He is Alive and Working!
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· 1 viewJesus promised the Apostles that He would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit after is death burial and resurrection. The purpose of the gift of Holy Spirit is to embolden the Apostles to proclaim the message of Christ's resurrection. Many signs and miracles happened through the Apostles proving that the Spirit of Christ is still alive in the Holy Spirit.
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Introduction: In the T.V Series All American, the main Character Spencer James experienced mental breakdown after Coach Billy Baker died. Billy meant the world to Spencer. Spencer would not have been the success that he was without Coach Baker moving him from the hood to Hollywood. I remember him telling his counselor, with tears flowing down his face, “why do the people I love keep leaving me”? He felt like the people who died in his life abandoned Him. He felt alone and lifeless. He felt that he could not move on without him. His Counselor responded, they are still alive in you. Your current success keeps their legacy alive.”
Introduction: In the T.V Series All American, the main Character Spencer James experienced mental breakdown after Coach Billy Baker died. Billy meant the world to Spencer. Spencer would not have been the success that he was without Coach Baker moving him from the hood to Hollywood. I remember him telling his counselor, with tears flowing down his face, “why do the people I love keep leaving me”? He felt like the people who died in his life abandoned Him. He felt alone and lifeless. He felt that he could not move on without him. His Counselor responded, they are still alive in you. Your current success keeps their legacy alive.”
Jesus entrusted the Apostles with witnessing the legacy of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. GOD IS ALIVE.
Jesus entrusted the Apostles with witnessing the legacy of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. GOD IS ALIVE.
REPEAT AFTER ME: GOD IS ALIVE. GOD IS ALIVE IN ME. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT ROSE JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES IN ME!
REPEAT AFTER ME: GOD IS ALIVE. GOD IS ALIVE IN ME. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT ROSE JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES IN ME!
It amazes me that in Acts 2, Peter, the same man who denied Jesus 3 times, is boldly declaring the gospel to people who could have him killed. The result is thousands added to the Kingdom because He was full of the Holy Spirit.
It amazes me that in Acts 2, Peter, the same man who denied Jesus 3 times, is boldly declaring the gospel to people who could have him killed. The result is thousands added to the Kingdom because He was full of the Holy Spirit.
Do you Have a Relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Do you Have a Relationship with the Holy Spirit?
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Acts 2:22-33 Shows us that Every Christian can have peace and confidence as they live to serve Christ’s purpose.
Acts 2:22-33 Shows us that Every Christian can have peace and confidence as they live to serve Christ’s purpose.
There are 3 Every Christian can have peace and confidence as they live to serve Christ’s purpose
There are 3 Every Christian can have peace and confidence as they live to serve Christ’s purpose
The 1st Way: To Practice God’s Presence
Acts 2:28 “28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’”
Psalm 16:11 “11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
There is a special power in knowing that God presence is real and with us. As a former football player at East Carolina, I was failing as a student athlete, both as a student and athlete. I was in love with Jesus. I was freshly saved and all I did was read my Bible every day until almost 3 in the morning. I couldn’t do my homework, nor was my mind on football. Has anyone had a similar encounter with the presence of Jesus that nothing else could satisfy you? Have you had an encounter where you knew the only thing you can do with your life is to serve God? “In Your presence is the fulness of Joy.” People may call me a weird Jesus loving freak, but I can testify that He filled my cup, it runs over, there is nothing else that I need.
The 2nd Way: To Proclaim God’s Promises
Acts 2:30-32 “30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
I was meeting with a Soldier who was going through a dark moment in his career. There was opposition coming against him from his peers and his leadership. He was innocent. I remember prophesying to him, telling him that he will be like Joseph and that he will come out on top. This was after his hearing where it was decided that he will be chaptered out of the army. But, that wasn't the final word. He called me and rang me off the hook one morning, to tell me the good news. He would be receiving all of his benefits and now the Army still wants to keep him in uniform. Be bold to proclaim the promises of God.
The 3rd Way: To Patiently wait on God
Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””
Acts 2:32-33 “32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
I want to prophetically say to you, “stay put because God is working through you.” Before I was selected for Active Duty Chaplaincy, I was struggling. I was juggling being there for my family, school, a job, a church, and the military. Everyday I felt like I was failing as a husband. My wife and I were fighting with her parents. Honestly, I felt like giving up. Several times, I look for other doors and opportunities that eventually closed in my face. No matter how bad it looked for during this time, God found a way to work miracles. Some of you are in the same season in your life, ready to call it quits because you are waiting for the promise and you feel like you can’t wait any longer. I declare that as you actively wait , stay close to God during the darkest part, He will show up. He is working through you and you will be his witness.
Conclusion: After my many years of playing football, I have inherently grown a game face. What is game face?Game face is when the pressures is on and you do not have time to process your nervousness. You just go out on the field and get to work. Some people freeze up in moments like this or they sink when thrown into the ocean. I have flexed this muscle enough to be confident that every time I am thrown into the ocean, I WILL SWIM. The most important part of these situations is that I have an upgrade in the Holy Spirit. He leads me and works through me. He will reveal His anointing and power through me. I am just a vessel. Amazing things happen when we be still and allow God to work through us.
Conclusion: After my many years of playing football, I have inherently grown a game face. What is game face?Game face is when the pressures is on and you do not have time to process your nervousness. You just go out on the field and get to work. Some people freeze up in moments like this or they sink when thrown into the ocean. I have flexed this muscle enough to be confident that every time I am thrown into the ocean, I WILL SWIM. The most important part of these situations is that I have an upgrade in the Holy Spirit. He leads me and works through me. He will reveal His anointing and power through me. I am just a vessel. Amazing things happen when we be still and allow God to work through us.