YOUTUBE WORSHIP SERVICE: https://youtu.be/0lqk8bdfJGg
SERMON AUDIO: Sorry the audio recorded at a low volume. You will need to increase the volume setting.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2Cron. 7:14; Luke 22:31-32; John 14:12-26; Acts 3:16, 4:32-33; Romans 5:5; 1Peter 5:8
RESOURCES: "Untamed Christian-Unleashed Church" by Terry Wardle
BIG IDEA: WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NATURALLY LIVE IN THE SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE OF A POWERFUL GOD!
COVID-19 acronym of hope: "I" - In this Together (You and the Holy Spirit)
INTRODUCTION
A) What does it mean to STILL BE THE CHURCH scattered in the homes battling through a worldwide crisis?
B) While we are in this SHIFTING, is devil using this opportunity to bring a SIFTING upon your faith? Like the account in Exodus, how are we applying the life of Christ into our homes so we may live and move forward with God?
C) Through Apostle Peter's experience, BE ALERT as the devil tries to devour your faith!
IN GREATER TIMES TO DO GREATER THINGS
A) Jesus ascended into heaven so that His disciples will do even greater things! Could we be actually living in GREATER TIMES to do GREATER THINGS?
B) Apostle Peter testifies to the Risen Christ as the one who continues to provide miraculous healings. "Why are you surprised?" ... "With GREAT POWER the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace as so POWERFULLY at work in them all..."
WE ARE STILL THE CHURCH
A) WE HAVE THE GIFT OF THE PARACLETE PRESENCE OF GOD
The Holy Spirit (Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate) walks alongside you to be the personal presence of Jesus with you and within you. Whatever you are going through and experiencing, know that the person of the Holy Spirit is experiencing life with you!
B) WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT POSITIONING US
The Holy Spirit is stripping us of our pride, our performances, our esteemed position, our rebellious self-centered ways reminded us GOD is to in charge and in control over our lives. He is placing us in a sobering position or posture of humility to awaken us and transform us to become a powerful movement of God.
The worse thing we can do for our spiritual growth and maturity in this "forced time out" of isolation is to waste it when God is trying to position you into the posture of humility, trust, and reliance.
C) WE HAVE KINGDOM POWER THROUGH PRAYER
There are ways and means God reserves in His Unleashing for moments when His humble people draw upon Him in prayer!
Prayer is the means not that not only draws us into the relational & experiential presence of God but also opens up the heavens in response! We also know prayer is a spiritual weapon as part of the armor of God. Is your home a HOUSE OF PRAYER?
CONCLUSION
A) Let's become from being "the people of the Powerpoint" from our corporate setting, to now the "People of the Presence" in our homes and community who are living possessed fully with Christ.
B) God-incarnate through Jesus Christ didn't come all this way, walk through the Passion of the Cross, die your death for your sins, rise up, ascend into heaven, just to leave you here so you can live your own life while waiting in heaven.
C) YOU ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHO ARE TO NATURALLY LIVE IN THE SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE OF A POWERFUL GOD, who not only transforms your life towards Christlikeness and godly character, but through whom, Jesus continues to work His presence through you TO transform the lives of others around you!
GOING DEEPER-GROWING STRONGER
1. How did this message speak to you?
2. What steps are you taking to protect the spiritual health in your homes? How are you keeping to your spiritual practices and disciplines?
3. Are you recognizing the "working of the Spirit's doing and being" in you and in your household? How so? If not will you pray for God to help you see and understand what is unseen?
4. Knowing you have the power of prayer who will you pray for this week?
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. and be thankful. Col. 3:15
Pastor Trevor