Believe It To See It

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.

I. Introduction

a. Every person has things that they deal with.

b. Every person naturally tries to apply a fix to themselves.

i. Typically, the “fix” we try to apply is the polar opposite of what we know we shouldn’t be doing.

ii. I can only speak for myself, and that is every time I have tried to fix my own issues using my own wisdom (or lack thereof) I end up getting myself deeper than I intended.

1. Talk of getting stuck in the mud and just digging a deeper rut, but finally you reach out for help and someone on solid ground gives you the uplifting that you need to pull you out of that rut.

II. We need something that is higher than us and that is ALWAYS on solid ground!

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

a. We have to come understand there is Power that is “out of this world” when you involve the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of God!

i. The Holy Ghost will give you strength and peace of mind even in the midst of turmoil!

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 7:55 KJV 1900

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

ii. The Holy Ghost will give you JOY!

Romans 14:17 KJV 1900

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Acts 13:52 KJV 1900

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

iii. The Holy Ghost gives you hope when life seems hopeless!

Romans 5:5

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

b. You will find that you WILL NOT be able to attain righteousness by the things that you do, but you will be able to stay away from the old you and the things that you should not be doing through the Holy Ghost!

Titus 3:1–7 KJV 1900

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

i. You do this by building up your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost!

Jude 20 KJV 1900

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

III. Closing

a. Salvation comes through the Holy Ghost!

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

ii. What is the Holy Ghost?

John 14:16–18 KJV 1900

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:26–27 KJV 1900

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God coming to live in your heart.

ii. How do I get the Holy Ghost?

Acts 2:37–40 KJV 1900

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

1. Peter answered:

a. Repent

i. 180* change. Being made sorry.

b. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins.

i. The word “for” means “in order to obtain”

ii. To be baptized means to be completely “immersed” or “dunked under”

c. You shall receive the Holy Ghost!

i. The entrance of the Spirit of God.

2. Jesus taught:

Luke 24:45–47 KJV 1900

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

a. Repentance

b. Remission of sins in His name

c. The promise of the Father

b. Through the Holy Ghost great things begin to happen all around us!

Romans 15:19 KJV 1900

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

c. The power that resides in us will affect those around us as well as ourselves!

Acts 16:23–30 KJV 1900

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?