Same Question – Round 2 Series

“SAME QUESTION – ROUND 2”

IF YOU WERE HERE LAST WEEK YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT WE DEALT REALLY WITH JUST ONE QUESTION: WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST? WE LOOKED AT HOW THAT QUESTION APPLIED TO US EITHER AS NON-BELIEVERS OR AS FOLLOWERS OF HIM. WE STARTED LAST WEEK IN THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH AND THAT IS WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THIS MORNING. PLEASE TURN TO JEREMIAH 8:6 (READ IT) I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.

LET’S PRAY

FOR THE SAKE OF A TITLE TODAY : “SAME QUESTION - ROUND 2”

IF YOU HAVE STUDIED ANY BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD DENOMINATION YOU WILL KNOW THAT OUR TOPIC/QUESTION TODAY IS RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDST OF THE 16 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS PRESENTED BY THE DENOMINATION AS CORE BELIEFS: #7 WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

NOW CERTAINLY WE CAN AGREE THAT OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT STEMS MOSTLY FROM WHAT WE READ IN THE BOOK OF ACTS: 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

ACTS 2:1-4 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them

ONE OF THE MAIN TEACHINGS RELATED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM A POSITIONAL POINT OF VIEW IS SIMPLY THIS: ALL BELIEVERS ARE ENTITLED TO AND SHOULD ARDENTLY EXPECT AND EARNESTLY SEEK THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE, ACCORDING TO THE COMMAND OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. THIS WAS THE NORMAL EXPERIENCE OF ALL IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH. WITH IT COMES THE ENDUMENT OF POWER FOR LIFE AND SERVICE, THE BESTOWMENT OF THE GIFTS AND THEIR USES IN THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY.

THAT IS WHAT YOU MIGHT HERE FROM SOMEONE AT THE HOME OFFICE OF THE AG.

MY QUESTION THIS MORNING IS WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK AT THIS QUESTION IN RELATION TO 2 MAIN AREAS. WHILE THESE TWO AREAS ARE BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE OF THIS TOPIC THEY SIMPLY ALLOW US A POINT TO BEGIN AT.

GOD SENT THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO THE WORLD WITH A PURPOSE AND DESIGN. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S FIRST PURPOSE IS TO CONVICT SINNERS OF THEIR LOST CONDITION TURN WITH ME TO JOHN 16:7-8 (READ IT) I BELIEVE THAT MANY OF US GET CONFUSED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WE FEEL IT IS OUR JOB TO CONVICT PEOPLE OF THEIR SIN. IT IS UP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO THAT.

WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

ANOTHER PURPOSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THAT OF POWER!

THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN TO GIVE US

POWER IN OUR WITNESSING EDGAR LEE WROTE IN A POSITIONAL PAPER FOR THE AG THESE WORDS: Prominent in God’s purposes for Spirit baptism is the equipping of believers for witness to Christ. Jesus instructed His disciples, IN LUKE 24:29;"Stay in the city [Jerusalem] until you have been clothed with power from on high" and added, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Power for witness also flows from the Spirit’s gifts (charismata) for the work of the ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:7-13; 1 Peter 4:10,11).

The Father (Operative Gifts) Romans 12:6-8 Prophecy

· Ministry Teaching Exhortation Giving Leading Showing mercy (Compassion)

The Son (Administrative Gifts Ephesians 4:11) Apostleship Prophecy

· Evangelism Pastoring Teaching

The Holy Spirit (Charismatic Gifts)1 Corinthians 12:1-14 · Wisdom Knowledge Discerning of spirits (Human, Angelic, Demonic)

· Speaking in tongues Interpretation of tongues Prophecy

· Faith Working of miracles Healing

ANOTHER VIEW OF THIS EMPOWERMENT TO SHARE OUR TESTIMONY IS FOUND IN 1 COR. 2:1-5

1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.