Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost.

 By: Pastor Ken Briks

Luke 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

All of us were like sheep going astray.  We were lost in our sin, on our way to destructive paths.  Jesus came to set us free and to give us a new life filled with God’s abundance.

John’s gospel alludes to the fact that the world was already condemned to hell and that Jesus came to save us from the condemnation the world was under.  (See John 3:16-19)

The purpose of this study is to discover what it was and is that Jesus came to do.  The above Scripture sums up His purpose and mission statement – He simply came to seek and save those who were lost and under the condemnation of the world.  This session will explore how it was that He accomplished this monumental task.  

We will be taking a close look at all that Jesus did during His 3½ years of ministry as the anointed One sent From God This session explores all that Jesus did during this time of ministry and the session that follows will explore what took place as a result of His death, burial and resurrection when He went to the cross.

When we see all that Jesus did through His anointed ministry, it will give us a glimpse of what we can expect from Him as we become more and more acquainted with Him and His purpose towards us as individuals.  It will also show us what we are capable of doing under the anointing that God pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.

John 14:12-13 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

        This is a great and wonderful promise from Jesus concerning what He wants to do in our lives.  If we neglect the opportunity to really get to know Him and what He is capable of in our lives, we could miss out on a beautiful destiny He has for each one of us.

II.   What Jesus Came To Do.

God is looking to build something in our lives that will last throughout eternity.  The truths that come forth from the life and ministry of Jesus are strong foundational truths that are the forms and the reinforcements that go into building the spiritual foundation that is necessary for God to build on.

·        He came to show us the way to the Father.

·        He came to reveal the love of the Father.

·        He came to reveal the Father’s power and authority.

·        He came to show us the true character of God.

1.   He Came To Show Us The Way To The Father.

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Many have come and gone throughout history proclaiming they knew the way to the Father, but it is only Jesus who said, “I am the way.”  Jesus is the way because He came from the Father and is the mediator between man and God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
2.    He Came To Reveal The Love Of The Father.

           When you think of how Jesus came to show us the love of the Father, the story of Jesus’ response to the woman who was caught in adultery really exemplifies the love of the Father expressed through Jesus.

John 8:3-11 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵"Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" ⁶This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. ⁷So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." ⁸And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" ¹¹She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

3.   He Came to Reveal the Father’s Authority and Power.

         When Jesus was in the temple at His home town in Nazareth He read from the Book of Isaiah the Prophet concerning His ministry, which reveals the authority and power of which He would operate under.

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

Acts 10:-38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Jesus revealed the Father’s authority and power through the many miracles and healings He performed upon those who were bound up in one form or another through the works of Satan.  Listed below are some of the miracles performed by Jesus.

·        The Miracles of Jesus:

Water changed into wine – Jn 2:9 Draught of fishes – Luke 5:6 Demoniac in the synagogue – Mark 1:26 Peter’s Mother-in-law healed – Mt. 8:14 Cleansing the leper – Mt. 8:3 Paralytic healed – Mt. 9:2 Withered hand – Mt.12:10 Centurion’s servant – Mt. 8:5 Raising the Widow’s Son – Luke 7:11 Stormed stilled – Mt.8:26 Demoniacs of Gadara – Mt. 8:28 Raising of Jairus’ daughter – Mt. 9:18 Issue of Blood – Mt. 9:20

Feeding five thousand – Mt. 14:15 Walking on the sea – Mt 14.25 Daughter of Syrophenician – Mt. 15:22 Deaf and Dumb healed – Mark 7:23 Feeding the four thousand – Mt. 15:32 Lunatic child – Mt. 17:14 Tribute Money – Mt. 17:24 Ten Lepers – Lu. 17:12 Lazarus raised from dead – Jn. 11 Cursing Fig Tree – Mt. 21:19 Malchus healed – Lu. 22:51 Second draught of fishes – Jn 21:6 His resurrection – Lu  24:6

4.   He Came To Show Us The True Character Of God.

Hebrews 1:3  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Jesus embodies God in human flesh and blood.  If you want to know God’s character, look at Jesus and His character.

John 14:19 (NLT) Jesus replied, “Philip, don’t you even yet know who I am, even after all the time I have been with you?  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!  So why are you asking to see Him?

