The Holy Spirit (#4)
More about the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: (In the lesson)
Memory Verse: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit say the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Reminder: The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, which God compares to living water, to his breath. He is also the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit with power to his disciples after his return to the Father in Heaven. Father , Son and Holy Spirit are ONE God. Jesus said to his disciples, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) We see God's character in Jesus. Jesus wants his followers to "abide" (live) in him, obey him, and have his Spirit with power living in them. "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." "If you obey my commands you will remain in my love..."(John 15:5,10) "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 ).
"'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6b) A word received: It is not your power or strength that matters; it is my Spirit and his power that matters. The weakest person (by human measures) can be the strongest person with my strength, with my Spirit.
Testimony by Neal and Lisa Longe about the new things the Spirit is doing in their lives.
NOTE about preparation before asking for more of the Holy Spirit. One of the things the Holy spirit does is give us new power over sin in our lives when we surrender those areas to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). But another work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin (John 16:9). There are times when we are blind to some of our real sins or have not fully let go of them. Part of the preparation for being baptized with the Holy Spirit or receiving a fresh infilling is to ask the LORD to show us by his Spirit if there is an area that we are not surrendering to him or if there are hidden sins we do not recognize. Examples are from the letters to the churches in Revelation. Jesus told the church in Ephesus that they did many things well but had lost their first love for him, (2:44) and he told the church in Laodicea that they were lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, and both needed to repent. (3:14) We are going to take a few minutes to silently pray and ask the Lord to show us any of this in our lives, so that we may deal with them and receive his forgiveness and be ready to receive more of Jesus' Spirit next week. God already knows about this but maybe we don't. We can't hide from God. After a brief time we have asked Fr. Brad to close with a joint confession of sin and pronounce God's forgiveness. Sometimes people do not really accept that God has forgiven what they have confessed and that is a barrier to growing in him. Last place is taken! Paul said he was the worst of sinners!
Few minutes of silent prayer.
Some results those among us have experienced from the Holy Spirit.
* a new sense of God's presence, more experience of the Lord (by the Spirit we cry "Abba", Father.)
* new power over sin in our lives, also the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:9)
* Bible reading coming alive
* ability/freedom to talk to others about Jesus
* gifts/manifestations of the Holy Spirit (see later)
* fruits of the Spirit ; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love(agape), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) Fruit does not grow overnight and Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 13 about the importance of having the fruit of the Spirit when using the gifts of the Spirit.
* more of a shared life with other believers (Body of Christ)
* guidance. increased ability to hear/discern what the Lord says
* ability to pray in a new way, in English or tongues, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26)
* healing
GIFTS, MINISTRIES: MANIFESTATIONS/ of the Holy Spirit
GIFTS (See I Corinthians 12:1-11, 14:1, 12 )
* words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, works of power (miracles),
* prophecy, discerning spirits (testing) "Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything (!!). Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
* different kinds of tongues
MINISTRIES (listed in I Corinthians 12:27-31 and in Romans 12:4-8, 13 and in 1 Peter 4:8-11.
* apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healing, helping, administration, tongues. (Romans 12:1-2, 4-8, 13:how we are to USE our gifts and ministries),.
* 1 Peter lists prophecy, serving, encouraging, giving, leadership, showing mercy, sharing with needy, hospitality.
Most of these are self explanatory. These gifts and ministries are not possessions but tools Jesus gives us to build up his Body, make him known, glorify him and have his joy.
Even children can receive gifts and ministries: we saw a 12 year old boy with a gift of healing and Samuel received the gift of prophecy as a boy.
Prophecy and words of wisdom and words of knowledge need a little explanation. (examples) Basically they refer to a current message from the Lord that may take several forms. It is NOT equal to Biblical prophecy. Even in the Bible prophecy is not always about the future, but is a present message God has for his people. People experience it as ideas or words that form in their minds, occasionally as heard aloud, as pictures, visions, a "sense" of things. We see all of these things in the Bible. Just because something is called a prophecy doesn't automatically mean it is one. Test everything. There are 3 sources: God, the human mind, Satan. Test everything.
The most important thing is that it be TESTED because we get ideas, etc from many sources, even from Satan. Jesus was tempted by Satan who quoted Scripture and distorted scripture but Jesus answered with the Word of God from Scripture. We test what we think is from the Lord by seeing if it is consistent with the whole of Scripture and by asking for the gift of discernment by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to guide all his disciples by his Spirit but some people do have special gifts in these areas. A word of wisdom is the Spirit giving a message of wisdom to someone. A word of knowledge is the Spirit giving someone a word/picture/idea of information that can be used in ministering. I have heard speakers at a healing service say for example, that they think someone has a certain problem that God wants to heal or the Lord gives an idea to someone who is praying with someone that may help get to the root of a problem and asks the person about it. No one's gifts are perfect as Paul says in 1Corinthians 13:9 "we know in part and we prophesy in part..." That is why we often need to go to another person to help us test a message. Sometimes God will simply highlight a passage in the Bible. The first thing to do is write it down and ASK the Lord about it. Learning to use the Spirit's gifts takes practice.
Tongues also need a bit of explanation.
* 1. At Pentecost the disciples spoke in languages they did not know but others understood them as praising God. In our own congregation we know people spoke Japanese in Akime Hio's presence and Dave Carlson spoke words in French he had never learned.
* 2. Often tongues are prayer in a language we do not know and it is the Holy Spirit helping us to pray when we don't know how or what to pray, either privately or with someone else. People can sing praises to God in tongues.
* 3. Occasionally it is a form of a message from God IF it is interpreted. Paul tells the Corinthians that prophecy and tongues are always under the control of the speaker. (1 Corinthians 14:32)
* 4.They are NOT some sort of ecstatic utterance over which the speaker has not control--like what can happen in pagan worship as when Paul says, "No one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says 'Jesus be cursed' and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).
* 5. Paul urges people to use the gifts in love and to desire the gifts that will build up the Church and says he mostly does his praying in tongues in private.
A person has to speak out to receive this gift and not in your native language. When you are prayed with just speak out whatever sounds come to you as you turn to the Spirit. It takes a while for some, like me, others receive this prayer gift easily. Some suggest if you desire this gift, which God wants you to have, try singing in the shower in whatever non English language you know of.
