A Christian friend came over asking that a number of of us pray for her. In spite of doing each of the “right” Christian items, she had been entertaining doubts about her faith.
In the course of our prayer, as I was reminding her of what Scripture says about how God sees her, within a gruff tone of voice, with furrowed brow, she scolded me, speaking in the third particular person, “She does not deserve it! She does not deserve it!” In a couple of hours, by the Power in the Holy Spirit, she was free from demonic bondage with a total change 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, as the congregation headed for the exits. I approached him and asked if I may pray. He ignored me. I laid my hand on his shoulder to pray. The moment I touched him, he bolted upright, began swaying like a cobra about to strike, and started growling as he pointed, “I hate him! I hate her! I hate this church!”
My attempts to minister have been interrupted by well-meaning people asking if he necessary medication or asking if they ought to contact 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 understand me then and speak intelligibly in response to me. I told him I was accessible for additional ministry by the Holy Spirit however it was apparent there was no faith present to deliver him at that moment. I created him conscious that, until he got assist, this WAS his Christian life and he WOULD experience these manifestations once more. I left only to be bombarded with questions all through the week by those that were 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 lady buried her face in her hands and cried. Her close pal nudged me and whispered, “You read her mail.”
On another occasion, a Christian business woman contacted me requesting prayer more than one of her numerous facilities across Texas. This certain facility was not prospering at all and she couldn’t help but think about closing its doors. That specific place had an openly lesbian manager which attracted openly gay workers. I went on a Thursday evening with ateam. She met us there. We prayed and, inside ten days, the facility’s numbers were enhancing currently. The lesbian manager could not realize it. Inside a memo I saw, she wrote, “We must be living correct.” Per week ago, the manager resigned as did several of the most blatantly gay staff.
I could write numerous private encounters like these, moments when the Holy Spirit took control, flushed out an unsuspecting demon, healed, delivered, set free or came via having a vision, word of wisdom or word of knowledge. He’s no respecter of persons; the gifts He has shared with me, He desires to share with you.
Question is, are you willing? Do you desire much more?
We are SPIRIT BEINGS Possessing AN EARTHLY Expertise. We’re ALIENS.
We’ve no permanent citizenship within this world. Although we’re citizens from the United States, the reality is that, as a Christian, our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). Because the book of Hebrews says, “Here we’ve no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Heb. 13:14) For we are strangers just before thee, and sojourners, as have been all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there’s none abiding. (1 Chron 29;15)
We’re ENAGED In a SPIRITUAL WAR – a term not identified in Scripture, however the idea is taught. Mankind is caught within the midst of a spiritual war with the holy God and His angels on a single side and also the evil Satan and his demons on the other.
(two Cor ten:3-5) “For though we live in the world, we don’t wage war as the planet does. The weapons we fight with aren’t the weapons from the globe. 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 every thought to produce it obedient to Christ.”
(Eph six:11-12) Put around the complete armor of God so that you are able to take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle 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 the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not powerful adequate, and they lost their location in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent referred to as the devil, or Satan, who leads the entire world astray. He was hurled for 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 Don’t 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, didn’t dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but mentioned, “The Lord rebuke you!”
TO RESIST THE DEVIL, WE Need to Place Around the Complete ARMOR OF GOD
(Eph 6:10-12) Place on the complete armor of God so that you are 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 planet and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. As a result place around the complete armor of God, in order that when the day of evil comes, you may be capable of stand your ground, and right after you’ve got carried out every little thing, to stand. Stand firm then, with all the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and together with your feet fitted with all the readiness that comes in the gospel of peace. Furthermore to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish each of the flaming arrows in the evil 1. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword from the Spirit, that is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in thoughts, be alert and always maintain on praying for each of the saints.
Jesus’ personal mission statement: “He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty for the captives, as well as the opening [of the prison] to them which can be bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isa 61:1,two)
GOD Enables TEMPTATIONS, BUT Often Provides AN ESCAPE
(1 Cor 10:13) No temptation has seized you except what exactly is frequent to man. And God is faithful; he won’t allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he may also offer a way out so 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 4:3-12, in the course of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Satan quoted Him Scripture numerous occasions. Jesus replied each time with extra Scriptures refuting Satan’s attempts to take things out of context or only use component of a section.
(Matt 28:19-20, Lk 9:1-2 and ten:1-3).
Also numerous American Christians have grow to be passive and fearful. Other people are happy to merely acknowledge the proper issues and attend church solutions and activities. This sort of way of life is quite distinct from that which Jesus requires of His followers.
We need to preach and teach regarding the kingdom of God, focus around the doctrine of Christ, heal the sick and set the captives totally free.
Why is the Holy Spirit referred to as getting “holy”?(HOLY: Belonging to, derived from, or related using a divine power; sacred.) Distinguishes Him from EVIL spirits.
