Supernatural Pt2- Holy Spirit
Introduction
(from a sermon series by Craig Groeschel- Supernatural)
Continue with series on the Supernatural.
Last week- talked in general terms about supernatural:
what you see w/natural eye- not all that there is.
real spiritual world- affects our natural lives.
Today- talk about- reality of- power/presence of- HS.
God has empowered us to live a supernatural life style.
Understanding the HS- essential for me to walk w/God
Jn 14:16-17 Spirit of Truth- HS
First- The HS is not an it, He is the third person of the God head.
Second- HS cannot be seen
Many struggle understanding- HS because He is invisible to- natural senses.
1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
We must be born-again (encounter)-understand the HS
Third, the HS is not only with us, He is inside of us.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
i.e. If I lived when Jesus was alive, then if:
something went wrong, He could fix it for,
low on food, Jesus could multiply the food,
my dog runs in the street- killed- Jesus could raise the dog from the dead,I am about to sin- w/Jesus there I decide not to.
How could it get better than that?
Jn 16:7 “But I tell you the truth, 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 go, I will send Him to you.
The HS is not only with us, He is living inside of us:
He is our counselor/comforter/guide
He enables us to do anything God calls us to do.
Holy Spirit Gives You The Power
5 things- HS- enables us to do- HS gives us the power:
1. of Salvation
HS draws us to Jesus so we can experience salvation through the death/resurrection of Jesus.
Jn 3:3-6 story of Nicodemus
A mother gives us physical birth-
our Heavenly Father gives us spiritual birth.
We are spiritually born-anew when we invite Christ to be our Savior and our Lord.
Question: How do I know if I am really born of God? God tells us- He communicates that reality to us.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
His Spirit speaks to our spirit that we are His children.
We have a deep sense of assurance that we are His.
2. to Walk in God’s Will (the HS gives us the power)
When-do not know what to do-HS will guide/direct us.
Jn 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
He brings to our remembrance- how does the work?
Important we tuck God’s Word away into our hearts.
He is our teacher, counselor, guide-we pray/He speaks.
Jn 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
3. to Share Christ boldly (the HS gives us the power)
Some- afraid to talk w/others about spiritual things.
Afraid they will ask- question- do not know- answer to
The HS wants to empower us in this area.
1 Cor 2:4-5
My abilities are not that great, but when I open my mouth the HS will empower me/give me the words.
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
4. to Live a Holy Life (the HS gives us the power)
When tempted-HS-enables us to turn away from sin.
Rom 8:5-6
Before Christ-easy to be dominated by sinful thoughts:
hold onto bitterness/unforgiveness, think a lustful thought and act on it, respond or behave out of jealously.
w/o- HS we are vulnerable to- temptation of- evil one.
When we know Christ we are filled with His Spirit and His Spirit gives us power to live a holy life.
HS renews our minds and we start to think about what pleases God instead of- desires of our sinful nature.
Demons/natural mind- tempt us to do the devil’s work-
the HS is available to empower us to obey God.
5. to make a difference with our Spiritual Gifts
When we are born-again- HS gives us spiritual gifts.
1 Cor 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
You can see some of these gifts in 1 Cor 12/Rom 12.
You may have the gift of- wisdom, discernment, prophecy, giving, speaking in other tongues, interpreting other tongues, serving, encouragement, administration, evangelism, mercy, teaching.
God gives us supernatural gifts to:
use in the church and make a difference in the world.
If this is your church and you are not using the gifts God has given you, then there is something
God wants done at COTR-that is not being done
Spirit-Filled Advice
Two pieces of spiritual advice:
1. Do not resist the HS
Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
There are times we know the Spirit is prompting us about something- we can decide to obey or not.
Act 7:51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
If continually resist- He will withdraw from speaking.
2. Be filled with the HS
Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
What does alcohol do- it makes you do things you would not otherwise do- it takes control of you.
Do not let something other than God control you.
Instead be filled w/HS- allow the HS to control you.
We are to live a spirit filled life- He gives us the-
power, ability, authority- to do His will.
God’s Promise To You
Act 2:38-39
Conclusion
If you recognize that you need more of the HS working in your life than you have- trapped in some sin- HS wants to set you free,
not using your gifts- HS wants to release them,
not been listening to Him- He wants to speak.
You may need to repent/ask Him to speak again.
Altar Call
If you recognize you have been living too much of your life w/o turning to- wisdom/power of- HS, and
you want the HS to do everything He wants to do in your life- raise hands- pray for you.
PRAY
Perhaps you are here today and you do not know God but you know that you are being drawn by Him.
At the same time there is a spiritual enemy trying to convince you that you do not need God- nonsense.
If you know the HS is reaching out to you-
you have a decision to make-
say yes to Jesus and tell Him you will follow Him the rest of your life.
If that is you pray with me.
PRAY
If you prayed that prayer, please raise your hands so we can get you some information.
Additional- Charles Finney
But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings.
