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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!
Robin Steele 