Live Free: Part 2

  • Rob Benson and George Scheurich
  • Jul 11, 2010
  • Series: Live Free

Illustration (Nick): On the way into the Connection Center this past week I saw this couple. The guy seemed to be incoherent, passed out on the ground by Shuffles Saloon out on Southwestern Blvd. and the young lady was trying desperately to get him up off the ground and inside. It was on one of those very hot days, around 2:00 in the afternoon, it was blazing; I had my A/C blasting in the truck trying to stay cool. I saw car after car pass by, no one stopping to help! As I drove by a thought came to mind that I should turn around and stop to see if I could help in any way.

Question: Has that ever happened to you before? I’m sure it has, you get this sense that you should stop and do something or help somebody in need, even though you hadn’t planned too. You know what happened next, all of the excuse started to flood into my thoughts: He’ll be alright; nobody else is stopping, why should I; I don’t really have time for this…an internal struggle was raging inside of me! So, I flipped a U-Turn and headed back to the couple; parked my truck and approached the young lady struggling to get her boy friend off the ground and asked if I could help. She said no, so I offered again, and again she refused. I walked back to my truck wondering why God wanted me to stop. I know at least one reason, I was wrestling with a question before I encountered the couple, why did you call us, Matt’s House, to this community…why a church here…

Point: You see, the Spirit of God was showing me in that moment that He cares deeply for the people here in Arbutus, Halethorpe and Lansdowne and that He has called us to show them God’s Love even if we don’t see the results. It’s God’s plan…God’s way! Our only task is to Follow the Spirit’s lead!

One more thing, as I walked away from the couple, the young lady turned and said with a slight tone of endearment, “Thank you for stopping.” As if she, for a moment, knew that somebody cares…

Reading: Acts 1:1-9; 2:1-4

Transition Statement: So, let’s hear more about this Gift that Doctor Luke spoke of in his letter to Theophilus.

The Work of The Holy Spirit (John 16:5-16) - George Scheurich

More About the Work of the Holy Spirit (Rob)

Who is the Holy Spirit?

 A person in the God Head, part of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit a Co-Equal.

 He is God this is attested to by the Word of God (OT-Gen 1:2; NT-Acts 2);and the earliest Church Fathers; He’s been experienced by the people who believe in God through the ages!

What are the Attributes of Holy Spirit?

 Isaiah 40:13 and 1 Corinthians 2:12 speaks of His Omniscience (All Knowing).

 Psalm 139:7 speaks of His Omnipresence (Being Every Where All The Time).

 Job 33:4 and Psalm 104:30 speaks of His Omnipotence (All Powerful) work at Creation.

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

 John 16:12-15 say’s…He Teaches us the things of God.

 John 16:13 say’s…He guides us into truth by hearing, speaking, and showing.

 Romans 8:16 say’s…He Assures us that we belong to God.

 John 16:8 say’s…He Convicts us of sin.

 Acts 8:39 say’s…He performs Miracles.

 Romans 8:26 say’s…He Intercedes on our behalf.

 Romans 8:9 say’s…He dwells, lives in the Follower of Christ.

 2 Corinthians 1:22 say’s…He Seals the Follower of Christ guaranteeing that God will accomplish all he promised in us.

 Acts 1:5 say’s…He Baptizes us…makes us part of the Body of Christ, the Church.

 1 Corinthian’s 4:7 say’s…He gives us gifts and talents.

 Ephesians 5:18 say’s…He Fills us, the evidence of a God controlled life.

The Holy Spirit is often a confusing subject to consider…

 Many Followers of Christ claim to believe in the work of the Holy Spirit, but the evidence of is non-existent in their lives.

 Many Followers of Christ that feel powerless, seem to focus all of their energy on experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit at work, so they go from one Christian event to the next looking for their next high, because they desperately need to feel the proof that God is with them!

 Many Followers of Christ who are analytical, critical or rational thinkers; who need to understand everything ignore the Holy Spirit because it’s a mystery they can’t get their minds around.

Challenge Question: Where are you? What are your feelings or thoughts of the Holy Spirit? Will you risk stepping into the mystery of God – The Holy Spirit?

Reflection: How are you not Living Free? What’s getting in your way, keeping you from letting go and trusting the Spirit of God to help you Live Free? Take a few moments, grab one of the slips in-front of you on the table, grab a pen and just write down whatever comes to mind…