God’s Endowment for Ministry June 3, 2012
A The Baptism of the Holy Spirit releases supernatural enabling for practical service.
1 Through out history (OT promise, NT fulfillment, Modern Era) the BOTHS has empowered the church impact the culture.
a Dr. Larry Hart, professor of theology at Oral Roberts University, PhD graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has given an incredible insight to this truth.
b He points out that in the OT the Spirit came upon individuals to perform heroic or practical deeds for God’s people.
aa The Spirit gave Bezalel gifts to design and build the tabernacle (Ex. 31).
bb Joseph was given wisdom by the Spirit
(38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?" Gen 41:38 (NASB))
c In the New Testament, the Spirit came on Pentecost to abide upon each member of the church to release witness and service on them
(8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NASB)).
2 The early church fathers believed that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was released upon Christians so the early church could benefit from their gifts.
a Tertullian, was a preacher in the 3rd century who preached to more than 5,000 people every Sunday affirmed the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit.
b He and Hilary of Poitiers, who was a church leader who was exiled because of his spiritual fervor, believed that Jesus’s baptism was the pattern to follow for all believers.
aa Water baptized, followed by the Spirit descending upon Him wasn’t just a unique experience to Christ.
bb Should be the model for all members of the Church.
c Hilary’s book on Christian initiation declares that the charisma (or gifts) were released as a part of the regular works experienced by the church in her first eight centuries.
aa “God has instituted them.” AMAZING! We have tried to exercise out of the church the very things that God gifted the church with.
bb Hilary said the gifts are not “adornments” but are to be used witness and ministry.
d Describing the BOTHS, Hilary said, “The Holy Spirit is called a river. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are made drunk. Because out of us as a source, various streams of grace flow, the prophet prays that the Lord will inebriate us. The prophet wants the same people made drunk and filled to all fullness with the divine gifts, so that their generation may be multiplied.”
B The Bible and Church History are in agreement on what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit released (and releases today).
1 There is perfect agreement between Scripture & Church history that Spirit Baptism is followed by a release of spiritual gifts.
2 What happens when the Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs?
a First, The Holy Spirit restores an intimate relationship with God as Father.
aa 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Gal 4:6 (NASB),
the outpoured Spirit cries “Abba, Father” as He comes upon the believer.
bb The believer’s spiritual eyes are opened and responds back, “Abba, Father.”
cc Abba is the affectionate word for “daddy” or “papa” in the ancient language.
dd Could it be that an evidence of Spirit baptism is that there is powerful revelation that individual believers have come home?
b Secondly, The Holy Spirit’s power was given for the purpose of witness and missions.
aa 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NASB),
Jesus told His disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
bb I believe apart of this mandate was included a liberation from demonic fear to serve in the Kingdom of God
(7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Tim 2:7 (NASB))
cc Remember, our victory is certain
(11 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Rev 12:11 (NASB))
dd As apart of our mission that accompanies Spirit Baptism comes spiritual gifts, signs, and wonders to confirm the witness
(15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Mark 16:15-20 (NASB).
ee The church’s worldwide mission was to be confirmed with signs and wonders.
ff Clear evidence of Spirit baptism was casting out demons, speaking in tongues, divine protection, and healing miracles.
c Third, the Holy Spirit’s baptism would result in mental and emotional transformation.
aa Instead of old attitudes of hatred, impatience, pride, revenge, and indulgence, the Holy Spirit would release “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”
(22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23 (KJV)).
bb The Holy Spirit brings about radical transformation of character, attitude, personality!
cc The only real hope we ever have of changing as men, women is found in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
dd True agape, unconditional love is the hallmark of true Christianity: Jesus made it clear the love generates faith!
ee Paul, Romans 5.1-5, makes it clear that love is not really an emotion but a work of the Holy Spirit.
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 (NASB)
ff This outpouring of love keeps us strong through seasons of distress and grief, suffering and difficulty.
d Fourth, the BOTHS brings special enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding to the believer.
aa It’s not just important, but essential for Christians to understand and be established in “present truth”
(12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.2 Peter 1:12 (NASB)).
bb God’s word has a present applications, predictions, and insights.
cc The HS releases the “mind of Christ,” the very thoughts of God.
dd Through a believer’s spirt, the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of one’s inner man
(17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints , Eph 1:17-18 (NASB)).
ee We can know the mind of God? Know what He knows? Can you imagine the potential that truth posses?
ff Paul did in Ephesians
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 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,21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:16-21 (NASB)
gg We see spiritual strength, comprehension, supernatural knowledge, fullness, ability released to the church.
Conclusion:
A There are no limits to the graces/gifts released by the BOTHS. (The potential power that could be unlocked/tapped if understood Spirit baptism are endless.)
1 Yet there are clear parameters to these gifts.
a The church should be the setting for the charismatic gifts to operate.
b Because she has rejected the gifts/manifestations/ & by and large the BOTHS they are welcomed in cults, some split parachurch group.
aa God gave the gifts, physical manifestations to be used/exercised in the local church.
bb I believe the church has done the Holy Spirit an injustice by dismissing the charismatic gifts.
2 The church must welcome the Holy Spirit.
a Christians must stop using the baptism of the Spirit to divide a church/leave a church must come home to the church!
b The church will only reach her potential if we unify around the work of the Holy Spirit.
B IL
1
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
