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Holy Ghost week 4 | Sermon Notes
We began by reading Ephesians 5:1-18
Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Many quit going to church and being involved because they get tired of the weight. When they are conscience of God, they are conscience of their mistakes and the weight of sin. And they get tired of trying not to sin and feeling that heaviness.
Our resolution is the indwelling and fullness of the Spirit. Without the Spirit of God we see ourselves being shaped into the form of the world around us. With His Spirit we are built into His image.
The original Greek language there is “Present imperative” – a command that you keep on doing. It is not just something that you do, but something that you keep pursuing because this moment is present and then the next moment is present and then three months from now is present.
Keep on being filled with the Spirit…
Let’s talk about 5 Reasons The Bible reveals to be filled and keep filled.
1. God’s completes His purpose for you by His power in you.
Jesus calls us to receive the Holy Spirit in John 14. He uses the word: Comforter- we often think this is only when we are sad or won out we need him, however, the primary definition of comforter is: “God comes beside us, to work in us, in ways that will bring through us, things that wouldn’t be otherwise.”
There is not anyone in this room that is sufficient to bear the burden of life or our calling in and of him or herself.
Not only does God bring His Spirit to help us with the task at hand, but that task at hand opens us up new possibilities of giftings.
The Holy Ghost empowered me to teach today. In return, the teaching is doing it’s own work in your heart. The work has its own life and power. In other words, the first miracle is that a shy little boy is up here leading and teaching. The second miracle is that the teaching and leadership will produce in your life.
Not enough in us + humility + God’s sufficiency = multiplied layers of miracles.
We discover gifts and giftings that are unique to us through his Spirit. There is endless need and there is endless creativity available in Him.
2. God replicates His life in each of us.
Discussion Outline for Acts 4
GOD’S SPIRIT BRINGS US BOLDNESS
WORD:
In Acts 3-4 the apostles pray for a man and he is drastically healed physically. It is a notable miracle that non-believers recognize. After the religious leaders learn that it was ‘done in the name of Jesus’ they are offended and retaliate.
READ 4:13-22
Can you foresee a period in America’s future where we will be banned from speaking or teaching about Jesus? Why? Explain.
Discuss the similarities and differences between how these people lived their lives and how we live ours. Focus on the difference in their surroundings
What was the fuel for the passion of the disciples during this persecution? (God showed up in supernatural ways. He proved himself.)
How did God use this environment/persecution to show his power?
Discuss the thought that God might need or require some of this persecution to demonstrate his strength.
Discuss verse 20. (They had seen the power of God demonstrated so strongly and obvious that it empowered their evangelism. They did not care about who judged them or what the law would do to them.)
Have you ever been in this position where they power of God gave you the strength to speak without reservation?
What was the main point of the supernatural signs that God was displaying in the disciples? (to spread his NAME to everyone, to spread the Gospel)
What keeps us from desiring more of God in our present life? (We do not desire the works of God for the right reasons, we are selfish, our faith is weak, we are spoiled, etc)
What will it take to put us in the place where the believers were in Acts 3-4?
LET’S PRAY FOR GOD’S POWER TO SHOW UP AND GIVE US BOLDNESS TO SPREAD HIS MESSAGE!
The Holy Ghost week1 | Sermon Notes
Sorry folks, this week’s notes are not as thorough as usual. There was a lot more in the sermon than represented here. Listen to the podcast for more info. They are posted Tuesdays on iTunes “PromiseLand” or go to our direct podcast site.
Gospel Message/Flesh and Spirit Living
Romans 8:3 …So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace… 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
In this series, we want to teach and preach about what happens when your life is FILLED with the Spirit and you are LED by the Spirit.
Here is a divine dichotomy: You can live in the Flesh or the Spirit. A brutal way to live is to try and live in BOTH the flesh and the Spirit. Remember last week we discussed that it is completely acceptable to be led by the Spirit and also work hard and plan things out. Working and planning things is not ‘living in the flesh’.
The difference in living in the flesh and living in the Spirit can be better described as living for the flesh or living for the Spirit.
Sermon Notes | The Gift of the Holy Ghost
The Best Gift = The Holy Ghost
The two realities of existence – flesh (or physical) or Spirit, are diametrically opposed to each other and we can not live in both realms.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (KJV) 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (NLT)
Either a person lives their days on earth confined to the chains of self in this present world, or they forsake self and stake their entire existence on the Spirit of God. Sure, like Adam and Eve, we all live in bodies made of flesh and bone, but the body is merely the vehicle that our spirit is contained in.
The question is: will our spirit buy into the realm of humanity that is defaulted to us by Adam, or will it become meshed with the Spirit of our Creator, take on the attributes of Deity and walk with Him in the cool of the day?
This becoming “ONE” with God is not something a person can do on his own; instead it takes the POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST to overcome this present world.
We must surrender completely and absolutely to Jesus Christ, think with His mind and allow His Spirit to inhabit our body. Then, and only then will we be led by the Spirit and walk in the Kingdom of God.
Spirit Baptism | Subsequent Experience
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
More Scriptures of Holy Spirit baptism
Acts 8:14-18, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
4 Attributes of the Holy Ghost
1. The Holy Spirit will fill you with POWER.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1 Thessalonians 1: 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
How many of you want assurance that God is there? Not just head knowledge. Not just hearsay. Divine Assurance.
