LCS talk 7: Empowered by the Spirit

GOAL: To receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and be empowered to witness to Christ.

In the second module, we started to learn how we can truly LIVE CHRIST:

By repentance and faith.By repentance and faith.

In the second module, we started to learn how we can truly LIVE CHRIST: By repentance and faith.By repentance and faith. By living the two greatest commandments.By living the two greatest commandments.

This is not easy to do – we need the power of the Holy Spirit.

Further as part of living Christ, we are called to SHARE CHRIST.

We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, i.e., we are to evangelize others.We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, i.e., we are to evangelize others.

Further as part of living Christ, we are called to SHARE CHRIST. We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, i.e., we are to evangelize others..We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, i.e., we are to evangelize others.. The agent of evangelization is the Holy Spirit.The agent of evangelization is the Holy Spirit.

A.What the bible says about the Holy Spirit.

1.Many people during the prophet Ezekiel’s time were enmeshed in sin and spiritual lifelessness, like many Christians today. This is what God said to them:

a)God’s promise of the Holy Spirit.

Ez 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” a)God’s promise of the Holy Spirit.

b)God’s promise of help and power to do what is right. The Holy Spirit gives us the power.

Ez 36:27 “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” b)God’s promise of help and power to do what is right. The Holy Spirit gives us the power.

2.The Holy Spirit that God promised through Ezekiel, Jesus gave to his disciples. With the Holy Spirit, we gain:

a)A new nature, spiritual power. The inward dimension. We are able to live Christ.

Gal 5:16-23 “I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outburst of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.”

Gal 5:16-23 “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

b)Power to serve. The outward dimension. We are able to share Christ.

Acts 1:8 “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will Be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

3.God wants all men to have this new life. God sent His Son into the world so that we could be given the source of the new life, the Holy Spirit.

Explanation prior to praying for baptism in the Holy Spirit.

1.We are here to claim God’s promise of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:9-13)

Luke 11:9-13 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Explanation prior to praying for baptism in the Holy Spirit. 1.We are here to claim God’s promise of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:9-13) a)As manifestation of your repentance and faith, we will ask you to make your re-commitment to Christ. This is a re-commitment of your baptismal vows.

3.Some important points:

a)This is not a second baptism, but a release of the power of the Holy Spirit.

b)Jesus is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8)

We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments.We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments.

b)Jesus is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments.We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments. Ask God to give you what He promised. And expect it to happen!Ask God to give you what He promised. And expect it to happen!

b)Jesus is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments.We will pray with you, but it is basically between you and God. We are just His instruments. Ask God to give you what He promised. And expect it to happen!Ask God to give you what He promised. And expect it to happen! c)Different things will happen to different people.

Receiving God’s gifts.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts.

a)An unrepentant attitude. Refusing to admit sin as sin.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts. a)An unrepentant attitude. Refusing to admit sin as sin. b)Feeling unworthy. As such, we draw away from God’s offered embrace.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts.

c)Fear.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts. c)Fear. Of what others will think, of looking foolish, of being overtaken.Of what others will think, of looking foolish, of being overtaken.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts. c)Fear. Of what others will think, of looking foolish, of being overtaken.Of what others will think, of looking foolish, of being overtaken. Of what God might ask of us.Of what God might ask of us.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts.

d)Doubt. That God promised and will give the Spirit if we ask.

1.Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts. d)Doubt. That God promised and will give the Spirit if we ask. e)Pride. Attitude of not wanting nor needing God’s gifts.

2.You know what you need. Ask for it.

a)More courage to live the Christian life, strength to fight temptation, more knowledge of God, etc.

2.You know what you need. Ask for it.

b)Also, God is offering you various gifts.

1COR 12:4-11 “"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes."

2.You know what you need. Ask for it. b)Also, God is offering you various gifts. Note: expound quickly on each gift.Note: expound quickly on each gift.

2.You know what you need. Ask for it. b)Also, God is offering you various gifts. Note: expound quickly on each gift.Note: expound quickly on each gift. Be open to whatever God wants to give you.Be open to whatever God wants to give you.

