Jesus, Continued...

1. The Holy Spirit is present and active in believers' lives today

"The Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you."

The Spirit's role. The Holy Spirit, often overlooked, is crucial in the Christian life. He empowers believers to live out their faith, guides them in understanding Scripture, and manifests God's presence.

Better than Jesus beside us. While it may seem counterintuitive, Jesus taught that having the Holy Spirit inside us is actually better than having Him physically present. The Spirit allows for a more intimate, constant connection with God, enabling believers to experience His power and guidance in every aspect of life.

Experiencing the Spirit. Believers can experience the Holy Spirit through:

• The gospel message
• Scripture study
• Spiritual gifts
• Church community
• Inner promptings
• Life circumstances

2. Walking with the Spirit requires both faith and obedience

"God steers moving ships — ships driven by the winds of worship, gratefulness, love to God for what he's done, and compassion for those he cares about."

Faith and action. Walking with the Spirit is not passive but requires active participation. It involves trusting God's promises while also taking steps of obedience.

Posture of readiness. To be led by the Spirit, believers must cultivate:

• A heart of gratitude for God's grace
• A willingness to sacrifice for His kingdom
• Complete surrender to His will
• Openness to His guidance

Moving in obedience. As we step out in faith and obedience, the Spirit guides our path. This may involve:

• Serving others
• Sharing the gospel
• Using our spiritual gifts
• Pursuing holy ambitions

3. Spiritual gifts reveal God's specific calling for each believer

"Discovering your vocational abilities is part of learning how the Spirit wants to use you on earth."

Understanding spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to equip believers for service in the church and world. They reveal God's specific calling and purpose for each individual.

Discovering your gifts. To identify your spiritual gifts:

• Study biblical passages on gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4)
• Reflect on your passions and natural abilities
• Seek affirmation from others in the church
• Experiment with different areas of service

Using your gifts. Once identified, spiritual gifts should be developed and used for God's glory. This may involve:

• Serving in specific ministries within the church
• Pursuing vocational opportunities that align with your gifts
• Using your abilities to advance God's kingdom in the workplace and community

4. The church is a conduit for experiencing the Holy Spirit's power

"Hearing the Spirit of God speak to us the Word of God through the people of God ought to be our experience every time we gather."

The church's role. The local church is not just a place to attend, but a vital community where believers experience the Holy Spirit's power collectively. It serves as a conduit for God's presence and guidance.

Experiencing the Spirit together. In the church, believers can experience the Holy Spirit through:

• Corporate worship
• Teaching and preaching of God's Word
• Exercise of spiritual gifts
• Prophetic words and insights
• Prayer and intercession

Active participation. To fully experience the Spirit in the church, believers should:

• Come prepared to both give and receive
• Be open to the Spirit's leading during gatherings
• Engage in small groups or ministry teams
• Serve others using their spiritual gifts

5. God guides through His Word, circumstances, and inner promptings

"The Word is eternal and unchanging. The Spirit's direction is temporary and varied."

Primary guidance through Scripture. God's Word provides the foundation for all guidance. It reveals God's character, will, and principles for living.

Supplementary guidance. In addition to Scripture, God may guide through:

• Circumstances and open doors
• Inner promptings and burdens
• Counsel from other believers
• Dreams and visions (though less common)

Discerning God's will. To discern God's guidance:

• Study and obey Scripture
• Pray for wisdom and clarity
• Seek godly counsel
• Pay attention to persistent desires or burdens
• Look for confirmation through multiple means
• Hold interpretations loosely, subject to Scripture

6. Periods of spiritual dryness are normal and purposeful

"You can never know that Jesus is all that you need, you see, until he's all that you have."

Normalcy of spiritual dryness. Even mature believers experience times when God feels distant or silent. These periods are not necessarily signs of sin or abandonment.

Purpose in the desert. Spiritual dry spells can serve important purposes:

• Deepening faith and dependence on God
• Purifying motives and desires
• Teaching perseverance and patience
• Revealing hidden sins or idols

Responding to dryness. During spiritually dry times:

• Continue in spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, worship)
• Reflect on past experiences of God's faithfulness
• Seek support from other believers
• Trust in God's promises, not feelings

7. Revival comes through repentance, prayer, and gospel proclamation

"Revival is the intensification of the normal operations of the Holy Spirit through the ordinary means of grace."

Understanding revival. Revival is not about new methods or techniques, but a supernatural outpouring of God's Spirit that brings spiritual awakening and transformation to individuals and communities.

Keys to revival:

• Repentance of sin (individual and corporate)
• Persistent, faith-filled prayer
• Faithful proclamation of the gospel
• Renewed focus on God's Word
• Unity and expectancy among believers

Pursuing revival. While we cannot manipulate or manufacture revival, we can create conditions conducive to it by:

• Cultivating personal and corporate holiness
• Praying fervently for spiritual awakening
• Proclaiming the gospel boldly
• Pursuing unity in the church
• Expecting God to move in power

8. Persistent prayer is key to experiencing the Spirit's power

"Ask, and then ask again."

The importance of persistence. Jesus taught that persistent, faith-filled prayer is essential for experiencing the Spirit's power. He used parables to illustrate the need for boldness and perseverance in prayer.

Praying for the Spirit's power. When praying for the Holy Spirit:

• Believe in God's willingness to pour out His Spirit
• Pray with "shameless audacity"
• Keep asking, seeking, and knocking
• Trust in God's goodness as a loving Father

Corporate prayer. The early church experienced great power through united, persistent prayer. Modern believers should:

• Prioritize prayer in church gatherings
• Organize prayer meetings focused on revival and spiritual power
• Pray boldly for God's kingdom to come in power

Last updated: July 31, 2024