2. The Holy Spirit will be your COMFORTER.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter,
We pray for that attribute during funerals and death, however, it is available 24/7 to those who are filled with the Spirit.
to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth (remember sermon on TRUTH at core), whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Where are you in that last phrase? Do you know him only because he is around you? He wants to be in you. He wants to baptize you. Like a warm blanket on a cold night.
We will never be alone again when the Holy Spirit is alive in our soul. He will be our constant companion, never leaving us unless we forsake Him first.
3. The Holy Spirit will LEAD YOU to all truth.
John 16: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
When DECISIONS need to be made…We must have the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
Other tools: We have the “council of many” from Proverbs. We have experience. We have the Bible as a guide. Systematic Bible Reading prepares your mind to interact with the world. However, God has created us with a need for his Spirit to guide us. With the absence of the Holy Spirit, we are left to the influences of the world around us (which is dominate by the Flesh/sinful desires)
4. The Holy Spirit will BEAR FRUIT in your life.
Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
If you do not have these attributes, or results of the Holy Spirit working in your life, you are not walking in the Spirit. It does not matter how much you call yourself a Christian, how much you attend church or how much you donate to good causes, unless your life exhibits the fruits of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit is not there.
Sermon Notes 10/28/12
These were the notes I used on Sunday. As you can tell by reading them, they are not intended to be example of great grammar or editing. 🙂
They are spotty and have some elements missing. I usually fill those in from my mind. Also, I leave some of this content out of the sermon when it is not necessary to the particular audience.
2 Chronicles 5: 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
Surverys show the: Reasons for not going to church: Boring, Not relevant, people feel judged
Surveys have recorded: What would make you come to church? “If I knew I could experience the presence of God or know what he we like.”
Relevant is a means to an end. All churches were relevant at one time. Today’s relevance is tomorrow’s religion.
What makes a church grow and have life is a transformational environment.
All the cool stuff, musicians, style, practical teaching, list goes on and on…Is not the power.
Solomon knew that all the pomp and circumstance is not the power. The priests were purified. We are all purified/royal priesthood.
1 Peter 2:9 … You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession…for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Everyone is gathered together. 120 in both this covenant and the upper room. Harps, cymbals, stringed instruments, forgiven people, finished works, sacrifice of sins. Singing, dancing, celebration, focus on God… Corporate Worship to God.
There is something powerful about people gathering together and worshipping God in one place.
For those of us who have been around a while, we forget and take for granted what it is like in the presence of God on Sunday morning. For those who are new to church, you might be struggling to figure out what the big deal is about gathering every single week, and reshaping our weekend to make sure that we don’t miss Sunday. We shouldn’t do it just to do it. That is laborious.
We forget the effect of the power of God on the lost.
Worshipping together as a group is different than missions, and social fellowship, and classes, All those are important and have a place in our discipleship.
However, we can not forget the power of getting together as a group and having an “At that moment” Experience.
‘At that moment’ – No flesh could stand or function in that moment. We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we engage God in sincere worship, it is the only time this side of heaven, every part of our sinful flesh brokenness, sin, pain, has to be paused! The only time this side of heaven. When we are in the moment.
1 Corinthians 1:29 …no flesh should glory in his presence.
Your flesh – that which is prone to sin and opposed to God, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin. It is not a process or a part of growth. It is not like serving or discipleship. The world fades away and there is a reprieve of the flesh. We spiritually kiss in that moment the face of God. We get a tiny drop of what heaven will be like. There will be like no more sickness and no more pain forever!!
We learn to surrender to the presence of God. At that moment it is impossible to sin.
John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.
Jesus teaches at the well the lowest of the low. Half breed, woman, her only connection to power was 7 broken men, it was this woman that God brought this revelation of worship to. I will give you living water. She needed a release from the pain. She needed to experience the reprieve.
2 Chronicles 20: 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. …not a single one of the enemy escaped.
Jehoshaphat king leading people. Singing the same song as earlier. Something had been taught to them. How to worship. At that very moment.
No flesh or enemy of god could stand in the glory of God. Worshippers set the atmosphere for the evil to perish.
Took three days to gather all the stud foreshadowing of resurrection.
Psalm 84: 5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
turn your mourning into dancing
Valley of blessing.
God wants to turn your valley of battle/mourning into a valley of blessing. He inhabits the praises of his people. Stop fighting your battles and start worshipping god. Keep coming to church and start letting loose a little bit.
walking through the valley of weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs
You will remember places of blessing forever. You will want to return to physical places because if the deliverances
The only way for trials to become triumphs is through worship.
3 simple principles for “at that moments”
What is the most important commandment?
Mark 12:29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
We can love him with all our heart soul and mind, strength “at that moment”
1. Engage God Physically. Strength You start with all these issues. Get your body moving. Your mind follows your body. Start clapping. Start dancing. Move something. Raise hands. Sign of surrender.
Our church is the big messy mix of humanity. We have all shades Of all kinds of cultures and issues.
We know the power of the presence of God. We have to carry the banner!
2. Encounter God Mentally– Mind- encounter God. Mind follows spiritually minded is life and peace. You focus on Him
3. Experience God – soul
Robin Steele 