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9-1978

Biola Hour Highlights, 1978 - 09

Lehman Strauss

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Recommended Citation Strauss, Lehman, "Biola Hour Highlights, 1978 - 09" (1978). Biola Hour Highlight Series. 39. https://digitalcommons.biola.edu/bhhs/39

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BIOLA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

13800 Biola Avenue La Mirada. CA 90639

BT 121.2 .S77si 1978 Strauss, Lehman STEPS IN THE Steps in the Spirit's ministry SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

By LEHMAN STRAUSS, LITT.D., F.R.G.S.

ISSUE NO. 9 · SEPTEMBER 1978 Second Class postage paid at La Mirada, 90638. Issued monthly and two issues in October. Printed in U.S.A. by Penn Lithographies-Inc., Whittier, California. Address: Biola College, Biola Hour Highlights, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, California 90639. THE SPIRIT STRIVES

"And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years" (Genesis 6:3).

There is an urgent and imperative need in our churches for a scriptural knowledge of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit because He is the neglected Person of the blessed Holy T rin­ ity. It is a matter of great concern to observe the appalling ignorance on the part of some Christians as to the basic and essential truths concerning the Holy Spirit. It is not an uncommon error that He is referred to as a mere impersonal influence. Sometimes I hear Christians refer to Him as ''it.'' This is wrong. The unfortunate use of the word "itself" in Romans 8: 16, 26 and 1 Peter 1: 11 in the Authorized Version, is corrected in the Revised Version. Had the trans­ lators given us the sense of the pronoun in its true meaning and theological correctness, the word would be rendered "He" and "Himself" in all versions. Unfortunately they took the neuter noun "Spirit," which, by the way, is neuter only as a matter of grammar, or syntax, and followed through with a pronoun in the neuter. But the Holy Spirit is a Person, and He must always be referred to and addressed as such. It is possible that people have drawn a wrong inference from His name as translated in the Scriptures, "Holy Ghost." It is quite natural to associate the word "ghost" with a mere appar­ ition, an impersonal, shadowy something or other, an intangi­ ble phantom. A friend of mine told me that the word for ghost in the old Anglo-Saxon was the same as the word for guest. This is exactly Who He is, the Holy Guest. He is one of the three Persons in the Godhead, all three of equal rank and dignity, possessing the essential attributes of Deity. He is the One Who enters the believing sinner's body to take up His residence. He will seek admittance to every heart unbidden, but He will not enter where He is not wanted. He comes as the Holy Guest, waiting for each individual to receive Him. But a present tragedy lies in the fact that even in the lives of Christians who have received Him, the Holy Spirit goes un­ recognized. The shabby treatment we sometimes render the I CBC 00 0382268 $ 5 Holy Guest in our hearts, we would not inflict upon unholy Lord found men in the temple prostituting holy things for their guests whom we invite into our homes. Some time ago a own personal gain, He "overthrew the seats of them that sold minister said that he believed the programs in many local doves" (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15). John records that the evangelical churches could continue as they are now, even if Lord Jesus spoke directly to them that sold doves (John 2: 16). the Holy Spirit did not exist. Whether that be exactly so or not, Thus the Holy Dove is sensitive to all uncleanness and un­ righteousness, and therefore He strives against it. he ~a~ brought to light an existing condition of which many Chnsbans are completely oblivious, namely, the neglect of the The ministry of the Holy Spirit, in the antediluvian world Holy Spirit. Like the twelve disciples at Ephesus, many in our that was plunging to its doom, is seen in His striving with the churches must confess, ''We have not so much as heard sinful people of that day. He acted to throw restraint about whether there be any Holy Ghost" (Acts 19:2). And yet there their wickedness as they moved toward Divine judgment. As are few subjects more important and more necessary to the we shall see a little later on in our study, the Spirit's striving Christian than the biblical subject of the Holy Spirit. against sin is sometimes resisted by the sinner, and therefore Now there is not the remotest thought in my mind that I shall the conviction does not result in salvation. The instrumen­ have much to say about the blessed Holy Spirit in this brief talities used by the Holy Spirit to convict of sin were the series of messages. No finite mind will ever run the gamut of promise of the woman's seed (Genesis 3:15); the witness of scriptural truth on the subject of the Infinite. What I have done death (Genesis 5); the faithful preaching of Enoch (Jude 14, is to arrange eight texts, each containing a verb beginning with 15), and the preaching of Noah (Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5). the letter "s", to present eight steps in the Holy Spirit's minis­ The first work of the Holy Spirit, which is effectual for try. salvation, is the conviction of sin. Jesus said, "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness "And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not always strive with and of judgment" (John 16:8). Before a person can be regen­ man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred erated, his heart must be prepared to receive salvation. This and twenty years" (Genesis 6:3). Here we learn two lessons. preparation is the Spirit's work. Those of us engaged in The first is that the Holy Spirit does carry on a ministry of preaching the Gospel make the mistake at times of taking His contention and conviction against sinful men. The second is ministry out of His hands. We go about our work as though the that God will not indefinitely continue this ministry. These are results depended upon us. Then if we do not see results we solemn thoughts. Let us consider them one at a time. fret and become impatient and sometimes are of Ever since the fall of our first parents in the Garden of Eden, critic~l others. But the lack of fruit is a challenge to examine our own God the Holy Spirit has been striving with the sinner against hearts. his sin. He is "Holy" as His name states, and therefore He is sensitive to sin. The Holy Spirit dwells in every child of God (1 Corinthians The dove is a well known symbol of the Holy Spirit 3:16; 6:19, 20), therefore, if our lives and labors do not (Matthew 3:16, 17; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Among the fowl produce results, it is because the Holy Spirit is being grieved family, the dove is known for its purity. Solomon, speaking of (Ephesians 4:30), or quenched (1 Thessalonians 5: 19) by us. his bride, says, "My dove, my undefiled" (Song of Solomon On the Day of Pentecost there were added to the Church 5:2). According to naturalists the dove is known for its cleanli­ about three thousand souls (Acts 2 :41), but never lose sight of ness. It was one of the animals acceptable as a sacrifice to the the fact that it is written of that group of workers, ''And they Lord. The mother of Jesus, after the days of her purification, were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4). When we quit went to offer a sacrifice according to the law of the Lord "a our sinning and give the Holy Spirit His way in our hearts, then pair of turtle-doves" (Luke 2:24 cf. Leviticus 12). When 'our we can expect Him to use our efforts to convict the unsaved. A

