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

Fruit Clusters
God focused – love, joy, peace
People focused – longsuffering, kindness, goodness
Self-focused – faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
ALL OF THESE ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRIST
The Vine – The Branch – The Fruit

John 15:1- 8(NKJV) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

1. A true branch that is pruned

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

UNDERTANDING not being taken away and being pruned

Matthew 3:7-10(NKJV) 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

JEWS SAW ABRAHAM AS THEIR FATHER BY BIRTH
Abraham is our father not by biological connection but by spiritual connection
If we lay claim any other way than through faith in Christ and His life flow in us we will be a branch that is cut off

Paul explains the connection with Abraham and the importance of faith in Christ alone further in Galatians 3
Galatians 3:1-9(NKJV) O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying,“In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Our connection to the vine as a branch is faith in Christ alone – very life flow
If we return to the law or any other thing outside of Christ we are bewitched and lose life connection
Abraham was made right by faith not the law – Genesis 15 covenant

Genesis 15:6,9,10,17,18(NKJV) 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—

Abraham and OT saints understood their hope was not in the law/which was between God and man/ but in the Messiah/a covenant promise between God the Father and the Son exhibited in Genesis 15 that produced the hope of redemption to come and Abraham was a recipient of that redemption

It is out of the life of Genesis 15 – reiterated in Galatians 3 – that we have the life of the vine as branches that produce the fruit of Galatians 5:22-23 – read this week Galatians 3,4, and 5

Only branches who totally depend on faith in Christ will produce fruit from the life of Christ
When we live from anything else – that ‘false life’ is cut off – we are pruned
Pruned by the Word and by the Holy Spirit – to remain in Christ
PRUNING CUTS OUT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT THE LIFE OF CHRIST
2. Significance of abiding in the vine

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Abiding in Greek – continue, dwell, endure, be present
Maintain a perspective in spite of counter influences

Colossians 1:17-23(NKJV) 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

ABIDING MEANS TO:
Continue in Him where all the fullness dwells
Continue to live in the power of the blood of the cross
Continue to live holy – blameless – above reproach
Continue in faith – grounded and steadfast
Continue to never be moved away from the hope of the Gospel
3. Fruit bearing disciples indeed

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

END RESULT OF BEING PRUNED AND ABIDING – FRUIT BEARING DISCIPLES

John 8:28-31(NKJV) 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Always lift up the Son
The Father has taught and sent and is with the Son
We are connected to the Father through the Son
What is required of a disciple of Christ?

Luke 14:25-33(NKJV) 25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Leave behind family
Leave behind your own life
Be ready to bear your cross
Determine to pay the price to the finish
Forsake everything to be His disciple – back to that word – SURRENDER

Tell missionary to Muslim country story – challenge us to live our story – missiionary released the fruit of the Spirit by being pruned – by abiding – by becoming a disciple

Be pruned – Abide – become a disciple – RELEASE THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST – is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control

Isaiah 28:10-11(NKJV) 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,

1. Tongues as initial physical evidence of Holy Spirit baptism
Direct references as initial physical evidence

Acts 2:1-4(NKJV) 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:44-47(NKJV) 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Acts 19:1-7(NKJV) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Indirect references to initial physical evidence

Acts 8:8-18-21(NLT) 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

Acts 9:17-18(NKJV) 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

1 Corinthians 14:4(NKJV) 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

2. Tongues for corporate edification
The Gift of Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:8-10(NKJV) 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Gift of tongues in tandem with interpretation
Interpretation rather than translation
Tongues and interpretation equivalent of prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:22-28(NKJV) 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Guidelines of two or three messages in tongues and interpretation
Tongues are evidence to unbelievers that this is supernatural

Smith Wigglesworth story of young minister who came to meeting in Bradford, England – skeptical about baptism of Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues – at the beginning of meeting two women began to pray in tongues – he understood both Greek and Hebrew – one lady was speaking Greek – the other Hebrew – both were saying get right with God – spoke to him

3. Tongues for personal edification
Praying

Romans 8:26-27(NKJV) 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 with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:2,14-15(NKJV) 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. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion 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.

Ephesians 6:18(NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Jude 20(NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Singing

1 Corinthians 14:15(NKJV) What is the conclusion 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.

Ephesians 5:18-21(NKJV) 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God
.
THERE ARE THEN TONGUES AS INITIAL PHYSCIAL EVIDENCE OF BAPTISM – TONGUES FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION – TONGUES FOR CORPORATE EDIFICATION – THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS NOT TONGUES – BUT GOD I WANT WHATEVER YOU HAVE FOR ME – NO RESTRICTIONS – NO RESERVATIONS – YOU CHOOSE – I SURRENDER TO WHATEVER GOD HAS FOR ME – FOR WHAT HE WANTS

Acts 1:4-5(NKJV) 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

1. Initial outpouring

Acts 2:1-4(NKJV) 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

One accord in one place
And suddenly
They were ALL filled
2. The promised open-ended gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38-39(NKJV) 38 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. 39 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.”

