Walk in the Spirit

Today is Pentecost. The word Pentecost is the Greek word for the Hebrew Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks. Often, when God does something monumental, He has foreshadowed it and has given his people a living picture of what that looks like. Because when you walk with God, he is always showing, He is always teaching. He has been doing that for the whole human race over the centuries. God did that at Pentecost, let me show you what I mean.

Let me take you back to the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus, we learn that God's people were being held captive in slavery to Pharoah in Egypt. God raised up Moses, to lead them out of slavery. God sent plagues upon the country of Egypt to secure the release of His people. In the final plague God sent the angel of death to kill every firstborn man and animal. God told his people to mark the doorpost of their homes with the blood of a lamb, and the angel of death would “pass over” those homes. Pharoah then released God's people.

Let me take you back to the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus, we learn that God's people were being held captive in slavery to Pharoh in Egypt. God raised up Moses, to lead them out. God sent plagues upon the country of Egypt to secure the release of His people. The final plague was the Passover. On the Passover, God sent the angel of death to kill every firstborn man and animal. God told his people to mark the doorpost of their homes with the blood of a lamb, and the angel of death would pass over those homes. Pharoh then released God's people.

After Pharoah released God's people from slavery, they went into the desert. Eventually, they arrive at Mount Sinai. Fifty days after Passover, on Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Law or the Torah. On that day the Nation of Israel was born.

Today is Pentecost. The word Pentecost is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks. Often, when God does something monumental, He has foreshadowed it and has given his people living pictures of what that looks like. Because when you walk with God, he is always showing and always teaching, and he has been doing that for the whole human race over the centuries. God did that at Pentecost, let me show you what I mean.

After Pharoh released God's people from slavery, they went into the desert. Eventually, they arrive at Mount Sinai. Fifty days after Passover, on Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Law or the Torah. On that day the Nation of Israel was born.

The Jews Mark this day as the Feast of Weeks, and it is also the harvest festival. Now, look at Passover approximately 33 AD.

After Pharoh released God's people from slavery, they went into the desert. Eventually, they arrive at Mount Sinai. Fifty days after Passover, on Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Law or the Torah. On that day the Nation of Israel was born.

The Jews Mark this day as the Feast of Weeks, and it is also the harvest festival. Now, fast forward to Passover approximately 33 AD.

Jesus Christ was crucified, died and buried, on Passover to set us free from slavery to sin. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven. His last set of instructions to the disciples was to remain in Jerusalem until “the Holy Spirit Comes on you with power.” The disciples waited in Jerusalem. Ten days passed, and it was the Shavuot or the feast of weeks, or in Greek Pentecost. So Jews came from all over the countryside to celebrate the giving of the law and to commemorate the birth of the country of Israel.

The Jews Mark this day as the Feast of Weeks, and it is also the harvest festival. Now, fast forward to Passover approximately 33 AD.

Let me take you back to the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus, we learn that God's people were being held captive in slavery to Pharoh in Egypt. God raised up Moses, to lead them out. God sent plagues upon the country of Egypt to secure the release of His people. The final plague was the Passover. On the Passover, God sent the angel of death to kill every firstborn man and animal. God told his people to mark the doorpost of their homes with the blood of a lamb, and the angel of death would pass over those homes. Pharoh then released God's people.

Then as recorded in Acts chapter 2, on that day, the Holy Spirit comes on them with power. The whole room shakes, a mighty wind blows, tongues of fire descend, all the people can understand them in their native language, and Peter preaches the gospel and 3,000 people get saved. Now, instead of the birth of the Nation through the law, the Church is born, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was crucified, died and buried, on Passover to set us free from slavery to sin. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven. His last set of instructions to the disciples was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit Comes on you with power. The disciples waited in Jerusalem. Ten days passed and then it would be the feast of weeks. So Jews came from all over the countryside to celebrate the giving of the law and to commemorate the birth of the Nation.

Still, to this day, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Birth of the Nation, and the giving of the law. Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the Church, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was crucified, died and buried, on Passover to set us free from slavery to sin. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven. His last set of instructions to the disciples was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit Comes on you with power. The disciples waited in Jerusalem. Ten days passed and then it would be the feast of weeks. So Jews came from all over the countryside to celebrate the giving of the law and to commemorate the birth of the Nation.