6 7 book might appeal to the mind of the reader, a preacher might ing in his heart will one day discover to his utter dismay that be able to stir up the emotions of his hearers, but none save the there is no further conviction of sin within him. When a man Holy Spirit can strive with the spirit and conscience of man persists in his rebellion and rejection of Jesus Christ, then the against his sins. Spirit might turn from him, and if the Spirit does not draw him There is no human explanation adequate to describe the to Christ, he can never be saved. In the Epistle to the Romans work of the Holy Spirit upon the human conscience as He we read that "God gave them up" and "God gave them over" brings conviction to that soul and prepares him to receive the (Romans 1:24, 26). But God did not give up man until first Lord Jesus Christ. But of one thing we Christians can be man gave up God. certain, that is, before the Holy Spirit was to convict the world Stephen reviewed the history of Israel before the Jewish of sin, He had to come first to indwell Christ's own and instruct authorities and said, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in them. Examine the four appearances of the promise of the heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your ''Comforter'' in the Gospel according to John, and you will fathers did, so do ye'' (Acts 7:51). He reminded them that at see borne out the statement I have just made. Jesus said, ''And every fresh revelation from God, they had opposed Him. This I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comfor­ is a dangerous action on the part of any person. A Proverb ter, that He may abide with you forever" (John 14:16) " ... says, ''He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall teach you all things" (John 14:26) " ... testify of Me" (John suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 15:26). And then He added finally, "He will reprove the world 29: 1 ). Yes, the Holy Spirit can be resisted to the eternal loss of of sin" (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit has come to indwell us those who resist Him. He invites men to take the water of life who have believed, that through us He might reach others. He (Revelation 22: 17), but He will not force them to drink. To the can accomplish this work only as we are in perfect communion seven churches in Asia Minor Jesus says, "He that hath an ear, with Him and in perfect harmony with His will for us. The word let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revela­ "reprove" in John 16:8 means conviction by demonstration, tion 2 and 3). conviction by an unanswerable argument. There is no more Let us return to our text for one final thought. When God convincing demonstration of the Spirit's power than a Chris­ said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man," it is possible tian under His control. that He was referring to the end of the dispensation of the Holy But the awful and solemn truth is that God does not per­ Spirit. When the present age of grace comes to its close and petually keep on with this ministry. He said, "My Spirit shall the true believers are translated to Heaven, the Holy Spirit too not always strive with man.'' There comes a time when a man will leave the world. Presently He is the Restrainer Who holds wearies God with his obstinate rejection so that God ceases to back the floodtide of iniquity until the Wicked One, the anti­ contend with him. A man is wise when he seeks the Lord christ, is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10). When the Divine "while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6). It is written of the Restrainer is removed, there will be no further striving against Israelites, "Yet many years didst Thou forbear them, and sin, and then the world will see the full revelation of the Man of testifiedst against them by Thy Spirit in Thy prophets: yet they Sin. The power of the Holy Spirit is greater than the power of would not give ear: therefore gavest Thou them into the hand Satan. Presently He is holding back the forces of evil, striving of the people of the lands" (Nehemiah 9:30). Ample time and against them, but at the Rapture of the Church, the Spirit of opportunity had been afforded them, but all to no effect. ''The God Who indwells the Church, will also be taken out of the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark world. This will mean a reversal of Pentecost. The very re­ was a preparing" (1Peter3:20), but that too was to no effect. moval