Session 8 - First Assembly of God

“The Power in the Spirit”

Luke 11:17–26

We have come to this part of the end where we have experienced such an incredible work of God in our hearts and lives. He has done such a cleansing and removing of all the junk and clutter that has just so weighed us down. Now, our temple/house in clean.

We need to fill it with with His presence: God wants to fill every place of our hearts and lives with the presence of God.

The time Jesus spent with his disciples, He was preparing them for his departure. ( He had them for three years)

Jesus recognized that in order to survive(pessimistic)/thrive (optimistic) in this world (to live victorious and to fulfill God’s redemptive plan), his disciples needed God’s supernatural intervention to equip them for the task that was ahead for them to accomplish.

Illustration: (refer to Ragtag Misfits)

If you were to propagate a cause(worldwide)/corporation (Globally) who would you select.

Anyone would know that if you are going to propagate a cause, you need to select individuals to help who are on top of things, who are as sharp as the person introducing the cause. You need to choose men and women who are going to be able to take the cause and carry it through and who are most likely to succeed.

“Yet, Jesus Christ does the exact opposite.” He picks a bunch of MISFITS/REJECTS!

Refer to “the Jordan Management Consultants (Read)

Example of Misfits:

Fisherman, Tax collector-sold out to Rome, Zealot-Rebellion Treasurer, Abraham-he was old, Elijah-suicidal, Job-went bankrupt, Moses- speech problem, Samaritan-divorced, Paul- persecuited Christians, Jeremiah- young, Zacchaeus-small and money hungry, Gideon was afraid, Samson-womanizer, David murderer, Rahab prostitute Jacob cheater, Naomi-Widow, Noah-Drunk, Scott Addict, Jonah-ran from God, Martha-worried about everything.

Jesus intention was to equip them and impart into them His Power. There is no way that his disciple would be able to do what he called to do without his power.

Luke 24:49 says:

Tarry…

Many of you are going into a battle field and it can be intense:

Many are going back to your homes, jobs, circumstances, friends, etc.
There is where the battle has to be won
Illustration:

Mortal Kombat game on Playstation — when they are battling there is a life bar, or energy level, on the top corner indicating if you have a lot of power left or none; and it indicates either you are on the verge of losing or winning depending on the meter.

Point: You need power

God wants to clothe you with power from on High

Garden of Eden — we were clothed with His Glory

Lost it because of sin
Atonement — temporary covering
God clothed us with His covering; His Presence, Himself.

Which leads to this point: Acts 1:8, 2:1–4

Elaborate:

Jesus crucified, resurrected, 40 days Ascends, 10 days in the upper room seeking the Lord.

Read: Pentecost 2:1–4

WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Introduction:
1. Need: We are good at receiving, but poor at giving away
  1. Example: Parable of the talents
    1. People who have entrusted from the Lord, but did nothing with (wicked servant)
2. Purpose: Investment
  1. Baptism isn’t something for me, but something through me.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES DOWN TO TWO THINGS:

Greater spiritual intimacy with God (Acts 1:5)
1. Ex. Baptism of John
  1. Baptism is symbolic of death to the old
  2. Through death comes the new, the resurrection life.
  3. Galatians 2:20
  4. What does baptism mean?
2. Total immersion, submerged
  1. Baptize: ships that are sunken, waterlogged
  2. The same way John immersed you, I will baptize you between the wings of the Cherubim.
  3. Drench you in the Holy Spirit
  4. Example: Pickles
    1. Pickles are cucumbers
    2. Key: Marinate
3. God designed for every believer to have an intimate encounter with the Holy Spirit and with God.
  1. You are spiritual in tune to the things of the Spirit
  2. Hear a noise — Perceived God Sounds 2:4
    1. Like a rushing mighty wind — the wind in OT Hebrew scriptures — wind-spirit-presence of the Holy Spirit.
    2. Example: Hearing of the Dolphins: at Waianae Coast there is a beach which they call “I don’t knows” where there is a lot of dolphins.
      1. If you are above the surface of the water you can’t hear anything and sense if there are any dolphins, but if you go under without your goggles and simply use your ears. You will hear the dolphins.
      2. Point: immersed in his presence you will begin to hear the things of the spirit.
  3. Sense of Sight Tongues of Fire
    1. God sights
      1. Night Goggles
    2. Perceive through the eyes of the Spirit
Greater spiritual power from God
1. Baptism is not simply a prayer language
  1. A small dimension of the baptism
2. Fullness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
  1. What is the evidence?
    1. Posture: something physical
      1. Peter stood up and spoke
      2. Peter in the past: coward, denial, something changed.
      3. Example: Going into the line of fire
  2. After He been baptized with the Spirit
    1. After they had an intimate encounter with God
  3. God has more,
    1. First for you, second for someone else
    2. There are those, who first they receive, but never change their posture.
3. Language of the Spirit
  1. External Evidence
    1. Initial physical evidence of the infilling.
  2. Uniform: it applies to everyone
  3. Symbol of complete control and surrender
  4. God uses our tongue and voice to express our union and filling.
  5. Speaking a language is strange to the natural mind.
    1. Language of the Spirit is powerful
    2. Main point of tongues: Why are you shocked, this is what happens when the Spirit smothers flesh.
    3. Peter stood up:
      1. Spoke inspired words: in the last days.
      2. Communication will be changed
      3. Spirit came upon them:
        
