Introduction
A What if this Sunday, or tonight, we experienced Pentecost relived.
1 Anointing fell on me like Peter, God gave me a word, brother Ananias is slain, soon his wife is beside him.
a Paul smiting Clymas with blindness
b Today, I’m having charges brought on me
c Any of the boldness, procrastination would “get us a bad name.”
2 Pentecost meant pain, prison...
a We see the power, conversions, signs & wonders...who doesn’t want that?
aa Some say Pentecost is descriptive as compared to prescriptive.
bb I believe it’s both/and
b To see God move in power, strength, we must be moved to prayer.
c We want Pentecost, but are we willing to pay the price...be jailed...be run out of town...called crazy and/or drunk?
3 I think the first-century Christian would be shocked at what we call the church in the 21st century.
a We’re too busy hunting mice while lions devour the land...
b Where are the Spirit, weeping, miracles, power, baptisms, persecution, prayer meetings?
4 We would love to see these power manifestations, but we must see more people praying first.
a Paul (who was Saul)-what happened to him?
aa For about 2-3 years, Paul was in Arabia (we don’t know)
bb He altered Asia, Jews, Rome-taught teachers & pitied prison jailers.
b Paul & Silas dynamited prison walls with prayer.
c If we are ever to have apostolic power, we will first have apostolic praying.
B It’s not what you know that matters, but Who you know that counts. True in the business world, but also true in the Spirit.
1 The Bible is God’s Word, but it’s also your checkbook from the Lord of glory.
a Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 1 Cor 3:22-23 (KJV)
aa But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (KJV)
bb Isn’t “all” a great word?
b Do we really believe He can?
aa Most say “yes”-acknowledge His omnipotence, but that isn’t faith.
bb I believe He can change water into wine, wood into gold-within His power.
cc To say He “can” doesn’t change anything.
c When I pray “God will change...”, my problem is solved.
2 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13 (NASB) Which is the greatest? Why overlook the lesser?
a Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us...Eph 3:20 (NASB) Not faith
aa We can talk about our King’s power, wealth, strength, knowledge, peace, glory, healing, wisdom, & yet we’re starving, poor, burned out, cold, impotent, diseased, & sick.
bb God isn’t impressed with our knowledge, personality, but with our faith. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Heb 11:6 (NASB)
b Faith honors God and God honors faith
aa God goes wherever faith puts him.
bb No faith-God isn’t found.
cc Faith brings God into our lives.
c Saved by faith! Right? God opened the door for him! Same thing in our prayer life.
3 Doubt neutralities or defrays faith & faith destroys doubt.
a And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 (NASB) (Doesn’t say “explain,” “understand” - but believe.)
aa You think God cares if we can explain how He changed wood/wine to God?
bb He just wants us to trust Him!
b As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor 6:10 (KJV)
aa Poor and rich (paradox)
bb Paul at the end of his ministry still longing for more. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Phil 3:10 (KJV)
4 I think the main reason many unbelieving believers fail is this thing called self.
a Paul remember the old King, self has been dethroned - crossed out on a cross. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (KJV)
aa Christ became enthroned in Paul’s heart.
bb Before the transition his heart was cleaned and made ready.
b ...that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self , which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, Eph 4:22 (NASB)
aa Self-seeking, self-glory, self-interest, self-pity, self-righteousness, self-importance, self-promotion, self-satisfaction - whatever else of self - must die.
bb What you know - who you are is not important; what is important is what you are to God.
cc If we please Him does it matter whom we displease and if we displease Him does it matter who we please?
c I’m not there yet – if you are take pity one your weaker brother and pray for me!
5 There is faith that is natural, intellectual, and logical.
a There is a faith that is spiritual. (Doesn’t make sense, supernatural, can’t be explained.)
b I believe the generation that strikes out with that kind of faith against the roaring Lion (cold bride) will experience latter rain revival.
c And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Dan 11:32 (KJV)
d If any of us know God, watch out, Lucifer.
Conclusion
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