Spiritual Warfare is another area to learn about. Satan is real and not a funny guy with horns. Peter warns us "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."(1 Peter 5:8-9) Jesus was tempted in every way as we are yet without sin. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18 & 4:15).. We are told about the armor God has for us to put on daily in Ephesians 6: 10-18. There is a story in Acts 16:16-19 of Paul casting out an evil spirit of fortune telling from a slave girl. Jesus also did this. I don't suggest you try that as a beginner but when we belong to Jesus and have the power of his Spirit in us we can bind and rebuke an attack we sense is coming from Satan, like fear or anger, (example) and command it to leave us in the name of Jesus and go to Jesus and not come back. Then as Jesus said we need to ask him to fill that empty place with his Spirit and presence. Involvement in the occult is ALWAYS sin and puts us in Satan's territory.
God doesn't use a cookie cutter approach to baptizing us with his Spirit. There is not only the story of Pentecost, but the story of the non-Jews that Peter preached to at the home of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, where God sovereignly poured out his Spirit on all the people before they were baptized to show Peter the Holy Spirit was for all who truly turn to him. Then there is the story of believers in Ephesus who believed in Jesus but had never heard of the Holy Spirit till Paul told them. Sometimes people will have a very powerful experience and some will have no "experience" but their lives will be different. That was what happened to me. I suggest you do not focus on an "experience" or feeling, but on being open and surrendering to Jesus and His Holy Spirit and receiving whatever he wants to give you. It is OK to ask for a certain gift but the Lord will decide what he wants to give you and you will be blessed.
Are you ready? You need to repent of any un-repented sin and renew your commitment to Jesus. This is a renewal of your baptismal vows and then you need to want and ask for Jesus to baptize you with his Spirit with power--for the first time or once again. On the 9th there will be teams of people to pray with you if you want to.
"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) A word received: Sometimes doing nothing but waiting for me to move is the most difficult form of obedience. Are you willing to wait on me and my Spirit? "Wait," I say; tarry until you are filled with my Holy Spirit.
"He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) A word received: I want you to know and experience my faithfulness. Come to me; let me fill you up with my Spirit so that you will know my faithfulness.
Do you have any questions? There are no dumb or too simple questions. You can come to us, to the clergy or prayer teams and we will all be glad to try to answer your questions.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 27, April 25, 2010
The Holy Spirit #3
Repentance and the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Acts 1:1-5, 8, Acts 2
Memory Verse: "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 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Remember, when we talk about the Holy Spirit, we are talking about God himself, a personal God. He is not a thing or a "force", but God's own Spirit. It is true that we talk about wanting more of the Holy Spirit but what really happens is that He (not it) wants to have more of us, but only we can give God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) more of ourselves. He gives us the choice. Are we willing for Jesus to be LORD -i.e. "in charge" or are we still wanting to be in control? He is trustworthy. He will not harm us or force us to do anything against our will, though he can be pretty active to persuade us!
The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus' instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. Remember how Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit on them and not leave them orphans, but would come to them through the Spirit.(John 14:18). On the day he ascended to return to his Father in Heaven, he told them again to Wait for the gift God the Father promised and you will be baptized (filled, immersed) with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-5) Then Jesus said, "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." (vs. 8)
This is a promise with a condition--waiting with expectation. So the disciples and other believers, both men and women, Jesus' mother and brothers waited "together, joining constantly in prayer" (vs.14), about 120 of them. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks (a harvest festival of the "first fruits" of the wheat harvest-Exodus 34:22). It means "50" and occurred on the 50th day after the Passover Sabbath.
Look at what happened on the morning of Pentecost. They were "all, with one accord, in one place" (Acts 2:1) Notice the repeated emphasis on unity in prayer! . (Perhaps this was in the temple since it was a Feast day.). Suddenly a series of symbolic sounds and actions occurred which quickly drew a huge crowd. First: a sound like a "rushing, mighty wind"--Literally "rushing, violent breath". Remember "breath of God" is a term for the Holy Spirit. Second: they saw what seemed to be like "divided tongues of fire" sit on each one of them. Fire was sometimes associated with the presence of God: the burning bush Moses saw, the pillar of fire guiding them in the wilderness, fire on Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given, during Elijah's contest with the pagan priests on Mt. Carmel when the fire of God fell on Elijah's sacrifice, and when God said to Jeremiah, "Is not my word like a fire?". John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Third: Then the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to "speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Tongues" simply means a language, in this case languages they didn't know.
All this noise attracted a huge crowd of Jews, who had come from many nations for the Feast and heard the believers praising God and declaring his wonders in their own languages! (vs.5-11) We will talk more about "tongues" next week but it is important to say that the purpose here was to praise God in prayer in a way that was a witness to non-believers. Also "tongues" are not a language known to the speaker but sometimes could be understood by listeners. This happened twice at Christ Church when someone spoke in a tongue and Akime Hio, from Okinawa, said the message was in Japanese! Once it was Huyland Bryant and once it was at a Women's Aglow meeting where I was present.
What did all this mean? It pointed to Jesus. When some accused them of being drunk, Peter, who was so fearful during Jesus' trial that he denied Jesus, gets up and tells them what it means. He quotes the prophecy of Joel (2:28-32). Read aloud. Then Peter tells of the miracles, signs and wonders God did among them through Jesus, who" you, with the help of wicked men put to death; but God raised him from the dead" (vs.22-24).
He told them that David, long dead, had spoken of Christ's resurrection and that God had made Jesus "both Lord and Christ." (vs.36)
How are we to respond?
Many were "thoroughly pierced" in their hearts and asked "What shall we do?" Peter's answer is simple, "Repent and be baptized ---in the Name of Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (vs.38) About 3,000 responded! A word received: "They were cut to the heart." I want my people to pray for that. That is a work I do through my Holy Spirit. I want them to desire my cleansing fire. A word received: They have to desire this.
What does it mean to repent? The word means to turn around and go the other way. Torre's computer illustration: when you hit the delete key the computer gives you a message--Are you sure you want to do this? Do you really want to get rid of this? If you hit delete it is repenting of what you wrote. Repentance is not remorse, just really feeling bad emotionally. Repentance may involve feelings but the important part is a change in actions, direction--an act of the will. But will-power is not enough. Notice what else Peter had to say. He said they must be baptized in the name of Jesus. To be free of our sins we must give them to Jesus and surrender our lives to him and receive the forgiveness he died on the cross for us. So commitment to Jesus and receiving him in our hearts is the second step. Then we can receive the Holy Spirit. All those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil received this forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost Jesus was offering the gift of the Holy Spirit in power. Some of us long ago received Jesus as our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit but had never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Others may never have made a firm commitment to Jesus and really repented of their sins. Others may have received the Holy Spirit with power long ago but have grown weary and discouraged and need a fresh filling with God's Spirit and His power. God does not have a cookie cutter approach or a formula. There are several different ways of receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Some have a powerful experience. Others don't experience/feel anything but will begin to discover a real difference in their lives. The first two steps--repentance and commitment to Jesus--are necessary prerequisites to being baptized with the Holy Spirit's power. If you have not done this or are not ready to do this we will pray with you but not a prayer to be filled with the Spirit until you are ready. The goal is living life in the power of God's Spirit and not getting a certain experience or getting a "thing". Rather the Holy Spirit wants you.
