Awakening to True Riches in Christ
Summary
The sermon addresses the spiritual state of the church and the individual believer, emphasizing the need for a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The speaker warns against the dangers of lukewarmness, where the church believes itself to be self-sufficient but is actually in a pitiable state, blind to its true condition. The solution is to seek true riches in Christ, be clothed in His righteousness, and have spiritual eyes opened. The speaker also highlights the importance of not letting anger and conflicts consume our lives, especially during times of family gatherings like Thanksgiving. Instead, we should pray for and love our family members unconditionally, as Jesus loves us.
The speaker urges the audience to embrace the Holy Spirit and walk in the fullness of His power, as a lack of the Holy Spirit's presence leads to a void of power and a shrinking church. The love of God is emphasized, with a call to let go of burdens and sins and to focus on Jesus as the king of our hearts. The importance of loving and obeying God's word is stressed, with a reminder that God detests the prayers of those who ignore His word. The congregation is invited to seek a fresh touch from God and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
The speaker also discusses the transformative power of love and the Holy Spirit, which can change negative qualities into positive ones and bring people out of spiritual darkness into light. The importance of exalting Jesus and not man is highlighted, with a caution against focusing on the flesh and not on spreading the message of Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the need for daily dependence on the Holy Spirit and surrendering all aspects of our lives to Him.
The sermon concludes with a call to action for the congregation to truly know the Lord, repent of sin, and ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. The speaker also encourages giving and participating in outreach opportunities, emphasizing the church's role as the hands and feet of Jesus. Finally, the speaker reminds the audience of the importance of excitement and joy in worshiping the Lord and the need for continual filling of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- The church must recognize its spiritual poverty and seek the true riches found in Christ, embracing His righteousness and allowing Him to open their spiritual eyes. This awakening to one's true condition is essential for genuine repentance and readiness for Jesus' return. [30:50]
- The presence of the Holy Spirit is crucial for a vibrant Christian life and church. Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity becomes a powerless religion. Believers are encouraged to seek a genuine experience with God, filled with the Holy Spirit's power, to avoid becoming part of a declining church. [43:37]
- A continuous relationship with God involves daily letting go of burdens and sins and making Jesus the king of our hearts. This relationship is the source of true zeal and passion for God, symbolized by the fire of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be taught but must be received. [38:27]
- The transformative power of love and the Holy Spirit can change negative qualities into positive ones, leading to a life that represents Jesus well. Believers are encouraged to seek more of the Holy Spirit's fire daily to serve God passionately and make a difference in the world. [55:36]
- The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process that aligns our lives with God's word. This transformation leads to a life of humility, dependence on God, and a desire to share Jesus with others, which is the true purpose of being filled with the Holy Spirit. [01:01:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 3:13-22 (NIV)
> "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
2. Psalm 66:18 (NIV)
> "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."
3. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)
> "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about the spiritual condition of the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-17?
2. According to Psalm 66:18, what is the consequence of cherishing sin in one's heart?
3. Describe the events that took place on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4.
4. In the sermon, what does the speaker identify as the main problem with the church today? ([30:50])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus prefer the church to be either hot or cold rather than lukewarm? What does this imply about the spiritual state of the church? ([30:50])
2. How does the speaker relate the condition of the Laodicean church to the modern church? What are the similarities? ([31:23])
3. What does it mean to "buy gold refined in the fire" and "white clothes to wear" as mentioned in Revelation 3:18? How can believers apply this in their lives? ([31:23])
4. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit transform a believer's life according to the sermon? ([43:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual state. Do you find yourself being lukewarm in your faith? What steps can you take to become more spiritually fervent? ([30:50])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit? ([38:27])
3. How can you let go of burdens, sins, and distractions that hinder your relationship with God? Identify one specific burden or sin you need to release this week. ([36:12])
4. The speaker mentions the importance of loving and praying for family members, especially during gatherings like Thanksgiving. How can you show unconditional love to a difficult family member this week? ([41:23])
5. What are some ways you can actively seek a fresh touch from God and the fire of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([55:36])
6. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes align with God's word, especially in areas where you might be struggling? ([34:27])
7. The sermon calls for believers to participate in outreach and giving. What is one specific way you can serve your community or church this month? ([27:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Awakening to Spiritual Poverty
True richness is found in recognizing one's spiritual need and seeking the wealth that comes from a relationship with Christ. It is a sobering moment to realize spiritual poverty, but it is the first step towards genuine repentance and readiness for Jesus' return. This awakening is essential for the church to move from complacency to a vibrant, living faith. [30:50]
Revelation 3:17-18 - "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."