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus was the total embodiment of the fruit of the spirit that is mentioned in Galatians.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

       Jesus came to show us what these character traits looked like in human flesh.  He was full of kindness, gentleness and goodness and always exercised self-control and longsuffering, even in the most adverse situations.  He was full of love, joy and peace as He went about doing His Father’s business.

III.     Applications.

         We’ve just been given a glimpse into the life of Jesus and have seen through the Word of God, Who He is, and what He came to do.  His desire is for us to follow Him in all things.

John 17:18-20 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹"And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. ²⁰"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

  ·        Just as Jesus came to show us the way to the Father, He expects us to show others the way as well.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

  ·        As we go forth in His name, His desire is for us to show the same love from the Father that He showed.

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

  ·        His Desire is for us to experience His awesome power towards us.

Ephesians 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…

  ·        We are to grow into the character of Christ.

Ephesians 4:22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Movie:  The film The Passion of the Christ does a great job showing the suffering of Christ. It also shows His encounter with the devil, how He overcame evil with good, and how He defeated Satan. The symbol of the cross is important, because it shows the love of Christ, the death that we deserved, and how to overcome evil with good. Without God we can be easily defeated or destroyed by Lucifer. It is only by God’s grace that we have the power to be victorious over the devil.

Jesus came to save the whole humanity. Believe on Jesus, and repent and turn to GOD by Obeying His Word, you shall be saved! Jesus is the only True Savior! 

God bless you..

The Redemptive Purposes of God

By: Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

      God created man in His own image.  When God created man, He created him with the ability to make choices knowing that man would not always make the choices that were in accordance with His will and desire for man. 

1.    Sin entered into the world with the rebellion of Satan, which led to Satan being cast out of heaven – Isaiah 14:13 & Luke 10:19.

2.    Sin entered humanity with the fall of Adam and Eve - Genesis 2:17 & 3:1-6.

3.    With the Fall of Adam & Eve sin entered into the world, and death through sin, which resulted in death to all men, because all have sinned – Romans 5:12.

II.   God’s Plan of Redemption.

 In God’s infinite wisdom and foreknowledge He foresaw that mankind would sin and therefore have need of Salvation and thus be redeemed back to Him.  We see this played out in the various covenants God has made with man.

1.    The Adamic Covenant – Genesis 3:15-24

The Consequences for Sin.

          A.  Sorrow in Conception - husband shall rule over you – Genesis 3:16.

          B.  Ground cursed – Hard sweaty work - Genesis 3:17-19.

          C.  Physical death – Genesis 3:19.

          D.  Sent out of the Garden – Genesis 3:23.

God’s Redemptive Plan.

Genesis 3:21  Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

An animal had to be killed, thus begins the first mention of blood being spilled for atonement for man’s sin.

Leviticus 17:11  'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'

3722.  Kaphar, kaw-far’; a prim. Root; to cover (spec. With bkitumen) fit. To expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:–apease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation).

The Prophetic & Redemptive Promise.

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

The antagonism between people and snakes is used to symbolize the outcome of the titanic struggle between God and the evil one, a struggle played out in the hearts and history of mankind.  The offspring of the woman would eventually crush the serpent’s head, a promise fulfilled in Christ’s victory over Satan–a victory in which all believers will share.

Romans 16:20a  And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

2.       God’s Covenant with Noah – Genesis Chapters 6 – 9.

God’s sorrow over the sinful condition of the earth.

        Genesis 6:5-6 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6)And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

The Consequence - God would destroy the earth.

Genesis 6:7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."

    The Redemptive Factor:

·        Noah found grace in God’s eyes – Genesis 6:8

·        God told Noah to build an ark – Genesis 6:18-22

·        God remembered Noah and the waters abated – Genesis 8:1-3

·        God’s Covenant Promise to Noah – Genesis 8:20-22.

3.     God’s Covenant With Abraham – Genesis 12-18.

God’s promise & the first mention of a redeemed nation – Genesis 12:1-4.

Genesis 12:1-2  Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
God’s response to Abraham’s obedience – Genesis 12:6-7.

         Genesis 12:6-7  Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. (7)Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

God’s covenant promise to Abraham.