Some words and ideas the Lord gave the teachers:
"'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'" (Acts 2:36) A reflection: We need to recognize the sin in our lives and our rebellion [means: "doing it my way" Frank Sinatra] against Jesus.
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37) A word received: That is what I want for you -- that you will be cut to the heart in your repentance. I want you to pray for this.
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) A word received: Look to me; look to me for the fruit of repentance, of turning to me: the gift of my Holy Spirit. Every time you turn to me I want to give you more of my Spirit. Turn to me and receive with hands held out to me.
"'For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'" (Acts 2:39) A word received: The Prodigal Son was far off but I called him back to myself. There is no distance so great that I cannot call you back to me. Come to me, I AM waiting with arms open wide. Receive my promise; receive the Holy Spirit.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
Some obstacles to receiving the power of the Holy Spirit
unconfessed sin, hidden sin
involvement in the occult
fear- of making a fool of your self or fear of opinions of others, of fear of losing control
unbelief
pride or shame
not having clearly accepted Jesus
spiritual attack
Some results those among us have experienced.
Repentance and the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Acts 1:1-5, 8, Acts 2
Memory Verse: "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 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Remember, when we talk about the Holy Spirit, we are talking about God himself, a personal God. He is not a thing or a "force", but God's own Spirit. It is true that we talk about wanting more of the Holy Spirit but what really happens is that He (not it) wants to have more of us, but only we can give God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) more of ourselves. He gives us the choice. Are we willing for Jesus to be LORD -i.e. "in charge" or are we still wanting to be in control? He is trustworthy. He will not harm us or force us to do anything against our will, though he can be pretty active to persuade us!
The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus' instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. Remember how Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit on them and not leave them orphans, but would come to them through the Spirit.(John 14:18). On the day he ascended to return to his Father in Heaven, he told them again to Wait for the gift God the Father promised and you will be baptized (filled, immersed) with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-5) Then Jesus said, "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." (vs. 8)
This is a promise with a condition--waiting with expectation. So the disciples and other believers, both men and women, Jesus' mother and brothers waited "together, joining constantly in prayer" (vs.14), about 120 of them. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks (a harvest festival of the "first fruits" of the wheat harvest-Exodus 34:22). It means "50" and occurred on the 50th day after the Passover Sabbath.
Look at what happened on the morning of Pentecost. They were "all, with one accord, in one place" (Acts 2:1) Notice the repeated emphasis on unity in prayer! . (Perhaps this was in the temple since it was a Feast day.). Suddenly a series of symbolic sounds and actions occurred which quickly drew a huge crowd. First: a sound like a "rushing, mighty wind"--Literally "rushing, violent breath". Remember "breath of God" is a term for the Holy Spirit. Second: they saw what seemed to be like "divided tongues of fire" sit on each one of them. Fire was sometimes associated with the presence of God: the burning bush Moses saw, the pillar of fire guiding them in the wilderness, fire on Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given, during Elijah's contest with the pagan priests on Mt. Carmel when the fire of God fell on Elijah's sacrifice, and when God said to Jeremiah, "Is not my word like a fire?". John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Third: Then the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to "speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Tongues" simply means a language, in this case languages they didn't know.
All this noise attracted a huge crowd of Jews, who had come from many nations for the Feast and heard the believers praising God and declaring his wonders in their own languages! (vs.5-11) We will talk more about "tongues" next week but it is important to say that the purpose here was to praise God in prayer in a way that was a witness to non-believers. Also "tongues" are not a language known to the speaker but sometimes could be understood by listeners. This happened twice at Christ Church when someone spoke in a tongue and Akime Hio, from Okinawa, said the message was in Japanese! Once it was Huyland Bryant and once it was at a Women's Aglow meeting where I was present.
What did all this mean? It pointed to Jesus. When some accused them of being drunk, Peter, who was so fearful during Jesus' trial that he denied Jesus, gets up and tells them what it means. He quotes the prophecy of Joel (2:28-32). Read aloud. Then Peter tells of the miracles, signs and wonders God did among them through Jesus, who" you, with the help of wicked men put to death; but God raised him from the dead" (vs.22-24).
He told them that David, long dead, had spoken of Christ's resurrection and that God had made Jesus "both Lord and Christ." (vs.36)
How are we to respond?
Many were "thoroughly pierced" in their hearts and asked "What shall we do?" Peter's answer is simple, "Repent and be baptized ---in the Name of Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (vs.38) About 3,000 responded! A word received: "They were cut to the heart." I want my people to pray for that. That is a work I do through my Holy Spirit. I want them to desire my cleansing fire. A word received: They have to desire this.
What does it mean to repent? The word means to turn around and go the other way. Torre's computer illustration: when you hit the delete key the computer gives you a message--Are you sure you want to do this? Do you really want to get rid of this? If you hit delete it is repenting of what you wrote. Repentance is not remorse, just really feeling bad emotionally. Repentance may involve feelings but the important part is a change in actions, direction--an act of the will. But will-power is not enough. Notice what else Peter had to say. He said they must be baptized in the name of Jesus. To be free of our sins we must give them to Jesus and surrender our lives to him and receive the forgiveness he died on the cross for us. So commitment to Jesus and receiving him in our hearts is the second step. Then we can receive the Holy Spirit. All those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil received this forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost Jesus was offering the gift of the Holy Spirit in power. Some of us long ago received Jesus as our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit but had never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Others may never have made a firm commitment to Jesus and really repented of their sins. Others may have received the Holy Spirit with power long ago but have grown weary and discouraged and need a fresh filling with God's Spirit and His power. God does not have a cookie cutter approach or a formula. There are several different ways of receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Some have a powerful experience. Others don't experience/feel anything but will begin to discover a real difference in their lives. The first two steps--repentance and commitment to Jesus--are necessary prerequisites to being baptized with the Holy Spirit's power. If you have not done this or are not ready to do this we will pray with you but not a prayer to be filled with the Spirit until you are ready. The goal is living life in the power of God's Spirit and not getting a certain experience or getting a "thing". Rather the Holy Spirit wants you.
Some words and ideas the Lord gave the teachers:
"'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'" (Acts 2:36) A reflection: We need to recognize the sin in our lives and our rebellion [means: "doing it my way" Frank Sinatra] against Jesus.
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37) A word received: That is what I want for you -- that you will be cut to the heart in your repentance. I want you to pray for this.