Repent and be baptized
You SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
As many as the Lord our God will call
3. A separate work from salvation

Acts 8:5,12(NKJV) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 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.

People were saved and baptized

Acts 8:14-17(NKJV) 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

They were saved but the Holy Spirit had fallen upon none of them
They laid hands and they received
4. For all people

Acts 10:44-47(NKJV) 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Until now only Jews had received
Evidence- heard them speak with tongues and magnify God
Actually received the Holy Spirit before being baptized in water
5. Immediately available

Acts 19:1-7(NKJV) And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

John’s baptism/repentance – baptized in the name of Jesus/salvation
Laid hands – and spoke with tongues and prophesied
6. Are you thirsty?

John 7:37-39(NKJV) 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 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.

Are you thirsty?
Come to Christ and drink
Believe according to the Word of God – rivers of living water
WILL receive

Example of drinking water – from taste – to overflow

Matthew 3:16-17(NKJV) 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CREATION

Genesis 1:1-2(NKJV) 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

THE OLD COVENANT
1. The Holy Spirit empowerment
Preparation of the tabernacle

Exodus 31:3-6(NKJV) 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner ofworkmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Gideon – victory for God’s people over the enemy

Judges6:34(NKJV) But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.

David – ability to serve as king

1 Samuel 16:13(NKJV) 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

2. The Holy Spirit inspiration

2 Peter 1:21(NKJV) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Everything in the Old Covenant was limited and temporary
THE NEW COVENANT
1. Convicts

John 16:8-11(NKJV) 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

2. Indwells

Romans 8:9-11(NKJV) 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

3. Adopts

Romans 8:14-16(NKJV) 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

4. Baptizes

1 Corinthians 12:12-13(NKJV) 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

5. Seals

2 Corinthians 1:21-22(NKJV) 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

6. Commissions

Acts 13:2-4(NKJV) 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

7. Intercedes

Romans 8:26-27(NKJV) 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 with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

8. Fills

Acts 4:31(NKJV) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

9. Teaches/Guides

John 14:26(NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 16:13(NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

10. Empowers

Acts 1:8(NKJV) 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.”

VISITATION VS. HABITATION
Old Covenant – visitation
Specific occasions
Specific assignments
Specific individuals
Specific messages
New Covenant – habitation
The promise

John 14:15-18(NKJV) 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The release

Acts 1:4-8(NKJV) 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 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.”

The fulfillment

Acts 2:14-17(NKJV) 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

The possibilities

Acts 2:38-39(NKJV) 38 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. 39 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.”

The Old Covenant delivery was from a distant mountain – immediately reflected by sinful behavior with brass serpent – death and destruction
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The New Covenant delivery was with wind and fire in the upper room where the believers were gathered – immediately released the exponential power of God to ALL PEOPLE represented at Pentecost – overcoming power and eternal life
WE ARE NOT IN A VALLEY LOOKING FOR A VISITATION FROM A DISTANT MOUNTAIN
WE ARE IN OUR UPPER ROOM READY TO RELEASE THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S HABITATION AT LBC
COLLECTIVELY WE SAY – WIND BLOW
INDIVIDUALLY WE EMBRACE OUR ASSIGNMENT

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. Peace to set the world in order

Isaiah 11:6-8(NLT) ⁶ In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.  The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.  ⁷ The cow will graze near the bear.  The cub and the calf will lie down together.  The lion will eat hay like a cow.  ⁸ The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.  Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

Ultimate restoration of God’s original intention for the world in the millennium

To complete – to restore – to compensate – Jeanne

Colossians 1:19-20(NLT) ¹⁹ For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, ²⁰ and through him God reconciled everything to himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Wonderful Counselor/Mighty God/Everlasting Father – all of God’s fullness in Christ

Current restoration in finding peace with God and to be made whole

2. Peace in the storm

Luke 8:22-24(NLT) ²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. ²³ As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.  ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.

