Touching God

LNB-17    ZBA-01

911027PM

 

In the ancient world, the world of the Parthenon, Aereopagus, the Acropolis, Coliseum, vast amphitheaters, hippodromes, and agoras…

 

As chariots rattled and horses snorted and pawed at the cobble stone Roman roads…

 

Gladiators, athletes and Roman legionaries robed in purple, scarlet and white…

 

Sun glinted from swords, shields, helmets and the gold of temples and shrines…

 

The glories of Greece and Rome.

 

The Epichoregos in Rome

 

OPEN TO PHIL. 1:19 – To meet an actual person known in every city-a rich and very generous benefactor who supplied and directed the music festival each year.  He was called the epichoregos.  English chorus comes from this word.

 

This man –

Obtained the amphitheater.

Searched out the music.

Hired the musicians.

Engaged instruments

Invited the town.

Supplied the food, drink and money to make this weeklong event possible.

He then led the entire concert and show.

 

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

 

The Epichoregos of the New Testament is the Holy Spirit.

 

v     HE SUPPLIES ALL WE NEED

 

My freshman year I was hired on as a stage hand at the old Metropolitan Opera House works at the Rodeheaver Auditorium Concert, Play & Opera House. It contained 10 stories of lifts, stages, props, curtains and every other needed item for Shakespeare, operas, concerts, symphonies and all.

 

It is the Holy Spirit that chorus all into our lives  –

• Directs
• Provides
• Pays
• Enlists
• Obtains
• Searches out
• Supplies
• Leads Us

 

HOW?  Backup v.19 “thru your prayers…”

 

The Seven Fold Cycle of God’s Plan

 

Let me ask you – are you right now praying for the seven fold cycle of God’s plan for the church and His saints?  Are you?  What is it?

 

• Lost converted
• Become disciples
• Profess Christ in Baptism
• Spiritual Growth
• Victorious Living
• Spirit Powered Worship
• Humble Dedicated Committed Service

Well, are you praying for the lost, baptisms, growth, fruit, worship, service?  If not, let’s start!

 

WHAT DOES HOLY SPIRIT SUPPLY TO THE CHURCH?

 

• 1:27 Stand firm=united
• 2:2   United one spirit
• 2:20 Kindled spirit
• 3:3   Energizes worship
• 4:23 Ministers grace

 

The SUPPLY OF SPIRIT (1:1a)

The FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT (2:1).

 

What is fellowship of spirit?

Three Things:

• Fellowship with God (I. Jn. 1:3)
• Fellowship with each other (Phil. 2:1-4)
• Fellowship with ministry (1:25, 2:13)

 

So, the Holy Spirit in Philippians is the Spirit who supplies us and prompts true fellowship.

 

Now – Col. 1:8 The only reference to the Holy Spirit in the book.

 

What is Love in Spirit?

 

• PRESENCE OF

• • 1:6  Fruit bearing
  • 1:7  Humble service
  • 1:12 Thanksgiving
  • 1:13 Transformed lives

 

In brief, a Holy Spirit filled church with the love of God spreads out through Holy Spirit:

ðABSENCE OF GOSSIPPING TONGUES

Absence of slanderous rumors

Absence of misunderstandings and quarrels

Absence of criticism, murmurings and bad feelings

Turf guarding, toes that stick out to get stepped on.

 

ðIf there is criticism, negativism, jealously, mistrust and strife (James 3:13-18)

tells us its from Satan, not God.

 

So the Holy Spirit supplies –

• • Philippians 2:1              Fellowship
  • Colossians 1:8              Love
  • I Thessalonians 1:5       Power
  • I Thessalonians 1:8       Joy
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13   Sanctification