SAD Facts Regarding THE CHURCH And also the HOLY SPIRIT
A majority (61%) agree that the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God’s presence or power but is not a living entity. (2001)
Among the segments of the population more likely than other individuals to deny the existence in the Holy Spirit as a living entity are Catholics (73%), non-Christians (68%), and non-whites (68%). (2001)
A majority of all born once again Christians reject the existence of the Holy Spirit (52%). (2001)
WHY Is the HOLY SPIRIT Important?
There’s no topic much more important in Christianity than that of the Holy Spirit. Unless this is correctly understood, a big portion of the Anointed bible teachings, and specifically the NT, remains unintelligible. However, a just view of it will do more than a knowledge of any other specific topic to provide harmony, clearness, and consistency to what could be discovered to all other matters presented within the Word of God.
Regardless of the importance of realizing the Holy Spirit and His location within the life of a Christian, there’s significantly confusion and superstition inside the minds of a lot of people regarding the Holy Spirit
Who’s THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1. Someone with traits
2. NOT, merely an “influence”, or “impersonal force” that emanates from God.
three. 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
2. The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip – Acts 8:29
3. He spoke to Peter and gave him charge concerning the Gentiles – Acts 10:19-20
4. He spoke to the brethren at Antioch regarding Paul and Barnabas – Acts 13:1-4
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES…
1. He was to teach the apostles all issues – Jn 14:26
two. Please note that Jesus consistently refers towards the Holy Spirit as “He”, not “it” (implying a private being, 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
2. Just because the apostles (who have been “personal beings”) would bear witness, so also the Holy Spirit
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES, HEARS, SPEAKS, TELLS…
1. He would carry on and total the work began by Jesus – Jn 16:12-13
two. Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”
The Holy Spirit is really a real individual who came to reside within Jesus Christ’s accurate 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 another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t get, because it doesn’t behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will 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 a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. He’s deemed to become the third member of the Godhead. Jesus mentioned to His apostles…
“All authority has been offered to Me in heaven and on earth. Go as a result and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them within the name from the Father as well as the Son as well as the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you usually, even for the finish in the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And each of the divine attributes ascribed towards the Father as well as the Son are equally ascribed for the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes born once again by believing and getting Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12-13; Jn 3:3-21), God resides in that particular person through the Holy Spirit (1Cor three:16).
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S Primary Function
1. He bears “witness” of Jesus Christ and tells people’s hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. (Jn 15:26, 16:14).
two. 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 each of the truth; for He won’t 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)
four. The Holy Spirit was offered to live inside those that think in Jesus, as a way to create God’s character inside the life of a believer. Within a way that we can not do on our personal, the Holy Spirit will construct into our lives adore, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal five:22-23). Instead of trying to be loving, patient, type, God asks us to rely on Him to generate these qualities in our lives. Hence Christians are told to stroll inside the Spirit (Gal 5:25) and be filled using the Spirit (Eph five:18).
five. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to carry out ministerial duties that market spiritual growth amongst Christians (Rom 12; 1Cor 12; Eph four).
6. The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians also. He convicts people’s hearts of God’s truth regarding how sinful we’re — needing God’s forgiveness; how righteous Jesus is — He died in our spot, for our sins; and God’s eventual judgment in the globe and those that don’t 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 as well as a new life.
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORBIDS…
1. He prevented Paul and his companions from going into particular locations 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 individual pronoun) makes intercession for us” – Rom 8:26
two. 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 Traits
A. HE Has a Thoughts…
1. “the thoughts in the Spirit” – Rom eight:27 This suggests considering on His personal.
B. HE HAS Information…
1. He “knows the things of God” – 1 Cor two:11 just as the “spirit of man” (a personal getting) knows specific things. He has intellect.
C. HE POSSESSES AFFECTION…
1. Paul speaks of “the adore from the Spirit” – Rom 15:30 When have you recognized of an “impersonal force” that could love? He has emotion.
D. HE Features a WILL…
1. “the same Spirit operates all these items, distributing to each one individually as He wills” – 1 Cor 12:11 It was the Holy Spirit Who decided what person received which present. Again, they are all qualities of a being possessing intelligence and character.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS Personal SLIGHTS AND INJURIES
A. HE May be GRIEVED…
1. “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” – Eph four:30 He may be created sorrowful through our willful neglect
B. HE May be BLASPHEMED…
1. That is, to become spoken evil of, as in attributing His deeds for the functions of Satan, the “unpardonable sin” – Matt 12:31-32
C. HE May be INSULTED…
1. A single who has “trampled the Son of God underfoot” has also “insulted the Spirit of grace” – Heb 10:29 This is done by sinning “willfully” – Heb 10:26
D. HE May be LIED TO…
1. As Ananias and his wife Sapphira had been guilty of doing. Acts five:3: “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?”
E. HE Can 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, a lot also great an emphasis has been placed on the gift of tongues – a lot so that an ungodly caste system in the haves and have-not’s has developed in some groups – in spite of the promise of Scripture which you shall receive POWER (NOT tongues) when the Spirit comes upon you; power to be a witness (actually, a martyr). Request my study entitled “Speaking of speaking in tongues.”