**Part Two**
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus gave them the power to fulfill God's plan.
John 14:16-17 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
Abiding
John 14.16-17 above
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Abiding in His Word and Prayer as He Abides with us through His Spirit and His Word.
We understand His plan through His Word.
He confirms it outwardly and inwardly.
The power of God's Spirit working out His will and plans in us!
Here is His plan Then and Now:
The power of the Holy Spirit bringing the Good News to the ends of the earth.
First in our Jerusalem: Bay Shore area. District Assembly Children
Then in Our Judea: Long Island
In our Samaria:
And to the ends of the earth.
He wants us to be witnesses here where we are in space and time.
We are part,of God's great plan for the ages.
Abraham Espada's story about the Pillar of Fire and the Spanish Nazarene Churches:
This morning before our ordination service I was talking with a gentleman by the name of Abraham Espada. His father came from Puerto Rico in the 1950s and settled in Edison, NJ. I asked him if knew of the Pillar of Fire. He lit all up. His dad was a pastor and had a Spanish Broadcast on WAWZ in 1958. He told how that broadcast was used to begin many Spanish Speaking churches in Metro NY. Many can trace their roots back to this dear man who came from Puerto Rico (His Jerusalem) to the ends of the earth.
The books that would have to be written!
Without this power we are unable to do the work of God. Without this power the work of God is hard and we get worn out, burnt out and lose heart.
Are you frustrated because the plan of God does not seem to happening in your life? Does there seem to be something lacking in your walk with the LORD? Do you desire to do things for the Kingdom of God and then shrink back? You need to be filled with God's Spirit. It is the gift of God for you!
Growing up many times it was handled through a guilt trip... no! It is a joyous gift producing great blessings through us and in us. Look at Acts 19.1-7
The Ephesian Pentecost...
God has many Pentecosts in His Sky
Empowered by His Spirit it is amazing what can be done for the kingdom.
4. What is Jesus beginning to do in your life today?
The apostles were about to have their lives turned upside down for the sake of God's Kingdom. They in turn would turn the world upside down.
Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too."
Acts 6.1-7
Those giving full time to the ministry of the Word and Prayer
Those serving to see that the needs of the people are taken care of- Church Board/ Body of Christ
Golden Eagle Leadership Awards with Rudy on Monday night... Stephen Baldwin, Oscar Winner of The Usual Suspects...
Brazilian Housekeeper continued to witness to Stephen's wife... she spoke Portuguese to her. She would laugh every time. His wife finally asked why she was laughing. The house keeper replied, "Because you think I came here just to be your housekeeper!" She gave her life to Christ and Stephen could not get over the change in her life. After the 9-11 attacks he gave his heart to the LORD. Sarah Palin joked with Alex Baldwin that Stephen was her favorite Baldwin Brother.
God uses housekeepers who are filled with the Spirit.
We are not working jobs to make lots of money and buy stuff. We are in the place, the neighborhood we live in, we are primarily there to be a witness for Jesus Christ and the reason that you are not is that you need to be filled with the Spirit.
Helen Reinhard
What are you passionate about?
John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
flow= gushing forth
Where is pain in your life?
What stirs your heart when you see or hear about?
What is God calling you to do in this present age?
Jesus called Peter to come walk on the water to Him."LORD, if it is You, bid me come." He made it to Jesus, not without his struggles." 3 years later they had a catch that was over whelming. Then came Penetcost when they began to catch men as Jesus promised.
How are you making yourself available to Him and His kingdom?
We serve the LORD best in our areas of pain and what we are passionate about.
Just the beginning!
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