A Christian buddy came over asking that several of us pray for her. Despite doing all of the “right” Christian things, she had been entertaining doubts about her faith.
Within the course of our prayer, as I was reminding her of what Scripture says about how God sees her, in a gruff tone of voice, with furrowed brow, she scolded me, speaking in the third individual, “She doesn’t deserve it! She doesn’t deserve it!” Inside a couple of hours, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, she was totally free from demonic bondage using a total alter of countenance and has, because then, moved forward with marriage and ministry.
On an Easter Sunday morning, as I was attending a Baptist church service, a man sat praying, head bowed, because the congregation headed for the exits. I approached him and asked if I may well pray. He ignored me. I laid my hand on his shoulder to pray. The moment I touched him, he bolted upright, started swaying like a cobra about to strike, and began growling as he pointed, “I hate him! I hate her! I hate this church!”
My attempts to minister had been interrupted by well-meaning individuals asking if he needed medication or asking if they must get in touch with an ambulance. When the man became unable to open his mouth to speak, I commanded the spirit to release his tongue. Instantaneously, he was in a position to know me then and speak intelligibly in response to me. I told him I was obtainable for additional ministry by the Holy Spirit however it was obvious there was no faith present to deliver him at that moment. I produced him aware that, till he got aid, this WAS his Christian life and he WOULD experience these manifestations again. I left only to be bombarded with questions throughout the week by those that have been there.
The young man, it turned out, was a much-beloved seminarian.
Final week, as a group of us have been praying, the Holy Spirit showed me a vision of a new attendee standing with tears in her eyes, inside the middle of a Civil War battlefield, dressed within a Confederate soldier’s uniform, looking at her spouse, dressed in Union blue. As I shared this vision following our prayer time, the woman buried her face in her hands and cried. Her close friend nudged me and whispered, “You study her mail.”
On another occasion, a Christian company woman contacted me requesting prayer more than one of her numerous facilities across Texas. This certain facility was not prospering at all and she could not help but consider closing its doors. That particular location had an openly lesbian manager which attracted openly gay employees. I went on a Thursday evening with ateam. She met us there. We prayed and, within ten days, the facility’s numbers were improving currently. The lesbian manager could not realize it. Within a memo I saw, she wrote, “We has to be living right.” Per week ago, the manager resigned as did numerous from the most blatantly gay employees.
I could write several private encounters like these, moments when the Holy Spirit took manage, flushed out an unsuspecting demon, healed, delivered, set totally free or came through with a vision, word of wisdom or word of information. He is no respecter of persons; the gifts He has shared with me, He wants to share with you.
Question is, are you willing? Do you desire more?
We are SPIRIT BEINGS Getting AN EARTHLY Experience. We’re ALIENS.
We have no permanent citizenship within this globe. Though we’re citizens of the United States, the reality is the fact that, as a Christian, our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). Because the book of Hebrews says, “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Heb. 13:14) For we’re strangers before thee, and sojourners, as had been all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is certainly none abiding. (1 Chron 29;15)
We are ENAGED Inside a SPIRITUAL WAR – a term not discovered in Scripture, however the notion is taught. Mankind is caught within the midst of a spiritual war using the holy God and His angels on 1 side as well as the evil Satan and his demons around the other.
(two Cor ten:3-5) “For though we live within the planet, we do not wage war because the world does. The weapons we fight with aren’t the weapons in the planet. Around the contrary, they’ve divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive each and every believed to create it obedient to Christ.”
(Eph six:11-12) Place around the complete armor of God in order that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle just isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark globe and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(Rev 12:7-8) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and also the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not robust sufficient, and they lost their place in heaven. The excellent dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the entire globe astray. He was hurled towards the earth, and his angels with him.
IF WE RESIST THE DEVIL, HE WILL FLEE
(James four: 7) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
WE Do not have THE POWER TO RESIST SATAN ON OUR Personal
(Jude 9) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with all the devil about the physique of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but stated, “The Lord rebuke you!”