The paradox of living in the power of Christ in a tumultuous world

The storm raging around the boat of safety with Christ

When Jesus speaks to the storm – peace

Wholeness – fullness – totality – completeness

3. Peace within

Romans 5:1-2(NLT) ¹ Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Faith brings right standing with God – which brings peace

Coming to peace – undeserved privilege – sharing God’s glory

Ultimate harmony – order – unity

Paul in the shipwreck of Acts 27 – peace within Paul – produced peace in the storm – took him to fulfill God’s plan to redeem Gentiles/peace for the entire world – as Christ is revealed – the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace – produces a complete work – in Paul – in the storm – into the world – beyond the storm – shaking off the serpent – became the boat of

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. The co-existence in creation with God the Father

Genesis 1:26-28(NLT) ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  ²⁷ So God created human beings in his own image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  ²⁸ Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Our image – to be like us – connected to Son

Dominion of man in the earth – connected to Son

Redemption by – Son of God/Son of man – Mighty God

2. The most significant act of might was the work of the cross

Philippians 2:5-11(NLT) ⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  ⁶ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Equality of Christ with the Father

Exchange of privilege for ultimate humility

Name above all names – Mighty God

3. The righteous demonstration of omnipotence is redemption

Galatians 3:13(NLT) But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

The curse of the law

He became sin – took our sin – law fulfilled – law vs grace

Understanding back to Gen 15 – God made covenant for Abraham – grace

Ultimate power – transforming sinful humanity to redeemed saint – Mighty God

4. The greatest opportunity is an assignment as an agent of redemption

2 Corinthians 5:18-21(NLT) ¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,  so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Made right with God through Christ – the power of grace

Reconciled to be ambassador of redemption – Mighty God

Peter warming himself and cursing by the fire – going fishing – DO YOU LOVE ME EPISODE – transformed in Upper Room – Pentecost – book of Acts church leader – Ambassador – container for the Mighty God – released Jesus to the world – are you living the full potential of the MIGHTY GOD IN YOU – JESUS

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. The counsel of Christ in the Word of God

1 Peter 1:23(NLT) ²³ For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

The dependability of the Word of God

The Logos Word becoming Rhema Word

The flow between the written Word and Christ as the living Word

2. The counsel of Christ by the witness of the Spirit

John 14:25-26(NLT) ²⁵ I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. ²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

The connection between God’s Spirit and our spirit

Listening for the voice of the Spirit

Setting proper order – you are a spirit – you have a soul – you live in a body

3. The counsel of Christ through the gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:4-6(NLT)  ⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. ⁶ God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

The office gifts – the service gifts – the manifestation gifts – The ability to discern – prophecy/tongues and interpretation – word of knowledge/word of wisdom – faith/miracles/healings

Releasing the gifts of the Spirit

Flowing in the Spirit

Maintaining order and proper structure – fruit of Spirit and gifts of Spirit balance

4. The counsel of Christ through divine appointments

Acts 9:17-18(NLT) ¹⁷ So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Aha – suddenly moments

Unrehearsed spiritual encounters

Providential relationships

Elijah – Elisha – double portion

Samuel – David – transition from judges to kings

W. A. Criswell – Rick Warren – 1973 – San Francisco – Young man, I feel led to lay hands on you and pray for you – He placed his hands on my head and prayed: Father, I ask that you give this young preacher a double portion of your Spirit. May the church he pastors grow to twice the size of the Dallas church.  Bless him greatly, O Lord

1 Corinthians 3:10-15(NLT) ¹⁰ Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.  ¹² Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Talk about God’s blessing toward the end of 2011 – particularly the Open Windows – now with 2012 both as a church and in our personal lives – expectation – revelation of Christ as our foundation – how to build the year personally and corporately

1. Material choices

1 Corinthians 3:13 – 15(NLT) ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Building materials – gold, silver, jewels(SPIRIT)– wood, hay, straw(FLESH)

The best of what we can do – the best of what God can do

Things that don’t matter – ACCESSORIES – things that do – STRUCTURE

2. The danger of mixture

Galatians 3:3-4(NLT) ³ How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? ⁴ Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

Clear understanding of the difference between structure and accessories for life

The battle between Spirit and flesh – Romans 8

The natural tendency to go back – strength of the flesh

The Spirit always leads us forward – God will always stretch us

Anointing mixed with rebellion – ultimately the mixture will destroy

3. Anchored to the foundation

Luke 6:47-49(NLT) ⁴⁷ I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸ It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹ But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

The Word of God as our compass – John 1:1-5

Plugged into the church family – under the authority of the Pastor and leadership

Devotional life – prayer time – stress daily Bible reading of Gospels

Discipleship – LBC Basics

Financial obedience in tithes and offerings – open windows

Leading of Holy Spirit and baptism of Holy Spirit – seek after a lifestyle of         living in the Spirit – not just a prophetic word to just hold onto

Serving in church, in community, and in missions

The guarantee for being anchored to the foundation is all of the above plus developing a passion for a move of God – releasing revival – personally and corporately – beginning to intercede to release Nehemiah 8:10

