Holy Spirit: Receive

HOOK

Best way to receive a gift?

TENSION

What does it look like to Receive the Holy Spirit?

SCRIPTURE

As mentioned last week, you already have the Spirit when you were saved!

He is the reason you can be saved! He’s the reason that you pray and worship!

1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

Today we’re talking about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? What does that look like?

John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Argue that this is more symbolic, and they don’t receive it until later…

Because they are told as we read last week to GO to JERUSALEM and WAIT the GIFT from the LORD!

Acts 2:1–4 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

It’s this MOMENT that is CALLED BAPTISM in the SPIRIT. It’s a SEPERATE MOMENT after our SALVATION where we are IMMERSED in the SPIRIT of GOD. It BRINGS POWER, like we talked about last night!

But it also brings…curious what it menas to speak in tongues!

PROCLAMATION!

Acts 2:5–7 “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?”

The tongues they received were not about them, or a badge of honour - but for the PROCLAMATION of the GOSPEL!

Speaking in TONGUES is considered “the INITIAL EVIDENCE” of SPIRIT BAPTISM!

So when you are BAPTISED in the SPIRIT you will speak in tongues, as the SPIRIT prompts you!

How do we do this? Some important notes!

SPIRIT BAPTISM IS FOR YOU (and everyone).

Acts 2:17 ““ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

Don’t disqualify yourself! No matter the age, the Spirit Baptism if for you!

SPIRIT BAPTISM IS A GIFT (you can’t earn it).

Jesus says it’s a gift that the father gives!

it is not something we can earn. And so as you go through life it’s not about spiritual level or maturity.

SPIRIT BAPTISM IS A PARTNERSHIP (you have to be open!)

With that said, it is still something we can ask for!

God does not baptize us against our will! If we aren’t open or receptive to it, it won’t happen.

But when we walk open to whatever the spirit wants to do in our lives, we are open to this as a new dynamic in our faith!

And finnally, our main point…

MAIN POINT

We seek the GIVER, not the GIFT.

It isn’t about this linear path, or a badge of honour that we get to wear.

It’s about PROXIMITY and INTIMACY with God! That as you get closer to God, you are OPEN to wherever he leads you! \And that as you get close and seek GOD, who is the gift giver, then he will be faithful in his time to bless you with the gift!

RESPONSE

Holy Spirit you are Welcome Here!