Embracing the Waves of the Holy Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Tonight's gathering was a powerful reminder of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit among us. We began by acknowledging the miracles already happening in the room, emphasizing that healing and transformation are available right now. The Holy Spirit moves in waves, and even in the lulls, we remain immersed in His presence, ready to catch the next wave of His Spirit. We saw testimonies of healing and deliverance, reinforcing the importance of celebrating and giving thanks for every breakthrough, no matter how small.
We also discussed the significance of prophetic words and the responsibility we have to live them out. Prophecies are not just information but invitations to engage with God's grace and purpose. They require intentionality, courage, and faith to bring them to fruition. The prophecies over Christchurch and this church are looking for soft hearts to spring forth, and we are called to be that fertile ground.
The sermon also highlighted the incredible work God is doing globally, particularly in Myanmar, where a small church has grown exponentially despite severe challenges. This growth is a testament to the power of prayer, worship, and the Holy Spirit's movement. We are reminded that our primary responsibility is to receive from the Holy Spirit, to be continually baptized and filled with His presence.
As we move forward, we are called to prepare ourselves for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. This involves being ready to pivot our lives, surrendering anything that hinders our walk with God, and being open to new assignments and missions. The Holy Spirit is inviting us into a deeper, continuous relationship with Him, where our lives are marked by His power and presence.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Holy Spirit Moves in Waves: The Holy Spirit's movement is like waves in the ocean, with periods of intense activity followed by lulls. Even in the lulls, we remain in His presence, ready to catch the next wave. This teaches us to live in constant expectation and readiness for the Spirit's next move. [01:35:20]
2. Prophecies Require Participation: Receiving a prophetic word is just the beginning. It alerts us to a fresh grace from God, but it requires our active engagement to bring it to fruition. Prophecies are invitations to align our lives with God's purpose, demanding intentionality, courage, and faith. [02:05:23]
3. Global Revival and Local Responsibility: The incredible growth of the church in Myanmar amidst severe challenges is a testament to the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that God is moving globally, and we have a responsibility to steward His presence locally, preparing for a fresh outpouring. [01:54:57]
4. Living in Continuous Baptism: Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous lifestyle. We are called to live in a state of being continually filled and led by the Spirit, ensuring that our lives are completely reliant on His power and guidance. [02:30:27]
5. Preparation for a Fresh Outpouring: We must be ready to pivot our lives, surrendering anything that hinders our walk with God. This preparation involves being open to new assignments and missions, living with our suitcases packed, and being ready to respond to the Spirit's call at a moment's notice. [02:21:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32:33] - Recognizing Miracles
[01:33:12] - Miracles in the Room
[01:33:51] - Call for Healing
[01:34:38] - Waves of the Holy Spirit
[01:35:20] - The Lulls Between Waves
[01:36:02] - Expectation for the Next Wave
[01:37:04] - Positioning for Transformation
[01:37:56] - Focus on Jesus
[01:38:59] - Healing of Head Injuries
[01:43:13] - Testimonies of Healing
[01:44:26] - Magnifying the Lord with Thanksgiving
[01:45:02] - Recognizing God's Hand
[01:46:06] - Ground Rules for the Night
[01:47:53] - Transforming Encounter with the Holy Spirit
[01:49:40] - Wild Encounter in Singapore
[01:51:00] - Update on Ministry in Southeast Asia
[01:52:09] - Calling to Myanmar
[01:54:57] - Growth Amidst Challenges
[02:02:52] - Moving to Thailand
[02:03:46] - John the Baptist's Prophetic Identity
[02:05:23] - Living Out Prophecies
[02:07:15] - Honoring the Word
[02:09:06] - Reminder of Past Prophecies
[02:11:09] - Dream of a Worship Movement
[02:12:35] - Birth of a Missions Movement
[02:14:01] - Stewarding the Secret Place
[02:15:11] - Marked to Go
[02:16:27] - Fresh Outpouring of the Spirit
[02:17:02] - Knowing What's in Your Back Pocket
[02:18:16] - Stiff Person Syndrome
[02:19:31] - Mockery of the True Table
[02:21:08] - Preparing for What's Coming
[02:23:03] - Letting Go to Receive the New
[02:23:37] - Being a Womb for New Birth
[02:24:19] - Waiting for the Promise
[02:25:16] - Training by God in the Flesh
[02:26:21] - Unprepared Without the Spirit
[02:27:24] - Setting Up an Ambush
[02:28:14] - Receiving Power from the Holy Spirit
[02:29:35] - Continuous Baptism in the Spirit
[02:30:27] - Centering on the Holy Spirit
[02:31:52] - Ambush in Jerusalem
[02:32:28] - Lifestyle of Baptism
[02:33:07] - Led by the Spirit
[02:34:12] - Heart Like Lucy
[02:35:14] - Sensitivity to the Spirit
[02:36:19] - Receiving a Soft Heart
[02:37:50] - Invitation to Set Up an Ambush
[02:38:19] - Flow of the Spirit
[02:39:04] - Rivers of Living Water
[02:40:08] - Mind of Christ
[02:41:28] - Personal Responsibility in Worship
[02:42:00] - Softening the Land
[02:43:19] - Embrace from Jesus
[02:44:16] - Marked for Missions
[02:45:05] - Breaking Chains of Slavery
[02:46:47] - Invitation to the Front
[02:47:29] - Receiving Prayer
[02:48:19] - Angels Released
[02:49:21] - Prophetic Glory Song
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:4-8 (NIV)
> "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' Then they gathered around him and asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"
2. John 1:23 (NIV)
> "John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Make straight the way for the Lord."'"
3. Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)
> "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What command did Jesus give to his disciples in Acts 1:4-5, and what were they instructed to wait for?
2. How does John the Baptist describe his role in John 1:23, and which Old Testament prophecy does he reference?
3. According to the sermon, how does the Holy Spirit move, and what should our attitude be during the lulls between waves? [01:35:20]
4. What was the significance of the testimonies of healing and deliverance shared during the sermon? [01:43:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "baptized in the Holy Spirit" as described in Acts 1:5, and how is this different from water baptism?
2. How can the concept of the Holy Spirit moving in waves, with periods of intense activity followed by lulls, apply to our daily spiritual lives? [01:35:20]
3. In what ways are prophetic words described as invitations rather than mere information, and what responsibilities do they entail for believers? [02:05:23]
4. How does the growth of the church in Myanmar amidst severe challenges illustrate the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's movement? [01:54:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "wave" of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did you respond during the lull that followed, and what can you do to remain expectant for the next wave? [01:35:20]
2. Have you ever received a prophetic word? How did you engage with it, and what steps can you take to actively participate in bringing it to fruition? [02:05:23]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of living in continuous baptism of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually filled and led by the Spirit? [02:30:27]
4. The growth of the church in Myanmar was attributed to the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [01:54:57]
5. The sermon called for readiness to pivot our lives and surrender anything that hinders our walk with God. Is there something in your life that you need to surrender to be more open to the Holy Spirit's leading? [02:21:08]
6. How can you prepare yourself for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and what new assignments or missions might God be calling you to? [02:21:08]
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need a miracle or transformation. How can you position yourself to receive from the Holy Spirit and celebrate even the small breakthroughs? [01:43:13]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit Moves in Waves
The Holy Spirit's movement is often compared to waves in the ocean, with periods of intense activity followed by quieter moments. These waves signify the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the Spirit's work in our lives. Even during the lulls, we are encouraged to remain in His presence, ready to catch the next wave of His Spirit. This teaches us to live in constant expectation and readiness for the Spirit's next move, knowing that He is always at work, even when we cannot see it. The key is to stay immersed in His presence, maintaining a posture of openness and anticipation.
[01:35:20]
Ezekiel 47:3-5 (ESV): "Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt a lull in your spiritual life. How can you remain expectant and ready for the next wave of the Holy Spirit's movement in your life today?
Day 2: Prophecies Require Participation
Receiving a prophetic word is just the beginning of a journey. Prophecies are not merely information but invitations to engage with God's grace and purpose. They require our active participation to bring them to fruition. This involves aligning our lives with God's will, which demands intentionality, courage, and faith. Prophecies over our lives and communities are looking for soft hearts to spring forth, and we are called to be that fertile ground. By actively engaging with these words, we partner with God in His divine plan.
[02:05:23]
1 Timothy 1:18-19 (ESV): "This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith."
Reflection: Reflect on a prophetic word you have received in the past. What steps can you take today to actively engage with that word and align your life with God's purpose?
Day 3: Global Revival and Local Responsibility
The incredible growth of the church in Myanmar amidst severe challenges is a powerful testament to the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that God is moving globally, and we have a responsibility to steward His presence locally. We are called to prepare for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit, ensuring that our hearts and communities are ready to receive and respond to His movement. This involves being vigilant in prayer, worship, and being open to the Spirit's leading in our daily lives.
[01:54:57]
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: How can you contribute to the local stewardship of God's presence in your community? What specific actions can you take to prepare for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Living in Continuous Baptism
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous lifestyle. We are called to live in a state of being continually filled and led by the Spirit, ensuring that our lives are completely reliant on His power and guidance. This means daily surrendering to the Spirit, seeking His presence, and allowing Him to lead us in every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are marked by His power and presence, making us effective vessels for His work.
[02:30:27]
Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What daily practices can you incorporate into your life to ensure you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit? How can you make space for the Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions?
