We may as well face it; the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone (We) have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. AW Tozer - OPENING QUESTIONS Why is spiritual power so important? Why is it essential that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish God s purposes? I ve Got Jesus. Why do I need the Spirit? When was the last time that I undeniably saw the Spirit of God work in me or around me? Who is the most spirit-filled person you know and what are their qualities? THE PERSON OF THE SPIRIT We must not reduce the Holy Spirit to an event or object, He is a person of the Trinity. What does the Spirit do? His works are ineffable in majesty, and innumerable in quantity. How can we even ponder what extends beyond the ages? What did He do before creation began? How great are the graces He showed on creation? What power will He wield in the age to come? He existed; He pre-existed; He co-existed with the Father and the Son before the ages. Even if you can imagine anything beyond the ages, you will discover that the Spirit is even further beyond. - St. Basil the Great - the point is not to completely understand God, but to worship Him he is incomprehensible, incomparable, and unlike any other being. He is outside our realm of existence and thus, outside our ability to categorize Him Francis Chan- INTELLECT 1 Cor 2:11 How do we know the Holy Spirit is a Person? FEELINGS Eph. 4:30 WILL 1 Cor 12:11 ACTIONS see below He SPEAKS (Acts 13:2) He TESTIFIES (John 15:26) He TEACHES (John 14:26) He CONVICTS (John 16:8-11) He INTERCEDES (Rom. 8:26,27) He can be INSULTED (Heb. 10:29) THE ACTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT He GUIDES (John 16:13) He REVEALS (2 Peter 1:21) He can be TESTED (Acts 5:9) He can be LIED TO (Acts 5:3) He can be GRIEVED (Eph. 4:30) He can be RESISTED (Acts 7:51)
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT What are some ways the baptism in the Holy Spirit might change our lives? The Spirit helps us speak when we are in precarious situations and need to bear witness (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12) The Counselor teaches and reminds us of what we need to know and remember. He is our comforter, our adviser, our encourager, and our strength. He guides us in the way we should go. (Ps. 143:10;John 14-16; Acts 9:31; 13:2; 15:28; 1 Cor. 2:9-10; 1 John 5:6-8) From the Spirit we receive power to be God s witnesses to the ends of the earth. It is the Spirit who draws people to the gospel, the Spirit who equips us with the strength we need to accomplish God s purposes. The Holy Spirit not only initially draws people to God. He also draws believers closer to Jesus (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:26; Eph. 3:16-19) By the power of the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body. The Spirit sets us free from the sins we cannot get rid of on our own. This is a lifelong process we entered into, in partnership with the Spirit, when we first believed (Rom. 8:2) Through the Spirit we have received a spirit of adoptions as children, which leads us into intimacy with the Father, instead of a relationship based on fear and slavery. The Spirit bears witness to us that we are His children (Rom. 8:15-16) The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. He does this both before we initially enter into right relationship with God and as we journey through this life as believers (John 16:7-11; 1 Thess. 1:5) The Spirit brings us life and freedom. Where the Spirit is, there is freedom, not bondage or slavery. In our world that is plagued with death, this is a profound truth that points to real hope (rom. 8:10-11; 2 Cor. 3:17) By the power of the Holy Spirit we abound with hope because our God is a God of hope, who fills His children with all joy and peace ( Rom. 15:13) As members of God s kingdom community, each of us is given a manifestation of the Spirit in our lives for the purpose of the common good. We all have something to offer because of what the Spirit gives to us. (1 Cor. 12:7) The Fruit of being led by the Spirit of God includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attitudes and actions will characterize our lives as we allow ourselves to be grown and molded by the Spirit. The Spirit is our sanctifier. ( 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23)
THE DIVINITY OF THE SPIRIT He is involved with CREATION. (Gen. 1:2) He is involved in RESURRECTION from death. (Romans 8:11) The DIVINITY of the Spirit He is involved in REGENERATION (Ps. 104:30; Ezek. 36:26, 27; Jhn 20:21,22) He is active in giving us the SCRIPTURES. (2 Tim. 3:16) THE SYMBOLS OF THE SPIRIT WIND or Breath. Ruach or pneuma. Everywhere present and essential for life OIL Luke 4:18 An Empowerment for service. DOVE Luke 3:22 A sign of Peace WATER John 7:37.38 Water washes and refreshes. SEAL Ephesians 1:13 A Sign of ownership and authenticity
