| Session 4 Summary by Lynda Keren |
The second instrument of growth is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The work of Holy Spirit is inevitable in the growth and functioning of a Church. There is no growth and no ministry without the Holy Spirit. We are the temple of the living God and God dwells in us by His Spirit.
In Ezekiel 47, we studied the characteristics of a spirit-filled person. A spirit filled person is likened to the river that flows from the sanctuary and following are the characteristics:
1. Brings Freshness: In vs:8, “..where the river enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the salty water there becomes fresh”. Those who live by the Spirit, bring freshness into situations that appear dead. It is a freshness that comes from God, not by our own skill or making. They bring beauty, order and fresh thoughts into various situations. It is the result of a mind transformed and a life that is lived in submission to the leading of the Spirit of God.
Do I bring freshness in my situations that is an overflow of the Spirit’s work in me?
2. Brings Life: Vs 9 continues, “Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live”. The river is full of life and so is a Spirit filled person. They have the fulness of life in them and they bring life into situations and people around them. Where they are, there is always life and not deadness.
Do I have the abundant life and does it overflow or am I dead inside?
3. There is celebration of diversity: In vs:10 we read; the fish will be of many kinds”.
In the river was a large number and different kinds of fish. Where the Spirit of God is, there is celebration of diversity. There is no boring sameness and there is no need to copy, compare and compete. Different gifts of the Spirit are exercised for the good of all. A Spirit led person is willing to accept a brother and encourage a sister who is different from him/her. And there is celebration of the unique creation that each of us are.
How do I celebrate the diversity that the Spirit of God provides? How do I treat a brother/sister who is not like me?
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God”- Rom:8:14