Essentials - The Holy Spirit

Notes: Essentials - The Holy Spirit

SPEAKER: John Collins

Thursday, July 17, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.

Things get lost in translation of the years. 

The Holy Spirit will not make you better than others, He will make you better than yourself.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Jesus is laying out the future of His church, He is telling His disciples that He will be leaving them. But He is not leaving them as orphans.

Greater works were done, not in magnitude but in numbers.

Who is the Holy Spirit? According to Jesus we already know Him. The Holy Spirit is not bound to the skin of a human being.

Many things have claimed to have been done under the Holy Spirit. But, not all things done by Christians are by the Holy Spirit. God moves through the Holy Spirit in profound ways, but always in reverential ways.

The Holy Spirit is as far and wide as the universe but also as close as our prayers. 

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Holy Spirit is just as much a person as God the Father and Jesus.

Six things that reveal the Holy Spirits personhood:

1. We can lie to Him
1. Acts 5:1-5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 
1. You can not lie to an inanimate object, you lie to another person, Peter references lying to the Holy Spirit.
2. We can grieve the Holy Spirit
1. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1. Your behavior can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit.
3. We can quench Him
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.
1. We can do that by denying the work that the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart.
4. We can resist the Holy Spirit
1. Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
5. We can insult the Holy Spirit
1. Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
6. We can blaspheme the Holy Spirit
1. Rejecting God’s work in our life, a life long rejection

We can accomplish the Holy Spirits work in three distinct ways. He is with us, in us and upon us.

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

8 distinct ways the Holy Spirit helps us daily:

1. Our Teacher
1.  John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
2. Helps us testify of Christ
1.  John 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
3. He convicts us of sin
1. John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
1. Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of sin and reveal it to us.
2. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 
4. He converts us
1. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
5. He reveals truth to us
1. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
2. 1 John 3:19 And by this we know[d] that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 
6. He seals us
1. Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
7. He shapes us
1. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
8. He empowers us
1. John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 
2. Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
3. Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
4. Acts 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
5. Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
6. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,[b] who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 
7. Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 
8. Acts 11:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

God will fill us with the Spirit. If we provide the sail, He will provide the wind.

He will use us if we want to be used. 

Essentials - The Holy Spirit

Notes: Essentials - The Holy Spirit

SPEAKER: John Collins

Thursday, July 17, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.

Things get lost in translation of the years. 

The Holy Spirit will not make you better than others, He will make you better than yourself.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Jesus is laying out the future of His church, He is telling His disciples that He will be leaving them. But He is not leaving them as orphans.

Greater works were done, not in magnitude but in numbers.

Who is the Holy Spirit? According to Jesus we already know Him. The Holy Spirit is not bound to the skin of a human being.

Many things have claimed to have been done under the Holy Spirit. But, not all things done by Christians are by the Holy Spirit. God moves through the Holy Spirit in profound ways, but always in reverential ways.

The Holy Spirit is as far and wide as the universe but also as close as our prayers. 

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Holy Spirit is just as much a person as God the Father and Jesus.

Six things that reveal the Holy Spirits personhood:

1. We can lie to Him
1. Acts 5:1-5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 
1. You can not lie to an inanimate object, you lie to another person, Peter references lying to the Holy Spirit.
2. We can grieve the Holy Spirit
1. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
1. Your behavior can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit.
3. We can quench Him
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.
1. We can do that by denying the work that the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart.
4. We can resist the Holy Spirit
1. Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
5. We can insult the Holy Spirit
1. Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
6. We can blaspheme the Holy Spirit
1. Rejecting God’s work in our life, a life long rejection

We can accomplish the Holy Spirits work in three distinct ways. He is with us, in us and upon us.

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

8 distinct ways the Holy Spirit helps us daily:

1. Our Teacher
1.  John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
2. Helps us testify of Christ
1.  John 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
3. He convicts us of sin
1. John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
1. Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of sin and reveal it to us.
2. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 
4. He converts us
1. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
5. He reveals truth to us
1. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
2. 1 John 3:19 And by this we know[d] that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 
6. He seals us
1. Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
7. He shapes us
1. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
8. He empowers us
1. John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 
2. Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
3. Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
4. Acts 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
5. Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
6. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,[b] who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 
7. Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 
8. Acts 11:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

God will fill us with the Spirit. If we provide the sail, He will provide the wind.

He will use us if we want to be used. 

An Unexpected Conversion

Notes: An Unexpected Conversion

Sunday 7/13/14 

Greg Laurie 

Acts 8:1-4

Greg just finished interviewing former mob captain Michael Fanzese.

Has it ever seemed that God could not reach some people?

Is there someone you are thinking of right now that you think could not become a Christian.

Greg thinks those people that we all think of maybe closer then others.

