Steve Webb: just with one plea. But watch out for me. This is in
the word with Mel Bennett, a study of Scripture passages from
the Word of God. This is episode number 35. And my name is Steve
Webb, thank you for being with us today. It's great to be back
with you again. I'm so thankful that our beloved pastor Bennett
is back behind the microphone. It's been about 10 months and
I'm thrilled to be able to produce this episode for you. In
today's episode, Pastor Bennett is in chapter one of the Gospel
of John, he's in verses 32 through 35. He'll be discussing
the Holy Spirit and the first disciples. If you have your
Bible with you. Let's read along with our pastor, Pastor Bennett.
I'm so glad to say the floor is yours. Welcome back.
Mel Bennett: Thank you, Steve, I so much appreciate your help.
That coming of the Spirit, and the first disciples is what
we're going to discuss. And we go to John chapter number one,
verses 32 through 35. Let's begin reading at verse number
32. And John bore witness saying, I saw the Spirit
descending from heaven like a dove, and he remained upon him,
I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water,
said to me, upon whom you see the Spirit descending and
remaining on him, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
And I've seen and testified that this is the Son of God.
Something happened at the baptism of Jesus, which
convinced John the Baptist beyond all doubt that Jesus was
the Son of God. At the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit of God came
upon him with power. John says he saw this in the form of a
dove, a dove to a Jew was a sacred bird, neither 100 nor
eaten. The picture of a dove was one which the Jew both knew and
loved. Remember this time the Christian doctrine and
realization of the Spirit had not yet come in to being when
John the Baptist spoke of the Spirit coming upon Jesus, he was
thinking in Jewish terms of that day, what was the Jewish idea of
the spirit? The Jewish word for spirit is Ruach Are you a si H,
which means wind, to the Jews, there were always three basic
ideas of the Spirit. The Spirit was power, power, like a mighty
rushing wind, the spirit was life. Secondly, the very center
and soul and essence of life, the very dynamic of the
existence of man was through the Spirit of God. Thirdly, the
spirit was God, the power and the life of the spirit was
beyond mere human achievement and attainment, the coming of
the spirit into a man's life was the coming of God. Above all, it
was the spirit who controlled the prophets and inspiring these
prophets. Look at Mike as listen to his words in Micah three,
verse number eight, but truly, I am full of power by the Spirit
of the Lord, and of justice and my to declared Jacob his
transgression, and to Israel, his sin. Isaiah 5921 says, As
for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, my spirit
that is upon thee, and my words, which I have put in my mouth,
shall not depart out of my mouth, or out of the mouth of
thy seed, or out of the mouth, who they seed seeds, saith the
Lord from henceforth, and forever. Again, and Isaiah six
one, Isaiah says, The Spirit of the Lord had God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the
meek. And as Isaiah 36 chapter, and verse number 26. It says, a
new heart will also will give you and a new spirit will I put
within you, and I will put my Spirit within you, says, verse
number 27. You see, the Spirit of God did three things for the
person in whom he came, he brought to people the truth of
God. Secondly, he gave people the power to recognize the truth
when they saw it. And thirdly, he gave them the ability and the
courage to preach the truth to people. Now at His baptism in a
most unique way, this Spirit came upon Jesus, this coming of
the Spirit upon Jesus was in a totally different way than he
had ever come upon any other person, before men had what
might be called spasmodic experiences of the spirit. These
were moments of dazzling illumination of extra ordinary
power of superhuman courage, however, these times would come
and go, John the Baptist goes out of his way to point out the
fact that the spirit remained on him This was no momentary
inspiration. In Jesus, the spirit uniquely took up his
permanent abode. This is just another way of saying that the
mind and the power of God was uniquely upon Jesus. Here we can
learn a great deal about what the word baptism means also, in
the Greek it means to dip or to emerge. It was used to close
being dipped in die, or have a ship submerged beneath the
waves. It can also be used of a person being so drunk, that he
is soaked in drink. John tells us that when Jesus baptized as
us with the Holy Spirit, he means that Jesus can bring God's
spirit to us in such a way that we are soaked in the Spirit,
that life is permeated with him, that we are saturated with the
Spirit of God. What did his baptism mean for John? Well,
first of all, understand John's own baptism means two things.
First of all, it meant cleansing, it meant that man was
being washed from the impurities that come to him. It meant
dedication. Secondly, it meant that I went out to a new, a
different and a better kind of life. Jesus baptism, however,
was a baptism with an of the Spirit. This was a different
kind of baptism. This was a baptism where God took control
of a man's very life. Certain things happen when the Spirit
takes control of an individual. Number one, life is illuminated,
there comes a knowledge of God, the will of God becomes clear.
