MEMORY VERSE: “Now any man have not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9b
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:1-11.
INTRODUCTION
God always seeks for those individuals who are hungry for divine life through His Son - JESUS John 4:23b. The ideal candidate is the one who will not restrain or restrict the Holy Spirit from possessing them but seek to live a daily life of completely fulfilling God’s will in all they do. Such believers in Christ are willing to be channels for the release of His Life in purity and power wherever they are. As the Lord is seeking children who will fulfil His purpose through the Power of the Holy Spirit, the devil is also seeking to work through any life that has not been brought under the control of the Spirit of God. A Spirit-empowered life seeks to glorify Jesus; and is always controlled and underpinned by the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit Romans 8:11.
OUTLINES
- RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
- BROKENNESS - GOD’S TOOL FOR EMPOWERMENT
A SPIRIT-EMPOWERED LIFE
1. RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
God willingly releases His Holy Spirit upon the born-again believer who sets themselves apart as a worthy vessel 2 Timothy 2:19-22. You must hungrily seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, be always thirsty for God’s Power, be full of faith and be humble to receive from Him through intentional prayers, often accompanied by the laying on of hands by the leaders who already have the Spirit of God in them Acts 1:8.
Jesus also recognised His need to be equipped with the Holy Spirit as the Son of Man for His life and work here on earth. His death on the Cross and His resurrection gave access to the Holy Spirit to live in us as His children. ONLY those who LOOK at Jesus upon whom the Spirit descended and rested can partake of His Spirit John 1:32-33. These ones are baptised into His death, burial, and resurrection Romans 6:35 they are filled with His love for righteousness can receive the in- filling of His Spirit.
2. BROKENNESS - GOD’S TOOL FOR EMPOWERMENT
The Lord wants to bless the world through those who belong to Him. He wants to break open those who are His earthen vessels to enable the treasure within them to flow out 2 Corinthians 4:5-7. By becoming the children of God, we have obtained the life of Jesus, but the Power of His life needs to be allowed to come forth. Reflecting on the story of the woman with the alabaster box Mark 14:1-9, there is a need for us to be broken and released for His service. This enables His power to be at work in us wherever we are found 2 Corinthians 2:14-15. Brokenness involves a submission of our human will to the will of the Holy Spirit so that we can be fruitful in God’s purpose.
3. A SPIRIT-EMPOWERED LIFE
Evidence of the release of the Holy Spirit comes only upon those who love and obey God. Jesus received the Power of the Spirit as the reward of His obedience Acts 2:32-33. The Holy Spirit is the
conscious presence of the glorified Jesus dwelling in our hearts.
A Spirit-Empowered Life therefore:
- Always finds out the mind and intention of the Spirit.
- Allows the Spirit to deal with every barrier to a Spirit-filled life.
- Consistently grows in intensity in the lives of those serving God.
- Allows God to shine through dark situations and circumstances without blaming others.
- Allows the power of cross of Jesus to manifest in all areas of their life.
- Lives in total victory over sin, self, and Satan.
- Glorifies JESUS anytime, and at all costs.
CONCLUSION
The presence of the Holy Spirit is the confirmation of the Gospel, and the seal of our Salvation. We need to ensure that our bond with the Power and the Presence of God is intact and that we are always giving space for fresh infilling. We are to live a life of brokenness daily to enable the Holy Spirit to strengthen us. We must continue to live and walk in the Spirit’s empowerment till Eternity.