When you need to Encountering the Holy Spirit

Introduction - Emotional connection

Good Morning Everyone, I am Nick Mersereau. I go to school at FBCI, I am a junior and I am majoring in Pastoral Theology

Prayer

Lord Thank You! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share your word with your people. Let everyone have an encounter with you today. Let each of them leave changed. What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Introduction

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Acts 2:1-8

When the people who were in the upper room they encounter God in a powerful way. People nowadays are not willing to push aside sinful ways to encounter God in a new way. I am not saying that you can not encounter God with sin in your life but you are able to get closer with God. Everyday people go throughout their day without being empowered. Without Christ we are nothing. People running through their lives with no vision It would be considered pride against God.

For Healing is when you need to encounter Jesus

Many need to encounter the Holy Spirit for healing. Many are born with issues and some fall ill throughout their lives but some need to be healed. Jesus came to give eternal salvation. Jesus did many healings throughout his ministry and even now Jesus through his spirit is healing people. Just one touch from Jesus can change your whole life. Jesus changed my life through a different type of healing. He healed my life from the sin that entangled me that held me down. I heard a story when I was at whited bible camp that place has healing in its ground. God spirit does favor that place. A kid when to whited bible camp they had cerebral palsy they were prayed over the night before in the morning she noticed that she had the ability to walk. After that she ran around all day playing doing all the things she could not do before. After awhile she noticed he legs were not working again. She was brought to the hospital. The doctors found out that she had run so much she actually broken her legs. That is the power of God healing with just one touch. See if we do not seek encounters with God there would be no change.

how to bring the holy spirit with you

Scripture

“17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Co 5:17.”

“And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” Hebrew 6:11-1

How to get God to hear you

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:24

When you need Prophecy

Back in times of the old covenant there was only one way to hear the voice of God to get prophesied for. It would be a specific person who was chosen by God. Since the day of Pentecost God has pour out his spirit on all flesh as told about in the book of Joel. Prophecy is now easier to come by

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up” 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Many can be give the gift of prophecy but not many actually seek the gifts of the spirit. As a Christian we are called to a level of radicalism. As Christian we can be on the sideline allowing life to pass us by. Not all are called for the work of the ministry like a pastor but God equips all of us to be able to do the work he has for us. Just because you are a business man does not mean you are not able to prophecy.

Prophecy is needed for the church it helps build up the church. The church is the people not a building. If all churches were destroyed what would happen to Christianity? We got a glimpse of what it would look during the covid pandemic. Many stopped attending but why? Many do not know why they go to church. They attend because they know that is what Christians do. This is why prophecy is needed. God speaking to his people to build up and encourage them.

Prophecy allows us to access God through his word. Just like Jeremiah was called in

Jeremiah 1:4-10 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

When you have a Spiritual Hunger

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Mt 5:6.

Hunger in the kingdom of God it is not like our hunger that we have here. What happens if you go to an all you can eat buffet can you get through all of that food that is before? Many could not conquer this fet. Hunger in the kingdom of God looks like you are able to get food from the Lord but the more you eat of God, the more you desire God the more hungry you will become.

Peter was hungry for God after he deny him. This made his encounter with Jesus the second time just the more powerful moment in his life.

If you wish to dive deeper into a new revelation of Christ, they need to be hunger for the things of the kingdom.

Those who hunger and thirst for God will want to spend time with God. God will become the priority. People who yearn for God will go to the prayer meetings get filled and even be satisfied with what they obtained during those meetings. The true hunger is when they leave the meeting and get home saying “Lord fill me I just need for of you”

When you need Encouragement

Encouragement is such an important part of Christianity. Encouragement is what pushes us forward into the things he has for us. Many can up getting stuck in the mud of becoming content with where you are now. Now I am not saying people are not going after God but I bet someone is not exactly where they need to be but they should allow this message be a sign of God coming to encourage them today.

People need people who will come beside us and encourage. A man in the bible named Barnabas. After encounter Jesus He become the son of encourage. My son of encouragement for my life was my friend named Micah. I want to share a bit of my testimony when I was about 19 years old I was smoking weed throughout the day after running because of doubt that I experienced about my calling. I ran from God and did what anyone who needs to be in the ministry would do I went to college for psychology. We a group from FBCI came to my church in Connecticut for impact which is a 10 day event where students go down to help and give to the pastor as they pour into them. I was wayward in my sin unsure of who I was and who I would become. My Barnabas came to me that day to encourage me. Micah had told me that “you never know what door God will open”

I was at a church service and song surrounded came on and in the song it says that it might look like I am surrounded by I am surrounded by you

It reminded me of the moment in

2 kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

I went to the campus days at the school. the school experience a power outage which left it dark in the chapel but the chapel continued. I was in prayer seeking God the Lord sent me encouragement through vision. The Lord showed me things that I was called to do but in that moment it gave me a hope for the future.

When you have Doubts

God wants us to have faith not only in salvation but for everything in life such as finances and allowing the lord to take over on our lives. doubt is what stop us from believing in what God said. Satan has been whispering in the ears of humans since we have existed. Human struggle with the doubt because we ourselves are not certain of the future. Jesus is able to help us in our doubt like he did with Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” john 20:24-28

I had doubts about God. I grew in church but I had never had an experience that changed my life for a long time. I had one when I was about 12 when I gave my life to christ after that I did not encounter Jesus much because I had always grown up believing we pray but the only time you experience God was on Sunday. Until one day when I was at adult camp when they began a prayer line for the filling of the spirit. I did not want to go up so badly that I actually went to the bathroom by that time that spot in line was actually right at the front. I joined them and my twin was in front of me. While he was getting prayed for he told me this later that one of the guys who were praying for him said “if you do not surrender to the will of God that he would work construction for the rest of his life” My twin and both work construction over the summer with my father. Then Bang he was on the floor. That changed his life

I was up to be prayed for he called me up he said “God is going to do something different through you” In that moment I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. He made Sam and I stay and prayer for everyone who continued in the line. He said that we would be doing this someday

Later I began to have doubt if God was real I only experience the power of God. But I was living by my own plan and it was going no where.

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” Proverb 29:18

I was at the end of my ropes as a man. I realized I could not do anything in my own power. I got on my knees as I was in sherwin williams in the back putting away a truck load. my car had so many issues with that I had dropped $2000 into the car that was money I did not have already. Then It turns out it had a new issue. That would run over $1000 more. I hated the way my life was turning out so I got on my knees in a pallet I looked up. I said “Lord I do not know if it is possible but can I have your will for my life”

for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable Romans 11:29

When there is a need for Redemption

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. John 13:36-38

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:15-19

God gave me redemption he can bring that to others to. Today I want people to also experience redemption

Alter Call

As I was told to do through prophecy I want to continue with that.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

I want us to come encounter Jesus today if you are feel lead or feeling something uncomfortable. Maybe God is calling you out of your comfort zone. I will tell the quote my buddy Micah said to me when I signed up for Bible College “You never know what door God wants to open”

After thoughts

I think might be for someone here. Maybe someone is unsure of why the return of Christ has not happened. I woke from my sleep the other night. The Lord put this in my spirit. The reason God has not returned because his will is for none to perish. God is not slow as one would think but he is patience so that every man comes to repentance. Think of God like a baker. When making a cake you do not just throw the ingredients in but there are step you have to follow. Same thing with Christ he is following the recipe that for the end times.