Then as recorded in Acts chapter 2, on that day, the Holy Spirit comes on them with power. The whole room shakes, a mighty wind blows through, Peter preaches the gospel, and 3,000 people get saved. Now, instead of the birth of the Nation through the law, the church is born, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:2 NIV

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

After Pharoh released God's people from slavery, they went into the desert. Eventually, they arrive at Mount Sinai. Fifty days after Passover, on Mount Sinai, God gave his people the Law or the Torah. On that day the Nation of Israel was born.

Then as recorded in Acts chapter 2, on that day, the Holy Spirit comes on them with power. The whole room shakes, a mighty wind blows through, Peter preaches the gospel, and 3,000 people get saved. Now, instead of the birth of the Nation through the law, the church is born, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Still, to this day, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Birth of the Nation, and the giving of the law. Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the Church, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Today, one way we celebrated Pentecost is by having a confirmation or a public profession of faith. We talked about two parts of the faith process, first a knowledge of the facts of the faith, this recognition of completion was held two weeks ago. We called that a head knowledge, and then we talked about an action required to bring that head knowledge into heart knowledge. And we celebrated that as a profession of faith, as the knowledge is put into the action of trying to live a life with Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Here is an old illustration and perhaps a bit cliche, but it works. Suppose you have a high wire stretched across a canyon and an experienced high-wire artist with a wheelbarrow. Now, he may tell you that he has the skill to take the wheelbarrow across the high wire to the other side of the canyon. He may even have an eyewitness testimony to this event.You may even believe that he can do this. You can say that you have the knowledge that he has the capability to do this. And you can sit right there and watch him do it.

Still, to this day, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Birth of the Nation, and the giving of the law. Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the Church, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

The Jews Mark this day as the Feast of Weeks, and it is also the harvest festival. Now, fast forward to Passover approximately 33 AD.

Faith, on the other hand, is your willingness to get in the wheelbarrow.

That idea is one aspect of what Paul is praying here in .

Today, one way we celebrate Pentecost is by having a confirmation or a public profession of faith. We talked about two parts to the faith process, a knowledge of the facts of the faith, and we called that a head knowledge, and then we talked about an action required to bring that head knowledge into heart knowledge.

, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

Ephesians 3:17–19 NIV

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Jesus Christ was crucified, died and buried, on Passover to set us free from slavery to sin. Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven. His last set of instructions to the disciples was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit Comes on you with power. The disciples waited in Jerusalem. Ten days passed and then it would be the feast of weeks. So Jews came from all over the countryside to celebrate the giving of the law and to commemorate the birth of the Nation.

Here is an old illustration and perhaps a bit cliche, but it works. Suppose you have a high wire stretched across a canyon and an experienced high-wire artist with a wheelbarrow. Now, he may tell me that he has the skill to take the wheelbarrow across the high wire to the other side of the canyon. He may story, and even eyewitness testimony to this event. I may even believe that he can do this. You can say that I have the knowledge that he has the capability to do this. Faith, on the other hand, is my willingness to get in the wheelbarrow.

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Today, one way we celebrate Pentecost is by having a confirmation or a public profession of faith. We talked about two parts to the faith process, a knowledge of the facts of the faith, and we called that a head knowledge, and then we talked about an action required to bring that head knowledge into heart knowledge.

These 2 senses of knowledge appears to be what Paul is getting at here in our Ephesians passage.

Here is an old illustration and perhaps a bit cliche, but it works. Suppose you have a high wire stretched across a canyon and an experienced high-wire artist with a wheelbarrow. Now, he may tell me that he has the skill to take the wheelbarrow across the high wire to the other side of the canyon. He may story, and even eyewitness testimony to this event. I may even believe that he can do this. You can say that I have the knowledge that he has the capability to do this. Faith, on the other hand, is my willingness to get in the wheelbarrow.

