We live in a time that values spiritual experience more and more but Jesus gives us an unexpected account of what spiritual experience will come to us by his Spirit. Jesus tells us the work of the Holy Spirit is first in the world not in the church. His job is to disillusion and disorient people by convicting them of sin, righteousness and judgement. The age of the Spirit is therefore an age of trauma yet it is better that Jesus not be here so that the Spirit may do this work of conviction. Also, the Spirit is at work in the church – Jesus promises to give his apostles the Spirit that will lead them into all truth. Where is that? Back to Jesus. If a spirit points us beyond Jesus then it is not the Spirit of Jesus. Even our prayers will lead us back to him. [Audio | Notes]
Michael Flynn
Audio
For further thought
Our thirst for more
- leaving ourselves behind
The problem with religion
- Trying to own God
The Spirit and the world
- Conviction
The Spirit and the disciples
- Unique
The Spirit and us
- Prayer