A long term relationship is not based upon one experience but many.
Intimacy is not one touch
One hug
One embrace
A long term relationship
Is built upon Many touches
Many embraces
Many hugs
Past relationships
In the past had a relationship with someone
Maybe a friend from work school
But over the years doesn’t mean you know them now
In our Christian walk it is a Journey
For some a long journey for others not so long
One of the problems in our church society in America
We depend on one touch
One experience
Often times a Past experience
In the Life of the Disciple we begin to see a progression
Something Happened that changed their life permanently
To never be the same
To be willing to suffer a painful death and not turn back to not get distracted to turn to the left or to the right
Matthew 26:40-41
Disciples unable to stay awake and pray for one hour.
That should give us hope
They walked with the Master but still had a hard time to stay awake
Spirit is willing but he flesh is weak
But that does not give us an excuse not to stay awake
Luke 24:49
I’m going to send what the Father has Promised
Father has a Promise
And more than just one MANY
Stay in the City
WAIT:
Delayed Blessing
Be patient
Live in an Instant Society
Fast Internet
Fast Cars
Fast Food
Some Restaurant’s will tell you this plate will take longer to prepare
God does not move on our time table but in HIS time
Acts 1:12-15
They went back to where they had been with Jesus last
Scripture says About 120
They gathered together in prayer
Waiting for a touch
Waiting for the promise
Didn’t leave and get distracted
Question is where were the 5000 that saw a miracle of a loaf of bread and 5 fishes
They Saw a move of God
They saw a miracle
Received the blessing but didn’t stay with the blessor.
Many left a got distracted
But 120 remained
Distractions:
We often come to Christ we get a touch and then leave.
Go back to what we were doing
Children go to church
brought up in the church
Memorize scripture
Get older drift away
Some point it becomes a distant memory
Men Women Mothers Father
Go to church get a touch and then go back
We don’t need just a touch we need a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Yesterday’s touch is dead and gone just a memory
Desires:
Disciples desires where changed
LIFE was changed
Acts 2:1-4
They received the promise and it changed their life permanently
Get baptized in water
Outward profession of an inward experience
Many have demonstrated an outward profession without the inward experience
Many have received water baptism this does not assure salvation water baptism is after repentance.
Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Is a totally different experience
That is a onetime experience
The moment you receive Christ as your personal savior the Holy Spirit come to live inside
It is the Holy Spirit that Convicts you of sin
It is the Holy Spirit that wants to lead you, guide you, comfort you, reveal Jesus to you.
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Is a constant thing over and over again.
We are just like water bottles
Life is constantly taking a sip from us
And if we don’t keep coming back to the fountain to get filled again we will soon run dry
We must stay in Faith, stay in Prayer, Stay in Fellowship
We need a LIFE Changing Experience
LOST:
Maybe you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior
AS you make your way to the altar someone is going to pray with you
BACKSLIDDEN
You’ve drifted away know it is time to come back and receive restoration today is the day now is the time
SAVED
Been struggling to pray, to read the word, to worship
Feel dry now is the time to come to Jesus ask for newness a freshness , rivers of living water
