How to Receive the Spirit

How to Receive the Spirit

Introduction

Sergio’s message last week

Verse 13 — The point of the parable — Jesus teaches us how to receive the Spirit’s power in our lives.

[the] Holy Spirit

Quality of the Spirit

Enablement of the Spirit

What are the Qualities of the Spirit?

He is Holy

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

*Transition* Look in the verse 11, and we’ll see the first condition for receiving the Spirit.

I. Conditions for Receiving the Spirit’s Power

A. Persistent Asking (v11)

Definition — Importunity: Persistence, Boldness

(v9-10) Present tense — We need to continually ask

Ask, seek, knock (v9-10)

Application: When is the last time you spent more than 3 minutes asking for the Spirit’s power in your life?

Jesus shows us the pattern for how this asking should flesh out in our lives.

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Luke 6:12-13 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”

Luke 6:17-19 “And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”

A hard saying

Praying this way = death to self.

We need to be willing to live radical lives to receive the Spirit’s power in our lives.

Illustration: Conversation with Micah

*Transition* In order to expect an answer to our prayers for the Holy Spirit’s power, we need to ask for the Spirit for the purpose for which he was given.

B. Ask for the Spirit based upon the reason he was given.

1. The Holy Spirit is given to enable ministry to unbelievers

Enable to witness with power

Explanation: Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Receiving power preceded witnessing

In acts 4 we see the pattern of persistent, bold asking in connection with receiving the Spirit to witness.

Illustration: Acts 4:29-31

The believers gathered and prayed for boldness and the Spirit filled them and enabled them to witness.

*Transition* Not only do we need to the Spirit’s to enable our ministry to unbelievers, we also need Him to enable our ministry to believers.

2. The Holy Spirit is given to enable ministry to believers.

Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12

For Spiritual gifts in the Church

We were all given them.

1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

For leadership gifts in the Church (Eph 4)

The source of strength for everything God calls us to do

Example: “One another’s”

Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

2 Corinthians 13:12 “Greet one another with an holy kiss.”

3. The Holy Spirit is given to enable our sanctification.

Sanctification: Enablement us to live the Christian life

Gal 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

He makes victory over sin possible.

We need to seek Him and receive the victory by faith.

*Transition* Now that we see the conditions for which we are given the Spirit, let’s look at a major hindrance to receiving His power.

II. The Hindrance to Receiving the Spirit

Acts 8:20-22 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Selfish motives

Conclusion

Persistently, continually, ask

Be willing to be radical and fanatical

Realize your great need for the Spirit and let that drive you to fervent, consistent, persistent unfailing prayer.

Don’t make asking for the Spirit a token thing.

Isaiah 44:3 “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, And floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, And my blessing upon thine offspring:”