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) A word received: Look to me; look to me for the fruit of repentance, of turning to me: the gift of my Holy Spirit. Every time you turn to me I want to give you more of my Spirit. Turn to me and receive with hands held out to me.
"'For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'" (Acts 2:39) A word received: The Prodigal Son was far off but I called him back to myself. There is no distance so great that I cannot call you back to me. Come to me, I AM waiting with arms open wide. Receive my promise; receive the Holy Spirit.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
Some obstacles to receiving the power of the Holy Spirit
unconfessed sin, hidden sin
involvement in the occult
fear- of making a fool of your self or fear of opinions of others, of fear of losing control
unbelief
pride or shame
not having clearly accepted Jesus
spiritual attack
Some results those among us have experienced.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 26, April 18, 2010
The Holy Spirit (#2)
God's Love, Salvation and Who is the Holy Spirit?
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 11:9-13, Romans 8:1-17, 26-27,31-39
Memory Verse: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 (Pre-K to grade 3)
A word received: Pray for my living waters to flow.
Lord, give us a thirst for what you want to give us. Come, Holy Spirit, and do a work of preparation in us.
A word received: Trust me.
Remember what we looked at last week--Jesus' offer of "living water" to those who are spiritually thirsty, not just a drink but also promised that out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water. And he promised a spring of living water to the woman at the well in Samaria whose life was a mess!
God's Spirit in the Old Testament In the Old Testament God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is compared to living (flowing, fresh) water and to the Breath of God, that is a part of God himself. We cannot live physically without water and breath and to live spiritually we need the Spirit of God, living water and the breath of God to live the new life God wants us to have. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus.
There are a number of promises in the Old Testament and later from Jesus about a time when God would pour out his Spirit on all his people, not just on a few chosen leaders. God promised fountains, rivers of living water, his Spirit, and new breath and life in the dead, dry bones of his sinful people.
Sin and Salvation. The problem was and is sin and evil.
God's people and all people turned away from God, their Creator and made other gods for themselves. They wanted to go their own way, to be like God, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. First man and first woman chose to believe Satan's lie that God was withholding something good from them rather than believe and trust God. After creation, even some of the angels rebelled against God and became Satan and evil spirits. God had a rescue plan, which he accomplished in his Son, his Word, who took on our flesh and blood, Jesus of Nazareth. Through the salvation God offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he offers us new life as adopted sons and daughters, as Paul says in Colossians 1:13, "He has rescued us from the Dominion of Darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
What God the Father is like and what our situation is, is told in a nutshell in the parable of the Prodigal Son or as others call the parable of the Waiting Father. (Luke 15:11-32) The younger son basically wished his father dead-"give me my half of the inheritance" and went far from home and wasted it till he wished he could eat pig food! He decided to go back beg his father to let him be like a hired servant (repentance). "His father seeing him from a great way off rushed to meet him" hugged him and gave him a party to welcome him home as his son. The older son was very self-centered and resentful of the father's generosity. God rushes to meet us when we repent and turn back to him and welcomes us home. (Notice that some consequences remain. The money was gone.) We don't know if the self righteous son repented of his attitude. (Torre tell story of his mother's return.) "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10).
God created us for himself, but he gave us freedom to make choices so we would choose to love him and obey him. He loves us (but it is not an indulgent, permissive love). Even when we have gone astray and rejoices when we return to him, confess our sins and accept the salvation he offers in Jesus. Then he adopts us as his sons and daughters. Read Romans 8:1-4. God the Father, in Jesus his Son, himself paid the penalty of our sins for us.
When we receive salvation in Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit but very often he lives in us but we have not received all he wants to give us. (When I was growing up I knew about the Holy Spirit but I didn't know anything about receiving his power in the present day.) Also, just like water or breath, we need to receive the Living Water, the Breath of God again and again. Our relationship with God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit (one God) needs to be refreshed and grow daily or we will grow dry, stale and thirsty.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8 ). His disciples had walked and talked with him for three years. It wasn't till the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them like water and fire that they were changed. Peter went from being fearful and denying Jesus to preaching to the thousands of people, some of whom had been involved in crucifying Jesus. Paul says in Romans 8:29 that God wants to conform us to the likeness of his Son Jesus.
Some of you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised but only Jesus received the Holy Spirit "without limit" (John 3:34). The disciples, shortly after Pentecost received a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31) after they were threatened for speaking about Jesus publically. They asked God to give them boldness and to stretch forth his hand with healing and signs and wonders and God poured out his Spirit so powerfully that the building was shaken.
Testimony: (Our story of burning out on the mission field in a place God had called us to--and the difference the baptism of the Holy Spirit made.) God doesn't have just one pattern for pouring out his Spirit. We see several different ways in the New Testament.
We are living in a time of great difficulty and sometimes persecution. God's people are weary and longing for God to act. It's been quite a while since we saw many healing and conversions. The Christian church in this country has often grown lukewarm and our nation needs to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14) Many of us are thirsty for God to act, to pour out his Spirit afresh on us and on his church. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 11 (Memory Verse). We need to ask, seek and knock for more of God's Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. Our part is repentance and asking. We will talk more about that next week. We don't know when God will send a mighty move of his Spirit on us but we do know that if we as individuals ask for a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit, he will answer us. It may not look like what we expect or what someone else received (it didn't for Jean), but he will answer.
Sometimes we are afraid of what God might do that that holds us back. (Tell about the missionary in Liberia.). (Testimonies about difference baptism of the Holy Spirit made.)
Words the Lord gave the teachers to reflect on.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9) A word received: I long for my people to ask of me what I want to give them -- I want to give more of myself to them.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:10) A word received: Come to me, I AM waiting for you. Knock and I will open the door to you.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?" (Luke 11:11) A word received: I long for you to know my father's heart of love; I long for you to receive what he offers. Come to him in hope and trust and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:12) A word received: I want you to know the truth about my father and his love for you. Pray that you will not be deceived by the lies of the world about my father and his love for you.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13) A word received: Come to me, receive the living water I offer you. Turn to me in your hunger and thirst and I will satisfy you with my Holy Spirit.
Stop and reflect on your own personal need for a fresh outpouring.
To learn more: recommended books:
1. "Living Water" by Brother Yun, recommended by Bishop Love
2. "Questions of Life" by Nicky Gumbel (from Alpha course)
3. "The Helper" by Catherine Marshall
God's Love, Salvation and Who is the Holy Spirit?
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 11:9-13, Romans 8:1-17, 26-27,31-39
Memory Verse: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 (Pre-K to grade 3)
A word received: Pray for my living waters to flow.
