Life on earth IS better for believers because the Holy Spirit has come!
Clarifying the Confusion about the Spirit When do we receive the Spirit? At time of belief in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14) Do we feel this? Is it obvious? Sometimes…special experiences in the N.T. accompanied strategic advances of Gospel What about “being filled with the Spirit”? Ephesians 5:15-21 Being filled is an ongoing experience as we orient our lives around God’s purposes
What are the dangers of being off-target on this? Focus on receiving the Spirit as a separate event from salvation Leads to question others salvation Leads to works-based thinking Leads to the creation of hierarchies Focus on being filled with the Spirit as a one-time event separate from intentional living Leads us to sit on our hands & only wait on God Being filled with the Spirit does not mean you are just nicer…it is active engagement in God’s mission
How do we release the Spirit? John 15:1-6 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
How do we release the Spirit? John 15:1-6 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
How do we release the Spirit? John 15:1-6 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
How do we release the Spirit? John 15:1-6 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
How do we release the Spirit? John 15:1-6 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much FRUIT; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Respond to the Gardener. John 15:2a He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit Nonviable option – we get axed if not performing 2 viable interpretive options: Casual Christians – believe theoretically Unfruitful Christians – “cuts off” can easily be translated “takes up” or “lifts up” John 15:2b while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Character Issues Good vs. Best Issues
Remain in Christ. John 15:4-5 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. How do we do this? Cultivate an attitude of dependence. Cultivate godliness through intentional spiritual disciplines.
Fruitfulness via discipline. John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. Get God’s Word into your heart & mind…OBSESS OVER IT! Ask God to produce fruit through our lives…HE IS INTERESTED! PRAY!!! Hindrances to prayer?
Fruitfulness via discipline. John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” Releases us from self-absorption Cultivates gratitude John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. We experience deeper joy & less pain when we ACTUALLY FOLLOW GOD’S LEADERSHIP!
Fruitfulness via discipline. John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. No such thing as a fruitful Christian who is not in intimate fellowship with other believers! DRIVE-THRU CHRISTIANITY IS A MYTH! Must get close enough where we can love & be loved by others
What about you? - Are you experiencing the release of the Spirit in your life? - What kind of life are you cultivating? - What kind of fruit is your life producing?