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"A Spirit Called 'Holy'"

The primary purpose of the baptism or infilling the Spirit is power.  But let's look again at that verse (Acts 1:8) -- it is power to "be my witnesses".  This is not an absence of nervousness when we share Christ, nor is it necessarily the ability to automatically know what to say in a witnessing situation.  Rather, it is the power to live a life worthy of a witness for Christ.  Don't forget that the Spirit's first name is "Holy".  In John 20:21,22, Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, "Receive the Spirit".  The Spirit is the breath of God. 1.  The Holy Spirit makes me a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of becoming a new creation in Christ.  Why???  This is not just a decision on our own part to clean up our lives.  This is an inward work of the Spirit, the work of regeneration.  If you're having problems looking like a new creation -- be filled with the Holy Spirit. 2.  The Holy Spirit gives me a new character Character is what you are when no one is looking.  We've talked a lot lately about discipline and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to do this.  I encourage you to inspect your fruit.  If you are growing in Christ, great!  But if the fruit of the Spirit is not evident in your life, or if the spiritual disciplines are lacking. you need to be filled with the Spirit. 3.  The Holy Spirit gives me a new cause This is called passion; passion is what drives a person.  You may have your own mission statement, but passion is what actually dictates a person's actions.  What drives you?  Some are driven by money, by a paycheck.  Others are driven by prestige or the "sweet smell of success."  Still others are driven by the need to be entertained.  If Christians were led by the same passion as that of Christ, the world would be won.  The Spirit-filled believer lives to see the lost saved. I encourage you to be FILLED with the Spirit, but to not stop there -- be FULL of the Spirit!