MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/D5596AE8/energyforspiritualgrowth.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" The Energy for Spiritual Growth

T= he Energy for Spiritual Growth

The Holy Spirit=

(How He Energizes Us to Help Us Grow)=

<= o:p> 

 

Three Illustr= ations of Being Filled with the Spirit

 

1)         = Saturated       Illus.s=         &= nbsp;      water in sponge     &nbs= p;     or         = sugar in tea

 

2)         = Controlled      Illus.<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'>        &= nbsp;       a stick in a brook or stream of water

 

3)         = Motivated       I= llus.        &= nbsp;       wind in sails

 

 

1.   &= nbsp;   We Grow as We Walk by the Spirit in Daily Fellowship and Depe= ndence

 

A.&nb= sp;       As We Walk by the Spirit We Experience Victory Over Our Sinful Nature

 

            =             Galatians 5:16 & 25

I say= then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.

 

  &nbs= p;         B.         = As We Walk by the Spirit We Grow in Godly Character<= /o:p>

 

            =             Galatians 5:22-23

But t= he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, Or faithfulness
gentleness, self-control.

 

2.       We Gr= ow as We Are Led by the Spirit in Our Lives

 

            Romans 8:14

&n= bsp;           All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.=

 

        &= nbsp;   A.        We Are Led by the Spirit in Our Conduct

 

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        Romans 8:13a

&n= bsp;            = ;           But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.=

 

        &= nbsp;   B.        We Are Led by the Spirit in Our Praying

 

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        Romans 8:26-27

In th= e same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know w= hat to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us Some mss omit for us with unspoken groanings.
 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to = the will of God.

 

        &= nbsp;   C.        We Are Led by the Spirit in Our Service

 

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        Acts 13:2

As they were ministering to[1] Or were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to.R= 21;=

 

Acts= 16:7

When = they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.=

 

3.   &= nbsp;   We Grow as We Are Enabled by the Spirit for Witness and Worsh= ip and Service

 

  &nbs= p;         A.        Our Service

Luke= 4:14

&n= bsp;                   &= nbsp;   Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit

 

B.=          Our Witness

 

Acts= 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will= be My witnesses

 

C.=         Our Worship

 

Ephe= sians 5:18-19

And don’t get drunk with wine, which [leads to] The bracketed text has been added for clarity. <= /span>reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,=

 

The Four Cond= itions for Being Filled with the Holy Spirit:

 

1) You cannot quench the Spirit and be filled with the Spiri= t.

 

  &nbs= p;         1 Thessalonians 5:19

&n= bsp;           Don’t stifle the Spirit.

 

2) You cannot grieve the Spirit and be filled with the Spiri= t.

 

  &nbs= p;         Ephesians 4:30

&n= bsp;           And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit

 

3) You must confess all your sins and surrender afresh to the Lord.

 

&n= bsp;           1 Jo= hn 1:6-7, 9

If we= say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and • walk in darkness, Jn 8:12; 12:35b we are lying and are not practicing= Or <= /span>not living according to the truth.
But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in = the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righte= ous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

4) You need to ask the Father to fill you with the Spirit.

 

&n= bsp;           Luke= 11:13

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how m= uch more will the heavenly Father give[13] Lit <= /span>the Father from heaven will g= ive the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”