Genesis 15:13-16 Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. {14} "And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. {15} "Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. {16} "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

The Covenant with Abraham is Tested – Genesis 22:1-8.

When Abraham explained to his servants where he was going, he told them that he and the son would return.

Genesis 22:5b "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."

When Isaac asked Abraham concerning the sacrifice, Abraham responded by saying that God would provide.

Genesis 22:8a  And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering."

Abraham was basing his confession and response on the covenant God had established with him rather than the circumstances of the moment.

The Covenant Promise to Future Generations.

Genesis 15:13-16  Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. {14} "And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. {15} "Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. {16} "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

4.    God’s Covenant with Jacob - Genesis 28.

Jacob has Dream in which God Appears to Him.

Genesis 28:13-14  And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. {14} “Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Jacob’s Response to God’s Covenant with Him

Genesis 28:22  “And of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You”

In the land of Padan Aram Jacob gives Brith to 12 sons – Genesis 29-31.

Jacob leaves Padan Aram with his twelve sons and returns to the land of his father.

Genesis 31:17-18  Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. {18} And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

Jacob’s Name is Changed to the Covenant Name, “Israel”.

Genesis 32:27-28  So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." {28} And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

Israel and His Twelve Sons Settle in the Promised Land - Genesis 37.

·     Joseph is loved more than all the children of Israel and is sold into slavery.

·     In Egypt Joseph is eventually raised up and during a time of famine his brothers come to Egypt.

·     Eventually the whole family comes to Egypt and dwell in the land of Goshen.

·     For 430 years they are slaves in Israel until the time Moses is raise up to deliver them.

5.   God’s Covenant With Israel Through Moses.

Moses is Called by God to Lead the Children of Israel to the Promised Land – Exodus 3:1-10.

Exodus 3:10 "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

After the Ten Plagues, the People of Israel are Released through the Passover to Escape to the Promised Land - Exodus 12.

·     A Lamb shall be taken – Vss. 3-4

             ·     The Lamb shall be without blemish – Vs. 5

             ·     The blood shall be applied to the doorposts of their homes – Vs 7.

             ·     They shall eat the flesh – Vs. 8.

             ·     They shall eat in haste – Vs. 11.

             ·     They shall eat unleavened bread seven days – Vs. 15.

III.     Conclusion:

         Everything that has been shared from this lesson points to one person and that person is Jesus Christ Who is God’s ultimate plan for redemption for all mankind, the Lamb of God.  Jesus was the Passover lamb that was sacrificed for our sins.  He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament Passover lamb represented

John 1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Corinthians 5:7  Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 

1 Corinthians 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

God Bless.

God Centered Living

By: Ken Briks

In the Book of Genesis we have the accounts of how God began to establish and accomplish His purposes through mankind.  For example, we have the account of God accomplishing His purposes through Abraham.  God used Abraham as the seed for the nation of Israel.

Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

The focus of God's relationship is not on Abraham's walk with God, but rather God accomplishing His purpose through Abraham.  The focus was on God, not necessarily on Abraham.  

·        The focus of the Bible is God.

·    The essence of sin is a shift from God-centeredness to a self centeredness.  We see this in the fall of Adam and Eve - Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-7.

God placed Adam and Eve in a beautiful and bountiful garden.  He told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Eve saw that the fruit was pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom, so she ate it.  She chose to look to self rather than to God.

Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

·        The essence of salvation is the denial of self, not an affirming of self.  We see this in the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife.

Potiphar's wife daily begged Joseph to come to bed with her.  He told here he could not do such great wickedness and sin against God.  When she tried to force him, he fled the room and went to prison rather than yield to temptation - Genesis 39.

 Genesis 39:7-9 Now it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

If we are to see God accomplish his purposes through us we must come to a denial of self just as Joseph did, and come to a God-centeredness in our lives.  What would have happened to the purposes of God if Joseph would have given into his fleshly desires instead of looking to God?

 II.  God-Centeredness Vs. Self-Centeredness.

 1.   Self-Centeredness Traits.

 ·        Life focused on self

·        Proud of self and self's accomplishments

·        self confidence

·        Depending on self and own abilities

·        Affirming self

·        Seeking to be acceptable to the world and its ways.

·        Looking at circumstances from a human perspective.