How do we get from Nehemiah 8:9 to Nehemiah 8:10 – ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. ⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lordyour God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  ¹⁰ And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – The Word of God reminds us how undone we really are – when that breaks us – leads us to repentance and a ‘spirit of repentance’ – our broken spirits are then ripe for a move of God in us and allows us to begin to stand in the gap – weep for our failure to live up to the Word of God and for the failure of the people of our city – for LBC and for Ft Wayne

It is time for us to cry out on behalf of LBC and for Ft Wayne – to repent – to be broken – and watch the wave of the incoming tide of God’s Spirit begin to come to shore – LIKE THE BEACH WHEN THE TIDE BEGINS TO COME IN – as the waves come in the dry beach begins to get soaked – the debris is washed away as the tide comes in – comes in stronger –repeated waves – larger area gets touched – more debris washed away – and the old shoreline begins to be changed – the water gets deeper and that is what God is going to do – we are in the season of Nehemiah 8:9 – wall was complete – Nehemiah and Ezra assembled the people to hear the Word of God – Word of God brought conviction of sin – began to weep – we must weep for our sinful condition until God says enough – then He begins to release the joy – the Word from Pastor Jack is yet to come – and if we will be faithful to Nehemiah 8:9 – Nehemiah 8:10 WILL FOLLOW IN WAVE AFTER WAVE OF REFRESHING – WASHING THE DEBRIS AND ENLARGING THE PLACE OF SOAKING AND THE WATERS OF THE FRESH MOVE OF GOD IN FORT WAYNE – 2012 – EXPECT –ANTICIPATE THE REVELATION OF CHRIST

Luke 2:1-7(NLT) ¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.  ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

1. The reality that there is no room – attempts to crowd out Jesus

The circumstances around us

The busyness of the moment

The pressures of the world system

The person who got in the way – the innkeepers in your life

Ungodly or Godly positional innkeeper

Momentary incidental innkeepers

Trusted inner circle innkeepers

Are they a brother’s keeper or a brother’s brother?

Are they accountable to a higher Godly earthly authority?

Are they willing to concede fallibility?

Are they able to empty any agenda of their own?

Are they the only authority voices that shape your decisions?

You must not miss Jesus because of where the Innkeeper sent you

The repugnance of an overwhelming stench

The presence of Jesus transcends the stench of the stability

The presence of Jesus overcomes the noise of the stable

The presence of Jesus radiates life and hope in the face of darkness and despair

The presence of Jesus breaks through the walls of the stable to something larger

The presence of Jesus released in the stable resonates to the ends of the earth

The shepherds spread the word – Mary pondered

In December of 1776 – George Washington faced odds that were impossible –

Had less than 6000 men – 1700 unfit for duty and needed hospital care – General Gates delayed by snow with another 2000 men – General Lee did not respect Washington and drug his feet getting there – supplies were low – morale was low – on Dec 12 Lee was captured by the British and Gen Sullivan took over and got the men there by Dec 20 – Gen Gates arrived along with another Gen which now gave 6000 healthy troops – release of Thomas Paines Common Sense read by all the men raised morale with these words – These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. – that spirit released changed everything – so that on Dec 25 – they crossed a treacherous river – filled with ice – to begin a turnaround in favor of Washington’s cause – no accident on Christmas Day – Christ revealed in the repugnant stench of war – also in the ranks included – future president James Monroe – future Supreme Court Justice John Marshall – future Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton – Washington’s determination not only saved the day but released the future of other leaders

Push past what appears to say no room – push past the innkeepers that would stand in the way – push past the stench of life – to release Jesus in the middle of your desperation – release God’s plan and purpose in you – and release the James Monroe’s – the John Marshall’s the Alexander Hamilton’s in your boat to their destiny  – Jesus the light of the world is ready to be released in the repugnant stench of your stable – 2012 is the year for revival in Life Bridge – for you – for Ft Wayne – for the world – DO NOT MISS IT

Romans 8:38-39(NLT) ³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 2:8-20(NLT) ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”  ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  ¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

1. Perceptive awareness

Luke 2:9-10(NLT) ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

On alert for the suddenly moments

The art of listening from your spirit

Anticipating heavenly intervention

Everyone could have seen and heard – why didn’t they?

2. Proactive response

Luke 2:15(NLT) ”  ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Processing divine moments

The choice to remain the same or to embrace change

Compelled to action

3. Transformed messengers

Luke 2:17-18(NLT) ¹⁷After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,

The power of undeniable experience

What happened and what was said about it

Releasing transformation – shepherding your life

Nicky Cruz – born in Puerto Rico – sent to New York as a troubled teen – became a member of the Mau-Mau street gang- encountered Dave Wilkerson on streets – slapped him – did so again – went to meeting two weeks later to disrupt – was changed – over 50 years has ministered to troubled teens like himself