REVIVAL #2: THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
OPENING TEXT: Review “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former.” (Haggai 2:9).
• The Lord declared that the glory of the latter church would be greater than the former.
• Acts 5 – Peter’s shadow; Acts 19 - Paul’s handkerchiefs – we’re not there yet!
THE BIG IDEA: God’s desire is that this latter day’s church would be greater in glory and power than the church was in the book of Acts. This will happen when we begin to seek and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.
KEY TEXT: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7a).
• Today we want to consider the significance of this, Jesus’ most shocking statement:
• The Bible tells us “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38).
• How could Jesus then say that it was to the disciples’ advantage that He goes away?
“It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7).
• Who is this Helper? The Holy Spirit!
• Jesus also said: (quote John 14:12)
QUOTE: “But the Spirit-filled life Christ calls us to is one of divine fullness and powerful ability to spread the love of God. He wants us to receive His power and then touch the world around us as we can only do when we have the might of the Spirit in us.” (Jack Hayford, Spirit-filled).
ILLUSTRATION: A children’s catechism class was learning the Apostles Creed. Each child had been assigned a sentence to repeat. The first one said, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” The second child said, “I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son…” When he had completed his sentence, there was an embarrassing silence. Finally, one child piped up, “Teacher, the boy who believes in the Holy Spirit isn’t here.”
UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SPIRIT.
(1) He is a Person – the third member of the Trinity. (Matt. 28:19)
- He is not a ’bird’ (dove), He is not a force/power,
- He is not a ’ghost’ (as the old King James Bible calls Him).
(2) He is a Helper – He comforts us in difficult times (John 15:26a)
(3) He reveals God’s Love to us (Romans 5:5)
(4) He makes us more like Jesus (fruit of the Spirit) (Gal. 5:22-23)
(5) He Leads and Guides our life and ministry (John 16:13)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTS:
Acts 1:16: “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke…”
Acts 8:29: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot.”
Acts 10:19: “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.”
Acts 13:2: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said…
• Over and over in the church in Acts, we see them following the leading of the Spirit.
THREE THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT:
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17).
1. The Holy Spirit WITH US - convicts us of sin, draws us to Jesus & salvation
2. The Holy Spirit WITHIN US - when we are saved/born again - new creation
“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me.” (Acts 1:8).
3. The Holy Spirit UPON US - empowers us for ministry (baptism of the Holy Spirit)
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES:
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized (baptismo—immersed) with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5).
“And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4).
• Jesus told His disciples to not do anything until they were baptized with the Spirit.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: The difference the Holy Spirit Baptism made in my life. Before I was filled with the Holy Spirit, I was a ‘secret service’ Christian, and was ashamed of the Gospel. I wouldn’t tell anyone I was a Christian. But after, I received a new power and boldness to witness for Jesus – I would preach to a dog if it would stand still long enough!
BIBLE STORY: Before Peter was filled with the Spirit, he denied Jesus three times – in front of a little servant girl! After the Holy Spirit came upon Him, He had new boldness and power!
QUOTE: “A normal response to having received the fullness of the Holy Spirit is to gain a deeper compassion for the lost, a greater readiness to serve, or a more heightened hunger for spiritual pursuit.” (Jack Hayford, Spirit-filled).
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (1 Cor. 12:7-10).
COMMUNICATION GIFTS: Prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues
KNOWLEDGE GIFTS: Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits
POWER GIFTS: Faith, gifts of healings, the working of miracles
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1).
• We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we can minister God’s love to others!
ILLUSTRATE: Filled to overflowing – baptized – with the Holy Spirit (jug of water)
CLOSING:
How do we receive? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).
PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
PRAYER FOR FRESH FIRE – ANOINTED WITH FRESH OIL!
• In Acts, we learn that Peter was filled with the Spirit at least three times. We are leaky containers, and need to pray for fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit.
RESOURCES: Two CD’s to listen to, to learn more about the Holy Spirit:
“God Encounters #3: Jesus the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit” (August 2007)
“Supernatural Breakthrough #2: Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit” (Nov. 2007)
For more sermon outlines or audio sermons, visit:
www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
