Messages

A message from the series “Thessalonians.” Have You Obeyed The Gospel?
II Thessalonians 1:1-12

Main Point:God commands us to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: We are to put our faith in Jesus and thus know the One, True, Living God.

‘Know’ = to perceive with the mind, eye, and senses.

Jesus – John 17:1-3

1.Have you come to know God through putting your faith in Jesus Christ?
(verse 8)

Romans 10:9-10

2.Are you sharing this Gospel – the ‘good news’ of God’s grace and hope with others?
(verses 11-12)

Jude verses 21-23

A message from the series “Thessalonians.” Standing Strong in Tough Times
II Thessalonians 1:1-12

Main Point:We are called to persevere in our faith during persecution and trials so that Jesus may be glorified in us.

Thessalonica – Background Acts 17:1-4

Are we growing and persevering?

Jesus – Luke 18:8

1.All who Follow Jesus will be persecuted and endure trials.
(verses 4, 11-12)

II Timothy 3:12

James 1:2-4

2.God’s purpose in this is that Jesus be glorified in us and that His grace is clearly demonstrated in us.
(verses 11-12)

Hebrews 10:32-26

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Spirit-Led Opportunities
Ephesians 5:15-20

Main Point:
God’s will for Christ followers is to be Filled with His Spirit, and use every opportunity to shine our light, with a thankful and praise-filled heart!

1. The Command: ‘Be filled = (controlled/led by) with Christ’s Spirit.’
(verse 18)

*We are not to be controlled by anything that leads us into the flesh and sin!

Galatians 5:25

2.The Contrast: We must not be foolish, but live in obedience to Christ’s Word (careful), recognizing the days are evil.
(verses 15-16)

*Foolish = Living opposite of God’s will for our lives in Christ!

I Peter 4:3

3.The Consequence: We will display the life of the Spirit with opportunities to minister to others and to the Lord.
(verses 16, 19-20)

*Spirit filled ministry to others and to the Lord is characterized by a humble, thankful and praise- filled heart.

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” We are the Temple of His Spirit
I Corinthians 6:12-20

Main Point: Since we are God’s temple in whom the Spirit dwells, we are to do only those things that honor Christ, and benefit us, so that we are mastered only by the Holy Spirit.

1.We are the temple of the Holy Spirit: a dwelling place of God and to be a place of worship, reverence, purity, and holiness.
(verses 19-20)

Verse 11 – ‘We were washed, sanctified, justified in the Name of Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God.’

2.We are to do only those things that honor Christ, benefit us , and be mastered only by the Holy Spirit.
(verses 12-14)

Mastered = to have power/control over.

We (and our bodies) were made for the Lord, were bought by the Lord, and are members of Christ Himself (verses 13,15,17,20).
We are not our own!

3.Sexual immorality is a distinctive sin for in so doing I unite my body (a member of Christ, and united with Christ through His Spirit), and become one with the other person.

‘Sexual Immorality’ = the term is inclusive (includes homosexuality); it is sex outside of God’s order of marriage between one man and one woman for life.

Genesis 2:24

It is a violation of God’s command, a perversion of His order, and there will be consequences!

Revelation 22:12-16

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Do not Grieve the Spirit
Ephesians 4:29-32

Main Point: We must not grieve God’s Holy Spirit in us who has sealed us until the day of redemption

Grieve = Cause grief and intense sadness & heaviness

1. When we came to Christ, the Holy Spirit indwelt us and marked us with the seal of God’s ownership

Ephesians 1:13-14

2. We grieve the Holy Spirit in us when we use unwholesome talk, and when we allow bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice

Explanation: Ephesians 5:3-5

3. God’s Spirit in us desires that we speak only what is edifying, and that we be kind compassionate, and forgiving to each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven us

Colossians 3:12-14

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Fruit or Flesh?
Galatians 5:16-26

If Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us, why do Christians struggle and live in sin and defeat?

Main Point: If you live each day in the leading of the Spirit then you will not live out of your flesh (sinful nature), you will bear the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit will be… verses 22-23
*Notice last is self control

Flesh (v.19 ‘sinful nature’) = my nature apart from the crucifying power of the Spirit.

‘Sin sampler’ – verses 19-21
comes out of the flesh.
(see also Mark 7:14-23)

James 1:13-15 – My evil desires give birth to sin = death – separation from the life God wants for me.

Most sins become strongholds (it’s a spiritual issue)

*Lord, I’m all in! Romans 12:1-2

How do I grow in the
Fruit of the Spirit?

1.Recognize the areas that I am failing in and ask the Spirit to change me. (He is God’s change agent in me!)

*I must cooperate – every day die to self and be in His Word!

2.Declare that you are living by the Spirit and growing in ____?

3.Expect tests and fight!
*I Timothy 6:12

He wants to show us and lead us into the deep things of God but we have to move past the elementary things.

I Corinthians 2:9-12

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Living in Step with the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-26

If Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us, why do Christians struggle and live in sin and defeat?

Main Point: If you live each day in the leading of the Spirit then you will not live out of your flesh (sinful nature), but we must keep in step with the Spirit!

Flesh (v.19 ‘sinful nature’) = my nature apart from the power of the Spirit.

‘Sin sampler’ – verses 19-21
(see also Mark 7:14-23)

James 1:13-15 – My evil desires give birth to sin = death – separation from the life God wants for me.

Most sins become strongholds (it’s a spiritual issue)

How do I live each day in the leading of the Spirit?

1.Die to myself each day:
Luke 9:23

2.Ask for forgiveness & cleansing: I John 1:9
(you have to deal with
sin in your life!)

3.Ask the Spirit within me to fill me (control me) and lead me throughout this day:
Ephesians 5:18 & Gal 5:16

The fruit will be… verses 22-23
*Notice last is self control

4.Listen for His Voice/Leading throughout the day & Follow!
verse 26

He wants to show us and lead us into the deep things of God but we have to move past the elementary things.

I Corinthians 2:9-12

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” The Counselor
John 14:15-21

Main Point:
Jesus gives the Spirit to his followers to be our counselor/helper so that we can love Him and obey Him!

Matthew 11:28-30
Have you come to Jesus?!

‘Parakletos’ = one coming alongside to help (legal/with the law)

1. Jesus commands us to love and obey Him.
Verses 15 & 21

What does that mean? *Devotion to him & Making His commands our priorities!

He does not leave it at this – a religion of performance!

2. Jesus promises to help us and not leave us to ourselves!

The Spirit will be in us and with us forever.
Verses 16-18

Ezekiel 36:25-27

3. Through the Spirit in us we know Christ and the Father intimately, and have true life!
verses 19-21

Romans 8:15-16

A message from the series “Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Living Water
John 7:37 – 44

Main Point:
Jesus promised to give living water (the Spirit) to those who come to Him, thirst spiritually and drink.

Isaiah 55:1-2
Have you come to Him?!

1. This living water is His promised Spirit which quenches our spiritual thirst.

John 14:15 -18

2. We must drink this living water, then we receive forgiveness of our sins, and the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit.

Acts 2:38

A. We must repent of our unbelief and sins – (verse 38a)

B. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ – (verse 38b)

3. This living water (Christ’s Spirit) gives us power to live and be His witnesses.

Acts 2:8-9

‘Streams of living water’
= Fresh, flowing, renewed Life!

Ezekiel 36:25-27