TO RESIST THE DEVIL, WE Should Place On the Full ARMOR OF GOD
(Eph six:10-12) Place on the full armor of God to ensure that you’ll be able to take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle just isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil inside the heavenly realms. As a result put on the full armor of God, in order that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and right after you have done every thing, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with all the breastplate of righteousness in place, and together with your feet fitted using the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you’ll be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows from the evil a single. Take the helmet of salvation and also the sword of the Spirit, that is the word of God. And pray within the Spirit on all occasions with all sorts of prayers and requests. With this in thoughts, be alert and usually maintain on praying for all of the saints.
Jesus’ own mission statement: “He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty towards the captives, and also the opening [of the prison] to them which can be bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isa 61:1,2)
GOD Allows TEMPTATIONS, BUT Often Offers AN ESCAPE
(1 Cor ten:13) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he won’t let you be tempted beyond what you’ll be able to bear. But once you are tempted, he will also supply a way out in order that you are able to stand up beneath it.
SATAN KNOWS THE SCRIPTURES AND TRIES TO MISUSE THEM
As described in Matt four:3-10 and Luke four:3-12, during the temptation of Jesus within the wilderness, Satan quoted Him Scripture several times. Jesus replied each and every time with further Scriptures refuting Satan’s attempts to take items out of context or only use component of a section.
(Matt 28:19-20, Lk 9:1-2 and 10:1-3).
As well numerous American Christians have become passive and fearful. Other individuals are satisfied to merely acknowledge the right things and attend church services and activities. This type of way of life is fairly distinct from that which Jesus demands of His followers.
We should preach and teach regarding the kingdom of God, focus around the doctrine of Christ, heal the sick and set the captives free of charge.
Why may be the Holy Spirit known as getting “holy”?(HOLY: Belonging to, derived from, or related having a divine power; sacred.) Distinguishes Him from EVIL spirits.
SAD Information Relating to THE CHURCH And the HOLY SPIRIT
A majority (61%) agree that the Holy Spirit is actually a symbol of God’s presence or power but is not a living entity. (2001)
Among the segments of the population a lot more likely than other people to deny the existence from the Holy Spirit as a living entity are Catholics (73%), non-Christians (68%), and non-whites (68%). (2001)
A majority of all born once more Christians reject the existence of the Holy Spirit (52%). (2001)
WHY May be the HOLY SPIRIT Important?
There’s no subject a lot more crucial in Christianity than that in the Holy Spirit. Unless this can be properly understood, a sizable portion in the Bible, and specifically the NT, remains unintelligible. However, a just view of it will do greater than a knowledge of any other certain topic to provide harmony, clearness, and consistency to what could be learned to all other matters presented in the Word of God.
Despite the importance of realizing the Holy Spirit and His spot inside the life of a Christian, there’s significantly confusion and superstition in the minds of many people regarding the Holy Spirit
Who’s THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1. A person with characteristics
two. NOT, merely an “influence”, or “impersonal force” that emanates from God.
3. We should regard the Holy Spirit as a “He”, not an “it”!
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S Character
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS…
1. He “expressly says” that some will depart in the faith – 1 Tim four:1
two. The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip – Acts 8:29
three. He spoke to Peter and gave him charge concerning the Gentiles – Acts 10:19-20
four. He spoke to the brethren at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas – Acts 13:1-4
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES…
1. He was to teach the apostles all things – Jn 14:26
2. Please note that Jesus regularly refers towards the Holy Spirit as “He”, not “it” (implying a private becoming, not an impersonal force) – Jn 14:16-17
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS…
1. He was to testify of Jesus – Jn 15:26-27
two. Just as the apostles (who were “personal beings”) would bear witness, so also the Holy Spirit
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES, HEARS, SPEAKS, TELLS…
1. He would carry on and full the function started by Jesus – Jn 16:12-13
two. Jesus regularly refers for the Holy Spirit as “He”
The Holy Spirit is a real particular person who came to reside inside Jesus Christ’s correct followers after Jesus rose in the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts two). Jesus told His apostles…
“I will ask the Father, and He will provide you with yet another Helper, that He could be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the planet can’t obtain, simply because it doesn’t behold Him or know Him, but you understand Him simply because He abides with you, and can be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn 14:16-18)
The Holy Spirit just isn’t a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He’s an individual equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. He’s regarded as to become the third member from the Godhead. Jesus mentioned to His apostles…
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go as a result and make disciples of each of the nations, baptizing them inside the name in the Father and also the Son and also the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even towards the finish in the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all of the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and also the Son are equally ascribed towards the Holy Spirit. When an individual becomes born again by believing author and bible teacher jason powers receiving Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12-13; Jn 3:3-21), God resides in that particular person via the Holy Spirit (1Cor three:16).