Lord, give us a thirst for what you want to give us. Come, Holy Spirit, and do a work of preparation in us.
A word received: Trust me.
Remember what we looked at last week--Jesus' offer of "living water" to those who are spiritually thirsty, not just a drink but also promised that out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water. And he promised a spring of living water to the woman at the well in Samaria whose life was a mess!
God's Spirit in the Old Testament In the Old Testament God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is compared to living (flowing, fresh) water and to the Breath of God, that is a part of God himself. We cannot live physically without water and breath and to live spiritually we need the Spirit of God, living water and the breath of God to live the new life God wants us to have. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus.
There are a number of promises in the Old Testament and later from Jesus about a time when God would pour out his Spirit on all his people, not just on a few chosen leaders. God promised fountains, rivers of living water, his Spirit, and new breath and life in the dead, dry bones of his sinful people.
Sin and Salvation. The problem was and is sin and evil.
God's people and all people turned away from God, their Creator and made other gods for themselves. They wanted to go their own way, to be like God, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. First man and first woman chose to believe Satan's lie that God was withholding something good from them rather than believe and trust God. After creation, even some of the angels rebelled against God and became Satan and evil spirits. God had a rescue plan, which he accomplished in his Son, his Word, who took on our flesh and blood, Jesus of Nazareth. Through the salvation God offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he offers us new life as adopted sons and daughters, as Paul says in Colossians 1:13, "He has rescued us from the Dominion of Darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
What God the Father is like and what our situation is, is told in a nutshell in the parable of the Prodigal Son or as others call the parable of the Waiting Father. (Luke 15:11-32) The younger son basically wished his father dead-"give me my half of the inheritance" and went far from home and wasted it till he wished he could eat pig food! He decided to go back beg his father to let him be like a hired servant (repentance). "His father seeing him from a great way off rushed to meet him" hugged him and gave him a party to welcome him home as his son. The older son was very self-centered and resentful of the father's generosity. God rushes to meet us when we repent and turn back to him and welcomes us home. (Notice that some consequences remain. The money was gone.) We don't know if the self righteous son repented of his attitude. (Torre tell story of his mother's return.) "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10).
God created us for himself, but he gave us freedom to make choices so we would choose to love him and obey him. He loves us (but it is not an indulgent, permissive love). Even when we have gone astray and rejoices when we return to him, confess our sins and accept the salvation he offers in Jesus. Then he adopts us as his sons and daughters. Read Romans 8:1-4. God the Father, in Jesus his Son, himself paid the penalty of our sins for us.
When we receive salvation in Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit but very often he lives in us but we have not received all he wants to give us. (When I was growing up I knew about the Holy Spirit but I didn't know anything about receiving his power in the present day.) Also, just like water or breath, we need to receive the Living Water, the Breath of God again and again. Our relationship with God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit (one God) needs to be refreshed and grow daily or we will grow dry, stale and thirsty.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8 ). His disciples had walked and talked with him for three years. It wasn't till the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them like water and fire that they were changed. Peter went from being fearful and denying Jesus to preaching to the thousands of people, some of whom had been involved in crucifying Jesus. Paul says in Romans 8:29 that God wants to conform us to the likeness of his Son Jesus.
Some of you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised but only Jesus received the Holy Spirit "without limit" (John 3:34). The disciples, shortly after Pentecost received a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31) after they were threatened for speaking about Jesus publically. They asked God to give them boldness and to stretch forth his hand with healing and signs and wonders and God poured out his Spirit so powerfully that the building was shaken.
Testimony: (Our story of burning out on the mission field in a place God had called us to--and the difference the baptism of the Holy Spirit made.) God doesn't have just one pattern for pouring out his Spirit. We see several different ways in the New Testament.
We are living in a time of great difficulty and sometimes persecution. God's people are weary and longing for God to act. It's been quite a while since we saw many healing and conversions. The Christian church in this country has often grown lukewarm and our nation needs to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14) Many of us are thirsty for God to act, to pour out his Spirit afresh on us and on his church. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 11 (Memory Verse). We need to ask, seek and knock for more of God's Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. Our part is repentance and asking. We will talk more about that next week. We don't know when God will send a mighty move of his Spirit on us but we do know that if we as individuals ask for a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit, he will answer us. It may not look like what we expect or what someone else received (it didn't for Jean), but he will answer.
Sometimes we are afraid of what God might do that that holds us back. (Tell about the missionary in Liberia.). (Testimonies about difference baptism of the Holy Spirit made.)
Words the Lord gave the teachers to reflect on.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9) A word received: I long for my people to ask of me what I want to give them -- I want to give more of myself to them.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:10) A word received: Come to me, I AM waiting for you. Knock and I will open the door to you.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?" (Luke 11:11) A word received: I long for you to know my father's heart of love; I long for you to receive what he offers. Come to him in hope and trust and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:12) A word received: I want you to know the truth about my father and his love for you. Pray that you will not be deceived by the lies of the world about my father and his love for you.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13) A word received: Come to me, receive the living water I offer you. Turn to me in your hunger and thirst and I will satisfy you with my Holy Spirit.
Stop and reflect on your own personal need for a fresh outpouring.
To learn more: recommended books:
1. "Living Water" by Brother Yun, recommended by Bishop Love
2. "Questions of Life" by Nicky Gumbel (from Alpha course)
3. "The Helper" by Catherine Marshall
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 25, April 11, 2010
The Holy Spirit (#1)
Living Water: Jesus' Promise of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 44:3, Acts 2:17-21, John 4:10,14, Mark 1:8, John 3:5, John 14:16-19, Luke 24:49.
Memory Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit..." John 7:37
Background Living water means running, flowing water, always fresh and always renewed, not stored water as in cisterns (storage tanks) or stagnant water. Palestine is largely dependent on rainfall for water. There are two rainy seasons separated by a dry spell in the summer. Even slight variations can produce serious drought and famine. Palestine lacks natural storage sites for water so historically they used a variety of man made storage facilities like cisterns and they also dug wells that go down to the water table. Both these are covered to prevent evaporation. Water is a basic requirement for life. We cannot live long without water. Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to living water.
Old Testament The Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit, is referred to many times in the Old Testament. To begin with, God's Spirit was active at Creation. Genesis 1:2 tells us "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." [Notice in the first three verses we have references to what we call the Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the WORD, the Son, One God.] The Spirit is mentioned in the creation of first man: God "breathed into him the breath of life." (Genesis 2:7). Breath is another way of talking about God's Spirit, as in the hymn "Breathe on Me Breath of God". You can't store up breath for more than a few minutes. You need fresh breath.
