Talk Tuesday-The Holy Spirit Series: Life In The Spirit Pt. 3, The Gifts of The Spirit

Welcome back to our series on the Holy Spirit. In our 7^th instalment (on September 6^th, 2016) we wrote about The Day of Pentecost when JESUS promised to clothe his followers with 'power from on high' (Luke 24:49). He told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit,” Acts 1: 4-5, NIV. By Acts chapter 2, they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What does this 'power from on high'-this baptism of the Holy Spirit-look like in our lives of service to GOD? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, begins teaching us about the source and purpose of spiritual gifts. “4 There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit; 5 there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord.6 There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all. 7 The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NJB. He then lists the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

8 To one is given from the Spirit the gift of utterance expressing wisdom; to another the gift of utterance expressing knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, from the same Spirit; and to another, the gifts of healing, through this one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the power of distinguishing spirits; to one, the gift of different tongues and to another, the interpretation of tongues. 11 But at work in all these is one and the same Spirit, distributing them at will to each individual. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, NJB

While there are many different gifts, they are bound by unity in the Body of Christ. “12 For as with the human body which is a unity although it has many parts -- all the parts of the body, though many, still making up one single body -- so it is with Christ. 13 We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink,” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, NJB

What a wonderful GOD we serve! The experiential aspect of knowing GOD through the Life in The Spirit is so incredible! Yes, we are a bit excited about it!! We have so many wonderful personal accounts of how the Holy Spirit has done incredible things for us, in us and through us. We want to encourage you today to live the abundant life that JESUS offers us. Come to the Father through the Son and experience the Life in the Spirit! You will not be disappointed.

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: Life In The Spirit, Pt. II

What does it mean to live a Life in The Spirit? The Apostle Paul explains it this way, “5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires,” Romans 8:5, NIV. Life in the Spirit is the antithesis of Life in the Flesh.

How we live is a choice that we each must make. “12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,” Romans 8:12-13, NIV.

What are the misdeeds of the body? “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like,” Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV.

It is a struggle to live by the Spirit in a world dominated by carnal desires. We are inundated with messages about satisfying our flesh. Our senses are constantly being seduced to taste and touch by what we see, hear and smell. Our minds are influenced by the culture of instant gratification, the pursuit of self indulgence. It truly seems like an uphill, impossible battle.

Here are two important, crucial survival tips to living a Life in The Spirit, “1 I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people. 2 Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and mature,” Romans 12:1-2, NJB.

Reading the Bible allows us to refocus our thoughts on the Life in The Spirit. It renews and refreshes our thoughts, replacing worldly values with GOD's values. It has to be a deliberate, constant practice. It will give us strength, and help us to choose to live and walk in the Spirit. “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. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,” Galatians 5:22-25, NKJV.

Message us and let us know some practical ways that you use to help you 'walk in the Spirit'. We would love to hear from you! Also, this is a way for us to encourage one another in the Lord! May GOD continue to richly bless you!

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: Life In The Spirit, Pt. I

Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer, when they healed a man who was lame from birth. The rulers, elders, scribes, high priest and family of the high priest demanded to know by what power they healed this man.

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:8-12 NKJV

They were astonished by the eloquence and fearlessness of Peter and John, who they considered to be uneducated laymen. The men of the Sanhedrin convened and commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of JESUS anymore. “19 But Peter and John replied, 'Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard,'” Acts 4:19-20, NIV.

Then, in the midst of persecution, they prayed for boldness and GOD responded with the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. “31 As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked. From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly,” Acts 4:31, NJB.

When we come to the wonderful saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, we accept by faith what He accomplished on the cross, repent, get baptized and are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. It becomes almost impossible to keep it to ourselves! We find meaning and purpose that surpass the limitations of this physical world. GOD enables us to do great exploits for His Kingdom, in the name of JESUS, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. We are no longer driven by our carnal desires. Join us next week as we continue to explore what it means to live a 'Life In The Spirit'. We leave you with the following verses until then:

1 Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature. 4 This was so that the Law's requirements might be fully satisfied in us as we direct our lives not by our natural inclinations but by the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4, NJB

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation, Saul's Journey

Let me tell you a story about a young Jewish man named Saul. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, of the tribe of Benjamin, and studied under the tutelage of Rabbi Gamaliel, a Pharisee and leader of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Law Council in Ancient Israel). Saul considered himself 'zealous' toward GOD, righteous and religious. He persecuted the early church, the followers of JESUS CHRIST, with unrelenting intensity. “3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison,” Acts 8:3, NIV. He had the backing of the High Priest and the Council of Elders.

