Paul in Ephesus

Introduction:

· Poltava, Ukraine: Is there a need for a second Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CANNOT DO FOR US, AND FINALLY WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN DO FOR US.

I) What Does it Mean to Receive The Holy Spirit?

A. A Common Misunderstanding: Christianity is Behavior-Change (vv. 1-3)

i. Setting the Stage (see Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1. Concentric Circles: To the Jews, Samaria, and now, the ends of the earth

2. A Pattern: The Spirit comes to each group, bringing power and change

ii. In Ephesus, Some Only Knew of Repentance without Jesus (vv. 2-4)

1. Unlike Apollos, these men knew John, but not Jesus

2. John taught repentance: just as some see Christianity as the work of trying (Luke

3. EXAMPLE: “Dear Santa, I tried” picture

B. The Holy Spirit Regenerates & Grafts us Into God’s Family (vv. 4-7)

i. The Holy Spirit Regenerates God’s People (vs. 4)

1. Others today see repentance as unnecessary “legalism”

2. John pointed beyond himself to one who makes repentance possible

3. EXAMPLE: Saving Private Ryan: à gratitude made goodness possible

4. These are not “rebaptized” but baptized into Christ (vs. 5)

SO, TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS THAT YOU ARE REGENERATED – YOU ARE BORN AGAIN AS A PERSON CALLED TO LIVE A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE.

II) What Does the Holy Spirit NOT Do for us? (vv. 8-16)

A. A Temptation: Capitalizing On The Power of Jesus

i. The Power of the Holy Spirit Spreads (vv. 8-12)

1. As with the Pentecost Template”, the Power of the Spirit is on the move!

2. The work of the Holy Spirit points to life in the Kingdom of God

ii. Taking advantage of The Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14)

1. Some seek what Jesus can do without anything to do with Jesus

2. EXAMPLE:

a. Trying to manufacture an emotional experience

b. Using Jesus to get what we want (wealth Influence? Conveniences?)

B. Handle With Care: The Holy Spirit Can’t be Manipulated (vv. 15-16)

i. The Tables are Turned: The Spiritual Powers are more dangerous than thought

1. The spirits are ignorant of the 7 sons, thus they see them as no concern

2. APPLICATION: in a materialistic world the spiritual realm is dangerous

ii. The takeaway: We cannot use God for our use

1. Christianity doesn’t give us a formula to make life run well

2. APPLICATION: When you pray, do you use “prayer magic?”

SO, RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS THAT WE ARE MADE NEW CREATURES – BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT CANNOT BE MANIPULATED FOR PERSONAL GAIN; BUT WHAT DOES THIS TEXT SHOW US ABOUT WHAT THE PSIRIT DOES FOR US

III) What Does the Holy Spirit Do For Us? (vv. 17-20)

A. The Holy Spirit Creates a Reverence for God(vs. 17)

i. The Holy Spirit Creates FEAR

1. The response is fear through the land

2. Fear is a deep appreciation for the power, holiness, and majesty of God

ii. The Holy Spirit Creates HONOR

1. At the same time, there is honor, humility, adoration for God

2. EXAMPLE: Grand Canyon

3. APPLICATION: when you think of God and his nature…?

B. The Holy Spirit Stirs us To Repentance (vv. 18-20)

i. The Power of Ephesus (

1. Ephesus was a “has-been” city staying alive by the cult of magic

2. EXAMPLE: Flint, MI

ii. The people renounce what was near to them (vs. 19)

1. A BETTER repentance: Letting go of all that gave them security

2. Repentance is not “sin management” but destroying anything in our life

Transition:

Conclusion

What do you need to rid your life of?