Family Worship Center - Raton, NM
Are we seeking the kingdom of God or the kingdom of the United States of America? With elaborate patriotic worship services and flags flying, it can become confusing to discern which kingdom we are truly living for. This week’s message helps the believer understand that it takes humility, honesty, and a heart turned toward God to maintain a healthy perspective of our earthly purposes and possessions
There is a neat test that a psychologist made up that put kids in an odd predicament. They were brought into a room and given the option to have a big marshmallow right now OR…if they would wait a couple of minutes they could have 2!
Then they were left alone but also videotaped to see what would come to pass.
Some just couldn’t resist.
Some weren’t tempted at all and could just wait.
Other’s had to turn it into something nasty and pretend it was gross
just so that they wouldn’t eat it.
The marshmallow was a free gift, much like Jesus is a free Gift. But you can also have the Holy Spirit (a second marshmallow), but tendency is that we chomp down the first and give up on the second.
My heart today is to help you see the 2nd is worth it!
John 14:16-18 NLT
Acts of the Apostles 9:31 NLT
Big Idea of the Message: God’s Spirit encourages us during hard times.
1) Be Advised by Him
(write notes below)
The word for encouragement in John 14:16 is paraklētos. This word means “a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because [they are] close enough to the situation”
2) Stay Strong In Him
(Write notes below)
3) Be Encouraged By Him
(Write notes below)
4) Be Content with Him
(Write notes below)
Application Point: Even during your darkest seasons of life, you are not alone nor forgotten.
Extra Study:
The Hebrew word for the Spirit is Ruach. It refers to the Spirit of God although there are many Surnames that can go with it.
Ruach Elohim - The Spirit of God
Ruach Adonai - The Spirit of the Lord
Ruach Hakkodesh - The Holy Spirit
Ruach El - The Spirit of God
You see, we are designed to have the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is not a mystical being trying to move lamp shades and make books fall of the table to get your attention.
He is the very breath of God! The spirit of Him!
God breathed the breath of life into Adam!
Job catches this and says in Job 33:4 that “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”
It’s the same Spirit that Pharaoh saw in Joseph Gen 41:38
It’s the same spirit that filled Bezaleel with all the wisdom to create all the artifacts of the tabernacle of Moses. Exod 31:3, 35:31
It’s the same spirit that wouldn’t allow Balaam to curse God’s people in Numbers 24:2
It’s the same spirit that allowed King Saul to prophesy in 1 Samuel 10:10
The same spirit that came on Othniel and gave him victory over the king of Mesopotamia in Judges 3:10
The same spirit that clothed Himself in Gideon in Judges 6:34
The Same Spirit that empowered Samson in Judges 13-15
The Same Spirit that came on David and helped him win battles and earn Kingdom. 1 Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel
The Same spirit that worked in Elijah 1 Kings 18
The Same Spirit that filled Micah to speak against Ahab 1 Kings 22
The Same spirit that was put on Elisha following Elijah 2 Kings 2
The same spirit that is alluded to by Isaiah that will be on Jesus Is 11
The same spirit that Filled Ezekiel
The same spirit that Led Hosea in Hosea 13
That same spirit that called out Israel in Micah.
Its the same spirit that descended on Jesus in John 1:33
It is the same breath that John says Jesus gave up in John 19:30.
it’s the same breath that was poured out in Acts 2.
It’s the same breath that raised Jesus from the dead Phil 3:10
Recap:
wk1 YOU ARE NOT ALONE…
wk2 HE WILL HELP YOU PRAY…
wk3 HE TEACHES AND CONFIRMS THE TRUTH…
wk4 HE EMPOWERS YOU TO DO A MIGHTY WORK…
Proverbs 4:25 ESV