of both the Church and the Spirit from the earth, the Let the unbeliever beware. He who resists the Spirit's work- dwelling place of man, will result in no further striving against 8 9 sin. That day is imminent, thus it behooves all men 10:17). Even this quickening of faith is attributed to the Spirit. everywhere to stop resisting God and surrender to Him at Faith is a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4, 9). Men like once. Stephen and Barnabas, who were full of the Holy Ghost, were THE SPIRIT SAVES likewise full of faith (Acts 6:5; 11:24). Paul reminded the Galatians that they received the Holy Spirit through faith that "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but was quickened by the Spirit Himself (Galatians 3:2, 3). And according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of we all need to be reminded that faith "is the gift of God" regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). {Ephesians 2:8). When a believing sinner acknowledges for the first time the Lordship of Christ, that confession is born of The purpose of the Spirit's striving is to save. Paul wrote in the Holy Spirit, for Paul wrote, "Wherefore I give you to his Epistle to Titus, "Not by works of righteousness which we understand ... that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3). washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" The Spirit's work in salvation produces a "new man" (Titus 3:5). Observe the words, "He saved us, by the ... (Ephesians 2: 15), ''a new creation'' (2 Corinthians 5: 17 R. V.), renewing of the Holy Ghost." Salvation is God's desire for all because of the impartation of the new nature which is the men. He ''will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the "Divine nature" (2 Peter 1 :4 ). Salvation is not an attempt to knowledge of the truth'' (1 Timothy 2 :4), and it is by the improve the old nature. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that His saving work is man be born of water [the Word, cf. Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter accomplished. Now we know that all men will not be saved, 1:23] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of but those who become saved do so by experiencing this God ... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born saving work of the Spirit. again" (John 3:5, 7). This new birth, called regeneration or The plan of salvation could not be accomplished without salvation, is the specialized ministry of the Holy Spirit. No man the atoning work of Christ on the Cross and His bodily resur­ can cause himself to experience the New Birth, nor can one rection from death and the grave. But the mere fact that Jesus person transmit this experience to another. The Bible says, died and rose is not sufficient to save any one. The work of "But as many as received Him [Christ], to them gave He redemption must be applied to each individual sinner. This is power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe the Spirit's ministry. He commences this work by bringing on His name: Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of conviction. And when the heart responds in faith to the Word flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1: 12, 13). The of God, the Holy Spirit at once regenerates. The work of both concept of the New Birth of Christians is common to the the Son and the Spirit in salvation is prophesied in the Old Gospel of Christ, but that Birth does not come from human Testament. The Son's work is predicted in such passages as stock, that is, it cannot be passed on from parent to child. Isaiah 53. The Spirit's ministry appears in passages like Joel Every true Christian knows that he does not owe his salvation 2:28-32 cf. Acts 2: 17-21. to natural descent, from physical or biological causes, but to Salvation is the result of the supernatural act of the Holy the saving work of the Holy Spirit. The grace of God does not Spirit. It is a radical change which takes place instantly, not flow in human veins. Regeneration is accomplished by the gradually. The sinner first hears the Word of God, which is in Holy Spirit applying the living and powerful Word to the reality the Word of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person in the believing heart. Godhead. It is the Word that quickens faith, for "Faith cometh The Bible speaks of regeneration as a translation out of by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans death into life. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you He

