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.
Too many people come to the church table with nothing to offer.
“You think more about your sermon than the people.” If I truly care about you, I will come to church ready to give, not just a sermon, but myself.
What were you doing last night? Were you spiritual prepared?
Does someone else have to pump you up spiritually? What are you bringing to the table?
III. Spiritual Proclamation: Focus on the Gospel Message
While he was speaking! No one had to tell them to speak in tongues. No one had to pump them up.
Where the Gospel is preached, the Holy Spirit is present.
Acts 4:8 Peter Day of Pentecost 3,000 saved
Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
The Gospel is the match that lights the fire.
Our goal and desire should be to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can reach others for Christ and make disciples. If we really want the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to preach the gospel of salvation.
How do we really know if the Holy Spirit is among us?
There is a personal benefit – this is good for us! He prays for us, builds us up, gives us gifts, edifies the church. But the Holy Spirit is not only an inward experience.
It is not based on the volume of shouting, or how many people fall on the floor (although there should be some noticeable responses.)
The bottom line is this: Are people coming to Christ, are people growing in Christ?
Speaking on the Holy Spirit, “You show me a church that does not have a constant flow of new believers coming to the Lord and I will show you a church that is stagnating.” Greg Laurie
The greatest demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit is the salvation of a soul.
Even Speaking in Tongues is a sign to sinners! If we are proclaiming the gospel message of salvation and forgiveness, we can expect the power of the Holy Spirit.
If we just want to feel good when we come to church, we have missed the point. The greatest feeling in the world is seeing someone come to Christ.
What is our message? For who?
If we are going to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we have to make room.
• Are we making room for salvation?
• Are we bringing people to church?
• Are we being intentional in our relationships to show people the love of God?
• If we do not make room for souls, we do not need more of the Holy Spirit.
• Is the salvation of souls a priority for us?
Danger Close, New Vision of people: This was a great risk for Peter. A church for all nations
“I always feel like, somebody’s watching me.” People are watching us! Your children are watching you. Little eyes see how you love God.
What are the primary ingredients for a spiritual explosion?
What were the primary factors that led to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
1. Expectation: Expect something from God
2. Preparation: Prepare yourself instead of waiting for someone to do it for you.
3. Proclamation: Preach the Gospel, bring something with you.
Expect something great from God, prepare yourself to receive it, and proclaim His message of salvation and forgiveness!
What are you anticipating? There must be more!
Need for Speed: God intended much more than a boring, mundane religion.
Perhaps one reason we struggle is that we have settled for an average religious experience and God wants to be the real deal.
Brennan Manning, “I learned what a wise old Franciscan told me the day I joined the Order -- ’Once you come to know the love of Jesus Christ, nothing else in the world will seem as beautiful or desirable.’ "
“I’ve been to the Mountain Top!”
A personal revelation, experience of God himself, is absolutely necessary – second hand information will not do.
We can do it! It is not impossible, not beyond us. It is within our grasp.
Give us More of your glory - I want more!