Saul was one of those people, he was brilliant and deeply religious in Jewish law. Stephen was in front of him and others on trial before Stephen was stoned to death.

Acts 8:1-4 NLT

[1] Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. [2] (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) [3] But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. [4] But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

God can use intentions of evil to do good in the church. The apostles that were not going out and preaching the Gospel were now being chased out by Saul and now spreading the gospel to others.

The word of God is kind of like throwing a seed out. You never know when it will grow or be used in someone. Stephen sowed that seed in Saul.

Acts 9:1-9 NLT

[1] Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. So he went to the high priest. [2] He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them-both men and women-back to Jerusalem in chains. [3] As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" [5] "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! [6] Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." [7] The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! [8] Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. [9] He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Acts 26:11 NLT

[11] Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

"Saul was uttering threats with every breath"

"He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers"

"Jesus said why are you persecuting me" Meaning He identifies those that are proclaiming the Gospel are His.

Acts 9:10-21 NLT

[10] Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. [11] The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [12] I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." [13] "But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! [14] And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name." [15] But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. [16] And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." [17] So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. [19] Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. [20] And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is indeed the Son of God!" [21] All who heard him were amazed.....

Ananias is one of the heroes of the Bible that we hear very little of. For every hero of the faith, there is always a back story and people working there. When God does something through someone we have touched, we will receive rewards in heaven for it.

Through God nothing is impossible.

Three things Saul/Paul was doing.

1. He was praying v.11

Probably asking for forgiveness.

The same mouth that was saying murderous request about disciples was now worshiping The Lord.

2. He was preaching.

1 Timothy 1:13-15 NLT

[13] even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. [14] Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. [15] This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"-and I am the worst of them all.

3. He was suffering.

He was used by God during his suffering.

Acts 9:23 NLT

[23] After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.

2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

[12] Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Saul of Tarsus became Paul, the greatest preacher in the history of the church.

Pray for the biggest sinners you know, God can reach them too!

For the nonbeliever this life is as good as it gets, for the believer this life is as bad as it will ever be.

Nonbelievers have tragedies and Christians do too. For Christians we have the hope of seeing The Lord in Heaven some day.

Love God because God loves you.

We are put on this earth to glorify God.

Essentials: God With Skin On

Notes: Essentials: God With Skin On

Essentials: Timeless truths for truth-less times
7/10/14 Pastor Josh Thompson
Harvest Orange County

Josh is telling about a owns who stole a can of peaches and then joked about stealing a can of peas.

What if God was one of us? 2000 years ago you actually could of said that if you were sitting next to Jesus.

He healed the sick and raised the dead yet wept for his friends.

Jesus doesn't leave us any room, he was very specific. He is the Messiah.

Jesus is God.

Jesus is Man.

Jesus is Savior.

1. Jesus as God

John 1:1-6 NIV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6] There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

John 1:14 NIV

[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus was and is God, John who wrote this was a great friend of Jesus. In the text it says John laid his head on Jesus' chest.

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Believing Jesus is God is an essential doctrine of Christianity.

Jesus is either lying and crazy or he is God. His statements are that big.

2. Jesus as Man

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!

Jesus possessed the divine attributes of God and decided not to as a human.

As He hung on the cross He chose not to use any powers but to endure.

He came as a servant. If you want to be like Jesus then you could start there.

Problem is, everyone wants to be a servant until they are treated like one.

Is it humbling to you that God came from heaven and cleaned peoples feet.

He experienced all the things we experience.

He created all the things we love and experienced those things as we have.

Why did our God come here like that?

1. He was tempted:

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV

[14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

He was tempted and tested in all ways. Probably more than any of us ever have or will be. The devil himself tempted Jesus, yet Jesus rebuked him with scripture.

Matthew 4:4 NIV

[4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Jesus combated pleasures of the flesh.

Memorize scripture and quote it to yourself.

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

[18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Why is sin bad? Sin destroys your life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

[13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Jesus went through trials, pain and hardships.

He took the wrath of all of ours on as he was in the cross.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV

[2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Cast your burden on Jesus and he will give you rest.

Jesus took the cross, do you think he can take your burden?

3. Jesus is Savior

Matthew 1:21 NIV

[21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

[15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.

We all need Jesus.

The worst sin to Pastor Josh is to say that you don't need Jesus as much someone else. To think someone else needs Jesus more than you is a huge mistake.

Emmanuel: God with us

If someone sinned against you many times what would you do to them? If you were the judge what would you do to them. Jesus came down from his judges seat and freed you from all the sins you have done against him.

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus came to pay for our sins and get us into heaven.

1. You are only in charge of yourself.

(Bitterness always robs u of self control)

2. Everything matters.

(game time all the time!)

3. If you under promise, you can over deliver.

4. Sometimes dreams come true after nightmares.