8 10 11 that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). The unsaved RADIO LOG man is described as being ''dead in trespasses and sins'' (Ephesians 2: 1 ). Can a dead person give life to himself? ALABAMA Decatur (91.7) WBQM-FM 10:00 AM Sun. Jacksonville (550) WAYR 7:30 AM Sun . Hardly! This is where the Holy Spirit enters the scene. He is Decatur (91 .7) WBQM-FM 9:30 PM Sun . Orlando (1480) WVCF 8:30 AM Sun . "the Spirit oflife" (Romans 8:2). More than this, "The Spirit is Huntsville (94.5) WNDA-FM 1:00 PM M-F Pensacola (83 .3) WPCS-FM 9:30 PM Sun. Huntsville WNDA-FM 1:00 PM Sun . Sarasota (105.5) WKZM-FM 1:30 PM Sun. life" (Romans 8:10). Thus He only can impart life, for "the Tampa (1110) WTIS 9:00 AM M-F Spirit giveth life'' (2 Corinthians 3:6). This life is Divine life, it is ARIZONA His own life which He shares with all who will receive it. If Flagstaff (93.9) KCTB-FM 12:00 N M-Sat. GEORGIA man's actions are to be changed, of his actions must Phoenix (1280) KHEP 9:00 AM M-F Atlanta (1420) WAVO 10:00 AM Sun. Valdosta (101.1) WAFT 9:00 AM Sun . be changed. The heart of the natural man is corrupt (Jeremiah CALIFORNIA 17:9). Like a foul spring that cannot produce pure water, the Alturas (570) KCNO 9:10 AM M-F IDAHO heart of the unsaved man cannot produce works sufficient for Bakersfield (1050) KWSO 9:30 AM M-F Caldwell (1060) KBGN 8:30 AM M-F Chico (930) his salvation. He needs a new heart; he needs new life. KEWQ 8:00 AM M-F Delano (98 .5) KDNO-FM 8:30 AM Sun. ILLINOIS The Holy Spirit is the Author and Giver of life. We all owe Dinuba/ Fresno KRDU 8:30 AM M-F (1130) Carlinville (91 .1) WIBl-FM 4:30 PM Sun. East Moline (960) WDLM 5:00 PM Sat. our physical existence to Him. "And the LORD God formed Dinuba (1130) KRDU 8:30 PM M-F man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils Dinuba (1130) KRDU 4:00 PM Sun . the breath of life; and man became a living soul'' (Genesis Lodi I Sacramento KCVR 8:00 AM M-F INDIANA (1570) Elkhart (104 .7) WXAX-FM 8:00 AM Sun. 2:7). The distinctive element in man's creation is this "breath Long Beach/LA. KGER 11:00 AM M-F of life,'' for the phrase is altered to read ''the Spirit of life.'' Dr. (1390) IOWA Long Beach (1390) KGER 9:30 PM M-F Boone (1260) KFGQ 1:00 PM Lockyer titled his fine book on the Holy Spirit, ''The Breath of Monterey (1080) KNAV-FM 9:00 AM M-F Sun . God." The Greek word for spirit [pneuma] means breath or Oxnard /Ventura KDAR-FM 9:30 AM M-F (98.3) KANSAS wind. After Christ's resurrection He met with the disciples, and Redding (540) KVIP 10:30 AM M-F Newton (950) KJRG 9:00 AM M-F John wrote, "He breathed on them, and saith unto them, San Bernardino/ Newton (950) KJRG 7:30 AM Sun . Receive ye the Holy Ghost'' (John 20:22). The Breath of God Riverside (95.1) KQLH-FM 9:00 AM M-F San Diego (860) XEMO 8:00 AM M-F is His own Holy Spirit. San Francisco KFAX 8:30 AM M-F (1100) Baltimore (95.1) WRBS-FM 6:00 PM Sun . Williamsport (90.5) WCRH-FM 8:30 AM M-F All who have not been born again of the Spirit of God are Santa Cruz (1080) KSCO 8:30 AM Sun. unsaved because they are still dead in sins. God is not the Williamsport (90.5) WCRH-FM 8:00 AM Sun. Father of such nor can such claim Him. "If any man have not CANADA Blaine/Vancouver KARI 8:30 AM M-F MICHIGAN the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Romans 8:9). No man (550) Detroit (103.5) WMUZ-FM 9:00 AM Sun. can be saved without receiving the Holy Spirit. It is not correct Detroit (1340) WEXL 11:30 AM Sat. Lapeer (1230) WMPC 1:00 PM Sun . to say that a person becomes saved, and then at some later COLORADO Lapeer (1230) WMPC 9:30 AM M-F time he receives the Holy Spirit. The receiving of the Spirit Denver (990) KRKS 12:00 N M-F makes one a Christian. Receiving salvation and receiving the Pueblo (970) KFEL 8:30 AM M-W-F MISSISSIPPI Spirit occur instantaneously, at one and the same time. Columbia (1360) WFFF 9:00 AM Sun. FLORIDA Columbia (96.7) WFFF-FM 9:00 AM Sun . Boca Raton (99.9) WWOG-FM 10:00 PM Sun . Jackson (97 .3) WJFR-FM 5:00 PM Sat. Boca Raton (99.9) WWOG-FM 8:30 PM M-F Jackson (97.3) WJFR-FM 5:00 PM M-F ~~ Jacksonville (550) WAYR 10:30 AM M-F 12 13 BIBLE STUDY HELPS RADIO LOG (Cont'd.) by LEHMAN STRAUSS

