June 15, 2014- The Holy Spirit: Filled

The second week after Pentecost.  We are continuing our series on the Holy Spirit.  This week we are discussing what it means to be "Filled."  One thing that came out to me clearly is that we do not need more of the Holy Spirit in our lives, instead we need to give more of ourselves over the the Holy Spirit.  

Scripture: 

Ephesians 5:8-20

New International Version (NIV)

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruitof the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20110373

Outline: 


1. Being Filled is an issue of control

2. Being Filled is not an option

3. Being Filled is a process

4. Being Filled cannot be completed by me

5. Being Filled comes with learning the Word.

June 8, 2014 - The Holy Spirit

This was Pentecost Sunday.  The Sunday where we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.  This is the first sermon in a series of 4 sermons on the Holy Spirit.  We will be looking at passages that will help us understand the Holy Spirit.  Today we looked at what Jesus said to his disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14. 

Scripture: 

John 14:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20101632

Outline: 

Let’s talk about what Jesus Said about the Holy Spirit:

1.        The Holy Spirit is Promised

2.       The Holy Spirit is a Counselor

3.       The Holy Spirit is forever

4.       The Holy Spirit is truth

5.       The Holy Spirit will be rejected by the world

6.       The Holy Spirit lives in the believer

Envy

This weeks sermon was about Envy.  Envy is a dangerous and sneaks up on us.   Before we know it we are trapped in a spiral of self-focus and materialism.  Enjoy! 

Scripture:

James 3:13-4:12

New International Version (NIV)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heavenbut is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[c]

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d]or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20095193

Outline: 

      Envy demonstrates  a lack of wisdom (14-15)

     Envy Cripples our ability to examine ourselves

          Envy destroys our generosity

          Envy undermines our respect for others (4:1-2)

          Envy ruins enjoyment

           Envy prevents spiritual growth (4:4)

Breaking Free::

 Seek out God’s desires for your life.

 Choose people of positions

 Enjoy what God has given you

 Give first, acquire second.