Only a few special people in the Old Testament were anointed with the Holy Spirit but there are promises that one day the "Living Water" would be available to all God's people. But the problem was that God's people kept wanting to be like their neighbors and worship their gods and forget the "I AM" who had saved them and could give them life.
* In Jeremiah God says, "'For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.'" (Jeremiah 2:13) A word received: I want you to recognize the evils for what they are: my people have forsaken me -- they have turned to other gods -- other philosophies that cannot satisfy, and they have dug for themselves cisterns that cannot retain water -- water living or water that is stale and dead. Turn to me, my people: repent and receive my living water.
In Ezekiel 37, God shows him a vision of a valley filled with dry bones---a picture of the spiritual condition of God's people Israel and promises that one day He will make breath (Spirit) enter them and bring them to life and then they will know (by personal acquaintance) that the "I AM" is the One, true and only God.
* "'Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"'" (Ezekiel 37:4) A word received: How I long for the dry bones of my church to hear my word and live it out in my Spirit. (Stop and pray this for God's church.)
* "'Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.'" (Ezekiel 36:36) A word received: You cannot rebuild my church in your own strength -- you need my Holy Spirit to empower and guide you.
Listen to Isaiah's cry to the LORD, "Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3) Another promise In Isaiah is in 44:3.
* "'For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;'" (Isaiah 44:3) A word received: Turn to me: ask me to help you recognize your thirst for what it is. Turn to me and I will pour out living water on you.
God promises Ezekiel what he will do in the future. "I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness's...a new heart I will give you and a new Spirit I will put in you, and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. (Ezekiel 36:25-26).. Then there is the famous passage from Joel 2 which Peter quotes on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21. READ ALOUD.
Have you noticed the many ways "water" is used in Scripture, very much like "bread"
JESUS: Jesus is the one who is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, "I will baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8 ) (Note: the word 'baptize" is a word originally from the cloth dyeing industry and means to immerse in the dye and saturate the cloth.)
In John 4 Jesus promises "Living Water" to the woman at the well and reveals to her who he is. Notice that he says we have to ask for this "living water". "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."(vs.10) "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (vs.14)
At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaimed to all that he will give Living Water (the Holy Spirit) to all who are spiritually thirsty and come to him. "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."(John 7:37) Notice that it is not just enough water to survive but streams/rivers of living water will flow to them and all around them who are also thirsty. The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) was one of Israel's three major feasts (held in the Fall after the Day of Atonement.) The people were to live in temporary shelters (booths) outdoors to remember God's care for them in the wilderness. During the seven day feast the priest read Isaiah 12:3"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." This reminded them of the miracle of water from the rock in the desert (Numbers 20:2-13). The ceremony included a procession to the Pool of Siloam for water which was carried back in a golden pitcher and poured out in front of the people as an offering.
Early in his ministry Jesus tells a curious Nicodemus (John3:5) that unless a person is "born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." On the night before he was crucified Jesus told his disciples that he would send them "another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth."(John 14:16-17) "You know him for he lives with you and will be in you."(vs.17) He "will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."(vs.13-14)
After Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to them to show them he was really alive and told them, "I am going to send you what the Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Next week we will look God's love, salvation and the Holy Spirit.
We have to turn to Jesus for what only he can do. We can't live our lives in Christ on our own---we need to recognize our need for what only Jesus can give and do. We need to recognize our need for more of his Living Water. Are we like the little kid who when asked if he had brushed his teeth said, 'I did that yesterday!' Even if we have received the Holy Spirit "with power" as in Acts 2 we need to be refilled again and again. Yesterday's drink is not enough for today. We need living (fresh/flowing) water of life.
* "'Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.'" (Luke 24:49) A word received: It is my word, my gift that I want to give you. Turn to me according to my word to receive the gift of my Spirit. It doesn't matter how much water flows around you, if you don't open your mouth to receive it, it will not do you any good.
Picture a field with a stream flowing through it lined with trees whose roots grow down into the water so they are always fresh and green even in a drought and are always bearing fruit. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it's leaves are always green. It has not worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 )
What is your experience of Jesus' Living Water? Are you thirsty for a fresh drink?
(Testimony)
Remember the book Bishop Love asked us all to read; "Living Water" by Brother Yun. (Zondervan)
Living Water: Jesus' Promise of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 44:3, Acts 2:17-21, John 4:10,14, Mark 1:8, John 3:5, John 14:16-19, Luke 24:49.
Memory Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit..." John 7:37
Background Living water means running, flowing water, always fresh and always renewed, not stored water as in cisterns (storage tanks) or stagnant water. Palestine is largely dependent on rainfall for water. There are two rainy seasons separated by a dry spell in the summer. Even slight variations can produce serious drought and famine. Palestine lacks natural storage sites for water so historically they used a variety of man made storage facilities like cisterns and they also dug wells that go down to the water table. Both these are covered to prevent evaporation. Water is a basic requirement for life. We cannot live long without water. Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to living water.
Old Testament The Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit, is referred to many times in the Old Testament. To begin with, God's Spirit was active at Creation. Genesis 1:2 tells us "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." [Notice in the first three verses we have references to what we call the Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the WORD, the Son, One God.] The Spirit is mentioned in the creation of first man: God "breathed into him the breath of life." (Genesis 2:7). Breath is another way of talking about God's Spirit, as in the hymn "Breathe on Me Breath of God". You can't store up breath for more than a few minutes. You need fresh breath.
Only a few special people in the Old Testament were anointed with the Holy Spirit but there are promises that one day the "Living Water" would be available to all God's people. But the problem was that God's people kept wanting to be like their neighbors and worship their gods and forget the "I AM" who had saved them and could give them life.
* In Jeremiah God says, "'For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.'" (Jeremiah 2:13) A word received: I want you to recognize the evils for what they are: my people have forsaken me -- they have turned to other gods -- other philosophies that cannot satisfy, and they have dug for themselves cisterns that cannot retain water -- water living or water that is stale and dead. Turn to me, my people: repent and receive my living water.
In Ezekiel 37, God shows him a vision of a valley filled with dry bones---a picture of the spiritual condition of God's people Israel and promises that one day He will make breath (Spirit) enter them and bring them to life and then they will know (by personal acquaintance) that the "I AM" is the One, true and only God.
* "'Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"'" (Ezekiel 37:4) A word received: How I long for the dry bones of my church to hear my word and live it out in my Spirit. (Stop and pray this for God's church.)
* "'Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.'" (Ezekiel 36:36) A word received: You cannot rebuild my church in your own strength -- you need my Holy Spirit to empower and guide you.
Listen to Isaiah's cry to the LORD, "Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3) Another promise In Isaiah is in 44:3.
* "'For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;'" (Isaiah 44:3) A word received: Turn to me: ask me to help you recognize your thirst for what it is. Turn to me and I will pour out living water on you.
God promises Ezekiel what he will do in the future. "I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness's...a new heart I will give you and a new Spirit I will put in you, and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. (Ezekiel 36:25-26).. Then there is the famous passage from Joel 2 which Peter quotes on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21. READ ALOUD.
Have you noticed the many ways "water" is used in Scripture, very much like "bread"
JESUS: Jesus is the one who is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, "I will baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8 ) (Note: the word 'baptize" is a word originally from the cloth dyeing industry and means to immerse in the dye and saturate the cloth.)
In John 4 Jesus promises "Living Water" to the woman at the well and reveals to her who he is. Notice that he says we have to ask for this "living water". "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."(vs.10) "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (vs.14)
At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaimed to all that he will give Living Water (the Holy Spirit) to all who are spiritually thirsty and come to him. "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."(John 7:37) Notice that it is not just enough water to survive but streams/rivers of living water will flow to them and all around them who are also thirsty. The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) was one of Israel's three major feasts (held in the Fall after the Day of Atonement.) The people were to live in temporary shelters (booths) outdoors to remember God's care for them in the wilderness. During the seven day feast the priest read Isaiah 12:3"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." This reminded them of the miracle of water from the rock in the desert (Numbers 20:2-13). The ceremony included a procession to the Pool of Siloam for water which was carried back in a golden pitcher and poured out in front of the people as an offering.
Early in his ministry Jesus tells a curious Nicodemus (John3:5) that unless a person is "born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." On the night before he was crucified Jesus told his disciples that he would send them "another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth."(John 14:16-17) "You know him for he lives with you and will be in you."(vs.17) He "will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."(vs.13-14)
After Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to them to show them he was really alive and told them, "I am going to send you what the Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Next week we will look God's love, salvation and the Holy Spirit.
We have to turn to Jesus for what only he can do. We can't live our lives in Christ on our own---we need to recognize our need for what only Jesus can give and do. We need to recognize our need for more of his Living Water. Are we like the little kid who when asked if he had brushed his teeth said, 'I did that yesterday!' Even if we have received the Holy Spirit "with power" as in Acts 2 we need to be refilled again and again. Yesterday's drink is not enough for today. We need living (fresh/flowing) water of life.
* "'Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.'" (Luke 24:49) A word received: It is my word, my gift that I want to give you. Turn to me according to my word to receive the gift of my Spirit. It doesn't matter how much water flows around you, if you don't open your mouth to receive it, it will not do you any good.
Picture a field with a stream flowing through it lined with trees whose roots grow down into the water so they are always fresh and green even in a drought and are always bearing fruit. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it's leaves are always green. It has not worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 )
What is your experience of Jesus' Living Water? Are you thirsty for a fresh drink?
(Testimony)
Remember the book Bishop Love asked us all to read; "Living Water" by Brother Yun. (Zondervan)
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 24, March 28, 2010
Palm Sunday
Who do you say that I am?
Christ, our Passover Lamb
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 12:1-7,12-14,21-27,42, Matthew 16:21-23, Luke 9:30-31, Luke 22:7-23
Optional: Exodus 12:1-42, Hebrews 9:11-28
Memory Verse: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)
Remember how in the lesson on Jesus the Lamb of God (#4) we learned about how God delivered his people, Israel, from slavery in Egypt. It was the first Passover, when God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites who had obeyed instructions and put the blood of the lamb they had sacrificed on their doorposts the night when the first-born of each Egyptian home died. The lamb had to be a perfect (without blemish) male lamb a year old. Jesus was the perfect "lamb of God"- without blemish of sin- when God sent Jesus to give his life for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins. Right after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist told people, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
A word received: How I long to pass over my people today and know that they are covered by the blood of my son Jesus. Turn to me; receive the blessing I have for you. Come to me in humility and ask for forgiveness of sin. Let me free you from the bondage of sin.
The Exodus and first Passover provided a model for understanding what God was doing in Jesus. Three times Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19). That bewildered the disciples since they were expecting a Messiah King who would drive out the Romans. They were scattered by his arrest (Matthew 26:31-32). On the Mt. of Transfiguration Peter, James and John saw Jesus changed before them and saw him talking to two men they somehow knew were Moses and Elijah (from heaven) about his "departure" (literally "exodus") which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31). "And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease [exodus] which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:30-31) A word received: My father prepared my heart for what lay ahead -- that I was to be the Passover lamb.
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen and deliberately chose when and where he would die for our sins. Every time the leaders who hated him tried to kill him he escaped until the right time---Passover time. Look again at Luke 22:22-23. Jesus arranged a secret signal (a man with a water jar -women's work) to guide the disciples to a place where they would not be disturbed. When they gathered around the table Jesus said, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (vs.15-16) Paul makes it very clear what was going on, "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us."(1 Corinthians 5:7b) The Paul describes what Jesus did next in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) (See also in Luke 22:17-22)
Meaning of sacrifice and blood
Remember that in the Old Testament the blood of man and animal was its life and represented its life. When they sacrificed an animal they were offering the animal's life/blood as a substitute for their own lives. God used this animal sacrifice to teach the people about sacrifice so that one day when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered his life for our sins we and they could understand it. "Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us."
Parallels between the Passover Seder and the Last Supper
(taken from "Christ in the Passover" by Ceil & Moishe Rosen of Jews for Jesus) There are four cups of wine at the meal and each has a name. The third cup is called the "Cup of Redemption". "After the same manner he also took the cup when he had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' "(1 Corinthians 11:25). Blood was sprinkled on the people at Sinai in the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:8 ) Hebrews teaches "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." (9:22). Christ offered the sacrifice of himself, once, for all, to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26-28 ) In John 10, Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep" (vs.11) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." (vs.18 ). After Christ's death there was no more need for animal sacrifices.
Remember that the day started with the evening. Then he took the third cup. The gospel accounts only mention the first and third cups. The third cup had two names, the "cup of blessing" and the "cup of redemption"
Passover was not a temple service but held in homes and the children had a special part. In Exodus 12 they were instructed to celebrate it forever and pass this on to their children. The children were supposed to ask certain questions.
Why did God do this?
"God so loved the world (his creation and creatures) that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 2:16-17) God was making a new covenant in his blood, available to those who accepted Jesus. God had promised to make a new covenant centuries before through Jeremiah (31:31-34). God(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) had planned this before creation because he knew the cost of giving people the choice of loving him freely or rejecting him. "the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 )
Isaiah describe how costly this gift of God in Christ was in Isaiah 53:5-6 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Remember not only what Jesus suffered on the cross for us but his agony in Gesthemane when he sweat blood as he prayed about what was coming. Jesus loves you and me that much! (NOTE on Gethsemane) "'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'" (John 15:13) It is amazing that one would die for his friends but Paul reminds us that Jesus died for those who were still in rebellion against God, his enemies! See Romans 5:8,10 A word received: I gave my life for you. Jesus died and rose again to set us free from sin and give us new life, but we have to accept the gift and walk with him.