3.Some important right attitudes:

a)Relax. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to receive God’s gifts.

3.Some important right attitudes: a)Relax. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to received God’s gifts. b)Don’t be afraid. The Lord is here with us.

3.Some important right attitudes: a)Relax. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to received God’s gifts. b)Don’t be afraid. The Lord is here with us. c)Don’t be concerned about how you might act as you respond to the Spirit’s promptings.

4.Receiving the gift of tongues.

a)Tongues is a gift of praise. God wants you to have this gift. So desire it.

4.Receiving the gift of tongues. a)Tongues is a gift of praise. God wants you to have this gift. So desire it. b)Tips on yielding to the gift of tongues.

4.Receiving the gift of tongues.

c)Thus to sum up:

4.Receiving the gift of tongues. c)Thus to sum up: First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God.First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God.

4.Receiving the gift of tongues. c)Thus to sum up: First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God.First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God. Ask for it in faith.Ask for it in faith.

4.Receiving the gift of tongues. c)Thus to sum up: First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God.First of all desire the gift of tongues, because it is a gift from God. Ask for it in faith.Ask for it in faith. 3.Cooperate with God’s Spirit by opening your mouth and speaking out.

5.Final words:

a)God wants you to have His gifts because He loves you and wants to live in you by His Holy Spirit. Desire God’s gifts.

5.Final words: a)God wants you to have His gifts because He loves you and wants to live in you by His Holy Spirit. Desire God’s gifts. In fact, strive eagerly for them.In fact, strive eagerly for them.

1 Cor 12:31 “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.”

5.Final words: a)God wants you to have His gifts because He loves you and wants to live in you by His Holy Spirit. Desire God’s gifts. In fact, strive eagerly for them.In fact, strive eagerly for them.

5.Final words: a)God wants you to have His gifts because He loves you and wants to live in you by His Holy Spirit. Desire God’s gifts. b)God offers and gives His gifts. Our part is to accept. Let us all give the Holy Spirit a welcome into our lives.

The Prayer Session

1.Explain the procedure quickly.

2.Sing the song “Create in me.”

1.Explain the procedure quickly. 2.Sing the song “Create in me.” 3.Do the prayer of “Commitment to Christ.”

1.Explain the procedure quickly. 2.Sing the song “Create in me.” 3.Do the prayer of “Commitment to Christ.” 4.Pray over for baptism in the Spirit. At some point, sing “Spirit of the Living God.”

1.Explain the procedure quickly. 2.Sing the song “Create in me.” 3.Do the prayer of “Commitment to Christ.” 4.Pray over for baptism in the Spirit. At some point, sing “Spirit of the Living God.” 5.After the praying over, have a short worship time(including singing in tongues).

Commitment to Christ Do you renounce Satan and all wrongdoing? (response: I do) Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died to free us from our sins, and that he rose to bring us new life? (response: I do) Will you follow Jesus as your Lord? (response: I will)

Commitment to Christ (All together) Lord Jesus Christ, I want to belong to you from now on. I want to be free from the dominion of darkness and the rule of Satan, and I want to enter into your Kingdom and be a part of your people. I will turn away from all wrongdoing, and I will avoid everything that leads me to wrongdoing. I ask you to forgive all the sins that I have committed. I offer my life to you, and I promise to obey you as my Lord. I ask you to baptize me in the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Closing Exhortation

1.Different people have different experiences.

2.Be aware that satan can tempt you to doubt.

1.Different people have different experiences. 2.Be aware that satan can tempt you to doubt. 3.Do not expect all your problems to go away all at once, though many will.

4.Be faithful to a regular time of daily prayer.

Spend a good portion of your prayer time in praise and thanksgiving in your own words and in tongues.Spend a good portion of your prayer time in praise and thanksgiving in your own words and in tongues.

4.Be faithful to a regular time of daily prayer. Spend a good portion of your prayer time in praise and thanksgiving in your own words and in tongues.Spend a good portion of your prayer time in praise and thanksgiving in your own words and in tongues. 5.What happened today is just the beginning!