Power for a Purpose

“The real problem is this: the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, individually, corporately, tending to do the Lord’s work in the power of the flesh rather than of the Spirit. The central problem is always in the midst of the people of God, not in the circumstances surrounding them.” Francis Shaeffer

God’s purposes for our lives are only accomplished in His power!

The Setting (1)

Background: Pentecost means _______________

The Jewish Feasts Mentioned in Leviticus 23 are an outline of the work of Christ:

• _______________ – Pictures Jesus death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
• Feast of _______________ – Pictures the resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:20–23)
• _______________ – The Jews celebrated the giving of the Law at Sinai. – Christians celebrate the giving of the Spirit and the formation of the church

The Signs (2-4)

• _______________
• _______________
• _______________

The Symbols (2-4)

• _______________ (Ezekiel 37:9-10; John 3:5-8)
• _______________ (Exodus 3:2-4; 13:17-22; 24:17)

The Speech (4-13)

• The speaking was ________________
• The languages were different, but the message was the same: ________________________________ (11)

The Significance (12)

See Habakkuk 2:14 & Revelation 7:9–10

• God’s plan to be glorified among the nations was to form ________________________
• The _______________ of God’s plan is all the nations
• The only power sufficient for God’s plan is _________________________

Pentecost is God equipping His church with the power of the Holy Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations!

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.” John Piper

The Spirit

Bethlehem was God with us.
Calvary was God for us.
Pentecost is God in us.

To be filled with the Spirit is to be __________________ by the Holy Spirit.

There is no command to be baptized with the Spirit, but there is a command to be filled with the Spirit!

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

Indicators of Being Filled with The Spirit:

• The ______________ of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22– 23)

• The _______________ of the Spirit for the purposes of the Spirit (Acts 1:8 & John 15:26)

To Be Filled with The Spirit:

1. Be sure you are truly _____________________ (John 3:5–6)
2. _______________ in faith (Luke 11:13)
3. _______________ fully to the Lordship of Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1)
4. _______________ God and His Word willingly and completely (Acts 5:32, ESV)
5. _______________ in God’s promises (Galatians 3:2, ESV)
6. _______________ by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16 7 25)

God’s purposes for our lives are only accomplished in His power!

God is ready, willing and able to fill you with His Spirit, right now! He’s more willing to fill you than you are to be filled.

Making It Personal:

• Are you genuinely a member of the family of God? Have you personally turned from your sin, trusted in Christ’s provision through the cross and surrendered your life to His rule and reign?
• Does your life increasingly display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
• Are you utilizing your gifts to serve God by serving others (1 Corinthians 12:4-31)?
• Are you bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)?
• What adjustments do you need to make in your life to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit?
• Who can you share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”