Good morning.
In our zoom church meeting Wednesday evening I spoke about the presence of God in the third person of the trinity, Holy Spirit. Many today don't recognize Him because Christ said they don't know Him.
I preached a message at the church Sunday morning September 19, 2015 and I called it "Stranger Spirit". It was a special message the Lord had given to me because I had seen so many living without God in their life. It was like God was a stranger to them. I don't know how I would make it without the Lord. Many don't make it today because they feel no one cares for them and there is no more happiness in living.
It is true. Solomon the Preacher said, "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." Life in the final result is emptiness apart from God. Without God, our life is grieved, troubled, and perplexed. That makes me very sad for those who see The Lord as being far away.
I have copied and pasted a portion of my sermon notes from that Sunday morning. I hope it will bring you joy in knowing Jesus is not a stranger. You can know Him like I know Him today.
The Holy Spirit is no Stranger! Stop treating Him like one...
Jeremiah 14:7: O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
8: O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
We have made God out to be a STRANGER! Not just in our own lives, but also those who don't know Him, they have no hope today.
We attend church as an act of worship to our Lord Jesus Christ not just to sing and hear a sermon! It is our Christian duty "to assemble ourselves together" in God's house this morning.
The word "Church" means "called out assembly" The Lord Jesus Christ founded the Church and He is the heart and head of the Church. The Church exists to bear witness to Christ and our mission is to exalt Christ. It is Jesus, not the Church that is the transforming POWER in the hearts and lives of sinners today!
The world looks on the Christian and the church member as being inconsistent, useless and weak with NO POWER! The Christian that is weak and without POWER is indifferent. It is through the Spirit of God you and I are overcomers in this sinful world.
Philippians 4:13 is my favorite scripture "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
As a true disciple of Christ we have to committ ourselves to keep learning and praying in the POWER of the Holy Spirit. A Christian claims not to be perfect, but we are serving a perfect and POWERFUL Saviour.
Ephesians 5:18: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
John 14:16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14: He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15: All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Holy Spirit speak to us.
Holy Spirit intercede for us.
Holy Spirit testify to us.
Holy Spirit command us the way we ought to go.
Holy Spirit oversee our daily lives.
Holy Spirit guide us into all truth.
Holy Spirit teach us.
God is here with us! He is Holy Spirit of God!
Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Lord, baptize us in the Holy Spirit. Give us power and boldness to speak your name. In Jesus name, Amen.
Please remember the phone tree prayer requests.
Please remember our church prayer requests and all those listed in our church bulletin.
Pray for one another. Pray for our Nation and ALL people.
Pray for our military, their families and the churches missionaries all around the world.
Pray for our Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and First Responders.
Pray for all those in the medical field, hospitals and doctors offices as they provide patient well care and also to protect themselves.
Finally Pray for the lost, those seeking after The Lord today.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen
"Wherefore edify(encourage) one another..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Comforted... in Christ, Pastor Brian
Have a great day!