The study was on The Sanctified Church. What can we each do to help the Church become what God wants us to be? The Church not for show, but something God should be proud of.
The study text was Ephesians 5:24-27.
We should seek knowledge in the Word and apply it to our lives. At times we need cleansing and we can find that in the Word too – read Psalms.
The Church needs to be full of people who reflect the image of the Church that is in God’s Word.
The Church should be a place where the Gospel is proclaimed; fundamental principles are preached; lives are lived with integrity; and the Glory is given to God.
The Church should be people of God in line with the will of God. This will reveal the glorious Church.
The Service time began with remembering those who laid down their lives for freedom. 1 John 3:16.
Then Pastor spoke on the birth of the Church - Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4.
Baptism of Holy Spirit is not same as receiving Christ and being given the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ as our savior, we receive the Holy Spirit to live inside us as our counselor, Paraclete.
We receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. We are sealed and stamped as God’s child. The Spirit in us convicts us of right and wrong. As we spend time with the Spirit, He will direct our hearts. We learn to trust God, not ourselves. We also hope to be able to trust those who have accepted Christ.
But the Baptism of Holy Spirit is more. When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are clothed with power. We receive empowerment to be witnesses to others.
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 1:8.
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24.
We don’t receive all grace at one moment. There are multiple acts of grace – in salvation, in healing, in comfort and more. We receive gifts of spirit but that does not mean we are all mature. Each person needs to study and needs to seek the Power of God to go with the gifts.
God is sovereign. We should desire the Power that God offers. .
The Holy Spirit indwelling gives us wisdom, knowledge and other gifts. But the Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us power to be empowered witnesses.
There are times that this looks like praying in tongues, but the real purpose is to glorify God.
We have a boldness of Spirit given by God.
Do your friends see the difference in you? They should see more in each of us then just that we attend church. We need to be seeking and asking for the power of the Spirit. Luke 11:10-13.
Ask the Spirit to give you all that He has for you. Everything.
The Church needs power and boldness.
Don't stand in your own power.
The world is busy promoting lifestyles. The Church needs to be seen as more than a lifestyle. The Church should reveal and reflect Divine Relationship.
I chose this song for today. Start a Fire In Me
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
God, I pray that you magnify Your Spirit in me! Make me all you want me to be!