"It has been a sincere privilege to prepare the publications indicated below. MISSOURI My earnest prayer is that the Lord will use each of these efforts for His glory as Kansas City (1510) KCCV 9:00 AM M-F Lewistown (1490) WMRF 8:30 AM Sun . you study them for your own spiritual growth." Lewistown (95.5) WM RF-FM 8:30 AM Sun . Montrose (96 .5) WPEL-FM 8:30 PM Sun . NEBRASKA Montrose (96 .5) WPEL-FM 8:00 AM M-F Grand Island (95.7) KROA-FM 4:00 PM Sun . Montrose (1250) WPEL 8:00 AM M-F SPECIAL BOOKLETS (94.5) WCHR-FM 4:30 PM Sun . NEVADA Philadelphia (94.5) WCHR-FM 8:00 PM M-F Marriage and Divorce Kl LA-FM 6:30 AM M-F Red Lion (96 .1) WGCB-FM 7:30 AM Sun . Why God Became Man Henderson (95 .5) Speaking in Tongues You Can Win Over Worry The Doctrines of Sin and and Depression Trenton (94 .5) WCHR-FM 8:00 PM M-F Chattanooga (89.1) WDYN-FM 8:00 AM Sun . Salvation The Pentecostal Experience Trenton (94 .5) WCHR-FM 4:30 PM Sun. Chattanooga (88 .9) WMBW-FM 3:00 PM Sun . The Impeccability of Christ The Trinity Chattanooga (88.9) WMBW-FM 11 :30 AM Tues . We Can Trust The Bible A Soft Pillow for Troubled NEW YORK When Loved Ones are Minds and Tired Hearts Buffalo (99.5) WDCX-FM 4:30 PM Sun . VIRGINIA Syracuse (102 .9) WM HR-FM 7:30 PM Tues . Norfolk (99.7) WY Fl-FM 10:00 AM Sun. Taken in Death (A Study in Romans 8)

