The Holy Spirit And Church Growth

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHURCH GROWTH

The Holy Spirit Is Great

The Holy Spirit Does Great Things Through People

Be filled With The Holy Spirit

As we begin this year we have many plans. Plans personally and as a body of believers. We want to see wonderful things happen in our personal lives as well as in the church. This study is so that we might have the right God focus as we move forward. As we look at the beginning of Acts Luke records a time when Jesus had given them instructions, something they needed to move forward.

Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Why did Jesus tell them to wait? Because he knew what they needed. They needed God in the person of the Holy Spirit. So do we need the Holy Spirit? No and yes.

We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so no we don’t need Him in that way because He is in us. However we do need to be filled with the Holy Spirit on a continual basis.

First a few things about the Holy Spirit we need to be reminded of.

Pt 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GREAT

We are going to take a panoramic view of a view scriptures that talk about the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Is A Person

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit is God. He is not an "it." He is not a divine influence. He is not a fleecy white cloud. He is not a ghost nor a concept. He is a person possessing a will, intellect and emotions. He is God - with all the attributes of deity. He is the third person of the Trinity - co-equal with God the Father and God the Son.

The Holy Spirit Is Powerful

Acts 1:6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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."

The Holy Spirit Speaks

Acts 1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)(Acts 1:16 NIV) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—

The Holy Spirit Is A Witness

(Acts 5:32 NIV) We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

The Holy Spirit Strengthened and Encouraged The Church

(Acts 9:31 NIV) Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit Has His Own Timing And It’s Aggressive

(Acts 10:44 NIV) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

The Holy Spirit Has Plans and Operates On His Timing

(Acts 11:15 NIV) "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

The Holy Spirit Speaks And Calls

(Acts 13:2 NIV) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

The Holy Spirit Send Out Missionaries

(Acts 13:4 NIV) The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

The Holy Spirit Kept Them From Preaching The Word

(Acts 16:6 NIV) Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

The Holy Spirit Warns

(Acts 20:23 NIV) I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.