30th Dec 2016, City Revival Ministries, Pastor Finny Stephen
Here are some key points of the sermon by Pastor Finny Stephen.
Before the ascension, Jesus tells His disciples about the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.
In Hebrew, Holy Spirit is known as Ruach HaKadosh. In Aramic, Ruach AhKodesh, In Greek, Pneuma.
The Holy Spirit is the helper, mediator, the parakletos (comforter).
Mark 4:25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Matthew 13:12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him
The book of Acts is not the first chapter to talk about Holy Spirit. But we see the works of the Holy Spirit in Genesis 1 during creation, Matthew – Birth of Jesus.
When the Holy Spirit comes and God speaks, creation happens.
Your life will change if you cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The Holy Spirit comes to transform us into Holy people. He comes to sanctify people.
Jesus had a visible body while on earth. The Holy Spirit does not have the same body, but He dwells in our body.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
How is Jesus going away an advantage for disciples? He performed miracles, provided food, healed sick. Then how could his going away an advantage for disciples? Because when Jesus left, the Holy Spirit came inside them. Their legs became Jesus’ legs. Their hands became Jesus’ hands. The Bible says, your body is the living temple of God. When you’re saved, Holy Spirit comes in you. Your spirit and Holy Spirit merges.
John 3:3-8
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph fled the temptation. The reason being, he was filled with Holy Spirit. Devil cannot swallow you when you’re filled with HS.
Holy Spirit is the gift. God has already given the gift 2000 years back. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The verse shows the deep desire to be filled with HS.
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
In the Old Testament, the priests, kings, were anointed with oil. Jesus’ job is same, to save and then to Anoint them.
There are four experiences of Holy Spirit
1. Receiving the Holy Spirit
2. Anointed with Holy Spirit
3. Filled with Holy Spirit
4. Being baptized with Holy Spirit
We must be filled continuously with Holy Spirit. At salvation, Holy Spirit comes into our life. But we must have overflowing experiences. John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
If you give priority to Holy Spirit, He will change your life. Thirst for Holy Spirit. Don’t be satisfied with what you have received.
When you’re baptized with Holy Spirit, you will be a different person, like a cloth dyed with a different color. You will speak in unknown tongues. Speaking in tongues is one of the most powerful weapons against the enemy.
After the sermon, he led the people into worship. The Anointing was awesome. Praise God for the wonderful time
