Summary: Have you been charged with a L.U.I.? Living Under the Influence Acts 2:12-17 “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the e

Have you been charged with a L.U.I.?

Living Under the Influence

Acts 2:12-17 “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 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: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And 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:”

Gal 5:25- “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Intro: The tittle of our message this morning sounds similar to another term, D.U.I. Which is the acronym of “driving while under the influence” of alcohol or some controlled substance. Meaning you are operating a vehicle of some sort while you are experiencing or suffering from the effects of alcohol or some controlled substance. Influence also refers to types of behavior one exhibits. The decision making process is effected and motorskills are effected. Being “under the influence” of something can effect you, your loved ones and you entire environment (home, finances, and neighborhood). Influence- the power to produce or the ability to control the effects to and on persons, places and things. (To manipulate) Have you heard the saying, “Using Influence” -Because of financial or social standing I.E. President Brush, Donald Trump, Bill Gates or Don King. Influence : Family- Mother, father or lack thereof. Brothers and sisters, etc. Friends and acquaintances- buddies, girlfriends/boyfriend, teachers, neighbors, etc. Experiences I.E. Tragedies- losing a loved, being physically or sexual abuse, mistreated. Joyous occasions- The birth of a child, falling in love and getting married. But on today I’m talk about the influence of God his son Jesus Christ “Living Under the Influence” of the Holy Ghost.

1. What is Influence?

A. Sources of/ Causes: T.V., movies, News media,

Music (Rap, gospel, rock, etc…)

B. Consequences/The Effects:

I. Fulfill the works of the flesh- Gal 5:19-

21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these; Adultery, fornication,

uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,

witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,

strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders,

drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the

which I tell you before, as I have also told

you in time past, that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

II. The world is under Adamic (fleshly) and

satanic influence

C. Example:

· Satan to Eve to Adam = Sin in the world

(Gen. 3:1-5)

· Moses to God about the children for mercy for

Israel

· Jonathan with Saul about David = sparing David’s

life

· Esther unto King Ahasuerus = Saved the lives of

her people

· Pride influence the prodigal son = Leave his

father’s house. His circumstances = Influenced

him to return and repent

· Jesus (The Advocate) to God the Father = On

behalf of the Church

2. How do you become L.U.I. of the Holy Ghost

A.Faith in God and Jesus Christ and believe:

I. Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible

to please him: for he that cometh to God must

believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”

II. St. John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the

world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not

perish, but have everlasting life. For God

sent not his Son into the world to condemn

the world; but that the world through him

might be saved.”

B.Receive the Holy Ghost:

I. St.John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is

the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my

name, he shall teach you all things, and bring

all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I

have said unto you.”

II.Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after

that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:”

III. Holy Ghost/Spirit - The third person of the

trinity, who exercises the power of the Father

and the Son in creation and redemption. Because

the Holy Spirit is the power by which believers

come to Christ and see with new eyes of faith,

He is closer to us than we are to ourselves.

Like the eyes of the body through which we see

physical things, He is seldom in focus to be

seen directly because He is the one through whom

all else is seen in a new light. This explains

why the relationship of the Father and the Son

is more prominent in the gospels, because it is

through the eyes of the Holy Spirit that the

Father-Son relationship is viewed.The Holy

Spirit appears in the Gospel of John as the

power by which Christians are brought to faith

and helped to understand their walk with God. He

brings a person to new birth: "That which is

born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is

born of the Spirit is spirit" ; "It is

the Spirit who gives life" . The Holy

Spirit is the “Paraclete”(Greek), or Helper,

whom Jesus promised to the disciples after His

ascension. The triune family of Father, Son, and

Holy Spirit are unified in ministering to

believers .

3. The effects of L.U.I. of the Holy Ghost

A. You start behaving like Christ – “Christian”

Suffering but blessings:

I.Gal 5:25- “If we live in the Spirit, let us

also walk in the Spirit.”

II. Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,longsuffering, gentleness,

goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:against

such there is no law.”

1 Pet 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a

Christian, let him not be ashamed;but let him

glorify God on this behalf.”

IV.“Loving your neighbor as your self”

V. “loving your enemies”

VI.“turning the other check”

VII. “Praying for those who despitfully use you”

VIII.“Forgiving 70 x 7”

IX. "being not weary in well doing”

Conclusion: If I can use my finite imagination for a moment. Now we know that Satan is prince of the air. Let us picture the devil giving you a “spiritual traffic stop”.

Field sobriety test:

1. Walk the line (Coordination/movement)

Matt 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

II Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2. Finger count (Forward & Backward)

Count you blessing

1Thes 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

3. Lift one leg off the ground ( keep you balance)

II Cor 4:8-9 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”

Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”