BAR-2012-01
120831AM
WE NEED THE SPIRIT’S POWER TO FOLLOW GOD
Let me show you something neat in Galatians 5, another great text on the Holy Spirit.
We are to actively follow the Lord—inviting the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives by reading the Word, praying, and obeying His will.
Galatians 5:16, 25 I say then: Walk…
(present active imperative—keep constantly walking)
We are to walk (present active imperative) in the Spirit. And if we do that, look what verse 16 says
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Now look at verse 25—
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
So our body is His abiding place, we are to walk in Him.
WE NEED THE SPIRIT’S POWER OR WE GRIEVE GOD
Now keep going to Ephesians 4:30 with that in mind.
Because He owns us and lives in us, because He commands us to walk in Him, if we give in to sin (like the lying, bitterness, and course talking) by disobeying God, we are grieving the Spirit (Eph. 4:30)
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve (another present active imperative) the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
It is my duty to say no to any thing that will shut off the valve of the Holy Spirit’s working in my life. It’s my job to make sure that nothing constricts Him, nothing stops the flow of the Spirit in my life.
Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled (present passive imperative) with the Spirit,
This is a continuous experience, like drinking water from a fresh stream (John 7:37–39).
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 (present active imperative). 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.
That’s a command; and if we disobey, we are grieving God!
Slides
Check Out All The Sermons In The Series
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