THE MEANING OF PENTECOST As the Day of Pentecost was being fulfilled Acts 2 THE FIRST FOUR FEASTS ON THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR (OCCURS DURING THE SPRING HARVEST APRIL- MAY) Christ as the Passover Lamb UNLEAVENED BREAD cleansing of the Christian Life (1 Cor. 5:6-8) Resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:20 WEEKS completion of Christ's Work PASSOVER FIRSTFRUITS THE LAST THREE FEASTS ON THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR (OCCURS DURING THE SPRING HARVEST APRIL- MAY) The start of the movement of the Church. DAY OF PENTECOST TRUMPETS the taking up of the church (1 Thess. 4:16) the Salvation of Israel (Zechariah 13:1; Rom. 11:26-27) ATONEMENT TABERNACLES Abiding with Christ eternally in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21:3-4)
THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT The baptism isn t as much about us getting more of the Holy Spirit, rather its God getting more of us. Jesus Promised to Send His Power Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to help His followers. (John 14:15-17; 16:7-11) Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:4,5) This Power Is for Everyone Pentecost was promised long before New Testament times. (Joel 2:28,29; Acts 2:16-21) The last days are a time when the Holy Spirit is intensely active in our world. (Mark 1:15; Luke 4:18-21; Hebrews 1:1,2) The promised power of the Holy Spirit is for every believer of every generation. (Acts 2:39) How is Holy Spirit Baptism Related to Our Salvation? Holy Spirit baptism is not required for salvation. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9) The Holy Spirit convinces people of their need for salvation. (John 16:8-11) Salvation is a prerequisite to receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) The Holy Spirit resides within us following salvation. (John 14:17) How Do We Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? It begins with sincere desire. (Acts 8:18-24) The recurring biblical sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speak- ing in languages that you have not learned. (Acts 2:1-4; 10:45,46; 19:6) Speaking in tongues indicates submission to the Holy Spirit, often arising during times of sincere prayer and praise. (Acts 1:12-14) What Is the Purpose of Holy Spirit Baptism? Through this gift we receive power to witness. (Acts 1:8) Through this gift we receive supernatural boldness and enablement to witness for Christ through word and action. (Compare John 18:15-17, 25-27 with Acts 2:14-16,36-39; see Acts 6:3; 7:55; 11:22-24) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is about winning the spiritually lost for Christ. (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8; 2:42-47)
FOUR QUESTIONS TO PONDER What if God doesn t come through? Do I even want this? Is my reputation in the way? Why do I want the Holy Spirit? Sometimes this fear of God not coming through causes us to ask for less in a way to cover for God We must put our trust in His promises without requiring His Blessings Many of us do not want to give up control of our lives. Our lifestyle has so much power over us that to allow the Spirit to turn it upside down would be too difjicult to endure. The error is to value relationship and acceptance over biblical truth We become enslaved by our perceptions of their perception of us. We must not allow culture to shape the truth, but rather the truth to shape culture. The right reason is the common good. How much do you love the church? (1 Cor. 12:7-11)
QUENCHING THE SPIRIT Do we worry more about quenching the SPIRIT OF MAN more than we do the SPIRIT OF GOD? Do not treat prophecy with contempt Do we cringe with disgust and anger when someone says they have a word from the Lord? Test Everything test what s being said against God s word and His promises. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Hold on to the good take what God is saying to you and treasure it, and throw out the rest. Avoid every kind of evil be careful not to judge or correct, God will have His way. SPEAKING IN TONGUES Dejinition of Tongues An Organ of speech the actual physical aspect An Ecstatic Utterance Ecstasy Two greek words meaning out of and being therefore ecstasy means a person who is out of being. Ecstasy is never used in scripture to describe a person speaking in tongues. Language Not languages learned by the speaker but rather recognizable by the audience. Unknown tongues contrasts with traditional speech and intelligible speech.
Why do you think God chose speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Con=irmation - it conjirms our baptism in the holy spirit (Acts 2, 10, 19) - becomes a sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:20-22) Adoration to express in a supernatural way - empowers us for effective worship Edi=ication 1 Cor. 14:2-4 - builds us up spiritually Intercession Ephesians 6:18 - enables us to intercede for others beyond our own intelligence and wisdom Enables us to pray beyond our own understanding. Helps us to pray w/out seljishness - Commission Acts 1:4-8 - as we wait for the promise, we are enabled to BE the witnesses God wants us and needs us to be. NEED FOR AN AWAKENING We are in survival mode rather than a mission mode. We are more concerned with paying the bills than reaching the lost. We are depending on razzamatazz in our children s and youth programs rather than giving them sound reasons for their faith. We ignore the fact that up to 70% of our high school graduates will leave the faith within ten years of graduation. We move away from our originating mission from producing ministers and dedicated laypersons We find our fulfillment in academic prowess and achievement rather than finding joy in the number of qualified, dedicated and trained ministers being launched into the harvest fields. We rely on our ingenuity, programs, methodoligies of church growth, vision statements, mission statements and time runs for services with little or no prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
VERTICAL CHURCH WHAT EVERY HEART LONGS FOR. WHAT EVERY CHURCH CAN BE. 1. Expectant Prayer frequently before, after and during the actual service. God s grace petitioned for healing work at every level: mind, emotions and body. Where stories of healings of all kinds are regular and verifiable as God s response to prayers of faith from His people. 2. Powerful thus says the Lord biblical preaching where people have a distinct sense of hearing God speak with authority into their souls in a way that brings Holy Spirit conviction they cannot deny or dismiss. 3. Where people line up at the doors long before the service starts and rush to the front to get the best seats for passionate, expressive worship where the voices are loud, hands are raised, tears are flowing, minds are expanded and hearts are moved as Christ is adored by every one in every corner of the room, from the very first note. The passion of their praise testifies to the reality of God s presence and melts the hearts of those attending who do not yet believe. 4. Where individual salvations proportionate to the size of the church regularly and continuously occur in large numbers because people want their friends to experience what they have. Salvations flowing from all walks of life from the businessman who discovered his millions as worthless to the derelict or prostitute who looked up from his or her addiction and despair to experience the total transformation of their now and forever. 5. Where racial, economic language, and generational diversity is growing because what we have in common in the Lord is far greater than the things that separate. Where the white guy covered in piercings and tattoos sits beside the black businessman and the babe who is inappropriately dressed but everyone welcomes and embraces here because they remember when they were like that. 6. Where the majority of adults gather in smaller groups to stir up and spur on and support the weight of walking with God. Where relationships flourish and follow the biblical pattern of grace and truth. Not the shallow grace of mutual enablement but the truthful grace that fights for God s best in each other, one relationship at a time. And Christians love and forgive and forbear and carry one another s burdens from house to house. 7. Where elders lead, discord is not tolerated, and people are held to account. But where the leaders also listen and learn, loving the people and letting the unity of the Spirit be enjoyed by all who persevere in working to keep it. 8. Where Christ reigns and is exalted increasingly as Head in the hearts of the people, so that gratefulness overflows into graciousness and generosity so that Christians become disciples and disciples become leaders and leaders are frequently sent out so that churches are planted nearby and around the globe.
9. Where the needs of the poor are met and those in prison are visited and aliens are welcomed as friends and strangers are served as brothers and widow are not neglected. Where these priorities are not a program or a phase but the lasting overflow of God s abundance in our hearts. 10. Where all of these things are manifest. As in, everyone sees it and knows it and feels it and delights in it. Manifest means visible, obvious, undeniable activity that cannot be attributed to a person or a place or a program and is totally disproportionate to the ones who experience this abundance with overflowing joy as glory comes down when they gather. PROPHETS OF BAAL OR ELIJAH? Scripture - 1 Kings 18 A growing and energetic gathering is not necessarily evidence of the Holy Spirit s work. - Francis Chan I don t want our church to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. Are we being wowed by the Fire of God or the talent of the Stage? Do we believe that we are praying to the same God Elijah did? Are we convinced that Moses, Esther, David, Gideon and Daniel had no advantage over us spiritually? FORCEFUL OR FORCED? Scripture - Matthew 16:18 Book of Acts a movement that could not be stopped Are we trying too hard?