February 26 – The Holy Spirit – John 14-16
March 5 – A Godly Life – Galatians 5:16-15
March 12 – A Gifted Servant – 1 Peter 4:10-11
March 19 – Grieving the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 4:30
March 26 – Be Filled – Ephesians 5:18
April 2 – An Empowered Witness – Acts 1:8
The Spirit-filled life …
like wind in your sails.
As the wind fills the sails, so the Spirit fills us, and empowers us to live a joyous and dynamic life, in a day-by-day and moment-by-moment relationship with God.
It really is possible! Because the moment a person believes in Jesus, a person is immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. By faith, a child of God. New life, new identity, new purpose, new power. The Holy Spirit means God with us and God in us, once and for all, forever. Yet, there is also a daily responsibility to “be filled with Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). There must be a daily yielding to the Holy Spirit and a fresh empowering of the Spirit in our lives.
So, where is the power today? The book of Acts records stories of incredible power, stories that make us long for that same power. Too often, the fullness of the Holy Spirit is missing in many Christians today. Historically, that longing has led to some serious theological error. As we pursue the filling of the Spirit, we must be biblically grounded in our understanding of the Holy Spirit and avoid charismatic error and excess.
Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Helper,” and we need His power. To help us resist temptation and live a godly life. To give us gifts and abilities with which to serve Him. And to empower us as confident witnesses of the Gospel. This is the true evidence of the Spirit-filled life; seen in character, service, and sharing the Gospel.
The Spirit-filled life …
like wind in your sails.
Date & Speaker / Title, Text, & Theme / Resources / Worship Ideas /February 26
Monty / Title –
Text – “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever” (John 14:23).
Other Texts – Exposition of John 14, 16 | Other … Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Galatians 4:6-7 | New life … 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5, Galatians 2:20, John 3:6
Theme – THE HOLY SPIRIT. What Jesus said and promised about the Holy Spirit …
• Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He do? What are His activities?
• He helps – “the Helper” – what real, tangible, discernible difference does the HS really make in our lives? | USS Cole salvage
• He indwells – distinguish between baptism (Acts 2:38, Romans 8:9) v. filling (Ephesians 5:18), regeneration, explain the “delay” in Acts 19 of those who received the HS later (John 7:37-39 pre-HS, pre-Pentecost), refute second blessing and tongues mandate | Not only with us, but “in us.”
• He teaches
• He guides – John 16:13, illustration of Tenerife air disaster, when the fog is thick
Illustration/Stories – OT, Spirit shined on, NT, Spirit within | Metaphors for the HS – clothing Luke 24:49, dove Matt 3:16, pledge Eph 1:14, fire Acts 2:3, oil Luke 4:18, seal Eph 1:13, water John 4:14, 7:38f, wind John 3:8, Acts 2:1-2 | illustration of air | the power of wind, storms, wind energy | sailing video
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE | If you believe in Jesus, YOU HAVE the Holy Spirit. You are a child of God. | Correct theology | You can live a Spirit-filled life. / Explain theological distinction between baptism (Acts 2:4, Romans 6:4, 8:9, once for all) and filling (Eph 5:18, repeated), explain the “delay” in Acts 19, of those who received the Holy Spirit later, and the erroneous basis of the second blessing and tongues mandate
MacArthur 171f
MW message – Holy Spirit series, who is the HS and what difference does He make, John 14-16
Stanley book! definition, 50, on the “delay” 85, 158, baptism 152f
Swindoll, 44-53, 74-77, 93-108
Bright, Holy Spirit 3, 12-14, 18-19
Bright, SFL 11 struggle, activities, 122!!!
Chan, Forgotten God 15-22, 33, 35, 45f fearless, 63f theology, 110
Hybels, Whispers / Atmosphere – joy, victory in being filled with the Holy Spirit
Sailing video?
Songs??
“Spirit” Third Day
“Holy Spirit, Breath of God” Getty
“Holy Spirit” Torwalt
“Spirit of the Living God” Vertical Band
“Spirit Fall” Tomlin
“Spirit of the Living God” hymn
“More Holy Spirit” Dufrene
Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
March 5
Monty / Title –
Text – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16)
Other Texts – Exposition of Galatians 5:16-25, focus on 5:16 | Other … Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:8, Hebrews 2:18, Romans 8:6 “mind set,” Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2, Acts 6:3, 11:24, 2 Corinthians 10:5 | People … Luke 1:41, 4:1, Acts 13:9, Acts 4:8, Acts 6:5, Luke 1:67
Theme – A GODLY LIFE.
• Walk by the Spirit. It’s obvious when a person is not walking with the Spirit, and it’s obvious when a person is.
• Resist temptation, and avoid the deeds of the flesh.
