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Flip The Switch
Contributed by David Edward Ray on Jun 6, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: Do you sometimes feel powerless in your walk with Christ? You've read all the books, watched all the programs and still feel there is something missing. The answer may be as simple as flipping the switch.
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Flip the switch
A young boy walked into his bedroom one day where he found it to be very dark. He walked back out and told his dad the light in his room wasn’t working. His dad, Mr. Fix-it, full of pride said “No bother”, and he grabbed his tools and a little flashlight and went to his sons bedroom. First thing he did was the most obvious, he changed the light-bulb. That didn’t work so he checked the breaker box – flipped all the breakers. That didn’t work so he checked the wiring at the light fixture – All checked out ok. He sat down, scratching his head because he just couldn’t figure it out. In the meantime, Mom walks in the room, flips the light switch, causing the light to come on. She asked, “Why are y’all sitting here in the dark”
Do you lack power in your life? Do you feel powerless against temptation, sin and the enemy?
Do you lack the strength to walk out this Christian life? Do you have trouble standing during times of ridicule and persecution?
Maybe it’s because you’re trying to do it in your own power/ Your own strength.
Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zachariah 4:6
• Jesus said you are the light of the world – Don’t go changing the bulb.
• There’s no problem at the source – God is our source. He supplies all of our needs.
• If you’re in relationship with Jesus Christ, the wiring checks out?
Why are y’all sitting here in the dark? Flip the switch
Paul speaking to the believers in Ephesus: "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 19:2
Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?
Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22
The Holy Spirit is our:
Helper – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, 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. John 14:15-17
Comforter/ Teacher - But the Helper/ Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26-27
Advocate - John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
An advocate speaks on behalf of a person to ensure that their rights and needs are recognized. The word “advocacy” comes from Latin and means 'to add a voice'. An advocate assists in securing the rights of another.
John 16:7-15 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
Jesus said Go: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Make disciples of all nations.
Jesus said wait: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49