Then, he encountered JESUS. “3 It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him. 4 He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 5 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the answer came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do,'” Acts 9:3-6, NJB.

Saul lost his physical eyesight for three days. He neither ate nor drank during that time, but prayed and waited. The LORD sent a man named Ananias, a Christian, to pray for him. “17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength,” Acts 9:17-19, NIV.

Now here is the amazing part. “After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God,'” Acts 9:19-20, NJB. How did that happen?

Conversion happens when we respond to, and accept, JESUS' invitation for salvation.“12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name 13 who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself,” John 1:12-13, NJB. The power of the HOLY SPIRIT then begins to work within us from the inside out, bringing a spiritual rebirth. This regeneration is transformative. We go from being carnally minded to spiritually minded. “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor 5:17, NIV. The process of sanctification takes place throughout the duration of the life of the believer, as we take up our cross and follow JESUS, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. This is the story of Saul, who became known as The Apostle Paul.

GOD can use anyone! You are never too broken, too sinful or too worthless in the sight of GOD. If you choose to turn to Him today, accept by faith JESUS' work on the cross, repent and be baptized, you too, will be filled by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT and will experience a new life!

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7, NKJV

Join us next week as we look at what it means to live in the Spirit.

Movie Monday - This Love

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The Work of The FATHER, The SON and The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation

Welcome back BGOers! How are you enjoying the series on the HOLY SPIRIT? Write us and let us know. This week, we resume with looking at the work of the The FATHER, The SON and The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation.

Firstly, why do we need to be saved? Can't our own righteous acts atone for our sins? The answer is, “No.” Ever since The Fall in the Garden of Eden, humanity has suffered the wages of sin, which is death. Even the Prophet Isaiah laments, “How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away,” Isaiah 64:5-6, NIV.

So there is no way for us to earn our way back to GOD, or atone for our sins. Yet GOD The Father, in His infinite love, mercy and grace, makes a way for us. He sent His Son JESUS as the atoning sacrifice. His blood cleanses us, He justifies us before the Father and His righteousness then becomes ours-it is imputed to us.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24, NIV

The only caveat...we have to repent and believe. Repentance involves a sorrowful acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a conscious decision to turn away from it. “10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death,” 2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV. Faith happens when we turn towards JESUS, believing in what He did on the cross and accepting it. Neither of these actions can happen without the HOLY SPIRIT. “...no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:3, NKJV.

The HOLY SPIRIT then acts in our lives to bring about a newness-a complete change. “'You must repent,' Peter answered, 'and everyone of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38, NJB. It is this gift of the HOLY SPIRIT working in our lives that brings about regeneration and sanctification.

Join us next week as we continue to look at the work of The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation. We leave you with the following scripture until then:

5 Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born through water and the Spirit; 6 what is born of human nature is human; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. 8 The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:5-8, NJB.

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The Day of Pentecost

JESUS promised the HOLY SPIRIT. After the crucifixion, JESUS rose from the grave and appeared to the disciples. He said, “49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high,” Luke 24:49, NIV. They obeyed. Then came the Day of Pentecost!

“1 When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, 2 when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; 3 and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves. 5 Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, 6 and at this sound they all assembled, and each one was bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language.” Acts 2:1-6, NJB

Those who saw it were confused. They either wondered what it meant or believed the men to be drunk. Peter stood up, and explained to them that they were witnessing the fulfillment of scripture from the prophet Joel, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh,” Acts 2:17, NKJV (Joel 2:28 NIV/NKJV; Joel 3:1 NJB).

He explained that JESUS is the fulfillment of GOD's promise to King David, that he is the CHRIST, the MESSIAH. “ 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear,” Acts 2:32-33, NIV. “36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah,” Acts 2:36, NIV.

Then comes the most important message of all. “38 Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call,'” Acts 2:38-39, NKJV.

What they were witnessing was the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! That very day, those who accepted the salvation message were baptized, and received the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. This is what JESUS was referring to when he spoke of, “what my Father has promised” Luke 24:49. The HOLY SPIRIT is the promise, the gift and the power of GOD!!!

Join us next week as we look at the work of the FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in salvation. We leave you with the following blessing until then:

“13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit you may be rich in hope,” Romans 15:13, NJB.