·        Selfish ordinary living

2.  God-Centered Traits.

·        Confidence in God

·        Dependence on God and His ability and provision

·        Life focused on God and His activity

·        Humble before God

·        denying self

·        Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

·        Seeking God's perspective in every circumstance

·        Holy and godly living

 3.  Biblical Examples of Self-centered Living vs. God-centered Living.

·        The Ten Spies: Self-centered lives - God had promised to give the land of Canaan to Israel.  Moses sent 12 men into the Promised Land to explore it and bring back a report.  The land was bountiful, but the people living there were seen as giants and as a result 10 of the spies came back with a negative report that was focused on self rather than looking to God - Numbers 13--14.

 Numbers 13:31  But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we."

 ·        Joshua & Caleb: God-centered lives - The other two spies, Joshua and Caleb had a report that was based on looking to God rather than self, but the people of Israel listened to the self-centered report and missed out on an opportunity to go into the Promised Land.  Because Joshua and Caleb looked to God rather than self they were the only two who came out of Egypt, who were allowed to go into the Promised Land and be a part of the wonderful purpose of God for their generation.

Numbers 14:8-9 "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them."

What promises are you not inheriting because of self-centered living?  What self-centered traits are hindering you the most from entering into God's wonderful promises?

·        The Example of King Asa:  This example shows us that God centeredness requires a daily death of self and submission to God as he walked in both directions at different times.

2 Chronicles14:9-11  Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"

2 Chronicles 16:1-3  In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. Here, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me."

Self-centeredness is a subtle trap. It makes sense (humanly speaking).  Like King Asa you can avoid it at one time and fall right into the trap at another time.  God-centeredness requires a daily death of self and submission to God.

III.  God's Purposes Not Our Plans.

To live a God-centered life, you must focus your life on God's purposes not your own plans.  You must seek to see from God's perspective rather than from your own distorted human perspective.  When God starts to do something in the world, He takes the initiative to come and talk to somebody.  For some divine reason, He has chosen to involve His people in accomplishing His purposes.

·        What was God about to do when He came to Noah and asked him to build an ark? (Genesis 6:5-14?  God was about to destroy the world with a flood.

·        What was God about to do to Sodom and Gomorrah when He came to Abraham - Genesis 18:16-21; 19:13)?  He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah He came to Abraham.

·        What was God about to do when He came to Gideon - Judges 6:11-16?  He was about to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of Midian.

·        What was God about to do when he came to Saul (later called Paul) on the road to Damascus -(Acts 9:1-6)?  God came to Saul when He was ready to carry the gospel message to the Gentiles around the known world.

At each of these moments the most important factor in each situation was what God was about to do, not what the individual wanted to do for God.

2 Timothy 1:9  ...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

When we are truly living God-centered lives rather than self-centered lives we find ourselves in the right position to be used by God for His kingdom purposes.  God has purposes all around you in your field of labor every day of which He is waiting to use you as you yield your life to Him.  The pattern in Scripture is that we submit ourselves to God and allow Him to reveal to us what He is about to do in our field of labor.  We watch and see what God is doing around us and join Him.

John 4:35 "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

It is my Prayer that May the Lord God help us to understand the importance of God Centered Living and enable us to apply these Truths from God's Word into our daily lives.  God bless through reading of this small message.

Amen.

The Importance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Written By: Pastor Ken Birks

               

Acts 19:1-2  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

This is my question to you today?  Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  Maybe you are like these disciples mentioned here and you are not sure whether this experience is for you or not.

Acts 19:2 …he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

My purpose in this message today is to assure you that this is an experience God desires for you to receive and enjoy.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you today just as it was for the 120 disciples who received it on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4  Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In this passage we have the record of how the 120 in the upper room first received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  It says, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues."  Peter says in verses 38-39 this promise is to everyone to whom the Lord calls, which means it is for you today!  God wants you to be baptized in His Spirit.

Acts 2:38-39  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

It is my conviction that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is something that God wants every believer to experience.  It is to be major part of our life and fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ as we are involved in carrying out His will and purpose.  We are not complete without it.  It is indispensable in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  We all desperately need it just as much as these early disciples did.  It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to carry out His will in our lives.

