God is closer than you think

*We all have some concept of the Holy Spirit
*The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity
*But we have little knowledge about the Holy Spirit
*We naturally do not talk about the Holy Spirit

Receive the Holy Spirit
a.k.a = baptism by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit

aim = conversion

Matthew 3:11: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(John the Baptist speaking)

*They knew they were getting the Holy Spirit. but we have to wait
*Once we have it, it is ours

Acts 2:1-4:

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

 ¹ When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  *Holy Spirit will be with all Christians

Acts 2:38-39: ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Galatians 3:1-6:  ¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?⁴ Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? ⁶ So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
*We now have the Holy Spirit

When = once-off, permanent

Our role = repent & believe

God's role = Holy Spirit dwells in us (forever) when we are baptised

*When we ask for the Holy Spirit, He hears and will give the Holy Spirit to you

Be empowered by the Holy Spirit
a.k.a. = filled with/by the Holy Spirit

aim = mission

Acts 4:8:  ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!

Acts 4:31:  ³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 13:9: Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

Acts 13:50-52: ⁵⁰ But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

When = specific time and purpose

Our role = be on mission, pray, fast

God's role = empowers us for mission= natural feeling

Walking in the Holy Spirit
a.k.a = filled with, walk with, live in, led by exciting, empowering and life transforming

aim = transformation

*Holy Spirit becomes a dominating force in our lives

Galatians 5:16-25: ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
 ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
 (Paul speaking to the Christians)

*When we walk by the Holy Spirit, we do good

Ephesians 4:30-32: ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:18: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

*debauchery = does not produce anything good
but be filled and walk with the Spirit. Only then, we can see the Holy Spirit at work with you, speaking to others and to be thankful about the bad things
(Produce things which are Godly)

When = available every day

Our role = commanded to walk in Holy Spirit

God's role = Fruitful transformation

*Spiritual breathing = normal for everyone

1) Exhale

- Confess our sin
- Agree with God concerning your sin
- Thank him for His forgiveness of it

*Trust that God will guide and impower

2) Inhale

- Surrender your desires to Christ
- Appropriate (receive) the fullness of Holy Spirit by faith


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**