Good News Week & The Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament the Spirit is described as the “Breath of God” bringing the Words of God to powerful effect in the world. So God declares through Isaiah “my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” Isaiah 55. The Prophets pointed to the new age of the Spirit which the Messiah would bring in.
Jesus taught his disciples “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned...That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
Jesus teaches his disciples that his death and departure are necessary for the new age of the Spirit to come, and when the Spirit comes he will lead them to understanding the Truth about Jesus, and cause them to write it down as an eyewitness account, declaring the content of the good news. So Peter later teaches “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty....Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
People hear the good news about Jesus and are cut to the heart like at Pentecost. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Peter observes concerning this salvation which the prophets looked for, that it has now been told to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven through those who have preached the gospel to you, even angels long to look into these things. So the preaching of the good news and the work of the Holy Spirit go hand in hand.
Good News Week is an opportunity for the Spirit of God to work among us through the proclaiming of the good news. God makes our good news week events effective by his Spirit, we recognise that it is the Spirit’s work to apply the good news about Jesus to the hearts and minds of our family and friends. Paul rightly says “I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit’s quiet work to turn our eyes and hearts to Jesus.

Pray that God will continue to work among us in this way. GP