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S Main Role
1. He bears “witness” of Jesus Christ and tells people’s hearts concerning the truth of Jesus Christ. (Jn 15:26, 16:14).
2. He acts as a Christian’s teacher/guide (1Cor. two:9-14).
3. He reveals God’s will and God’s truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples…
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all issues, and bring for your remembrance all that I stated to you.” (Jn 14:26)
“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all of the truth; for He will not speak on His personal initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what’s to come.” (Jn 16:13)
4. The Holy Spirit was provided to live inside those who believe in Jesus, to be able to produce God’s character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will construct into our lives really like, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Instead of wanting to be loving, patient, sort, God asks us to rely on Him to create these qualities in our lives. Thus Christians are told to stroll within the Spirit (Gal 5:25) and be filled using the Spirit (Eph 5:18).
five. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to execute ministerial duties that market spiritual development amongst Christians (Rom 12; 1Cor 12; Eph 4).
6. The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians also. He convicts people’s hearts of God’s truth concerning how sinful we are — needing God’s forgiveness; how righteous Jesus is — He died in our spot, for our sins; and God’s eventual judgment in the planet and people who do not know Him (Jn 16:8-11). The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORBIDS…
1. He prevented Paul and his companions from going into certain areas of Asia – Acts 16:6-7 This He did by “forbidding” them, and “not permitting” them, regardless of their initial efforts
G. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES…
1. The “Spirit Himself (note Paul’s use from the personal pronoun) makes intercession for us” – Rom 8:26
2. Just as Christ “also tends to make intercession for us” – Rom eight:34 [All these operates from the Holy Spirit manifest personality]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT POSSESSES Individual Qualities
A. HE Has a Mind…
1. “the thoughts in the Spirit” – Rom eight:27 This suggests thinking on His personal.
B. HE HAS Knowledge…
1. He “knows the things of God” – 1 Cor two:11 just as the “spirit of man” (a private becoming) knows certain things. He has intellect.
C. HE POSSESSES AFFECTION…
1. Paul speaks of “the love from the Spirit” – Rom 15:30 When have you recognized of an “impersonal force” that could really like? He has emotion.
D. HE Has a WILL…
1. “the identical Spirit functions all these items, distributing to each and every one individually as He wills” – 1 Cor 12:11 It was the Holy Spirit Who decided what person received which gift. Again, they are all traits of a becoming possessing intelligence and personality.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS Individual SLIGHTS AND INJURIES
A. HE Can be GRIEVED…
1. “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” – Eph 4:30 He could be made sorrowful by means of our willful neglect
B. HE Can be BLASPHEMED…
1. That’s, to be spoken evil of, as in attributing His deeds for the operates of Satan, the “unpardonable sin” – Matt 12:31-32
C. HE May be INSULTED…
1. 1 who has “trampled the Son of God underfoot” has also “insulted the Spirit of grace” – Heb 10:29 This really is done by sinning “willfully” – Heb 10:26
D. HE Can be LIED TO…
1. As Ananias and his wife Sapphira have been guilty of carrying out. Acts 5:3: “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie for the Holy Spirit…?”
E. HE May be RESISTED…
1. As Stephen charged the Jewish leaders of doing – Acts 7:51 This they did by resisting the message and persecuting the messengers who had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Acts 7: 52-53
In my opinion, much also excellent an emphasis has been placed on the present of tongues – a lot to ensure that an ungodly caste program of the haves and have-not’s has created in some groups – despite the guarantee of Scripture which you shall get POWER (NOT tongues) when the Spirit comes upon you; power to be a witness (literally, a martyr). Request my study entitled “Speaking of speaking in tongues.”