Embracing Our Spiritual Privileges Through the Holy Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the incredible work God is doing in our church and to reflect on the importance of living up to our spiritual privileges. We began by acknowledging the progress we've made in reaching people for Christ and the exciting developments in our church's infrastructure. We then turned our focus to the significance of baptism, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The core of our discussion centered on the concept of living beneath our privileges as Christians. I shared a story about a man on a cruise ship who lived on peanut butter and crackers, unaware that his meals were included in the ticket price. This story serves as a metaphor for many Christians who live without fully embracing the abundant life that God offers through the Holy Spirit.
We explored John 16, where Jesus explains that His departure is necessary for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us. Despite witnessing Jesus' resurrection, only 120 out of 500 followers waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, highlighting how many of us miss out on God's full blessings. We discussed the importance of not just seeking "fire insurance" but desiring a deep, transformative relationship with God.
We identified three main issues that prevent us from living a Spirit-filled life: clarity, control, and cleanliness. Many Christians lack understanding of the Holy Spirit, resist giving God full control, or fail to live a holy life. We emphasized that the Holy Spirit is essential for our spiritual journey, serving as our seal, defender, and helper.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to reach others, overcome personal giants, respond properly to others, and even pray effectively. We concluded with a prayer, asking God to empty us of our selfish desires and fill us with His Holy Spirit, so we can live up to our spiritual privileges and experience the fullness of God's blessings.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Beneath Our Privileges: Many Christians live without fully embracing the abundant life that God offers through the Holy Spirit. Just like the man on the cruise ship who didn't know his meals were included, we often miss out on the spiritual blessings available to us. We must seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond just "fire insurance" to escape hell. [36:03]
2. The Importance of the Holy Spirit: Jesus' departure was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us. The Holy Spirit is not just for a select group but is essential for every believer. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fully experience or understand our relationship with God. [38:10]
3. Clarity, Control, and Cleanliness: To live a Spirit-filled life, we need clarity about the Holy Spirit, be willing to give God full control, and live a holy life. Many Christians lack understanding of the Holy Spirit, resist surrendering control, or fail to live in holiness, thereby missing out on God's full blessings. [44:29]
4. The Holy Spirit as Our Seal and Defender: The Holy Spirit seals our salvation and defends us in spiritual battles. This seal is a guarantee of our salvation, and the Holy Spirit continually protects and watches over us, often in ways we don't even realize. [50:19]
5. Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit helps us reach others, overcome personal challenges, respond properly to others, and pray effectively. By allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us, we gain the power and wisdom needed to live a victorious Christian life. [56:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:48] - Baptism and Jordan River Water
[31:48] - Church Growth and New Building
[33:47] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
[34:46] - Living Beneath Our Privileges
[37:30] - Jesus' Departure and the Holy Spirit
[40:17] - The 500 Witnesses and the 120
[43:48] - Clarity, Control, and Cleanliness
[49:23] - The Holy Spirit as Our Seal
[52:41] - The Holy Spirit as Our Defender
[56:25] - The Holy Spirit as Our Helper
[01:03:59] - The Holy Spirit and Prayer
[01:07:33] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 16:5-7 (NIV): "But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
2. Acts 1:15 (NIV): "In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)."
3. Ephesians 1:13 (NIV): "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 16:5-7, why did Jesus say it was necessary for Him to go away? ([38:10])
2. How many followers of Jesus waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:15, and what does this number signify? ([41:18])
3. What does Ephesians 1:13 say about the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation? ([49:23])
4. In the sermon, what metaphor was used to describe Christians living beneath their privileges? ([36:03])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the necessity of His departure for the coming of the Holy Spirit in John 16:5-7? How does this impact our understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? ([38:10])
2. Reflect on the significance of only 120 out of 500 followers waiting for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. What does this tell us about human nature and spiritual readiness? ([41:18])
3. How does the concept of the Holy Spirit as a seal in Ephesians 1:13 provide assurance of our salvation? What does this mean for our daily walk with God? ([49:23])
4. The sermon mentioned three issues that prevent us from living a Spirit-filled life: clarity, control, and cleanliness. How do these issues manifest in a believer's life, and what steps can be taken to address them? ([43:48])
### Application Questions
1. The sermon highlighted the metaphor of a man on a cruise ship living on peanut butter and crackers, unaware that his meals were included. In what ways might you be living beneath your spiritual privileges? ([36:03])
2. Jesus said His departure was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([38:10])
3. The sermon discussed the importance of clarity, control, and cleanliness in living a Spirit-filled life. Which of these areas do you struggle with the most, and what practical steps can you take to improve? ([43:48])
4. The Holy Spirit is described as our seal and defender. Can you recall a time when you felt the Holy Spirit's protection or assurance in your life? How did it impact your faith? ([50:19])
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us to reach others, overcome personal challenges, and respond properly to others. Identify one area where you need the Holy Spirit's help this week and share how you plan to seek His guidance. ([56:25])
6. The sermon concluded with a prayer asking God to empty us of our selfish desires and fill us with His Holy Spirit. What specific desires or habits do you need to surrender to God to live a more Spirit-filled life? ([48:29])
7. Reflect on the story of David Livingston and the 47 warriors. How does this story inspire you to trust in God's protection and guidance through the Holy Spirit? ([55:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Spiritual Privileges
Many Christians live without fully embracing the abundant life that God offers through the Holy Spirit. Just like the man on the cruise ship who didn't know his meals were included, we often miss out on the spiritual blessings available to us. We must seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond just "fire insurance" to escape hell. [36:03]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: In what ways have you been living beneath your spiritual privileges? How can you start embracing the abundant life God offers through the Holy Spirit today?
