Years ago an old Scottish woman went to country homes to sell thread, buttons, and shoe strings. When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick in the air and go whichever way the stick pointed. One day she was seen tossing the stick into the air several times. "Why do you toss the stick into the air several times?" Someone asked. She answered, "It has pointed every time to the road going to the right, and I want to go on the road to the left. It looks smoother!" She kept on throwing up the stick until it finally pointed toward the road she wanted to go. Walter Knight

Whether we are graduates, other persons making some major life decisions, or people merely looking for direction in daily decisions, I hope we have a better method than this Scottish woman and a stick. God intended for His Holy Spirit, along with His written Word to provide us with reliable guidance. Last week as we celebrated Mother's Day I also made reference to the Holy Spirit and the fact that last Sunday was the Christian holiday of Pentecost. As we recognize our graduates today we may also think of the significance of the Holy Spirit leading them. It may be helpful to look at this passage that deals with questions regarding the Holy Spirit.

I. Question of the Holy Spirit

While we recognize graduates today we might think about how questions may be involved in the learning process. I have mentioned previously that Jesus often used questions when he taught His students. In the text read this morning questions regarding the Holy Spirit are raised. "When you believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?" "With what, then, were you baptized?"

The answer the disciples gave was, "In John's baptism." "That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus." (from the Message)

John was the forerunner, to prepare the way for Jesus. Repentance and forgiveness of sins was the great emphasis of John's ministry. This is radical and life-changing. That's what repentance is all about, turning our backs on sin. Sometimes repentance is talked about rather lightly without realizing what a dramatic correction this may be in one's life if they are really serious.

Along with this, we may note that we are speaking of the Holy Spirit. That which is set apart, holy for God is not compatible with sin. The Holy Spirit is given to help us live in a manner that pleases God.

Since Jesus gave the Holy Spirit, Christian baptism is in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a completion of the baptism of John.

II. Perception of the Holy Spirit

There are many different perceptions of the Holy Spirit and often in ignorance the importance of the Holy Spirit is neglected. The disciples of John the Baptist did not seem to recall much of anything about the Holy Spirit, like many in the Church today. However, back then the concept of the Holy Spirit was fairly new. Few followers of God prior to Pentecost had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. We read of special men of God upon whom the Holy Spirit had come, enabling them to become leaders.

After the promise of the Father had been given, the Holy Spirit was available to all followers of Jesus. No longer was the Holy Spirit intended to be for a select few. He was the comforter, the enabler, the gift giver, for all disciples of Christ.

Nearly 2000 years later some don't think the Holy Spirit is for them. There are people whose perception of the Holy Spirit is that it is a force that will cause them to do things they do not want to do. Others perceive of the Holy Spirit rightly as a person, but wrongly they are afraid of Him. All perceptions of the Holy Spirit are not accurate.

The Holy Spirit of God may be properly described as the third person of our triune Godhead who acts like a gentleman. He does not force His way on us. He has our best interests at heart. As A. W. Tozer puts it, "The Spirit filled life is not a special deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people."

III. Reception of the Holy Spirit

After having questions answered and having a Biblical perception is the time for personal reception of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible story before us this morning Paul indicated that those who had followed John were ready to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon them as the were baptized in the name of Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord was evident in the lives of these twelve men as they praised God in tongues and as they told forth the marvelous works of God.

When we are born again the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Some, however, do not open this wonderful gift, so they don't really receive the Holy Spirit as God intends. For those who trust Jesus as their Savior and are willing to yield to the Holy Spirit, they too, give evidence of receiving Him. This reception is nothing to fear or be ignorant of, because God cares about us. His Spirit is given to empower us to live as the sons and daughters of God.

James Hervey described the change that took place in John Wesley when he allowed the Holy Spirit to control him. "Wesley's preaching once was like the firing of an arrow-all the speed and force depended on his arm in bending the bow; now it was like the fire of a rifle ball-the force depending on the power, needing only a finger touch to let it off."

Conclusion

As we recognize our graduates today we have considered the Question of the Holy Spirit, the Perception of the Holy Spirit, and the Reception of the Holy Spirit. Have you, like Wesley, allowed the Holy Spirit to control you?

An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids when he said to his friend: "Come, and I'll show you the greatest unused power in the world." And taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, "there," he said, "is the greatest unused power in the world!" "Ah, no my brother, not so!" was the reply. "The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God." A. J. Gordon

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