NORTH CAROLINA WASHINGTON BOOKS High Point (95.5) WHPE-FM 7:00 PM Sat. Blaine/ KARI 8:30 AM M-F High Point (95.5) WHPE-FM 10:00 AM Sun. Vancouver, BC (550) Lexington (94.1) WLXN-FM 9:30 AM M-F Seattle (630) KGDN 8:30 AM Sat. (paperback) (clothbound) Lexington (94.1) WLXN-FM 7:30 AM Sun . Seattle (630) KGDN 11:30 AM M-F Walla Walla (1490) KTEL 8:00 AM M-W-F Certainties For Today Daniel OHIO Yakima (1390) KBBO 9:30 AM M-F Demons, Yes, But Thank Galatians and Ephesians Cleveland (103.3) WCRF-FM 9:00 PM Sun . God for Good Angels James Your Brother Dayton (90.3) WCDR-FM 2:05 PM Sun . WEST VIRGINIA The Eleven Commandments Philippians Miamisburg (93.7) WFCJ-FM 9:30 PM M-F Beckley (99.5) WBKW-FM 8:00 AM Sun . Miamisburg (93.7) WFCJ-FM 8:00 AM Sat. Charleston (1410) WSCW 10:00 AM M-Sat. The End of this Present Revelation Charleston (1410) WSCW 9:30 AM Sun. World The First Person OKLAHOMA The Epistles of John The Second Person Oklahoma City (800)KQCV 8:00 AM M-F We Live Forever The Third Person Tulsa (98.5) KCFO-FM 9:00 AM M-F The Biola Hour Be Filled With the Spirit is a radio Sense and Nonsense About OREGON Prayer Albany (790) KWIL 8:00 AM M-F ministry of Ashland (1350) KDOV 1:00 PM M-F Biola College. Eugene (94.5) KB MC-FM 8:30 PM M-F ----0-0~0-- Portland (93 .7) KPDQ-FM 9:00 AM M-F Cassette tape messages by Dr. Strauss are Thank you also available. A complete list will be sent on PANAMA for your request. Panama City (1360) HOXO 8:30 AM M-F continued prayers FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WRITE: Boyertown (107.5) WBYO-FM 2:00 PM Sun . Lancaster (94 .5) WDAC-FM 1:00 PM Sun. The Biola Hour La Mirada, California 90639 Second Class postage paid 1~111~111!11l~~~i~~~l'1IUf~1~11111~1 at La Mirada, California 90638 I _-9_8-_~ _00 03822~8 __$ _ghts 13800 Biola Avenue La Mirada·, California 90639

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