        Hear God sounds
        
        See God sights
        
        All filled, feel God feelings, and they began to speak God words.
        
        Affected every part of their being.
Spirit came upon them: Acts 2:4, 10:44–45, 19:6
1. Idea of completed preparation and a certain permanence of position.
2. Extraordinary feats of power to help God’s people
  1. Life of Samson Judges 14:6 The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and tore the lion, broke the ropes
  2. Joseph interpreted visions and dreams Acts 2:17
  3. Prophecy Numbers 11:25 Spirit rest upon them and they prophesied.
  4. Gifts of craftsmanship and artistic ability ex. 31:1-5
  5. David, Daniel, Joseph, Solomon, Moses, Joshua
    1. These men had the power to denounce evil and declare righteousness, expose, and denounce evils in our society. Micah 3:8

How to receive the Holy Spirit

Introduction:
1. Can’t receive anything without his help
  1. Divine partnership,
    1. Not books, formulas, or any formalize junk
    2. By grace, it is a gift from God
  2. Actively in pursuit, divine cooperation with God:
    1. God does something
    2. You do something
2. Acts 2, 10, 19 We see a pattern in Acts
Seekers were actively pursuing God, Jesus (we do)
1. They were worshipping, praying, seeking the Lord Acts 1:,10:,19:
2. They were getting as close to Jesus — run to him
3. Dignified:
  1. I don’t raise my hands, because it is undignified (false sense of dignity)
    1. Example: Do what you want to do with my life, but don’t make me look like the other person.
The Holy Spirit comes upon us: (God initiates)
1. Clothed — Epi- Clothe us with Power
2. External power suit Luke 24:49 upon us
3. How do you know? You will be suddenly aware of his presence.
  1. Your spiritual senses will know that he is there.
  2. How many of you have ever felt a sensing that there was someone there behind you
We partner together with God to do:
1. For Believers seeking to be refilled
  1. God wants to flush you out and refill you
    1. Ephesians 5:18 Keep on being filled with the Spirit.
    2. We have become dry, not praying in the spirit, etc.
  2. God wants us to remain filled with the Spirit
    1. Example: Reservoir producing power
      1. Flood gates open producing continually power
  3. It is an ongoing process
    1. Spiritual power runs low, return to the source
  4. Continue the process of receiving and giving, being filled and sharing it with others.
2. They began to speak — who? — they spoke
  1. You are not a puppet where he is going to move your lips.
  2. You must choose to speak
  3. What am I suppose to speak?
    1. What am I suppose to say?
      1. Good news is don’t have to worry about that part. It is up to God. It is up to you to speak. (But what? How will I know?)
      2. They began to speak in other tongues, so don’t speak words you know.
  4. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, it is a safe moment to trust God.
    1. Open up your mouth.
    2. Example: Jumping out of the plane, take that risk… don’t hold onto the handle. Say Hallelujah!
  5. Holy Spirit comes upon you
    1. Prompt you with new words
      1. We panic
      2. Brain wants to remain in control (natural brain)
      3. Example: Catch: Ask son to jump
        
        Take risk, jump
        
        Luke 11:11 How much more will he give the Holy Spirit
    2. This is your moment of faith:
      1. That the leap of faith of receiving the baptism
3. Prayer:
  1. Remove all barriers, request, receive, release
  2. Prayer to receive:
    1. Dear Jesus, I receive you as my Baptizer. Please Baptize me in the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus, I receive, I accept the new language you have given me. Help me to release it. Jesus name

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