Day 2: The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
Jesus' departure was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us. The Holy Spirit is not just for a select group but is essential for every believer. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fully experience or understand our relationship with God. [38:10]
John 16:7 (ESV): "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
Reflection: How often do you acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What steps can you take to become more aware of and reliant on the Holy Spirit?
Day 3: Surrendering to the Holy Spirit
To live a Spirit-filled life, we need clarity about the Holy Spirit, be willing to give God full control, and live a holy life. Many Christians lack understanding of the Holy Spirit, resist surrendering control, or fail to live in holiness, thereby missing out on God's full blessings. [44:29]
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."
Reflection: What areas of your life are you holding back from God? How can you surrender these areas to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to take control?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit as Our Seal and Defender
The Holy Spirit seals our salvation and defends us in spiritual battles. This seal is a guarantee of our salvation, and the Holy Spirit continually protects and watches over us, often in ways we don't even realize. [50:19]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually attacked. How did you experience the Holy Spirit's protection and defense during that time?
Day 5: Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit helps us reach others, overcome personal challenges, respond properly to others, and pray effectively. By allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us, we gain the power and wisdom needed to live a victorious Christian life. [56:25]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment today? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you in these areas?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Folks, let's worship the Lord. Let's give Him all the praise. Let's give Him all the glory. He merits it all. He merits it all. Nobody else is worthy of it. God redeemed your soul but Jesus. Amen? No, no church, no denomination. No individual did that. Only Jesus. So He's the one that's worthy of your praise. He and only He." [16:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I don't want to offend anybody, folks, but many people in Christianity just want fire insurance. All they're really interested in is, I just want enough of Jesus to get me out of hell. You don't really want a relationship with God. You just want fire insurance. You just want enough of Jesus to get you out of hell. But you need more than just enough of Jesus to get you out of hell. You need enough of Jesus, and I need enough of Jesus, not only to get us out of hell, but get the hell out of us." [43:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The only way you can experience more of God is to give God more of you. This is not complicated. This is not deep. This is not profound. You say, preacher, I want a deeper relationship with God. Just give God more of you. You're just drawn out of God, and He'll always drawn out of you. It's just giving God more of you. Just totally committing yourself unto the Lord." [46:27] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Folks, we can't straddle a fence because there's no fence to straddle. The most miserable person on earth is the person that's trying to have one foot in the world and one foot in the church. And God wants to use your life, but it's going to mean totally selling out to Him. D.L. Moody said these words. He said, before we ask God to fill us, we need to ask God to empty us. Before we ask God to fill us, God, empty me of self. God, empty me of my desires. God, empty me of my ambitions. God, empty me of myself." [47:48] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You say, Preacher Benny, I can't do it. Oh, yes, you can do it. Through the power of the Holy Spirit. You say, well, I don't know what to say to people. Well, look what God's Word says. It says when you don't know what to say, according to Mark 13, verse 11, the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say." [57:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I want to talk to you about living beneath our privileges. Living beneath our privileges. I have a friend in Ohio, and we talk. He's a businessman. Periodically, we talk. And we'll finish the conversation, and then he'll always say this. He'll say, Benny Tate, if you ever need anything and you don't contact me, you're living beneath your privileges. If you ever need anything and you don't contact me, Benny Tate, you're living beneath your privileges." [35:19] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus said, I've been here with you 33 years. We've done three years of ministry together. He said, I'm going to go away. I'm going to ascend to heaven. And he said, you're sad about it. But then he said, I've said these words in John 16 and seven. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It's expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, the comforter will not come. But if I depart, I'll send him unto you." [38:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, folks, we've got to understand something. You've got to pull out the weeds before you can receive the seeds. Many times we don't want to pull out the weeds in order to receive the seeds. Pastor, I want more of God. It comes through giving God more of you." [48:29] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What seals your salvation is the Holy Spirit. Now, here's the question. How long does it seal it for? And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you're sealed until the day of redemption. I don't live my life worrying about going to hell because my salvation has been sealed, not by me, but by the precious Holy Spirit of God. Despite what my emotions tell me, despite what the enemy tells me, despite what human reasoning tells me, folks, my salvation is sealed, oh, that's good news, by the Holy Spirit of God." [50:19] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Bible says in Matthew 28, 28, verses 1 and 2, it says that stone was rolled back that seal, that stone, that angel was sitting on. The reason why that was was to show that God is greater than any Roman government. God is greater than any guards. God is greater than any seal that this world has. I'll tell you why the Holy Spirit in a relationship seems so important. He is our seal. But can I tell you something else? He's our defender. He's our defender." [51:54] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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