Acts 1:8  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

There are people here today who have never received this wonderful gift that God wants to pour into you freely.  I encourage you now to allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit to stir the desire and faith to receive this wonderful gift today.  I will be giving you opportunity following the service today to receive.

II. What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?

 1.  Baptism In The Holy Spirit Is A Full Immersion Into God's Spirit.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is more than just being born again of the Holy Spirit. It is a total infilling of The Holy Spirit. The very word baptism means to be fully whelmed or immersed as in water baptism.  In water baptism a person in fully immersed into water and in Spirit baptism a person is fully immersed into the Spirit of God.

 

It is an experience that is subsequent to the new birth.  We find in the scriptures that the disciples were both born of the Spirit and baptized in the Holy Spirit.  One example of this is found with the people of Samaria in Acts chapter eight.

Acts 8:4-6 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 8:12  But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

These people were saved, water baptized, delivered of demons, and experienced miracles, yet they did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit until the apostles at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to them.  The apostles in Jerusalem thought it was so important for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit that they sent Peter and John to minister it to them.

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

2.  Baptism In The Holy Spirit Is Accompanied By Speaking In Tongues.

The scriptures consistently show that whenever the baptism of the Holy Spirit came to believers, it was accompanied by speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

This experience with tongues as the accompanying sign also happened when the Gentile believers were brought into the church.

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Acts 11:16 identifies both this experience and the one in Acts 2 as the baptism of the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist prophesied would happen.

Let's remember that in the gospels the truth of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues is introduced, but there is no indication of what takes place when it happens.  We find now in the Book of Acts that when the disciples experienced this truth that both Jesus and John the Baptist prophesied would happen that it was accompanied with speaking in tongues.

Mark 16:17  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.

John 7:37-39  Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

III.  Why The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is Necessary.

As we see from these scriptures, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said all believers should receive – “these signs will follow those who believe...” He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.  What is it about the baptism of the Holy Spirit that makes it so necessary to our walk with the Lord?

1.  It Is A Vital Part Of Our Spiritual Foundation.

Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

If we are to grow up and be mature into all that Christ desires for us, we must have this experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.  We are a spiritual house that is to come into the full measure of Christ.

2.  It Brings Us Into God's Supernatural Power.

Acts 1:8  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Ephesians 1:19  ...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...

As Christians we are called to do great exploits for God and to wage a spiritual warfare with our enemy, Satan.  Without the power that comes forth from the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves coming out on the losing end.  Our enemy has supernatural power, but God says that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world - 1 John 4:4.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit releases this power in our lives.

3.  Baptism In The Holy Spirit Helps To Purify Us.

Matthew 3:11-12 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Part of our calling as Christians is to be Holy as God is.  We have been called to be holy and blameless.  Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or blemish.  In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus shows us that it is the oil or the baptism of the Holy Spirit that prepares us for this beautiful relationship between Christ and his purified bride.

4.  Baptism In The Holy Spirit Builds and Strengthens Our Faith.

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit...

1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5.  Baptism In The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray In God's Will.

1 Corinthians14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

Although the scripture below isn’t necessarily speaking about speaking in tongues it is talking about a very similar experience when the Holy Spirit takes over.  In light of the above Scripture, I believe the same principle is being incorporated when we pray in tongues or in the Spirit.

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us...

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the result then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

6.  It Brings Us Into A Deeper Level Of Intimacy With God.

1 Corinthians14:2  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

7.  It Brings Us Into A Deeper Level Of Revelation Of God's Word.

1 John 2:20  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

1 John 2:27  But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

8.  It Brings Rest To Our Souls.

Isaiah 28:11-12  For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest," And, "This is the refreshing"; yet they would not hear.

IV.  Summary & Concluding Remarks.

As we have seen from this lesson today, It is God's desire for each one of us to be filled with His Spirit to the fullness.  It is in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the accompanying sign of speaking in other tongues that continually allows us to be filled by His Spirit.  My encouragement today is for those of you who have not received this wonderful gift to do so.  As we have seen, it is a vital part of our spiritual foundation, it brings us into God's supernatural power, it helps to purify our vessels, it build us up in our faith, it helps us to pray according to God's will, it brings us into a deeper level of intimacy, it also brings us into a deeper revelation of His word and brings peace and rest to our souls.  These are good reasons to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today.