A New Year Sermon

Introduction – Paul is his life lived as one with a mission and objective in mind. Despite being beaten and bruised, ship wrecked and taken prisoner he encourages us in Philippians 3:13 to “press on towards the goal, the high calling we have in Jesus...” Whilst many of us at this time are busy breaking the New Year’s resolutions we made earlier, Paul was a man that would deny all things to serve in the Kingdom of our Lord.

As we examine Pauls life, whilst at first glance this statement may not sound so profound, however it really is amazing after experiencing beatings, stoning, shipwrecks and even now whilst writing to the church in Philippi, being imprisoned for his faith.

But this is no longer the man who at one time stood by and held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. See Acts 6

Paul makes this amazing statement in 2 Cor 4:7-12, where he says “7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

What gave Paul this incredible fervour to carry on, to go the extra mile despite all that he experienced?

Not only did he experience hardship, but he had also given up so much of what many of us might call being comfortable. That is, his family, his position amongst leading Pharisees, his citizenship as a Roman...

What inspired Paul to Keep on Going?

Lovers of all things Jesus – the love of God compels us, but more so being in love with God should compels us.  Not because we should or have to, but because we are so in love that we can do no less.

Colossians 3:3 says Setting our hearts and eyes on him above rather than on things below. Having the mind of Christ...

Not just a lover of the written word, but of the Spoken word. Being one who was praying in the Spirit on all occasions. See Ephesians 6:18

Not Religious as we know it culturally today, rather as described in the bible.

Seekers of His Kingdom – His kingdom is the opposite of the worldly kingdom in which we live. Knowing his kingdom is within us, that we are His body and everything and everyone that we engage in this life we are able to bring His kingdom.

Matthew 6:33; Matt 5:10

When speaking to the disciples who wanted to know if they would be seated with him in heaven, Jesus says in Luke 11 that those who wish to be “first must be last” and again in Luke 9 Jesus says if anyone would come after me, “must deny himself, take up the cross and follow him.”

Led of the Holy Spirit –Romans 8 says being lead by his Spirit is what makes us into sons rather than staying us slaves.

Christ has bought us with the price of His blood.

The prodigal son came to realise that returning as a servant with a heart that was humbled, broken and repentant brought opportunity to live as a son in His father’s kingdom.

There is much symbolism in the story of the prodigal son, eg ring to trade in the fathers name; cloak is the authority the son has in different regions; shoes represent the ability to go much like Ephesians speaks about the shoes of readiness; the fatten calf speaks of the blessing.

The most power part however, of this story is the part that says “and the father saw him from afar off, ran to him and embraced him” speaking of the intimacy the father longs for between us and himself.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says???

As we move forward in the new year, one of the most powerful things we can possible do, is to obey the voice and leadings of the Holy Spirit.

Our old founding pastor, used to say “find out what Holy Spirit is doing and do that” because He will always make you look good.

The Lord commands Joshua in chapter three to “meditate on this word day and night” resulting in the Lord making him very successful. Joshua 3

I believe it is this closeness to the Spirit and obedience to him that brings genuine success in all that we do.

Conditions affecting the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2

Acts 2:1-10

As we read this scripture we could ask ourselves, what where the conditions that influenced the believers that perhaps saw the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them in such a mighty way. In looking at some of these conditions we are able to compare the conditions of our own time and perhaps wee how we might also see an outpouring like this in our time.

1.       The promise in scripture – As we read in Joel 2:28-29 we see that over 400 years earlier the prophecy came via Joel from the Lord to do such a work. Whilst we understand and know from scripture the Holy Spirit was already at work in virtually every aspect of creation through to the work of John the Baptist preceding Acts 2, this was a new baptism of the Spirit which would be available to all who ask, indeed from generation to generation. Jesus in turn confirmed this promise prior to his returning to the Father in Acts 1:8 commanding the disciples to “wait” for the promise of the Father.

2.       They were gathered – When individuals come together in the name of Jesus, we know from scripture such as Matt 18:19; 1 Cor 10:1 that something specials takes place. Firstly we know that when we do so, the Lord promises to be there “in the midst of us”. But also an opportunity arises where our faith is released and our talk and song is unified to create “sumfonio”. This is the word which comes from the Greek word for symphony and as scripture says when there is sumfonio “whatever we ask for from our heavenly Father” will be done.

3.       Expectation of the believers – Not only did the believers obey Jesus’ command to meet together for the promise of the Spirit but they came with an expectation and longing that the Lord was going to do something new with them, something out of the ordinanary. Heb 11:1 says that “Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.” When we exercise our faith and expect to see the Lord move mightily amongst us, I believe the Lord desires to move amongst us and bring about his will through us.

4.       Prayer of the believers according to Luke 11:9-10 – When we read this scripture we see what I believe is a culmination or building upon ideas. Firstly we see the need to seek and find, which is often done by the individual in their own strength. Secondly we see the need to pray which results in receiving requiring the person to be broken and therefore requiring help and a dependence of the Lord. Finally we read that we knock and the door is opened which is better understood in the original Greek which speaks of a desperation of the person where they know they cannot give up until the door is opened as they have no other options.

5.       Time to wait on the Spirit to move. Isa 40:31 – In this scripture we understand that we have no choice but to give the Spirit time to move when He is ready, not according to our program or schedule. Often, especially within the framework of the Pentecostal movement we have programmed our meetings in such a way that there often isn't room or time for the Holy Spirit to move upon people. However the Holy Spirit much like you and I in our own relationships desire to spend time with us, a time in which we are able to sense and feel his promptings. Just as when we are spending time with our spouses or family members, the Spirit of God wants with us. In the same way, we need not religiously over do our time with the Spirit. I have been in many meetings which simply drag on with no ending in sight as the leader was insensitive to know when the Spirit has moved.

6.       A longing to see the Kingdom of God – Matt 6:33; Matt5:6 Finally these scriptures show us that we need to lay down our own lives and desire to see the Lord’s will be done in our and through us. Eg. Heidi Baker where she says God’s Kingdom is the opposite to our own and we must be willing to do things His way rather than the worlds way. Just as Jesus says in Luke, we need to be willing to lay down our own lives, kingdoms, desires and plan for his plans to bear fruit in us. As John the Baptist said of Jesus we must also say "I must decress so that He may increase."