Sermon Tone Analysis

The life of a believer is a life on purpose—and that life needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us look at the Scripture to give us clarity to what this means.

Num 11:27-29

Joel 2:

Prayer

Introduction

A study of Scripture reveals that fellowship with God is responsive, relational, purposeful, and dynamic.

Fellowship with God is:

Responsive.

Relational.

What God does in a person for that individual’s benefit.

What God does through a person to impact others for their benefit.

Purposeful.

All to the Glory of God!

Dynamic.

Fellowship happens by the work of the Holy Spirit—a work that God wants to do in and through you right now.

The life God wants you to live is a life that is:

Supernaturally responsive the presence and will of God.

Intimately relational (look to the parent, child relationship, the husband and wife relationship, and relationships between friends—God created these relationships to help understand relationship with Him).

Deliberately purposeful—fulfilling the plan/mission of God for redemption and reconciliation.

Powerfully dynamic—utilizing various ways to impact the world with His gospel.

The experience of the first Christians as recorded in describes a supernatural event that radically unleashes the truth of what God intends for real fellowship with Him (what was promised by God in the Old Testament and revealed by Jesus Christ).

Real responsive, relational, purposeful, and dynamic fellowship happens through encounters with the Holy Spirit.

Five Encounters with the Holy Spirit

(This section is based on the teaching ministry of Tim Enloe.)

Let us look at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

1. Convicting

Concerning sin.

- “convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”

The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin.

Scripture portrays sin in terms of wrongness before God.

All sin (attitude or actions—directed at God or people or things) is rebellion against God.

Primarily a wrong relationship with God, which may express itself in wrong attitudes or actions towards God himself, other human beings, possessions or the environment.

Scripture stresses that this condition is deeply rooted in human nature, and that only God is able to break its penalty, power and presence.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us the sin in our lives in order for us to look to God—who is remedy for our sin.

2. Regenerating

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

— we have “new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

Regeneration is being born again—salvation!

It is starting over.

We are saved through the work of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit changes us from spiritual death to spiritual life.

3. Indwelling

Romans

— “you have the Spirit of God living in you.”

At the very moment of our salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells within us.

As the Holy Spirit abides in us, that begins an ongoing change of our behavior (attitudes and actions).

4. Maturing

Gal

(there is fruit, evidences of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, like love, joy, peace…)

The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit leading us toward holiness—pursuing and desiring what honors and glorifies God.

— “Fruit

Furthermore, the maturing work of the Holy Spirit leads us specifically to align with the character attributes of Jesus.

Maturity is all about becoming more like Christ.

A Transition Comment/Observation.

These first four encounters are primarily what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives—helping us grow and mature as a believer in Jesus Christ.

But, it is the fifth encounter that is primarily all about what God is wanting to do through our lives.

The first four encounters center on the Holy Spirit coming into our lives—but this fifth encounter is about the Holy Spirit coming upon our lives—centering on ministering power.

5. Empowering

Look at what Jesus said as He prepared His followers for the future.

Jesus makes three essential points for the church (you and me) to follow:

There is a message to be told.

Jesus died on the cross and rose again.

Repentance, forgiveness, and salvation is available to all who would believe.

The Christian is called to tell this message to the world.

There is power for this message to be told effectively.

Human effort alone is not sufficient.

The believer needs empowerment of the Spirit for effective ministry service.

Empowerment effects every aspect of the Christian’s life.

There is...

Transition

Effectiveness in Communicating the Truth about Jesus

What your unsaved family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors need is Spirit-empowered words from you that will truly change their lives—and open the door to God’s saving grace.

Boldness in the Face of Opposition

The world is hostile to the message of Christ.

We need to be empowered or fear may silence us—and people will not have opportunity to consider the hope that only Christ can give.

Faith to Know and Act upon God’s Will

We need a faith that is more than wishful thinking.

Confidence in knowing what God wants you to do and say will change your life and the lives around you (for example, Peter and John and the lame man at the Temple).

Discernment to Lead and Protect God’s Church

The church is made up of people—with different preferences, backgrounds, and issues.

This invites disunity and ineffectiveness.

Discernment from the Spirit will enable leaders to give wise direction that will safeguard the church to fulfill its purpose.

Transformation in Prayer

Openness to Spiritual Manifestations

The Holy Spirit provides for the church supernatural gifts (words of wisdom, healing, knowledge, discernment, prophesying, utterances in tongues, and interpretation)—to build up, encourage, motivate, and direct the church to fulfill its purpose.

Holiness to Shun Sin and to Embrace Righteousness

A life that is saturated by the Spirit is a life yielding to the will of God—conforming to the character of Christ.

Transition

This is what happens when we are encountered by the Holy Spirit with His empowerment.

This is called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

As I stated at the beginning, there are five encounters of the Holy Spirit.

The first four (convicting, regenerating, indwelling, and maturing) happens in us—it is His work in us.

The empowering encounter happens upon us—it is the work of the Holy Spirit that is expressed outwardly—in our service to God and others.

When I look at what God’s Word says about the Holy Spirit and His empowering encounter, there are several important truths that we need to consider.

There are some things we need to embrace to become receptive to what God wants to do in our lives.

Empowerment is for All Believers

The promise Jesus offered was not just to the original believers.

Acts 2: