Life In The Holy Spirit

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

Today is Pentecost Sunday and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is still as vital and powerful as ever.

The following sermon on Life In The Spirit as preached by Rev Bobby Chaw of City Harvest Church on 26 May 2023 is summarised here for your edification:-

"Prayer cultivates an awareness of the Spirit's Presence.

1. The Spirit assures us of God's Love

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)

2. The Spirit helps us in our weakness

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26 (NIV)


3. The Spirit empowers us in Spiritual warfare

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

After putting on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-17), Paul urges us to pray in the Spirit so as to destroy demonic powers.

4. The Spirit reminds us of God's Promises

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 (NIV)

We must fan the Spirit's flame through a life of prayers.

EXPECTATION to receive the Messiah and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The 120 believers waited 10 days for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles."

Take time to pray as Jesus did and engage the Holy Spirit in every day life to advance the cause of Christ Jesus through your life and in this world. 

Who is the most important person in your life?

Who is the most important person in your life? The answer to this question might depend on your current station in life.

For youngsters, it could be your parents or guardian who provide and care for you. It could also be someone you like such as a best friend or a beloved grandmother. For those who are married, it would likely be your spouse whom you profess you cannot live without. Or, it might even be your children or grandchildren whom you dote over.

Digressing from people, some people might well find their career, business, pet, car, annual vacation, or hobby to be the most important thing in life.

Back to people, you would probably consider yourself as the most important person as you need to take care of yourself first before you can take care of others or other matters in life.

I submit to you that we should urge ourselves to allow Jesus Christ to be the most important Person in our life. God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the written Word of God has so much truths that we can glean about Him such as the following verses:

"In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

He was present originally with God.

All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.

In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men." (John 1:1-4; AMPC)

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13,14; NIV)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20; NIV)

""I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”" (Revelation 1:8; NLT)

"And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life." (Revelation 21:6; NLT)

When we give Jesus Christ first place in our lives, we honour Him who is so worthy of our worship, love and devotion. Surely, we can trust and obey Him who has created the cosmos and holds it all together, and also given us the breadth of life.

He has made us from dust, given us the breadth of life, and now He wants to transform us (dust) into sons and daughters of God -- the new creation.

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation," ( 2 Corinthians 5:16-18; NKJV)

Truly, let Jesus Christ take the supreme place in our lives and affirm with heart knowledge as with Apostle Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20; NKJV)

What is the difference between a Door and Gate?

"I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture." (John 10:9; AMPC)

Click here to discover the difference between a Door and a Gate in Christendom, and discover the Door of our Hope in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Where and When is Paradise?

"And He answered him, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23: 43, AMPC)

"Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter." (2 Corinthians 12:4, AMPC)

"He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7, AMPC)

Paradise could well be closer than we think as we let the Word of God (Jesus) speaks to us.

Click here for Paradise Now with Tim Mackie as he shares with us insights on where and when is Paradise from the Word of God (Jesus).