Part 3 - The Foundation Of The Spirit Series

Grieving the Holy Spirit

Part 3 – The Foundation of the Spirit

Rev. Bruce A. Shields

First Baptist Church Tawas City Michigan

www.TawasBaptist.org

WELCOME

Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan.

We are glad you are here this beautiful morning, joining us in our worship and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

We began our series a couple weeks ago on grieving the Holy Spirit, we first talked about the three ‘do nots’, which were; Do not resist the Holy Spirit, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, and Do not quench the Holy Spirit.

Last week we talked about Spiritual Renewal and how it takes place, and how vital it is for the existence of the Body of Christ.

Without the Holy Spirit there is no Body of Christ.

This week we are going to talk more about the foundation that is needed for the Holy Spirit to exist within the Body of Christ.

Last week I mentioned the four elements that are necessary for a Spiritual Renewal to even be possible;

1. We must WAKE UP and realize we need Spiritual Renewal in the Body.

2. We must CLEANS OURSELVES of anything that would offend God and prevent Him from communing with us.

3. We must approach God on the right terms, HIS TERMS.

4. We must PRAY without ceasing.

Once we meet these requirements, our process of Spiritual Renewal can begin!

Spiritual renewal MUST take place on an individual basis if we are to experience any sort of renewal as a body.

We each need to individually;

1. Confess known sin to God.

2. Deal with the doubtful areas of our lives.

3. Obey the Holy Spirit.

4. Confess Christ publicly.

When we do this in our personal lives, we, as a whole, will bring God’s Holy Spirit to this place when we gather together to worship Him.

The more individuals who are bringing God’s Holy Spirit, the more this place, as a whole, and this body of believers, will be able to meet with God and hear from God.

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 127:1

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, do so in vain.”

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS MOST HOLY WORD

ABC BELIEFS?

With everything that has been happening in the past few months, there has been a lot of questions about what we as a church believe, and what do the Baptists believe, and even the question,

“Is the First Baptist church the same as a regular Baptist Church?”

Like we’re irregular or something?

Although we really shouldn’t be so concerned about denominations, since Christ calls the Body of Christ to be unified and denominations only divide, but wanting to understand what the denomination you belong to believes is a legitimate concern.

There has been much confusion about the Baptists beliefs and the beliefs of this church.

We, as the First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan, are members of the American Baptists.

First Baptists are the same as American Baptists.

A little history lesson here;

Bear with me; I will give you the Cliff Notes version.

In 1638 Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in Rhode Island.

Their government in Rhode Island became the first in history founded on the guarantee of absolute religious freedom.

The following facts are representative of the tradition and practice of the American Baptists, and can be found online at their website; ABC-USA.org.

1. American Baptists believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith.

2. Their website also states that Holy Scripture has always been for American Baptists the authoritative and trustworthy guide for knowing and serving the God who is revealed as Creator, Savior and Advocate. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

3. American Baptists partake of two ordinances, believer’s baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (or communion).

4. Although these ordinances took place originally 2000 years ago, the American Baptists feel that these ordinances symbolically represent resurrection to new life in Jesus Christ, and God’s great love for us through His Sons sacrifice.

5. American Baptists are Christ-centered and biblically grounded.

6. The website also proclaims that American Baptists Identity is known for their being “Guided by God’s Word”.

I personally believe that the American Baptists have the right idea.

They emphasize the utmost importance to the Holy Scripture and our faith and relationship with God.

HOUSE OF FAITH PART 1

So how do these beliefs foster an environment that is necessary for the Holy Spirit?

Like we read in Psalm 127, Unless God builds the house; those who are working on building it are wasting their time.

God has to build it, and He builds it through the Holy Spirit.