"The Kind Of Church I Want To Be Part Of – Part Two” Series

As we started this series on the kind of church I want to be part of, we said that we aren’t talking about finding the right church as much as we’re talking about what needs to be true of us to see our church head the right direction. While it’s impossible to find a church of perfection, we can be a church headed the right direction, as we follow Christ, like the early church did. We’re looking to their example to learn how.

We said last time the kind of church we should want to be part of is:

1. A church with an accord among the members, based on a common commitment to the Lordship of Christ, to loving one another, and to fulfilling the Great Commission.

2. A church with an allegiance to the Word of God, committed to acquainting ourselves with it and adjusting our lives to it.

Now today, I want us to continue our consideration of what should be true of a church if it is headed in the right direction and is the kind of church I should want to be part of. (READ TEXT)

The kind of church I want to be part of is also . . .

3. A church that appropriates the Holy Spirit’s power - vs. 2-11

What we read about in Acts 2 is the fulfillment of what Jesus told His disciples would happen. Jesus promised that after His resurrection, He would come to dwell within them through the person of the Holy Spirit.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” - John 14:16-18 (CSB)

Jesus said the Spirit would help them to know the truth and witness to the truth.

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me . . .” - John 15:26-27a (NLT)

Jesus declared that when their lives were yielded to the Holy Spirit’s control, they would receive power to witness for Christ.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . .” - Acts 1:8 (NIV)

And that’s what started happening in Acts chapter two. I say, “started happening” because the work of the Spirit continues on to this day, that is, the work of leading us to know truth and witness to the truth.

There’s debate on how the miracle of Pentecost happened. Was the miracle in the disciples or the hearers? The miracle happened in both. First, the miracle happened in the disciples with respect to their new found courage and boldness. That was the Spirit’s work. Second, the miracle happened in the hearers with respect to their conviction and desire to repent and believe. That was the Spirit’s work. Third, many have suggested that as Peter preached, the eleven stood in the crowd and translated to people who just happened to speak the language that the apostle in their part of the crowd just happened to be able to speak. That, too, was the Spirit’s work.

Zechariah 4:6 says God’s work is done, not by human might or human power, but by means of His Spirit. That’s what happened at Pentecost and that is what needs to happen today. Therefore, we must understand the importance of being filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit.

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians 5:18-21 (NLT)

A. God calls us to be consciously filled with the Spirit - v. 18b

This is in the imperative mood, which means it’s a command. I must make a conscious decision every day to yield my life to the Spirit’s control and let Him fill every area and every aspect of my daily life.

We tend to compartmentalize our lives. We think our church life, our work life, our family life, our personal life, etc. And often the only part where we factor God into the equation is our church life. But God call us to willingly choose on a daily basis to let Him have our entire life. That is what it means to let the Holy Spirit fill my life.