Awakening to God's Power and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Hunger Ignites Spiritual Revival

Hunger for God's presence can lead to extraordinary spiritual awakenings, transcending personal and societal limitations. William Seymour's life exemplifies this, as his deep desire for the Holy Spirit brought forth a historic revival from the Azusa Street Mission, reminding us that earnest seeking of God can catalyze profound change. [01:54:20]

Acts 10:44-45 - "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles."
Reflection: How does your spiritual hunger manifest in your daily life? What steps can you take to deepen your desire for God's presence?

Day 2: Prayer as a Conduit for the Spirit

Prayer is not merely a ritual but a dynamic channel through which God's presence is felt and His gifts are activated. When believers unite in prayer, they invite the manifestation of God's kingdom, allowing for healing and transformation to take place. [03:32] [04:45] [07:16]

James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: Consider your prayer life. How can you make your prayer time more intentional to foster a deeper connection with God and His kingdom?

Day 3: Embracing the Altar of Self-Sacrifice

At the altar, one must die to self to allow the life of God to flourish within. This surrender is the gateway to a miraculous existence, reflecting the power and transformation witnessed in the early church. [01:52:06] [01:52:48] [01:53:36]

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What aspects of your life need to be laid down at the altar? How can you practice self-sacrifice to allow God's power to work through you?

Day 4: Baptism: A Declaration of Resurrection Life

Baptism is a profound declaration of faith, symbolizing the burial of the old self and the embrace of a life led by the Spirit. It is a commitment to walk in newness of life, with Christ living within us. [01:24:49] [01:26:49] [01:28:27]

Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Reflection: How does your baptism shape your daily walk with Christ? In what ways can you live out the resurrection life that baptism represents?

Day 5: Unity and Alignment with the Early Church

The church is called to unity and to align with the principles of the early church, fostering an environment where believers are of one mind and one accord. This unity is essential for experiencing the reality of heaven on earth and for the expansion of God's kingdom through revival. [01:15:22] [01:16:32] [01:18:06]

Ephesians 4:3-4 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called."
Reflection: What can you do to promote unity within your church community? How can you contribute to creating an atmosphere that mirrors the early church's devotion and harmony?

Sermon Summary

The sermon delivered by the speaker was a powerful call to awaken the church to the fullness of God's presence and power within them. The speaker began by urging the congregation to align with God's will, drawing inspiration from the life of William Seymour, a man whose hunger for God led to a historic revival despite racial oppression and personal challenges. The Azusa Street Mission, where Seymour's desire for the Holy Spirit sparked a global movement, was highlighted as an example of what can happen when believers embrace the revelation of the mighty God within them.

The speaker led the congregation in prayer, seeking a deep encounter with God, the manifestation of His kingdom, and the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. They emphasized the importance of dying to self at the altar, allowing God to be alive within, and lifting hands in worship and praise. The speaker also explained the power of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of repentance, and the role of hope and prayer in partnering with heaven to birth heavenly things into the earthly realm.

Personal stories were shared, including the early experiences of William Seymour, who preached about the baptism of the Holy Ghost before experiencing it himself, leading to a revival that began in a small house on Bonnie Bray Avenue. The speaker also reflected on their own journey of praise and worship, describing a transformative moment when they let go of pride and began to praise God wholeheartedly.

The sermon concluded with a focus on the oneness of God, the mystery of the incarnation, and the significance of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasized that believers are filled with all of God through the Holy Spirit, not just a portion, and that the same power that was in the apostles resides in every Christian. The importance of sharing one's faith, getting involved in the church, and aligning with God's vision through prayer was underscored.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

Romans 8:18-25 (NKJV) — > For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

2. Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
> Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

3. Acts 2:37-39 (NKJV)
> Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 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."

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Observation Questions

What does Romans 8:18-25 say about the relationship between present sufferings and future glory?
According to Luke 17:20-21, where is the kingdom of God located?
In Acts 2:37-39, what steps does Peter outline for those who want to respond to the gospel message?
How did the speaker describe the significance of William Seymour's hunger for God and its impact on the Azusa Street revival? [01:54:55]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "the glory which shall be revealed in us" in Romans 8:18-25 relate to the idea of the mighty God within us as discussed in the sermon? [01:14:03]
What does it mean for the kingdom of God to be "within you" as stated in Luke 17:20-21, and how does this align with the sermon's emphasis on the mighty God in us? [01:16:32]
How does the speaker's explanation of baptism in Acts 2:37-39 deepen our understanding of its significance as both a funeral to the old self and a celebration of new life in Christ? [01:24:04]
Reflect on the speaker's personal story of letting go of pride to praise God wholeheartedly. How does this illustrate the sermon's message about dying to self and allowing God to be alive within us? [35:18]

Application Questions

The speaker emphasized the importance of aligning with God's will through prayer. How can you create a consistent prayer routine that seeks God's kingdom and will in your daily life? [04:36]
Reflect on a time when you experienced a deep encounter with God. What steps can you take to cultivate such encounters more regularly in your spiritual walk? [03:25]
The sermon highlighted the necessity of dying to self. Identify one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to God. What practical steps can you take this week to die to self in that area? [01:22:24]
Baptism was described as a significant act of obedience and faith. If you have been baptized, how can you live out the commitment you made? If you haven't, what is holding you back from taking this step? [01:24:04]
The speaker shared about the transformative power of praise and worship. How can you incorporate more heartfelt praise into your daily routine, even when you don't feel like it? [35:18]
The sermon called for believers to share their faith actively. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. What specific action can you take this week to share your faith with them? [38:54]
Reflect on the unity and alignment of the early church. How can you contribute to fostering unity and alignment within your small group or church community? [01:15:22]

Sermon Clips

"When the church gets in one mind and one accord, one focus, there's no telling what the Lord Jesus Christ can do among us. There's no limit to his power." [09:05] (Download)

"Hey, whether or not I praise God has nothing to do with my personality type, how I think, how I was raised, where I come from. The reason I praise God is because He's put breath in my body." [34:36] (Download)

"I'm not trying to ruin your life. I'm just trying to do what the will of God is and get the bride in alignment. I'm telling you, there's no telling what God can do if the church wakes up and gets in alignment with him." [01:54:20] (Download)

"God doesn't care about your frailties. God doesn't care about your insecurities. God doesn't care about your talent or the lack thereof. God said, if I can get this person full of my Holy Ghost and I can get them dead to themself and I can get them doing my will in the earth." [01:46:26] (Download)

"It is a lack of dead Christians is the problem. You cannot walk in the flesh and pick up his life. You must die to yourself to truly live in Him." [01:49:22] (Download)

"The world is waiting for the Christians to wake up. The world is waiting for the sons and daughters to arise." [01:51:09] (Download)

"God is going to use some of you to spark a revival. I believe I will see it with my eyes. I believe that if we will hear the word of the Lord." [02:02:22] (Download)

"Walk in the revelation of the mighty God in you. We cry with anguish and we pray and we repent, but when we get up from this place, we go enjoy. We put a smile on our face because we know what kind of God is living inside of me." [02:14:59] (Download)

"Let it be you alone, Lord Jesus, that is seen, that is heard, that is felt and experienced in this room. I pray that tonight, everything that you have destined and designed to take place in this gathering tonight, that it would come to pass." [03:32] (Download)

"Come on, let's pray with a fervency right now. You don't need me to lead you into it. You've got the Holy Ghost. You know how to pray. Come on, pray heaven down. Pray the will of God among us in this spiritual body." [07:16] (Download)

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