Building Bridges of Trust
Zech 4:6; Lk 4:18
“Building bridges of trust that will stand the weight of the Gospel”
We are all missionaries… commissioned to make disciples as we go. (Mt 28:19)
To do that we must build bridges of trust… as we love others as Christ loved us, as we follow Christ, & as we are filled with the H Spirit.
Apart from H Spirit, we can never build bridges that will stand the weight of Gospel.
Jesus is our example… He did not begin His ministry until He was baptized with the Spirit (Jn 1:32-33)… & He ministered thru the fullness of the Spirit. (Jn 3:34)
The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news… (Lk 4:18)
As the Father has sent me into the world, so I send you. (Jn 17:18)
Jesus relied upon the same Spirit & the same power that indwells us. (Rm 8:9)
Then why aren’t we powerful, fruitful, & victorious?
Pray that God would strengthen you with power thru His Spirit within you. (Eph 3:16)
You do not have because you do not ask. (Ja 4:2)
Can we become Christ-like thru our self-efforts? (Gal 3:2-3; Zech 4:6)
Though we say it’s not by our might or power, but by My Spirit (Zech 4:6), we often behave as if we can do lots of things without the H Spirit.
However, none of what we do apart from H Spirit is pleasing to God.
Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made holy by the flesh? (Gal 3:3)
To reject God’s Spirit is to reject His grace.
Performance-based Christianity is legalism… it’s a form of godliness, but it is without the power of God. (2Tim 3:5)
What does it feel like to be filled with the H Spirit?
What will the Spirit do once He gets control of me?
Ask God to fill you & step out in faith, believing He has… no matter how you feel.
There is no official feeling of being filled with the H Spirit.
The sign of being filled with Spirit is a life being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
Spirit works thru the whole range of emotions… He is not limited by our feelings. PTL!
He is Sovereign Spirit & he equips us & uses us as He wills.
The Father gives the H Spirit to those who ask. (Lk 11:11-13)
How can we experience the Spirit-filled life…the power of H Spirit to make us holy?
How much more will the Father give the H Spirit to those who ask Him. (Lk 11:13)
None of us are worthy to receive gift of H Spirit… God uses earthen vessels. (2Cor 4:7)
We are filled by the H Spirit by faith… to experience the victorious & fruitful life which Christ promised to each Christian.
God is eager to exchange His power for our weakness… we need only ask & believe.
We must first acknowledge our weakness & needy condition. (2Cor 12:9-10)
Asking should include repentance of sin, & being yielded to God’s will. (Acts 2:38)
H Spirit is the power to energize the life of Jesus in you… let Him fill you.
Tarry until you receive power when the H Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:4,8)
He gives to those who ask, & He promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Heb 13:5)
We must never leave Him or forsake Him.
If you desire to be used by God for His glory & Kingdom, you must purpose to never leave or forsake Him.
Sin separates us from God… we in effect leave Him.
He will only fill what you empty or yield to Him.
We must pay more careful attention to Scripture… so we do not drift away. (Heb 2:1)
Drift of the world is always away from God… we’re naturally pulled to world, self & sin.
No believer will grow to experience the Spirit’s fullness (peace, joy, & victory) unless his knowledge of the Bible increases steadily… even daily. (2Tim 2:15)
Peace, joy, & victory of Spirit’s fullness are essential for building bridges of trust.
Sanctify them by the Truth… your Word is Truth. (Jn 17:17)
God’s Word is the tool He uses to sanctify us… to fill us with the H Spirit, & to make us increasingly like Christ.
“The spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the H Spirit. The highest spirituality, therefore, is the most utter helplessness, most entire dependence, & the most complete possession by the H Spirit.” (AB Simpson)
Come Holy Spirit… revive your church!
06-07-09