Praying to be filled with more of The
Praying to be filled with more of The Holy Spirit in your life and in our church
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 1: 4 -5, Jesus Speaking]
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, Jesus Speaking]
In Acts 1, Jesus says we need to: 1. be baptized in the Holy Spirit [fully immersed / no part left out] 2. be His witness [by being of a different spirit] 3. receive the power of the Holy Spirit [“step into the river”]
Jesus promises the impossible will happen personally and in our community when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ” (John 10: 10)
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, ’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Zechariah 4: 6– 7 (NIV 84)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5 -6
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3: 20
God’s impossible promises and Promiselands are based on one thing: every part of us being immersed and moved by the Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [Acts 2: 1 -3]
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak [pray] in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. . . [Acts 2: 4 -5]
. . . we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean? ” Some, however, made fun of them. . . [Acts 2: 1213]
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd [in their common everyday language]: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; [Acts 2: 14]
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. ” [Acts 2: 37 -38]
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. [Acts 2: 41]
Observation #1 The impossible became insignificant when they were immersed in God’s eternal love and greatness
Application #1 You don’t fix your problems by giving them your greatest focus
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47: 1– 2 (NIV 84)
Bucket or Baptism?
Observation #2 Experiencing God’s greatness and love was beyond the words that the disciples knew
Application #2 Praying in the Spirit is logical response to a God and a life that are more than you understand.
You serve a god that is more than your words. And you don’t have to know what to say to have Him move in your life today.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that 27� words cannot express. � And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. ” (Rom 8: 26 -27)
Diving Board or Dead End?
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. � For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against. . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6: 11 -2(NIV 84)
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. � And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. [Galatians 5: 22]
For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. [1 Cor 14: 14 -15, NLT]
Application #3 Praying in the Spirit always leads to practical and humble living that changes your world
Five loaves & Two Fish or Fear and Complaining
Observation #4 The people were told to call on the Lord forgiveness to receive fullness
Application #4 God expects you to call to Him.
Silence or Speaking? New Steps Or Staying Stuck?
- Slides: 36