The Holy Spirit
He Lives in Us..
1 Cor 3:16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
He Guides Us.. into truth
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.
He is our Counsellor and Teacher
John 14:26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
He leads us
Rom 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God
He helps you to Win over Sin.
Romans 8:13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature
He helps us when we are Weak and don’t know how to Pray
Rom 8:26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. ”
In Acts 2 the Atmosphere of the world changed because of Pentecost.
Acts 2: 42- 47 (This is the result of the spirit of God being poured out on the early church. The atmosphere was unbelievable. Three thousand people were added to the church in one day.)
“42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supperi), and to prayer.43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosityj— 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
ATMOSPHERE ACRONYM
ALIGNED in Heart & Mind
Vs 42 “They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching”.
· They allowed the word to renew their mind.
· Devoted – de vote.
TRANSPARENT Unity
Vs 42“ They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and to the fellowship”
Vs 44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common”
Vs 46 “Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple”
Vs 47 “…enjoying the favour of all the people”
There was an incredible display of open love for one another. Everyday they met together to worship.
“They’ll know you are Christians by your love.”
“How do we cultivate this?
Be prepared to trust people.
Believe the best in people.
Set people up to succeed not fail.
Personally – be vulnerable. Allow people into your world.”
MOMENTUM was Vital
Vs 42 They devoted themselves to the APOSTLES TEACHING, FELLOWSHIP, BREAKING OF BREAD AND PRAYER
Vs 43 EVERYONE was filled with awe, MANY miracles were done
Vs 44 ALL the believers were together EVERTHING was in common
Vs 46 EVERYDAY they continued to meet together
The Lord added to them daily. There was incredible momentum.
Momentum starts by lots of energy being applied.
· Momentum is deliberate.
OTHERS First
Vs 45 “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone who had need of it”
Rick Warren puts it aptly in his book “The purpose driven life”
In his opening sentence – IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU.
They were very cheerful, and very generous in the use of what they had.
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”
SPIRITUAL Maturity
Vs 46 “Everyday they continued to meet together”
Spiritual and personal stability is shown by your increasing consistency to be faithful to the call on your life.
Great atmosphere can be created in our churches as we give:
1. Consistent Biblical Leadership.
2. Personally worship. Worship stronger and louder in the storms and tests.
PRAYER & PRAISE
Vs 42 “The devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to PRAYER”
Vs 43 “Everyone was filled with awe”
Vs 46 …..ate together with glad and sincere hearts
Vs 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.
HOLY SPIRIT was Evident
Vs47 …and the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved.
ENTHUSIASTIC
Acts 3:8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk, then he went into the temple walking and jumping and praising God.
Psalm 100 …. I will enter his gates with ……thanksgiving in my heart.
- Enthusiasm is a decision based on foreknowledge.
- Enthusiasm isn’t enthusiasm unless energetically activated.
REVELATION
Vs 46 …they broke bread daily”
EXCELLENCE is EVERYTHING
Vs 47 “they enjoyed the favour of all the people”
Just like Daniel in Babylon, the people found favour with ALL the people because they were operating with an excellent spirit.
“Excellence is doing your absolute best with absolutely everything you have.”