Day 5: Preparation for a Fresh Outpouring
We must be ready to pivot our lives, surrendering anything that hinders our walk with God. This preparation involves being open to new assignments and missions, living with our suitcases packed, and being ready to respond to the Spirit's call at a moment's notice. The Holy Spirit is inviting us into a deeper, continuous relationship with Him, where our lives are marked by His power and presence. This requires a willingness to let go of the old and embrace the new things God is doing.
[02:21:08]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to surrender to God to be ready for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit? How can you prepare yourself to respond to new assignments and missions from God?
Quotes
1. "There are miracles in this room right now. We don't need to wait till the end. You don't need to wait to be healed. People have been healed in the worship. And there are miracles in this room right now. You know, the first word of knowledge I was going to give was your word of knowledge. The back of the tongue and the teeth. Too late. I missed the boat. Too slow. Snooze, you lose. You still win. Wow. Wow." [01:33:12] (33 seconds)
2. "The way the Holy Spirit moves is like waves. Now, in between waves, there are things called lulls. Where there are no waves. And waves come in sets. And so you wait between each wave and the set. And then when the set has gone, you wait for the next set. While you're waiting, you're not dry. You're still in the ocean. You're still in the Spirit. But you're just waiting for the wave of the Spirit." [01:35:20] (27 seconds)
3. "First of all, let me say well done for being here tonight. Well done for showing up tonight because you have positioned yourself to catch a wave in the Spirit. That will lead you to a space in the Spirit that will bring you to a place of transformation in Him that will cause something fresh to be unlocked in your life. But there's miracles in this room right now. And I just feel like Holy Spirit's about to release a wave." [01:37:04] (26 seconds)
4. "The truth is that you were already healed thousands of years ago. Your gift of healing has already been released. And our job this afternoon, this evening, is to unwrap the gift that's already been given. To receive it. To receive the wave. Well, Holy Spirit is coming over people's minds right now. If you've had like an issue in your brain." [01:38:59] (28 seconds)
5. "What we do right now is very important. I will magnify the Lord with thanksgiving. God always begins in a certain place. And watch us to see how we respond to someone else's breakthrough. I will magnify the Lord with thanksgiving. Whatever you can celebrate, you can have more of. How do you keep hammering the crack in the dam? With celebration and thankfulness." [01:44:26] (27 seconds)
6. "My intention, my goal for tonight is to lead you in to a transforming wild encounter with the Holy Spirit that marks you for the rest of your life. That can involve your physical healing, that could involve your deliverance, that can involve all sorts of different things but what I am envisaging for tonight the thing that is burning in my heart for tonight is that not my words not any of the excellent presentation of everything that's happened tonight so far but that holy spirit himself would mark you in a way that unlocks something within you that changes not just your life but becomes a change from your life into the world." [01:47:53] (51 seconds)
7. "It doesn't take much to receive a prophetic word, but it takes a whole lot to live it out. There are a lot of people receive prophetic words. Now, when you receive a prophecy, it's not information about something that is osmotically going to happen without any of your participation. When you receive a prophetic word, it's to alert you to a grace, an ability from God that you couldn't have and the ability of God to do something you couldn't do without the grace." [02:04:32] (30 seconds)
8. "We live in such an instant generation where we expect things like, cool, this, and then done. But we don't understand that prophecy is an invitation into a process, that Jesus wasn't born a 33-year-old man on a cross. He was born a little baby that needed to learn to talk, that needed to learn to walk, that had to have his diapers changed. And he grew in favor with God and man and became the Savior of the world. He grew into who he was. Even God in the flesh was, first of all, a seed." [02:08:19] (41 seconds)
9. "We need, we need not attack on Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit. We need to center our lives on the person of the Holy Spirit. The entire Christian walk is absolutely crippled and impossible without the person of the Holy Spirit. That our fruitfulness is completely reliant. Not a little bit reliant. It is completely reliant on us setting up an ambush in our Jerusalem. Setting up an ambush to receive this baptism in the Holy Spirit." [02:29:35] (47 seconds)
10. "What I think the Holy Spirit wants to invite you into tonight is He wants to invite you into not a moment but a continuing lifestyle of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, of being continually filled with the Spirit, continually clothed with the Spirit, that you would learn to be people who are led, easily moved, where your hearts are so soft and so sensitive to the movement of the Spirit, where you can say every day at the end of your week, at the end of your day, you can look back and review your time and think, wow, Holy Spirit, how you led me in this way and how you led me in that way and then you spoke this to me and then you said do this and I did that and then this happened and then I met this person that I was thinking about and I realized that was you speaking and then I read this verse and then I did this and all of your life seems to be stringed together in the flow of the presence of the Spirit." [02:33:07] (61 seconds)