Reflection: How does the realization of your spiritual need change your approach to faith and your daily walk with Christ?
Day 2: Embracing the Holy Spirit's Presence
Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity lacks vitality and power. The church must actively seek the Holy Spirit's presence to avoid becoming a powerless institution. This pursuit is not just for the sake of the church's vibrancy but for the individual believer to live a life that truly reflects the power of the gospel. [43:37]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 - "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to have a more active role in your life, and how can you be more open to His guidance?
Day 3: Daily Surrender to the King
A continuous relationship with God involves daily surrendering burdens and sins, making Jesus the king of our hearts. This relationship is the source of true zeal and passion for God, symbolized by the fire of the Holy Spirit. This fire cannot be taught but must be received and nurtured through a daily commitment to Christ. [38:27]
Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Reflection: What are the burdens or sins you need to surrender today, and how can you actively make Jesus the king of every area of your life?
Day 4: Transformation Through Love and Spirit
The transformative power of love and the Holy Spirit can change negative qualities into positive ones, leading us out of spiritual darkness into light. This transformation is not just for personal benefit but also equips us to represent Jesus well to others. Believers are encouraged to seek more of the Holy Spirit's fire daily to serve God passionately. [55:36]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Reflection: What negative quality in your life do you need the Holy Spirit's help to transform, and how can you practice this change today?
Day 5: Continual Filling with the Spirit
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process that aligns our lives with God's word. This transformation leads to a life of humility, dependence on God, and a desire to share Jesus with others. It is the true purpose of being filled with the Holy Spirit—to live out the gospel in every aspect of life. [01:01:00]
Ephesians 5:18-20 - "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you seek to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, and what practical steps can you take to ensure you are living in alignment with God's word?
Quotes
"When we're touched by the fire of the Holy Spirit, when we open the door, things change. I don't want a dead, dried up religion experience like that; I want the fire of the Lord every day." [54:27] (Download)
"I don't want Pentecostal culture, I don't want Baptist culture, I don't want Catholic culture; I want Jesus. I want the word of God, I want the spirit of the Living God." [55:00] (Download)
"The presence of the Holy Spirit—that's what he wanted, the presence of God. And how much do we want the presence of God? We want it enough to get rid of the things that are in our lives that hinder us from having the presence of God." [42:27] (Download)
"People afraid of the Holy Spirit—that's not what's in the Bible. We're not to be afraid, we're to embrace; we need him, and if we don't have him, we're not witnessing, telling people about Jesus, we're not loving people the way they should." [43:37] (Download)
"The answer to lukewarmness in my life and in your life is the filling of the Holy Spirit, and that happens as we daily examine our hearts, asking, 'Is there anything in me that is offensive to you, Lord?'" [01:02:18] (Download)
"We don't want to have a name other than just a Christian, a little Christ, following Jesus who is hot for God, on fire for the Lord and His word, a people who open the door of our hearts every day and ask the Lord Jesus to come in and fill us with His fire." [01:03:02] (Download)
"We have to want Him more than we want anything else because out of that flows everything that we need. Everything that we need flows out of that." [39:01] (Download)
"We got to make Jesus the king of our hearts and our lives; we got to know that this world's messed up and it may not get any better, but we know where we're going and we need to make a difference while we're here right now in Jesus' name." [36:47] (Download)
"Jesus is not going to knock our door open; he's going to convict us if we're in the word of God. He's going to convict us of sin, of attitudes and of thoughts, and of behaviors that are against his word." [33:48] (Download)
"The fire of the Spirit is what is received. You've got to get touched by the fire of God; otherwise, you just remain lukewarm." [40:49] (Download)
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