So, what is Paul praying here. He is praying that the Church at Ephesus, being rooted and established in love, may have Power. Not just them, but also all the Christians everywhere, that is you and me. That we may have power given to us by Holy Spirit for 2 reasons.

Then as recorded in Acts chapter 2, on that day, the Holy Spirit comes on them with power. The whole room shakes, a mighty wind blows through, Peter preaches the gospel, and 3,000 people get saved. Now, instead of the birth of the Nation through the law, the church is born, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(NIV)

1 To Grasp and 2 to know.

These 2 senses of knowledge appears to be what Paul is getting at here in our Ephesians passage.

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul prays that the Holy Spirit may provide all Christians the ability to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Still, to this day, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Weeks, the Birth of the Nation, and the giving of the law. Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the Church, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

(NIV)

The ancient church father St. Augstine believed Paul was speaking directly about the cross. A direct word picture if you will. The cross extending down into the earth and up toward the heaven and Jesus with his arms outstretched across the crossbar extending wide.

Later on, commentators thought Paul was less concrete and there was a bit more to it than that. Around the time of the Reformation, commentators thought Paul was talking about the love of God extending down from heaven to the very depths of sinful men, reaching deep into their dark hearts. They saw the love of Christ extending before time to began, and extending forward for eternity, removing men's sins from them.

This is similar to what is found in and you may recognize this because we even sing these words sometimes.

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Psalm 103:11–12 NIV

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

So, what is Paul praying here. He is praying that the Church at Ephesus, being rooted and established in love may have Power , along with all the Christians everywhere, may have power given to them by Holy Spirit for 2 reasons. 1 To Grasp and 2 to know.

, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

The first part to grasp.

so great is his love for those who fear him;

Paul prays that the Holy Spirit may provide all Christians the ability to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

12 as far as the east is from the west,

Today, one way we celebrate Pentecost is by having a confirmation or a public profession of faith. We talked about two parts to the faith process, a knowledge of the facts of the faith, and we called that a head knowledge, and then we talked about an action required to bring that head knowledge into heart knowledge.

So, what is Paul praying here. He is praying that the Church at Ephesus, being rooted and established in love may have Power , along with all the Christians everywhere, may have power given to them by Holy Spirit for 2 reasons. 1 To Grasp and 2 to know.

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

The ancient church father St. Augstine believed Paul was speaking directly about the cross. The cross extending down into the earth and up toward the heaven and Jesus with his arms outstretched wide. Later on, commentators no longer believed Paul was speaking literally of the cross. Later on around the time of the Reformation commentators thought Paul was talking about the love of God extending down from heaven to the very depths of sinful men deep into their dark hearts, and extending before time to began and forward to all eternity, removing men's sins from them, not unlike

The first part to grasp.

You may even recognize that as lyrics we often sing.

Here is an old illustration and perhaps a bit cliche, but it works. Suppose you have a high wire stretched across a canyon and an experienced high-wire artist with a wheelbarrow. Now, he may tell me that he has the skill to take the wheelbarrow across the high wire to the other side of the canyon. He may story, and even eyewitness testimony to this event. I may even believe that he can do this. You can say that I have the knowledge that he has the capability to do this. Faith, on the other hand, is my willingness to get in the wheelbarrow.

, and we even sing this sometimes

Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit will provide the ability for us to understand, the ability for us to grasp the knowledge of God's love for us. We need the Holy Spirit to be able to give us a right picture of God. A full picture of God. The real picture of God, not the picture we want God to be.

Paul prays that the Holy Spirit may provide all Christians the ability to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

We can start with what we can see. We can look around and see the beauty of the planet and the wonders of humans, and animals, and we can grasp that there must be someone greater than ourselves responsible for all that we see, but without the Holy Spirit we are left short. Job talked about this.

Job 11:7–9 NIV

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

,

The ancient church father St. Augstine believed Paul was speaking directly about the cross. The cross extending down into the earth and up toward the heaven and Jesus with his arms outstretched wide. Later on, commentators no longer believed Paul was speaking literally of the cross. Later on around the time of the Reformation commentators thought Paul was talking about the love of God extending down from heaven to the very depths of sinful men deep into their dark hearts, and extending before time to began and forward to all eternity, removing men's sins from them, not unlike

These 2 senses of knowledge appears to be what Paul is getting at here in our Ephesians passage.