• Conscience, mind set on the Spirit
• Fruit of the Spirit …
Illustration/Stories – Fruit proves
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE | Mind set / Stanley 91-92, “mind set”, 190f, conscience, 98-111, fruit, 117 attractive fruit
Bright, Holy Spirit 49f walking, 60f hindrances, 89f spiritual breathing, 160f fruit
Bright, SFL 49f the Helper, 60-62 on Gal. 5:16-21, flesh
Swindoll 58-68
MW message, Identity series, character, 1 Peter 1:15-16 / Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
March 12
Damon / Title –
Text – “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
Other Texts – Exposition of 1 Peter 4:10-11 | Other … Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14
Theme – A GIFTED SERVANT. One of the clearest evidences of being filled with the Spirit is how we serve God, especially displaying the power of our gifting. Possible angles …
• Address charismatic confusion on sign gifts, theology on cessation
• SHAPE, practical way to identify best way for you to serve
• Ways you can serve in our church, and beyond
• Servanthood, heart willing to serve
• Serving > miracles, sensational experiences
• Spirit-filled, empowered, prompting
• Seeing God work through your occupation
Illustration/Stories –
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE | / Address charismatic extremes, validity v. cessation of sign gifts, false expectation of repeating Joel 2 as in Acts 2:4, as normative
MW message from IMAGE series (fall 2016) from 1 Peter 4:10-11, with Allen Sockwell testimony
Bright, SFL 95f on gifted service
Stanley, 122f on spiritual gifts
Bugbee, What You Do Best
Rees, SHAPE
Hybels, Holy Discontent
Lucado, Cure for Common Life
Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life / Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
March 19
Monty / Title –
Text – “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30)
Other Texts – Exposition of Ephesians 4:25-32, highlight 4:30 | Other … “do not quench” 1 Thes 5:19, “Abba” Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6
Theme – GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• We contradict who we really are, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22, 24
• We offend His holiness, Habakkuk 1:13, 1 Peter 1:15
• We break His heart, Genesis 6:5-6, NLT, Psalm 78:41, Isaiah 63:10
• Quench an object (1 Thes 5:19), but grieve a person (Eph 4:30)
• We forfeit His help, list all the things we forfeit when we grieve the HS
Illustration/Stories –
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE | Dread the thought of doing anything that would break His heart / MW message – Eph series, New Year, New You, on offending the HS, Ephesians 4:30
Bright, SFL 26f hindrances / Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
March 26
Monty / Title –
Text – “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18)
Other Texts – Set up from Ephesians 5:14-20 | Other … Acts 4:31, Acts 13:52
Theme – BE FILLED.
• “be filled” is a command, responsibility to obey, by yielding
• Filling v. baptism, explain theological distinction
• Warn of charismatic error and excess
• Spiritual disciplines, putting ourselves before God and allowing Him to fill us and shape us
Illustration/Stories – Miracles, tongues, healings, prophecy (revelation) today?? | Bethel, charismatic extremes and chaos
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE | | How to be filled with the Spirit – through spiritual disciplines, putting ourselves before God, yielding to Him, allowing Him to fill us and shape us / Briefly repeat theological distinction between baptism (Acts 2:4, Romans 6:4, 8:9, once for all) and filling (Eph 5:18, repeated), explain the “delay” in Acts 19, of those who received the Holy Spirit later, and the erroneous basis of the second blessing and tongues mandate
MacArthur 171f
Walvoord, Cole, articles on filling, Whitney, Swindoll, Willard on disciplines
Stanley 96, “weapon on choice,” 203f, Stanley 175, being neutral
Bright, Holy Spirit 98 on Word
Bright, SFL 31f how to be filled, 39f on Word
Chan 129
Swindoll 78-89, 115-127, 138-150 promptings, 169f feelings
Austin Stone, Halim Suh sermon | Church of Highlands, Chris Hodges | HCBC, Tim Hawks 7/20/14 / Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
April 2
Donnie / Title –
Text – “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8)
Other Texts – Acts 1:8, see “power” verses in Acts | Other … Romans 15:13
Theme – EMPOWERED WITNESS. Confidence, boldness, fearlessness, daring
Illustration/Stories –
Application/Next Step/Experience the Word – tie to IMAGE-MISSION | How to have an empowered, confident witness / See “power” verses in Acts, where is the power today? Where is the power in our witness?
MW message – IMAGE series, Acts 4
Stanley 114
Bright SFL 22, 103f empowered witness
Swindoll 30f, 237f power / MW gone to Washington DC
Other elements???
Communion
Corporate prayer
Scripture reading
Special music
Instrumental, meditation
RESOURCES
o Charismatic Chaos – John MacArthur
o Flying Closer to the Flame – Chuck Swindoll
o Forgotten God – Francis Chan
o Strange Fire – John MacArthur
o The Holy Spirit – Bill Bright
o The Joy of Supernatural Living – Bill Bright
o The Power of A Whisper – Bill Hybels
o The Wonderful Spirit-filled Life – Charles Stanley