That person knows what God's purpose is, and follows that
purpose. He understands that what life means and where duty
lies, some of God's wisdom and light has come into them.
Secondly, life is strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Knowledge
without power is a frustrating thing. The Spirit gives us not
only knowledge, to know the right but also the strength of
the power to do the right. The Holy Spirit gives us a triumph
and adequacy to cope with duties of life. Thirdly, life is
purified. Christ's baptism was to be a baptism with fire,
Matthew 311, and Luke one 316. The filth of evil things is
cleansed and burned away, until a person is clean and pure, Too
often our prayers for the spirit or kind of formality, I'm
afraid. But when we know that for which we are praying, our
prayers for the spirit become a desperate cry of a hungry heart
for more of God, oh, God, I need you, and long for more of you to
control my life. May God grant that this becomes the way we
seek God for a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The
second thing I want us to discuss this morning, is the
first disciples in John chapter one, verse 35, through 39, we
read these words, again, the next day, John stood with two of
his disciples, and looking at Jesus as his as he walked, he
said, Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him
speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and seeing
them, following them him said to them, what do you seek? They
said to Him, Rabbi, which is to say, when translated, teacher,
where are you saying, He said to them, Come and see, they came
and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day.
Now, it was about the 10th hour, or about four o'clock in the
afternoon. This passage is full of beautiful, revealing truths
and touches, I believe. It starts with John the Baptist
once again, pointing to one beyond himself. He must have
known that when he spoke as he did about Jesus, it would cause
those who followed him to follow this new and greater teacher,
yet he did it now No, there is no jealousy here. He had come to
attract men to Jesus and not to himself. There is no harder task
than to take the second place once the first place has been
known and enjoyed. Believe me, I speak from experience here for I
pastored in two places, and I said I would never be an
assistant to anyone again, but God knew better. I had resigned
to pastoring in North Dakota, and was enjoying a somewhat
fruitful evangelistic ministry. When I found myself stranded in
Southern California, and my ministry shut down by unusual
cancellations. It was then I was compelled to take a position as
a second place pastor. The question was, would I obey God
and stay in that position or not? It was the most difficult
decision to make, but God took any always takes the divine
initiative. You see once Jesus had emerged and come on the
scene, John I never had any thought, but to send men to him.
So to have John the Baptist disciples lift him and follow
Jesus. Then Jesus did something that was entirely typical of
him. He turned and spoke to them. In other words, he met
them halfway, he made things easier. And he still does Praise
God. He opens the door and invites the person seeking Him
in, oh, how easy it is to have come to Jesus today. All you
need to do is accept his invitation. Once you begin in
your heart to long for him, he in fact, will meet you more than
halfway. This is a picture of I believe, divine invitation, God
will always take the first step toward us. The Bible declares
that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. Notice it
says he came to seek. And we need to rest upon that word that
God is seeking after us. When we go to God, he does not hide
himself and keep us at a distance. We go to him one who
stands willing and waiting for us, and who even takes the
initiative by coming to meet us on the road of life. When the
prodigal son returned home, the Bible tells us the father ran to
meet him, or a picture of man returning to God this is for the
father ran to meet the son. The son didn't run to meet the
father, but the father ran to meet him. And what a beautiful
picture it is, of our returning to God. Secondly, there was a
divine question. Jesus begins by asking these two men in the most
fundamental question of life, what are you looking for? Were
they nationalists looking for a political leadership and a
military commander who would help them to crush the power of
Rome? This was a big issue of the day, or were they humbled me
in a prayer seeking for God and His will? Or were they simply
puzzled, bewildered men and sinners, seeking the light on
the road of life and forgiveness from God? It would be well, if
everyone now and then would ask ourselves the question, What am
I looking for? What am I trying to get out of life? What is my
aim and goal? If I am honest, in the depths of my heart, what am
I really trying to get out of life, some people are trying to
get security. These want to position which provide safety,
if they can have enough money to meet the everyday needs of life,
and then a little leftover for the time of retirement. There's
is a material desire. Now this is not her wrong aim, but it is
a low aim. It is an inadequate aim for which direct all of your
life in reality, let us admit, there is no safe place. Nothing
is really secure in the trouble the world in which we live.
Secondly, some people are seeking for a career. They're
searching for power for prominence for prestige, a place
to fit the talents and abilities they believe they have, in and
of themselves. They are looking for an opportunity to do the
work they believe themselves capable of doing it is not a bad
aim either. If it is directed by motives of personal ambition, it
can be a bad thing. If it is motivated by the desire to serve
our fellow man. It can be a high aim, dear friend, the search for
God. That is the only aim Jesus Christ can meet and supply.