7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

so great is his love for those who fear him;

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

, and we even sing this sometimes

12 as far as the east is from the west,

8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?

(NIV)

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?

9 Their measure is longer than the earth

You may even recognize that as lyrics we often sing.

so great is his love for those who fear him;

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

and wider than the sea.

Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit will provide the ability for us to understand, to grasp to have knowledge of God's love for us. We need the Holy Spirit to be able to give us a picture of God. A full picture of God. I mean we can start with what we can see and we can look around us and see the beauty of the planet and the wonders of people, and we can grasp that there must be someone responsible for what we see, but without the Holy Spirit we are left short. Like Job said.

12 as far as the east is from the west,

While we learn about God from creation, we are left with a with an incomplete version of God. You here this sometimes from people. I experience God in nature. Well, maybe you experience some of God in nature, but without a fuller picture of the character of God, you cannot experience his his full love.

We also learn about the character of God in other ways. We talked about the feast of weeks, the feast of the celebrating the giving of the law. God gave the law to show mankind his holiness. To show man his character. He gave us the 10 commandments to show us how He expects us to live. Unless we are convicted by the Holy Spirit the 10 commandments stay written on stone, not on our hearts. They become just another monument to look at, and remove when we grow weary of them.

,

In John chapter 14, Jesus told us a bit about the Holy Spirit teaching us things.

Jesus took those commandments, and during the sermon on the mount, he showed us how to follow them. He pointed out that If we even look lustfully at women, we have committed Adultery in our heart. He pointed out that when we are angry with one another with have committed murder in our hearts.

John 14

John 14:26 NIV

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit would come, He would convict us of sin.

7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

You may even recognize that as lyrics we often sing.

John 16:8 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

So, what is Paul praying here. He is praying that the Church at Ephesus, being rooted and established in love may have Power , along with all the Christians everywhere, may have power given to them by Holy Spirit for 2 reasons. 1 To Grasp and 2 to know.

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit will provide the ability for us to understand, to grasp to have knowledge of God's love for us. We need the Holy Spirit to be able to give us a picture of God. A full picture of God. I mean we can start with what we can see and we can look around us and see the beauty of the planet and the wonders of people, and we can grasp that there must be someone responsible for what we see, but without the Holy Spirit we are left short. Like Job said.

8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?

Jesus a further revelation of God took those commandments, and during the sermon on the mount, he opened them up. Jesus said that we God didn’t only expect us to follow them outwardly, but God expected us to follow them inwardly also. Jesus said that if we even look lustfully at women, we have committed Adultery in our heart. He said, that when we are angry with one another with have committed murder in our hearts.

The first part to grasp.

Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit would come, He would convict us of sin.

John 16:8 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp this understanding that the God of the Universe is a holy God, and we are not. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that God demands holiness from us, and we are dark sinners. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand that no matter how hard we try, again and again and again, we still fall short and we are not Holy. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that even though we are drunkards, and fornicators and liars and thieves, the love of Jesus Christ still comes to us. Jesus Christ still paid the price for our sins suffering the wrath of the Holy Mighty and just God in our place.

But once we are convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit God has brought us to a place to be able to move into faith. But we cannot just sit there we must do something. God demands that we place our faith in Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of those sins. He is asking us to get into the wheel barrow. He is asking us to trust in Jesus, so that we can experience Christ’s love.

,

Paul prays for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us be able to KNOW Christ’s love, not just understand it. Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will provide us with the power to experience Christ’s love.

They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?

Ephesians 3:19 NIV

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

9 Their measure is longer than the earth

7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Paul prays that the Holy Spirit may provide all Christians the ability to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

"to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

and wider than the sea.

Paul's prayer was first to grasp it, think of the head knowledge again, now he wants us to KNOW this love, not just hear about it but to experience it.

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

While we learn about God from creation, we also learn about the character of God in other ways. We talked about the feast of weeks, the feast of the celebrating the giving of the law. God gave the law to show mankind his holiness. He gave us the 10 commandments to show us how He expects us to live. But unless we follow the Holy Spirit's conviction they become just another monument to be removed, from just another courthouse.

What is like to experience the love of Christ? You experience the Love of Christ continually during your Christian walk. You don't experience it once, and then it's done. You don’t taste the love of Christ, and then sit back and say, “Wow that was great when I got saved, man that was something, oh well I'm done now, time force myself to do my devotions, and read my bible. Maybe, I had better show up for church now and again.”

The ancient church father St. Augstine believed Paul was speaking directly about the cross. The cross extending down into the earth and up toward the heaven and Jesus with his arms outstretched wide. Later on, commentators no longer believed Paul was speaking literally of the cross. Later on around the time of the Reformation commentators thought Paul was talking about the love of God extending down from heaven to the very depths of sinful men deep into their dark hearts, and extending before time to began and forward to all eternity, removing men's sins from them, not unlike

Experiencing the Love of Christ is not a drudgery, experiencing love is real, and joyful, and exciting.

8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?

, 35 through 39, this is also on your bulletin cover, and incidentally, our confirmands favorite verse.

Romans 8:35–39 NIV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No, to KNOW, TO EXPERIENCE the Love of Christ is to walk continually in that love.

Jesus took those commandments, and during the sermon on the mount, he showed us how to follow them. He pointed out that If we even look lustfully at women, we have committed Adultery in our heart. He pointed out that when we are angry with one another with have committed murder in our hearts.

God pushes us to a faith point, and then we are expected to go on. He brings us to point, where we have grasped the knowledge, but then we are at a point where we have to make some sort of assent to that faith. We have to move. We have to do something. Then we experience God's love as he works out our faith in us.

It first starts when we become born again.When we hear the gospel, we are grasping the knowledge of salvation, the knowledge that we are not Holy, and we are apart from God. Then we have to turn from our sins and begin to live with Jesus as our Lord. Then at that moment, we are experiencing the Love of Christ. We experience that love at first, but that is only the beginning.

When we hear the gospel, we are grasping the knowledge of salvation, the knowledge that we are not Holy, and we are apart from God. Then we have to turn from our sins and begin to live with Jesus as our Lord. Then at that moment, we are experiencing the Love of Christ.

They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?

Jesu promised that the Holy Spirit would convict us of those sins.

, and we even sing this sometimes

We don't just sit still. We grasp more knowledge of the love of Christ; the Holy Spirit helps us to grasp it, then we move in a direction that allows us to die to another part of ourselves, and we experience the love of Christ more.

9 Their measure is longer than the earth

This process is different for every one of us here. It is different because we began a personal relationship. The walk of faith is a little different for each of us yet we each have similar experiences.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

Someone here might be struggling with a certain sin. They may come to the understanding that they need to get rid of that sin in their life. God has brought them to that point, but now they have to take the step of faith to walk in step with the spirit. They have to move to be free from that sin in some way. Maybe through finding someone to help, definitely through prayer, and definitely through God’s word.

and wider than the sea.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

Maybe God is calling someone else to share their faith. Maybe he is calling another to pray, and another to teach, and another to invite someone to church, and another to Bible study. Maybe it is to embrace a new lifestyle, trusting in the Lord for his wisdom and leadership.

Whatever it is for you, God has brought you to the place, and then he waits, he waits and asks you to take the faith action. He waits for you to get in the wheel barrow, and go with him. When we do that, we move from just grasping to experiencing.

God shows up. He shows up mightily, and he shows up unique to your circumstance.

But when the Holy Spirit begins to work we see things differently. We begin to understand and learn more about God. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp this understanding that the God of the Universe is a holy God, and we are not. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that God demands holiness from us, and we are dark sinners. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand that no matter how hard we try, again and again and again, we still fall short and we are not Holy. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that even though we are drunkards, and fornicators and liars and thieves, the love of Jesus Christ still comes to us. Jesus Christ still paid the price for our sins suffering the wrath of the Holy Mighty and just God in our place.

While we learn about God from creation, we also learn about the character of God in other ways. We talked about the feast of weeks, the feast of the celebrating the giving of the law. God gave the law to show mankind his holiness. He gave us the 10 commandments to show us how He expects us to live. But unless we follow the Holy Spirit's conviction they become just another monument to be removed, from just another courthouse.

When you get on your knees repenting for your secret sin, he may provide a brother to walk alongside of you. You may realize that Christ loves you so much that he wants to get that sin out of your life, not to spoil your fun, but so that you can experience more of Him.

so great is his love for those who fear him;

When you trust Jesus with your life decisions, he may give you the wisdom and peace, and the courage for the tough decision you need to make, so that you may know him more. You get to experience the fact that cares for each and everyone us.

When the person who needs to step out in faith and shares the gospel, they may find that it was just what that person needed to hear. And the person invited to church might just come.

And although maybe we grasp that we still are not fully experiencing that unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit, so Paul prays for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us be able to KNOW that.

The point is when you walk with the spirit of God, you experience the love of Christ in your life.

Jesus took those commandments, and during the sermon on the mount, he showed us how to follow them. He pointed out that If we even look lustfully at women, we have committed Adultery in our heart. He pointed out that when we are angry with one another with have committed murder in our hearts.

Genesis 13:8–13 NIV

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

Gen 13

Genesis 13:8–18 NIV

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.

Gen 1

And I pray that we together with all the saints,

may have power, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Jesu promised that the Holy Spirit would convict us of those sins.

12 as far as the east is from the west,

Amen

"to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Paul's prayer was first to grasp it, think of the head knowledge again, now he wants us to KNOW this love, not just hear about it but to experience it.

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

What is like to experience the love of Christ? You experience the Love of Christ continually during your cChristian walk. You don't experience it once, and then it's done, and then you sit back and say, Wow that was great when I got saved, man that was something, oh well I'm done now, time force myself to do my devotions, and read ny bible. Maybe, I had better show up for church now and again.

But when the Holy Spirit begins to work we see things differently. We begin to understand and learn more about God. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp this understanding that the God of the Universe is a holy God, and we are not. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that God demands holiness from us, and we are dark sinners. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand that no matter how hard we try, again and again and again, we still fall short and we are not Holy. The Holy Spirit helps us to grasp that even though we are drunkards, and fornicators and liars and thieves, the love of Jesus Christ still comes to us. Jesus Christ still paid the price for our sins suffering the wrath of the Holy Mighty and just God in our place.

You may even recognize that as lyrics we often sing.

No, to KNOW, TO EXPERIENCE the Love of Christ is walk continually in that love. GOd pushes us to a faith point, and then we are expected to go on. He brings us to point, we have grasped the knowledge, but then we are at a point where we have to make some sort of assent to the faith, we have to move, we have to do something, then we experience God's love as he works out our faith in us.

And although maybe we grasp that we still are not fully experiencing that unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit, so Paul prays for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us be able to KNOW that.

Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit will provide the ability for us to understand, to grasp to have knowledge of God's love for us. We need the Holy Spirit to be able to give us a picture of God. A full picture of God. I mean we can start with what we can see and we can look around us and see the beauty of the planet and the wonders of people, and we can grasp that there must be someone responsible for what we see, but without the Holy Spirit we are left short. Like Job said.

"to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

,

Paul's prayer was first to grasp it, think of the head knowledge again, now he wants us to KNOW this love, not just hear about it but to experience it.

7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

What is like to experience the love of Christ? You experience the Love of Christ continually during your cChristian walk. You don't experience it once, and then it's done, and then you sit back and say, Wow that was great when I got saved, man that was something, oh well I'm done now, time force myself to do my devotions, and read ny bible. Maybe, I had better show up for church now and again.

No, to KNOW, TO EXPERIENCE the Love of Christ is walk continually in that love. God pushes us to a faith point, and then we are expected to go on. He brings us to point, we have grasped the knowledge, but then we are at a point where we have to make some sort of assent to the faith, we have to move, we have to do something, then we experience God's love as he works out our faith in us.

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?

They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?

9 Their measure is longer than the earth

and wider than the sea.

Walk in the Spirit

To Grasp

To Know

To Know