Confidence in the Holy Ghost
Text John 14:12
Intro: The Christian should always be ready to give an answer as to what he believes in and why. Christians for far to long have been walking on eggshells, worried that one is going to break any moment.
Illus:
Peter said: “Be ready always to give an answer to every many that asketh you a reason of hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”1 Peter 3:15
· You can stand up as a Pentecostal Christian with full confidence in the Holy Ghost and proclaim without shame that you are in Jesus Christ and what you believe about Him.
· In the world we live gays and lesbians without shame tell us everyday who and what they are.
· John 14:12 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
o Did Christ heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out devils? Yes! And so should we!
o Did He convict and convince sinners and draw multitudes to Him? Yes! And we should also!
· That words “works” refers to mighty acts of power; Christ’s works included:
o Healing all manner of sickness and disease
o Casting out devils
o Raising up the dead
o Cleansing lepers
o Loosing those in bondage
o Setting captives free
o He controlled the elements, walked on water, turned water into wine
o And we shall do greater works that these because He has gone to the Father.
· We can and should have total confidence in the Holy Ghost insomuch as when we pray for something, we claim with confidence that it is done in Jesus Name
Interrogative: When you come to the place in God where you are confident in the Holy Ghost, it will be evidenced by the following 3 "Facts".
I. There Will Be Power and Demonstration
1. 1 Cor. 2:1-5 (KJV) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2. Acts 10:44-45 (KJV) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Paul while shipwrecked on the sea told them that the angel of God stood by him last night… Acts 27:20-26
4. Acts 19:2-6 The Holy Ghost falls on the Ephesians’.
II. There Will Be Signs Following Believers
1. Hunters know that when they see certain signs it is a sure indication that the deer has be here recently.
2. Mark 16:17-18 (KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
i. Casting our devils
*Paul cast out demons Acts 16:16-18
*Peter cast out demons Acts 5:12-16
ii. Speak with new tongues
* Upper room
* Cornelius’ House
* Ephesians
* Paul
* Stephen
iii. They shall take up serpents (This is not to temp God)
iv. If they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them. (If forced by their persecutors.
v. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover
* James 5:14-15
3. The Book of Acts is filled with outpourings of the Holy Ghost
* Acts 2-Upper Room
* Acts 3- The impotent man
* Acts 4- The Jewish councilors said: “It is a notable miracle that we cannot deny”
* Acts 5- Peters’ shadow passing over
* Acts 6- Stephen full of the Holy Ghost and power did great wonders and miracles among the people.
* Acts 8-Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans and they received the Holy Ghost
* Acts 9- Paul received the Holy Ghost
* Acts 10- The Holy Ghost fell on people while Peter was preaching
* Acts 12- The Holy Ghost said: “Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them”.
* Acts 19- Paul laid hands on the Ephesians and they received the Holy Ghost
· You can’t say that you believe in the bible and not believe in the power of the Holy Ghost!!!
· 2 Peter 1:13-21 (KJV) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
III. There Will be Response and Reaction
1. They were confounded
2. They were amazed
3. They marveled
4. Some were in doubt
5. Others were mocking
6. Acts 2:14-18 (KJV) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Conclusion:
In your life today, is there power and demonstration?
In your life today are their signs following you?
In your life today, do you see the response and reaction of the people you’re around to the Spirit that dwells in you?
Confidence in the Holy Ghost will cause you to become the Salt and Light that Jesus said we were to be.
Without Confidence in the Holy Ghost others will never get to know that God that you serve by your life and testimony.
