August 3, 2008

What We Believe
About the Holy Spirit's Work in the World, the Church and the Believer, pt. 6
Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Review

Are we experiencing all that is promised?

A central work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world. Impossible, unless the individuals of the body are truly Spirit-controlled -- Spirit-filled.

John 7: 38 - 39
"Streams of living water will flow from within."

"The one thing needed for the church in its search for spiritual excellence is to be filled with the Spirit of God."
-Andrew Murray

Living the life of love.
2 Chronicles 6: 19 - 20

B. History - Pride - Humility - God-dependence

Pride: A great inhibitor of being Spirit-filled
From Adam and Eve to the last supper

2 Chronicles 7: 14 - 15 Repentance

Joshua 10: 16
Do not stop with partial victory. Be ruthless.

Joshua 11
Why burn the chariots?

Psalm 147: 10 - 11
A huge lesson that we find it difficult to learn: full God-dependence.

Galatians 3: 3
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, you are now trying to obtain your goal by human effort?"

C. Are You a Tentmaker Yet?

Are you on a Spirit-empowered mission?

Desire Romans 8: 5
Power Acts 1: 8
Colossians 1: 28
Purpose 2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 20
Character Galatians 5: 22 - 24
2 Corinthians 2: 15 - 16

Psalm 145: 18 - 19

If very many of us are content without being filled with the Spirit, the whole church will suffer.

D. More on the Primary Hindrance to being Spirit-filled

Matthew 16: 24
"If any man would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

"Most believers still have not come to a deep conviction of the entire corruption of their nature."

E. Conclusion

Welsh revival: "Confess any known sin to God; put away doubtful habit; obey the Spirit promptly; confess Christ publicly."

Psalm 145: 18