts 2:46–47 NLT

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

10. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, the disciples formed a community of believers. Filled with the Spirit's power, they devoted themselves to worshipping the Lord and caring for one another. However, it's equally important to consider their transformation. Before the Holy Spirit's arrival, the disciples were filled with uncertainty. They lacked clarity on the timing of their mission, the specific actions they were meant to take, and the experiences that awaited them after Jesus' ascension. The Holy Spirit, however, transformed them. He bestowed knowledge, empowered their actions, and prepared them for the challenges ahead. In this way, the Holy Spirit becomes our helper, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of God's work through Jesus Christ. Through His ongoing assistance and empowerment, we are then enabled to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting God's character in our own lives.

Romans 8:11 NKJV

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:15–16 NKJV

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

11.As children of God, we are called to embody His characteristics and reflect His image. This concept can be beautifully illustrated through the analogy of a mirror. As children, we likely fixated solely on our own reflection. However, as we mature, we may begin to recognize our parents' features within ourselves. An article I read captured this perfectly: "When I speak to my children, my mom comes out.” When I stood in front of the mirror this morning, I found out my father's face! In the same way, the Holy Spirit reveals our new identity as children of God, empowering us to confidently address Him as "Father." This newfound relationship fosters the cultivation of God's character within us. Just as we bear a resemblance to our earthly parents, we can strive to mirror His divine nature.

12. The Holy Spirit is a distinct person within the Trinity and the breath of God that animates us, making us alive in Him. He serves as our indispensable helper, guiding us towards the profound realization of our new identity in Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit's influence, we are empowered to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which embodies the very character of God. Understanding this truth compels us to actively seek the Holy Spirit's help and empowerment. When filled with the Spirit, we are naturally drawn to declare the name of Jesus and carry on His work. Therefore, let us strive to become individuals empowered by the Spirit, forming a vibrant Spirit-empowered community – the Church of Jesus Christ. By actively cultivating the fruit of the Spirit within ourselves, we become living testaments to God's character, allowing the world to see His reflection in our actions.