The desire of the Spirit is that the intellect, the will, and the emotions, function dependent upon God.
Reasons why Power is Lost:
1. Lack of Instruction.
How can we walk in the way the NT calls us to walk, without the life/control/gifting of the Holy Spirit?
2. Sin.
The one who is intentional about dealing with sin and making the effort to be aware of and deal with sin can be filled.
3. Professionalism.
People begin to focus on education, skill and technique, rather than the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
4. Unbelief.
There is a spirit of unbelief that we must evict.
5. Pride.
When people realise that something they have been condemning, is actually something God wants, pride gets in the way.
6. Charis-phobia.
No fire is never the answer for false fire. Abandonment is not the answer for excess.
7. Tradition.
Traditions can be held as being equal to the Word of God.
8. Stereotyping.
Saying your experience to be authentic, must look exactly like my experience.
Dunamis – The Power of God III - Empowered in Stewardship/Fellowship.
The Holy Spirit Empowers us.
- Dunamis: (miraculous) power, might, strength.
- We need the Dunamis of God to fulfil his calling in our lives.
Empowering is often missing, but is so needed in:
1. The area of Stewardship.
Stewardship is not something that you trump up in emotion. It is something God produces by His Spirit.
Examples of giving that is not Spirit empowered giving:
1. Guilt Giving.
2. Emotional Giving.
Acceptable giving is the result of the Spirit of God.
2. The area of Fellowship.
God calls us to be a part of his body.
Every growing/maturing believer in Jesus Christ needs other growing/maturing followers in their life.
Our culture needs to see the church demonstrate the power of the gospel that is greater than racism, ageism, consumerism, and models being agents of reconciliation, rather than division..
Dunamis – The Power of God II - Empowered in Counsel/Worship.
The Holy Spirit Empowers us.
- Dunamis: (miraculous) power, might, strength.
- We need the Dunamis of God to fulfil his calling in our lives.
Empowering is often missing, but is so needed in:
1. The area of Discerning Vision for a local Assembly.
2. The area of Evangelism.
3. The area of Preaching.
4. The area of Discipling and Counsel.
5. The area of Worship.
What should we see in Spirit led Worship?
· Worship happens when the Holy Spirit in us calls us to magnify the Father and lift up the Son - Jesus Christ.
· Worship involves a celebration of one’s saving relationship with the Lord and of His ongoing presence with them.
· To Worship is to remember.
· To worship is to join in unity with God’s people.
· The Holy Spirit empowers our worship.
· Spirit led worship is Christ centred.
· A Spirit led worship service lifts up and exalts Christ.
Dunamis – The Power of God I - Empowered in Preaching/Vision/Outreach.
The Holy Spirit Empowers us.
- Dunamis: (miraculous) power, might, strength.
- We need the Dunamis of God to fulfill his calling in our lives.
- The effective Christian knows where the power of God is moving, and knows how to go with the power.
- If Jesus didn’t minister until he had the empowering of the Spirit, how could you and I ever hope to?
He Empowers us in 3 basic ways:
Power is Knowing What to do.
Power is Knowing When to do It.
Empowered is the Ability to be Fruitful and Effective.
Empowering is often missing, but is so needed in:
The area of Discerning Vision for a local Assembly.
The area of Evangelism.
The area of Preaching.
The preaching we need to hear is what God is saying to, and wanting to do, in a local assembly.