Sermon Central
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Preparing To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit Series
Contributed by Randy Hamel on Feb 14, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Continuing with the Holy Spirit theme this sermon looks at the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-27). Jesus asks us to dethrone the gods in our lives so our hearts are prepared to be directed by the Spirit.
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What we Believe Series
Preparing to be filled with the Holy Spirit – February 17, 2008
Acknowledge Dr. Henry Schorr (Mark 10:17-27 NIV)
o Were in series called what Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, Baptism and Spiritual gifts
o Were focusing on God the Holy Spirit
o Lord willing next week we’ll speak on ‘how to be filled with the Holy Spirit’
o But let me clear about one thing
o There is a world of difference between being baptized or receiving the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit
o The moment the person becomes a believer the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence within you (Romans 8:9B)
o That is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11)
o The Apostle Paul wrote that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, he does not belong to Christ
o It is one thing for you to have the Holy Spirit
o It is an entirely different thing for the Holy Spirit to have you
o When your life is under the direction and control of the Holy Spirit of God then the Spirit of God has you
o That is what the Apostle Paul called ‘being filled with the Spirit’
o The Holy Spirit wants to release his power within us
o The Holy Spirit wants to transform us into a new person
o He wants us to be Christ like, living a Christ centred life
o The Holy Spirit wants to reveal his plan and purpose for our lives
o The Holy Spirit wants to use us to impact this area where we live
o But he can only do that to the extent that we are willing to transfer ownership and the direction of our life to his control
o We must yield our lives completely to Him
o A common strategy of marketing agencies is you can get something for nothing
o One time I received a call from a young lady
o She said congratulations you have won an all expenses paid trip for four to Disney World in Orlando Florida
o At first I was excited
o Little did I know that everyone won the trip
o They were attempting to sell time sharing
o Timesharing is expensive
o It is something I didn’t need and couldn’t afford
o That is the something for nothing philosophy
o Unfortunately this is also used in religious circles
o Some movements seem appealing
o They even have a flavor of Christianity
o One message is if you give a faith gift of $1000 or more – you will receive ten times more back
o The message is for a minimal investment there is a big payoff
o That type of message avoids the true cost of following Jesus
o Jesus did not promise automatic wealth, health and automatic happiness
o If wealth was automatic then why did Jesus say ‘the son of man has nowhere to lay his head?’
o What Jesus taught was there is a cost to following Jesus
o Jesus told us to count the cost of following him
o Most of us do not think seriously about that
o Sometimes we glibly say “Jesus I will follow you wherever you go”
o Have you ever felt that way?
o Have you ever had a power surge go through you where you thought Jesus I will do it all for you
o I know I have
o I will follow you anywhere
o Name the cost
o Count me in
o In my line of work people come and go
o Some in my past are remembered for their faithfulness and steady devotion to Christ – I still have connections with them
o We know them and they are still faithful to Christ and to his church
o Others are like a tsunami, gospel gurus with all the answers, wreaking destruction in their path wherever they go
o Others were once on fire for Christ
o You can count on me pastor
o I am an evangelist
o I am a giver
o I am a youth worker
o I am a student of the word
o Were home group leaders
o Whatever you need count me in
o Count on us as part of the team
o But today they are nowhere to be seen
o Often out of the church, often very critical of it
o Have you ever wondered why?
o Their original attitude was Jesus I will follow you anywhere
o Maybe it happened at a service
o Maybe at a Promise Keeper weekend
o Maybe after a message from a dynamic speaker
o Maybe after reading a shot in the arm book like Beth Moore’s ‘Breaking Free’
