How To Have A Spiritual Explosion Series

How to have a Spiritual Explosion

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you couldn’t think of anything else?

Illus: I wanted a BB gun so bad. I got it. And I shot my mom’s mirror!

Some people say, “The Spirit is not moving…” but what is the problem?

The people of Acts and Cornelius’ experienced a spiritual explosion because of…Expectation, Preparation, Proclamation

Background: Acts 10: Church Transition from local to universal

Peter and Cornelius: New Vision: Change the way you look at people.

Risk: Peter: literally goes to his house

Peter explains the Gospel.

A spiritual explosion is not an event…

10:44 While he is speaking, the Holy Spirit falls

What does it take to have a spiritual explosion? We can experience the power of God like the people of Acts when we come together…

I. Spiritual Expectation

We usually get what we expect:

Illus: Hans and Frans: “We want to pump you up!”

That is the way some people look at church – pump me up pastor!

10:1-2 Cornelius a man of prayer

They eagerly expected the power of God. They wanted more of God.

Jeremiah 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.

What do we expect? More of the same?

The people who experienced the power of God in Acts and as Azusa street were people who expected something more.

But the result was not more of the same – everything changed radically. They were kicked out of churches!

Illus: Facebook “I love the 80’s.” I am an 80’s child! But I don’t love the 80’s. There were some good memories – school, sports, marriage – and I cherish those memories. But I don’t want to go back. They wore some weird clothes! (Someday you will feel the same!)

If we really want the power of the Holy Spirit, our lives and our church may look radically different. Our way of thinking could be changed.

When we desire change, it is not the church that needs to change; it is us that need to change.

“Convention Crash” - What makes “conventions” so great? Lights, sound – no, prayer, expectation, preparation, motivation!

How much of God do we have? As much as we want! Do you think God is rationing His power?

Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit will take more than showing up on Sunday (some people think they have done a lot)

• The Holy Spirit does not have work hours that begin on Sunday at 10:45.

• If we really want to be Pentecostal, it starts not in the church, but in the “upper room.” It starts at home.

• What we are doing all week long will determine a lot of what happens on Sunday.

Some Assembly Required! There is work to do on our part.

II. Spiritual Preparation: Feed Yourself

1 Cor. 3:2 (NLT) I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

Illus: “I am not being fed” We all need discipleship, but after a year or two, we should be able to feed ourselves.

Can you imagine not eating all week and then going to Home Town Buffet?

Dr. I don’t know what’s wrong with me!

If we are not experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit all week, why do we expect it at church?

Pavlov Worship: Pavlov’s dogs would salivate when the bell rang.

Some people will worship if you sing the right song, or say the right thing.

We need good music, good preaching (and we have it) but we should not base our response to God, or desire for God, on how “good” we think the service is.

Illus: We clap without even knowing why, like we are at a football game. It is a way out of true worship. Lifting my hands, my voice.

Jack Hayford - Many Christians will let someone else to worship for them.

Studies show that over-excitement actually inhibits performance.

Illus: JV Basketball game. So excited he fouled out. We lost the game.

Baseball Coach: If I have to get players excited to play, they are in the wrong place.

I have felt the power of God in this place so strongly I could barely stand. Occasionally, God’s grace comes through in spite of me – but other times, my desire for him all week long determines what I experience here.

1 Cor. 14:26 (NLT) Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize what I am saying. When you meet, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in an unknown language, while another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord.