The Holy Spirit In The Church, Part B

Introduction

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Acts 5:1–11 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Acts 5:1–5 ESV

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Acts 4:29–31 ESV

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

John 7:38 ESV

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

Part 3A - we talked about the Holy Spirit as the Helper of the believers in Christian walk, and how the church was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Part 3A - we talked about the Holy Spirit as the Helper of the believers in Christian walk, and how the church was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Part 3B - we will talk about the characteristics of Spirit-filled church and the awesome Presence of God

Characteristics of a Spirit-Filled Church

1.) Powerful witnessing

The church was birthed in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost when they were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, they received the power promised by the Lord ten days earlier.

- you will receive power

- they spoke in other tongues

- they boldly proclaimed the risen Christ

WHAT’S THE POINT?

A POWERLESS CHURCH IS CONTENTED IN PREACHING THE FEEL-GOOD SERMONS.

A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH ESTABLISHES ITS PEOPLE IN THE DOCTRINES.

2.) Generosity among believers

The early church manifested generosity as soon as it was birthed in Acts.

- they had all things in common

SHARING was common practice in the early church

- Peter gave the leper what money cannot buy, his healing.

Peter’s generosity paved the way for a miracle!

Generosity is NOT CONFINED TO GIVING MONEY!

- they had everything in common; no one lacked; Joseph Barnabas exemplified generosity

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING LEADS TO UNION OF HEART AND SOUL

UNION OF HEART AND SOUL LEADS TO COMMUNITY SHARING.

- Ananias and Sapphira’s lies against the Spirit of God was exposed

3.) Spirit-filled workers

3.) Spirit-filled workers

The early church produced servant-leaders

- the apostles asked for men who can serve the tables

WHAT’S THE POINT?

THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH HAS NO LACK IN SPIRIT-FILLED MEN

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING LEADS TO GENUINE SERVICE

SPIRIT-FILLED SERVANTS ARE NOT CONFINED TO SERVING THE TABLES

- Stephen became the first martyr

he did great wonders and signs - first for a non-apostle believer

they could withstand his wisdom and Spirit

- he saw the glory of God in a vision

- Philip evangelizes Samaria

he demonstrated signs of casting out demons and healing people

- a eunuch was converted

Philip was “raptured” after the baptism

- Ananias of Damascus prays over Saul the persecutor

4.) A Church for all people

The early church learned to receive and welcome people from all walks of life

- Samaria received the Gospel

- a eunuch was converted

- Saul was converted

- Cornelius was converted

- Antioch church was born

WHAT’S THE POINT?

A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE PEOPLE.

A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH WANTS TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

5.) Mission works

The early church sent men to bring the gospel to places beyond their homes.

The death of Stephen and James in Jerusalem marked the beginning of the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem.

Later on, Antioch became the home base for missionaries that spread the gospel all over the Roman empire.

First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Council (Paul and Barnabas)

• —From Syrian Antioch to Cyprus

• —Pisidian Antioch

• —Iconium, Lystra, Derbe (and back to Syrian Antioch)

• —Council in Jerusalem affirms the Gentile mission

Second Missionary Journey (Paul, Silas, and Timothy)

• —Paul and Barnabas part ways in Syrian Antioch

• —Paul travels west (via Derbe, Lystra, Galatia, Phrygia) to Troas

• —Philippi; earthquake frees Paul and Silas from jail

• —Thessalonica, Berea

• —Athens; Paul preaches the gospel at the Areopagus

• —Corinth

• —Paul returns to Syrian Antioch (via Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem)

Third Missionary Journey (Paul, Timothy)

• —From Syrian Antioch to Ephesus (via Galatia, Phrygia)

• —Side note about Apollos in Ephesus and Achaia

• —Ephesus; Paul’s preaching sparks a riot

• —Through Macedonia to Greece; back through Macedonia to Troas

• —Troas; Paul raises Eutychus from the dead

• —Voyage to Miletus and farewell to the Ephesian elders

• —Journey from Miletus to Jerusalem (via Tyre, Caesarea)

The Lexham Bible Dictionary First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Council (Paul and Barnabas)

First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Council (Paul and Barnabas)

• 13:1–12—From Syrian Antioch to Cyprus

• 13:13–52—Pisidian Antioch

• 14:1–28—Iconium, Lystra, Derbe (and back to Syrian Antioch)

• 15:1–35—Council in Jerusalem affirms the Gentile mission

Second Missionary Journey (Paul, Silas, and Timothy)

• 15:36–41—Paul and Barnabas part ways in Syrian Antioch

• 16:1–10—Paul travels west (via Derbe, Lystra, Galatia, Phrygia) to Troas

• 16:11–40—Philippi; earthquake frees Paul and Silas from jail

• 17:1–15—Thessalonica, Berea

• 17:16–34—Athens; Paul preaches the gospel at the Areopagus

• 18:1–17—Corinth

• 18:18–22—Paul returns to Syrian Antioch (via Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem)

Third Missionary Journey (Paul, Timothy)

• 18:23–19:40—From Syrian Antioch to Ephesus (via Galatia, Phrygia)

• 18:24–28—Side note about Apollos in Ephesus and Achaia

• 19:1–41—Ephesus; Paul’s preaching sparks a riot

• 20:1–6—Through Macedonia to Greece; back through Macedonia to Troas

• 20:7–12—Troas; Paul raises Eutychus from the dead

• 20:13–38—Voyage to Miletus and farewell to the Ephesian elders

• 21:1–16—Journey from Miletus to Jerusalem (via Tyre, Caesarea)

WHAT’S THE POINT?

ONLY THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH IS READY TO SEND HER MEN TO THE MISSION FIELDS

ONLY THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH IS WILLING TO WORK IN THE MISSION FIELDS.

The Spirit that Fills the Church

The Holy Spirit is a River of Living Water

John 7:38 ESV

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

THE FOUNTAIN WAS OPENED ON PENTECOST IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS, AND IT CANNOT BE CONTAINED!

The “rivers of living water” and the Throne of God

Revelation 22:1 ESV

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Revelation 22.1

WHERE GOD RULES, LIFE FLOWS!

Garden of Eden -

Ezekiel’s Temple - ,

WHAT’S THE POINT?

WHERE GOD RULES, LIFE FLOWS!

THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH WILL OVERFLOW WITH LIFE, LIFE THAT CAN BE SHARED TO THE LOST AND HUNGRY WORLD!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THE SPIRIT. ITS PEOPLE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKE THE LEAD IN REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD.

THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT FILLS THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE CONTAINED. IT WANTS TO GO BEYOND THESE WALLS INTO THE PEOPLE AROUND US AND IN THE MISSION FIELD.

The Holy Spirit

WHERE LIFE FLOWS, JOY OVERFLOWS!

Psalm 46:4 ESV

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Acts 13:52 ESV

52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

- they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

THIS is the church that God has in His mind!

are we going to be a dormant, comfort-seeking church?

are we going to be Spirit-filled church?

Powerful in witnessing

Generous in giving

Spirit-filled in service

Hospitable to all kinds of people

Mission-focused ministry

How can we become THIS kind of Church?

JUST BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLS US, HE WILL TAKE CHARGE!

SONG

Come to the River of Life

Touch Your People Once Again