The Promise of the Holy Spirit

God made a great promise.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

- Joel 2:28-29

God keeps His promises.

'This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. '

- Acts 2:32-33 

6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

- Galatians 4:6-7

If we want to experience God’s promise, then we need to fulfill God’s premise.

32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved…

- Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21

Draw near to God.

' On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. '

- John 7:37-39

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

- Acts 2:37-39

12“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

- Joel 2:12-13

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. - John 14:16-18

The Holy Spirit Is Not a 'Something,' He’s a ‘Someone’

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, - John 14:16

The Holy Spirit Is Not Forceful, He’s Faithful

"Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

- John 14:17

The Holy Spirit Is Not Distant, He’s Intimate

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

- Romans 8:15-16

The Holy Spirit Is Not Just Present, He’s Transformational

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[a] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

- 2 Corinthians 3:18

Butter than Anger

33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife. - Proverbs 31:25-30

We get angry when something we hold dear is threatened.

Anger can build.

For as churning cream produces butter… - Proverbs 30:33 (NIV)

Anger can break.

…pressing the nose produces blood...

- Proverbs 30:33

God’s anger is outweighed by God’s love.

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…

- Exodus 34:6

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

- Luke 23:34

Let go of anger and look at our situations with love.

We can look to God.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

- Hebrews 4:15-16

We can look at ourselves.

We can look at others.

Me, Myself and I

“For as he thinks within HIMSELF, so he is.”

- Proverbs 23:7 (NASB)

“Do you see a person wise in his OWN eyes? There is more hope for a fool than him.”

- Proverbs 25:12 (NASB)

“Those who trust in THEMSELVES are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe”

- Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your OWN understanding.”

- Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)

Self is the number 1 enemy of God.

12 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

- Ezekiel 28:12-14 (NASB)

 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim were standing above Him, each having six wings: with two each covered his face, and with two each covered his feet, and with two each flew.

- Isaiah 6:1-2 (NASB)

You were blameless in your waysFrom the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you.

- Ezekiel 28:15 (NASB)

How you have fallen from heaven, You star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who defeated the nations! 13 But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

- Isaiah 14:12-17 (NASB)

16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not [a]eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.”

- Gen 2:16-17 (NASB)

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

- Rom 4:19 (NIV)

Trusting in yourself leads to nowhere.

2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

- Revelations 5:2-4 (NASB)

Through Christ, you are freed from yourself.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

- Galatians 2: 20 (NASB)

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

- Colossians 2: 6-7 (NASB)

Allow God to love you.

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

- Romans 2: 4 (NASB)

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

- Luke 15:1-7

The Lazy Sermon

The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. - Proverbs 15:19

Laziness is an attempt to find comfort.

9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest…

- Proverbs 6:9-10

Laziness is a trap.

11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

- Proverbs 6:11

Jesus Christ set us free and sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter.

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

- John 14:6

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

- John 14:16-17, ESV

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever… 

- John 14:16, KJVAE

Don’t settle for the pursuit of comfort. Pursue the Comforter!

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

- John 15:4-5

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

- John 15:7, 10

The Holy Spirit leads us into a rhythm of rewarding work and rest.

…the path of the upright is a level highway.

- Proverbs 15:19

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 

- John 15:8-9

I Want More!

Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.

- Proverbs 12:9

One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

- Proverbs 13:7

We can be enticed by everything this world has to offer.

2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

- Ecclesiastes 1:2

God made us to be satisfied by more.

11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

- Ecclesiastes 3:11

11He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

- Ecclesiastes 3:11, AMP

We should turn our focus from the temporary to the timeless.

19  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where  moth and rust  destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

Living for things that last leads to satisfaction that lasts.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

- Matthew 6:33

Trust in the Lord: More than a Motto

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

- Proverbs 3:1-10

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

- Proverbs 3:5a

Trusting God is absolute

Wisdom outside of God is limited

and lean not on your own understanding;

- Proverbs 3:5b

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

- Proverbs 3:6

Acknowledging God brings clarity and assurance

The Miracle of We

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”

- John 6:5-13

The Need for a Miracle

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd..”

- John 6:5 

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

- Mark 6:34

The Preparation of the Miracle

“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

- John 6:5-6

Jesus takes the loaves

“Then Jesus took the loaves…”

- John 6:11

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!”

- Romans 5:17

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

- Romans 5:8

Jesus performs the miracle while we sit

Jesus said “Have the people sit down”

- John 6:10

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

- John 6:11

“Be still, and know that I am God…”

- Psalm 46:10

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…”

- Hebrews 12:2

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

- Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Being “We” in Digital Babylon

“The spirits I have summoned I cannot now banish.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” - John Mark Comer

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength… love your neighbour as yourself, There is no commandment greater than these.”

- Mark 12:30-31

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

- 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Set apart: fully Human, fully His.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

- 2 Timothy 2:22

Useful: vessels for the Master of the household.

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

- 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Ready: for every good work.

How is God calling you to build “canopies of trust”?

The Stewardship of We

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

- Matthew 25:14-19

Resolve God’s ownership in your heart

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.

- Matthew 25:14

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

- Psalm 24:1

Embrace your responsibility

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

- Matthew 25:16-18

2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

- 1 Corinthians 4:2

Live with a sense of accountability

18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

- Matthew 25:18-19

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

- Mathew 25:24-30

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

- Romans 14:12

Expect God’s reward for faithful stewardship

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

- Matthew 25:20-23