Peace can never be found outside of Jesus. I believe we need to
look at man's answer to the question of what are you
seeking? They answered him, Where are you staying? Nope.
First they called him Rabbi, Rabbi, where are you staying?
That is a Hebrew word meaning my great one. It was a title of
respect given by seekers of knowledge to teachers and
Wiseman. John was writing his gospel for Greeks who would not
recognize this Hebrew word. So he translated it for him. Then
he used a Greek word which means Teacher, why did these men ask
this kind of a question? It was not mere curiosity. They meant
that they not only wish to speak to Jesus on the road, in passing
words, they wish to enter in and linger long with him and talk
about their problems and their troubles. The one who wants to
be Jesus disciple can never be satisfied with a passing word
with Jesus. He wants to meet Jesus, not as a mere
acquaintance in passing, but as a friend in his own house. Now
Jesus gave an answer. Listen to what he said, Come and see.
Jewish rabbis had a way of using that phrase in their teaching.
They would say, Do you want to know the answer to the question?
Do you want to know the answer and solution to your problem
will then come and see, we will think about it together. When
Jesus said come and see he will is inviting them not only to
come and talk, but to come and find the things that he alone
could open to them. Now, he closes with a comment about the
time, John who wrote this gospel in his paragraph by telling us,
it was about four in the afternoon. It may be that he was
one of the two who followed Jesus that day. You see, he
could tell you exactly what time it was, where he was there, and
he knew he could tell you the very hour he walked and talked
with Jesus. I believe when a person really meets Christ, He
will never forget that time any more than he can forget the day
of his physical birth. It means and marks the dividing line
between the time when he did not know Jesus, and the time he came
to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I've heard many people say they
were Christians all their life, and could not tell you when they
were born again, I believe you can know the time and the place.
I was born into a Christian home. But I knew the time when
as a teenager, I accepted Jesus and was truly born again of the
Spirit of God. If you cannot say that today, why not open your
life to Jesus and make him look Lord of your life right now? He
is saying, let's sit down and talk. You can tell me anything.
And I will answer and hear you and give you an answer to your
deepest questions. Listen to the words of a beautiful hammer,
written by John H. Stockton, who lived in 1811 through 1877. He
pastored in New Jersey, wrote about 25 hymns and published two
song books. It is uncertain exactly when he wrote this great
song. But listen to the words only trust him. Come every soul
by center press. There's mercy with the Lord, and He will
surely give you rest by trusting in His Word. Only trust him.
Only trust him. Only trust him now for he will save you He will
save you, He will save you now. Second verse says For Jesus shed
His precious blood, rich blessings to be so plunged down
to the Crimson flood that washes widest snow. Yes, Jesus is the
truth, the way that leads you into rest. Believe in Him
without delay, and you are fully blessed. Come then and join this
holy band and on to glory go to dwell in that celestial land
where Joy's immortal flow. Only trust him, only trust him. Only
trust him now. He will save you. He will save you. He will save
you now. Let us pray. Our Father and our God, we come to you this
morning or this day. And we thank you for your many
blessings which you have provided us with. You've given
us food DEET, you've given us shelter or I had clothes to wear
and we're so grateful and thankful. But we're most
thankful for the salvation that you have provided for us through
Jesus Christ, if we will but accept him. And so we pray this
prayer today. Lord, come into my life. Come into my heart.
Forgive me of my sins, cleanse me from all unrighteousness and
make me a new creature in Christ Jesus. Amen. Listen, if you pray
that prayer with me, you have become a child of God today. God
bless you, and may he make you a blessing to others.
Steve Webb: If you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and
gave your life to the Lord, I would love to send you a copy of
the new believers Bible. It's a very special edition of the New
Testament with hundreds of notes written by Pastor Greg Laurie.
And it's meant to help you get into God's word and start
growing in your faith. It's free, and it's Lifespring
media's gift to you. All you need to do is send me an email
at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And tell me you
prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett. Let me know where to
send you a copy of the new believers Bible and I promise I
will not share or sell your information with anyone ever. I
just want to help you get a firm foundation. That email address
again is Steve at Lifespring media.com. And in the subject
line of your email put, I prayed with Pastor Bennett. Thank you
Pastor Bennett for bringing us once more a look at scripture
that encourages us to meet the real and living Messiah. I hope
you'll join us next time. The best way to get all a pastor
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published. Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you
may make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the
Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Thank you for joining us. My name is Steve Webb.