Shoots We Grow - Part 3: The Holy Spirit a Catalyst of Change

So many things have been said and so many jokes have been made about the Holy Spirit

In many ways, the Holy Spirit has come under more attack than the other 2 parts of the Godhead. I can only deduce that:

The attack on the Holy Spirit is so fierce because the benefit of the Holy Spirit is so great!

Who is the Holy Spirit?:

More than an atmosphere

More than a feeling

More than a goose bump or a tingle

3rd person of the Godhead

In total union and agreement with the Father & the Word

The One who is actually present on the Earth today.

God is in Heaven, Jesus is at the right hand, the Holy spirit is here forever

Catalyst of Change:

If we aren’t changing we aren’t growing

If we aren’t growing to be more like Jesus we may be dying or already dead spiritually

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Say this:

I need to change!

I need to change in order to be more like Jesus!

The Holy Spirit is the catalyst of that change.

Definition of catalyst

1: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible

2: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action

The Holy Spirit helps to accelerate change in us while He remains constant.

How are we meant to be changing?:

Romans 8:29 NKJV

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Jesus couldn’t be like Jesus without the Holy Spirit - Neither can we!

God wants you to reach your potential more than He wants you to stay comfortable in your present

He loves you PERFECTLY through every moment of the process!

Changed for the Better:

The Bible shows us MANY examples of what happens when the Holy Spirit gets personally involved in and on the life of normal people.

How many of you are “Normal People”????

King Saul:

1 Samuel 10:6 NKJV

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.

Another = Next

The Holy Spirit getting on you will help you change to get to your next!

Samson:

Judges 14:5–6 NKJV

5 So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

The Holy Spirit mightily on Samson allowed him to destroy the thing that would have destroyed him.

The Holy Spirit will make you stronger than you are!

Gideon:

Judges 6:33–35 NKJV

33 Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, who also gathered behind him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

The Holy Spirit on Gideon empowered him to win an impossible fight by helping him to gather and rally those who would fight alongside him.

BTW, the first time we meet Gideon in the Bible, he was HIDING from those he conquered under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Elijah:

1 Kings 18:45–46 NKJV

45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

The distance from Mount Carmel to Jezreel = 50km or 31 miles

The Holy Spirit empowered Elijah to do a supernatural feat to keep him safe from a natural threat.

Mary the Mother of Jesus:

Luke 1:34–35 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The Holy Spirit’s influence Mary made her fruitful when there was no natural reason for her to have fruitfulness!

Just One Thing:

Invite the person & the catalyst of the Holy Spirit into your life & become your next!

Discussion Questions:

What kinds of things do you like to cook or are good at cooking?

What have you heard, positive or negative, about the Holy Spirit?

Please Read the account of the day the Holy Spirit showed up in Acts 2:1-14. Understanding that this account states that the disciples were “controlled by” (filled) the Holy Spirit, what are your thoughts about being controlled by God’s Holy Spirit? Excitements? Fears? Hesitations?

Please share what you got out of this sermon and your response to that.