The Church New Barnet Needs is a community where God is known to be at work by his Spirit.
INTRODUCTION – THE HEBRIDEAN REVIVAL 1949-52
Do you ever get the sense that your experience of God isn’t all that it could be?
1) WHY GOD’S PRESENCE MATTERS
Old Testament: Israel was unique because ____ dwelled with them.
“Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
New Testament. God took on human flesh.
“The word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)”
“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:8-9)
Now. He dwells with us by his Spirit.
“ “I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn.16:7)”
Are we hungry to be the sort of church where God is known to be at work by his Spirit?
2) The WORK OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT
i) The Holy Spirit is God (in trinity)
See: Acts 5:3-4, 1Cor.12:4-6, 2Cor.13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1Peter 1:2, Jude 20-21, Psalm 139:7-8, 1Cor.2:10-11
ii) The Holy Spirit gives power for service.
See: Acts 1:8, see also: Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 13:25, 14:6,19, 15:14; 1Sam11:6, 1Sam.16:13, Exodus 31:3, 35:31, 35:34, Isaiah 63:11-12
iii) The Holy Spirit gives gifts for service.
See Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12 (Romans exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, teaching), 1 Corinthians 12 (administration, apostle, discernment, faith, healing, helps, knowledge, miracles, prophecy, teaching, tongues, tongues interpretation, wisdom), Ephesians 4 (apostle, evangelism, pastor, prophecy, teaching) plus also: celibacy, hospitality, martyrdom, missionary, voluntary poverty
iv) The Holy Spirit purifies.
See John 16:8, 1Corinthians 6:11
v) The Holy Spirit gives special insight or understanding.
See: Acts 15:28, Acts 16:6-7, Acts 20:22-23, 1Cor.12:8-10, Acts 5:1-11
To read a simple introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity, try Sam Allberry’s book, Connected: Living in the light of the trinity.
3) Are you thirsty for more of God?
i) If you want more of God in your life, you need to become a Christian.
“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:13)
When we become a Christ, God’s “marks” us with his Holy Spirit.
To know more about following Jesus, visit www.christianityexplored.org.
ii) If you want more of God in your life…ask
“Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (John 7:7-9)
“”If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”” (Luke 11:11-13)
The problem:_______________________________
iii) Of you want more of God in your life…repent
iv) If you want more of God in your life…learn to love the things he loves
v) If you want more of God in your life…ask with a purpose in mind
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I want to know more:
- Hebridean Revival: www.shilohouse.org/Hebrides_Revival.htm
- Spiritual gifts: http://mintools.com/gifts-list.htm
- To read: Virgo, Terry, The Spirit Filed Church
- To read: Driscoll, Mark, Trinity, God is: http://marshill.com/media/doctrine/trinity-god-is#transcript
- To read: Allberry, Sam, Connected: living in the light of the Trinity.
- To listen: John Piper www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/how-can-i-be-filled-with-the-spirit
- To read and reflect: Boettner, Loraine, The Trinity: www.monergism.com/thethreshold/
sdg/boettner/boettner_trinity.html