When The Transformer Reigneth

Title: When the Transformer Reigneth

Theme: Evidences of a Holy Spirit Led Life

Introduction: What do you think of when you hear the word "reign" or as the Old King James language would say, "reigneth?" I took time to look up the word reign in the dictionary. When used as a noun it means, "dominating power or influence: the reign of law." When used as a verb it means, "to have control, rule, or influence of any kind." Synonyms are "overrule, be in power, or to be in the drivers seat."

Every Christian can tell you the repercussions of a life not controlled by the Holy Spirit. However, everyone appreciates the life that walks insteps with the Lord. Through the writer of the Book of Galatians we see the contrast of a life led by the human flesh and a Spirit-led life. Paul writes, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-24)

Let us Pray!

The Bible has just given the facts of life, suffer the consequence of being controlled by the human flesh or enjoy the benefits of a Spirit-filled life. You and I have family members who live their lives with an attitude of the song lyrics sung by Frank Sinatra, "My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I am certain... I did it my way." These lyrics are in the song, My Way of which we find the opening stanza saying, "And the end is near; And so I face the final curtain." God in His Sovereignty spoke some powerful truths in this song that was so wonderfully and powerfully sung by Mr. Sinatra. Truths worth grasping and hanging onto, and truths that cause a Spirit filled Christian to tremble with a holy fear, "I did it my way."

Just as the Bible gives a sharp contrast between a life lived under the influence of a world-view, a life controlled by the flesh of man's ideas and the lies of the devil. Is the testimony of Pastor, Adrian Rogers, a man who preached God's Word effectively. In his early years of ministry he pleaded with God in prayer, "'Lord, give me your Holy Spirit so I may better know Your Word. I need your Holy Spirit so I may better teach Your Word. Empower me with Your Holy Spirit that I might have a influential ministry.' Pastor Rogers pointed out during his testimony, 'There are many Christians who sit in the pew of a church, who think that is a good prayer, but to Christians filled with the Holy Ghost, that pray is full of I and me.' Pastor Rogers went on to explain, 'I prayed and got nothing back from the Lord. As time went on that prayer changed, Lord, I want what You want for me.' From that time on, Pastor Rogers ministry exploded into a work that has effectively changed lives and is still going on under the banner, A Love Worth Finding. (Pastor Rogers Testimony, 1994 North American Conference for Iterant Evangelist, Louisville, Kentucky)

Two statements will be heard when the final curtain is raised, one, "I did it my way" the other, "Lord, I want what You want for me." One of those statements opens the spiritual heart to a Holy Spirit-filled life that effects others for Christ.

I believe with all my heart, it is imperative to catch the truths of the this message, When the Transformer Reigneth.

Interrogative Sentence: Just what are some signs that the Holy Spirit Reigneth in our lives? This message is not a complete teaching on the Holy Spirit-filled life, but contains foundational truths to walking instep with the Lord.

Proposition: I would propose to you that there is a huge difference between trying to live a good Christian life and allowing the Holy Spirit of God to transform your life. It is imperative that people who are exposed to what is called the church, see a huge difference between the conjecture of man and a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit.