Spirit of Power

Introduction

Last week: PA started this series - “Fan the Flame”.

He left us last week with a challenge to pursue the baptism of the Holy Spirit; and to seek after Jesus.

We are to lean into his Power, to use the giftings he is equipping you with, all for his glory.

Something God offers to us as a gift (Spirit-baptism), we would be wise to seek!

Today, we’re going to take a step back and see how this applies to our daily lives.

We can see what we are pursuing, but how do we pursue it? How do we fan the flame?

How does one increase the depth of our relationship with Jesus while walking in the giftings he has given us.

How do we fan the flame?

Picture a perfect, cool-night; campfire buzzing and crackling in the distance:

The fire is going strong. Perhaps you curled up under a blanket. You’re comfortable, chatting with those around you.

Eventually the fire dies down. The only options are to let it burn out, to become embers, and eventually ash—or to [let Dotty Harsberger] rekindle, bring fresh oxygen, put on new wood to burn!

PAUL CHALLENGED TIMOTHY TO NOT LET THE FIRE BURN OUT WITH HIM.

As Pastor taught last week Timothy’s lineage of faith stemmed from his mother & Grandmother that paved the way for his own personal faith—but it had to become HIS.

He had to give new oxygen and wood to his own faith.

That includes the giftings and power of operating in the Holy Spirit.

That thought takes us back to the cornerstone verse for this series:

2 Timothy 1:6-7 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Let's examine… >>

Three Questions to Evaluate the Health of His Flame [in Me]?

Ask yourself: >>

1. How is my mind? My mental state?

How is your attitude?

We all get cranky and belligerent every so often (that’s called being human).

But do you find yourself living in that state of anxious reactivity where, instead of calmly entering into a conversation, you tend to force your way on others?

Or perhaps you retreat into silence and let others walk all over you?

Perhaps we need a new, transformed mind instead?

The world we live in feeds anxiety, hopelessness, and lack of purpose/value: social media, news headlines, fast food, capitalism, the secular vision!

If we blindly follow along with the currents of society, our mind will NOT be well.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Paul urges his readers to allow God’s SPIRIT to do some reshuffling in our minds:

What’s most important? What/who is it that we put our trust in on a daily basis? What would Jesus do in this scenario?

What is most healthy for my body—mind—spirit? What isn’t!?

Maybe the way through to a renewed mind is by sharing with a counselor/friend… as you trust God’s Spirit to reveal truth to you?

And then you go and do the next right thing. Part of God’s good plan.

Mentally, a HUGE shift for us is… at some point, acknowledging:

REALIZE: “I NEED GOD’S SPIRIT”!

If we are not looking for him, seeking his help, yearning to hear his voice we can completely miss it.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind applies to us—spiritual blinders.

Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Apostle Paul, in a list of behaviors not befitting a redeemed person, warns about ‘making sad’ or ‘grieving’ the Holy Spirit.

He also warns, in Galatians 2, about ‘frustrating’ the God’s gift of grace!

Here’s the bottom line: there are actions we can take that hinder or distract us from God’s great power—

“I CAN RELY ON GOD’S SPIRIT TO MAKE ME ALIVE AGAIN.”

W/o listening to Him, we live weak and timid lives; finding ourselves struggling to thrive or follow Him.

Another question you can ask to evaluate how impactful the Spirit is in me:

2. “When does Jesus appear in my daily schedule?”

If you’re a Christian, your daily life should look different.

Remember the tv show, “What Not to Wear”?

They used to secretly film a nominee for up to 2 weeks—which is mostly horrifying—but also gives you a pretty powerful perspective…

If you were secretly filmed for the next two weeks would it be evident that you are a follower of Jesus?

Consider your week: where are the points that involve thinking about, praying, to or engaging with Jesus/His church.

Deuteronomy 6:4–6 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”

There are very practical things you can do (as a family) to show that you trust Jesus:

Put God first in your life: Personally, Corporately.

Personally:

Prayer, worship, reading the word, attending Bible Study/Church, Serving a neighbor, a friend, making a meal, volunteering for a ministry, etc.

Tithe 10% from first part of your pay (gross)!

Corporately:

CRA - On first month of the year we fast, First fruits offering, First of the week worship Together, Special Corporate times of prayer, Altar Time

3. Where does prayer and fasting rank in your priority list?

PRAY… AND DON’T GIVE UP. PERSEVERE!

PRAYER is what builds up the other two.

Prayer changes our mind, our attitude, our self awareness. Prayer shifts our priorities. Prayer changes how we build our schedule.

Like Oxygen is necessary for a flame to live, for a fire to survive; Prayer is necessary—to build our fervency, intimacy and dependency on God.

Fast For A Season?!

Imagery of a fire is all throughout the Bible.

God spoke to Moses through the fire of a burning bush. God guided and protected the Israelites through the pillar of fire in the wilderness.

God was the 4th man in the fire, standing with Shadrack, Meshach and Abendigo in the fiery furnace. He was the covering of fire over the tabernacle.

Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

God sent fire onto Mount Carmel to consume Elijah’s altar. God’s words came like fire, shut up in Jeremiah’s bones. God is referred to as the refiner’s fire in numerous places in the bible—one that purifies with flame.

The fire of God refines us; burns up the things that hold us back.

To God be the glory!

Each one of these stories in scripture can represent us.

We have a role to play—God gives us agency, one half of our relationship with Jesus.

But what each story produces, each miracle ultimately gives all the glory to Jesus.

Where is your flame at Today?

When it comes to Interacting with and Pursuing the Spirit in your life,

Are you a burning ember—still alive, but barely holding on? A small candle—steady, but protected and contained?

Or are you pursuing Jesus daily—injecting oxygen, laying fresh wood on the fire; letting the Spirit shape your mind and your schedule?

Because here’s the truth: God supplies the fire—it’s already there. He has simply invited us to tend to it.

Paul didn’t tell Timothy, “Wait and see if the flame grows.” He said, “Fan it.”

That implies intention. Movement. Effort. Partnership.

So here’s our challenge—one clear step this week:

Intentionally fan the flame.

You’re not going to change everything. It won’t be perfect. Just intentionally fan the flame.

Choose one daily moment—ten minutes—to invite the Holy Spirit in.Before your phone. Before your to-do list. Before the noise.

In LBS - ‘God get in my head before I do.”

Pray honestly, even if all you can say is: “Holy Spirit, I need You.”

Fast one thing—a meal, social media, entertainment—for a set time.

Ask one question each day: “Jesus, how do You want to shape my thoughts, my attitude, my response today?”