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7) A word received: I want to cleanse you of every stain of sin.
"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:8 ) A word received: I long to keep this feast with you.
But Jesus' death on the cross to ransom us from sin and death was not the end--otherwise it would have just been another tragedy. Jesus had told his disciples he would rise again. He was really dead and buried but he rose from the dead on the third day to show us clearly who he was and that he had won the victory over death and sin--a gift we can choose to receive--or not.
Just as the first Passover was the first step in new life and freedom for the Israelites, so Jesus death for our salvation opened the way to new life in him and a new covenant.
We have a choice to make. Are we going to receive what Jesus did for us? We need to ASK for and RECEIVE the new life he offers. He wants us to follow him and walk in newness of life in fellowship with him.
NOTE Jesus went to pray at an olive grove where they sometimes went to pray. It was named Gethsemane which is a press to press olives or grape for the juice or oil. Jesus was under tremendous pressure as he prayed. Remember he asked that if possible this "cup" would not have to be drunk but he prayed "Not my will but thine be done". He also forgave those who crucified him. We need to do that too.
Who do you say that I am?
Christ, our Passover Lamb
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 12:1-7,12-14,21-27,42, Matthew 16:21-23, Luke 9:30-31, Luke 22:7-23
Optional: Exodus 12:1-42, Hebrews 9:11-28
Memory Verse: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)
Remember how in the lesson on Jesus the Lamb of God (#4) we learned about how God delivered his people, Israel, from slavery in Egypt. It was the first Passover, when God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites who had obeyed instructions and put the blood of the lamb they had sacrificed on their doorposts the night when the first-born of each Egyptian home died. The lamb had to be a perfect (without blemish) male lamb a year old. Jesus was the perfect "lamb of God"- without blemish of sin- when God sent Jesus to give his life for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins. Right after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist told people, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
A word received: How I long to pass over my people today and know that they are covered by the blood of my son Jesus. Turn to me; receive the blessing I have for you. Come to me in humility and ask for forgiveness of sin. Let me free you from the bondage of sin.
The Exodus and first Passover provided a model for understanding what God was doing in Jesus. Three times Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19). That bewildered the disciples since they were expecting a Messiah King who would drive out the Romans. They were scattered by his arrest (Matthew 26:31-32). On the Mt. of Transfiguration Peter, James and John saw Jesus changed before them and saw him talking to two men they somehow knew were Moses and Elijah (from heaven) about his "departure" (literally "exodus") which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31). "And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease [exodus] which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:30-31) A word received: My father prepared my heart for what lay ahead -- that I was to be the Passover lamb.
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen and deliberately chose when and where he would die for our sins. Every time the leaders who hated him tried to kill him he escaped until the right time---Passover time. Look again at Luke 22:22-23. Jesus arranged a secret signal (a man with a water jar -women's work) to guide the disciples to a place where they would not be disturbed. When they gathered around the table Jesus said, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (vs.15-16) Paul makes it very clear what was going on, "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us."(1 Corinthians 5:7b) The Paul describes what Jesus did next in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) (See also in Luke 22:17-22)
Meaning of sacrifice and blood
Remember that in the Old Testament the blood of man and animal was its life and represented its life. When they sacrificed an animal they were offering the animal's life/blood as a substitute for their own lives. God used this animal sacrifice to teach the people about sacrifice so that one day when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered his life for our sins we and they could understand it. "Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us."
Parallels between the Passover Seder and the Last Supper
(taken from "Christ in the Passover" by Ceil & Moishe Rosen of Jews for Jesus) There are four cups of wine at the meal and each has a name. The third cup is called the "Cup of Redemption". "After the same manner he also took the cup when he had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' "(1 Corinthians 11:25). Blood was sprinkled on the people at Sinai in the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:8 ) Hebrews teaches "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." (9:22). Christ offered the sacrifice of himself, once, for all, to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26-28 ) In John 10, Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep" (vs.11) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." (vs.18 ). After Christ's death there was no more need for animal sacrifices.
Remember that the day started with the evening. Then he took the third cup. The gospel accounts only mention the first and third cups. The third cup had two names, the "cup of blessing" and the "cup of redemption"
Passover was not a temple service but held in homes and the children had a special part. In Exodus 12 they were instructed to celebrate it forever and pass this on to their children. The children were supposed to ask certain questions.
Why did God do this?
"God so loved the world (his creation and creatures) that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 2:16-17) God was making a new covenant in his blood, available to those who accepted Jesus. God had promised to make a new covenant centuries before through Jeremiah (31:31-34). God(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) had planned this before creation because he knew the cost of giving people the choice of loving him freely or rejecting him. "the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 )
Isaiah describe how costly this gift of God in Christ was in Isaiah 53:5-6 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Remember not only what Jesus suffered on the cross for us but his agony in Gesthemane when he sweat blood as he prayed about what was coming. Jesus loves you and me that much! (NOTE on Gethsemane) "'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'" (John 15:13) It is amazing that one would die for his friends but Paul reminds us that Jesus died for those who were still in rebellion against God, his enemies! See Romans 5:8,10 A word received: I gave my life for you. Jesus died and rose again to set us free from sin and give us new life, but we have to accept the gift and walk with him.
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7) A word received: I want to cleanse you of every stain of sin.
"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:8 ) A word received: I long to keep this feast with you.
But Jesus' death on the cross to ransom us from sin and death was not the end--otherwise it would have just been another tragedy. Jesus had told his disciples he would rise again. He was really dead and buried but he rose from the dead on the third day to show us clearly who he was and that he had won the victory over death and sin--a gift we can choose to receive--or not.
Just as the first Passover was the first step in new life and freedom for the Israelites, so Jesus death for our salvation opened the way to new life in him and a new covenant.
We have a choice to make. Are we going to receive what Jesus did for us? We need to ASK for and RECEIVE the new life he offers. He wants us to follow him and walk in newness of life in fellowship with him.
NOTE Jesus went to pray at an olive grove where they sometimes went to pray. It was named Gethsemane which is a press to press olives or grape for the juice or oil. Jesus was under tremendous pressure as he prayed. Remember he asked that if possible this "cup" would not have to be drunk but he prayed "Not my will but thine be done". He also forgave those who crucified him. We need to do that too.
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