"Spiritual Wind Sprints" For Depth in Grace

I came across this 2-minute video recently – it is from a 2013 talk by Tim Keller on Gospel Renewal – and I thought about wind sprints back in my football playing days.

Wind sprints were not fun or affirming.  At the end of a three-hour practice in August, our coach would line us up along the goal line, blow the whistle and we would dash to the 10-yard line, turn around, whistle and dash back to the goal.  He would move to the 15-yard line and repeat, adding 5 yards to each repetition.  You get the picture: Not Fun.

But in the fourth quarter of a game, when strength and energy are failing, the conditioning of those wind sprints would pay off.  Those who had given themselves to the exercise, reaped the benefit.

So this video reminded me that there is a long-term benefit from facing challenging realities.  Tim Keller lays out three categories of questions for asking ourselves and those we have a relationship with that may not be fun or affirming in the short-term, but that can deepen and strengthen our conditioning in the Gospel of God’s Grace.

So watch the video and let the questions blow the whistle as you develop your depth.  Below are his questions gathered from a recent post on churchleaders.com spotlighting the video

Evidence of God’s presence in your life

• How real has God been this week to your heart?
• How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and fatherly love. To what degree is that real to you right now?
• Are you having any particular seasons of sweet delight in God? Do you really sense his presence in your life? Do you really sense him giving you his love?

Evidence of Scripture changing you

• Have you been finding Scripture to be alive and active?
• Are you finding certain biblical promises extremely precious and encouraging? Which ones?
• Are you finding God’s calling you or challenging you to something through the word, in what ways?

Evidence of a growing appreciation for God’s mercy

• Are you finding God’s grace more glorious and moving now than you have in the past?
• Are you conscious of a growing sense of the evil of your heart, and in response, a growing dependence on and grasp of the preciousness of the mercy of God?

Keep In Mind: Biblical Truth About the Holy Spirit - part 2

As I read the Bible, and in particular the New Testament, I’ve come to see the Holy Spirit at work in the life of believers in a two complementary and related – though distinct – manners.  Namely:

• "The Spirit Moves UPON" believers to empower them for service.
• "The Spirit Moves WITHIN" believer to transform character and produce fruit of the Spirit.

The Spirit Moves Upon - A short-term “anointing” of the Spirit with power for service.

This is how the Spirit works in the Old Testament.  Moses is anointed as a leader.  Isaiah has the anointing to speak as a prophet.  Another early reference to this activity of the Spirit is, interestingly enough, to Bezalel in Exodus 31 who is anointed with the Spirit and given the spiritual gift of craftsmanship.

In the New Testament, this work of “the Spirit upon” as an anointing with power for service is referred to as “spiritual gifts.”  Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 are central to this expanded view of anointing power that builds from the Old Testament but extends to every member of the Body of Christ.  There is a lot to look at here that I often do in an extended seminar setting.

The Spirit Moves Within - A long-term "saturation" of the Spirit that describes a "state of being."

As I see it, there is a new way that the Spirit works in the life of a believer in this time AFTER the cross and empty tomb.  Because Jesus has died and been resurrected, He gives the Spirit to “dwell within” for the work of sanctification: the transforming of our character.  This is the Spirit’s work of producing Fruit of the Spirit that Jesus promises in John 15 and Paul teaches about in Galatians 5:22-26.

Again, there is MUCH more to consider, study and pray about.  I love to do that in a seminar, retreat, sermon series or over coffee.  But in this blog setting, I’m aiming only to give this simple frame work of “the Spirit upon” and “the Spirit within.”

Metaphor: A Living, Lighted Tree

Picture if you like a “Living, Lighted Tree” like we often do to outside trees with Christmas lights.  The tree is “filled with lights” that bring holiday cheer as well as “filled with sap” that bring life to the tree.  We want to grow in the Spirit’s work in BOTH ways for our life.

Sorting Out the English Word “Filled”

As it turns out, there are three Greek words that are often translated by the single English word “filled.”  Two have nuances related to “the Spirit within” and one to “the Spirit upon.”

For example:

• Acts 4:8 – Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak – is about “the Spirit upon.”  Peter is empowered to speak in that time and place by the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace – is about “the Spirit within.”

CLICK HERE for a 9-page “concordance study” of these distinct word groupings.  You will find under each heading 1) a definition from Brad’s work, 2) a word definition from Strong’s Enhanced Concordance and 3) a verse listing of every use of that Greek word (by Strong’s number) in the New testament.  I call a study like this “grist for the meditation mill.”

As always, I'm happy to talk more about what I begin in blog posting like this.  Feel free to contact me through the Harderwyk Ministries church office and we can arrange a time and setting.  Perhaps you would like to help me plan and present more of this information in a small group or seminar?

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I’m indebted to my friend and college classmate Brad Long for helping me see this two-fold nature of the Spirit’s work.  If you can find it, Brad’s book Receiving the Power is very helpful The book is currently out of print.  The last time I purchased it, I got it through the website of Brad’s organization: PRMI.org.  CLICK HERE for the book.