Empowered by the Spirit: Celebrating Our Church's Journey

Devotional

Day 1: The Living Power of the Holy Spirit

The foundation of the church is not merely built on doctrine but on the living power of the Holy Spirit. This power is essential for personal transformation and effective ministry. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous filling that empowers believers to live victoriously over sin. Just as the early apostles were transformed on the day of Pentecost, believers today are called to seek this ongoing empowerment to serve the Lord with boldness and power. The Holy Spirit brings life and vitality to the ministry, enabling believers to experience a profound journey of faith. [02:06]

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 areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's power to bring transformation and boldness? How can you seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit today?

Day 2: Unity Through the Holy Spirit

Unity in the body of Christ is a result of the Holy Spirit's work, transcending differences and creating a community where all are valued equally. This unity is not superficial but is rooted in a shared commitment to the Lord and to one another. The Holy Spirit fosters unity within the church, allowing believers to overcome differences in personality, background, and status. This unity is crucial for a thriving church, as it reflects the love and harmony that Christ desires for His followers. By embracing the Holy Spirit's work, believers can experience a deeper sense of community and purpose. [11:35]

Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community? What steps can you take to bridge differences and foster a spirit of harmony and love among fellow believers?

Day 3: The Call to Discipleship

Discipleship is central to the mission of the church, requiring a daily commitment to take up one's cross, detach from worldly possessions, and love Christ supremely. This commitment leads to true spiritual growth and transformation. Believers are called to be disciples who follow Jesus wholeheartedly, embracing a lifestyle of repentance and growth in their walk with the Lord. Discipleship involves a deep love for Christ that surpasses all other attachments, enabling believers to live out their faith with authenticity and purpose. [28:10]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What does taking up your cross daily look like in your life? How can you prioritize your relationship with Christ above all else, and what changes might this require?

Day 4: The Ministry of Encouragement

Encouragement is a vital ministry for every believer. By encouraging one another daily, believers prevent the hardening of hearts and foster a supportive community that reflects Christ's love. Encouragement is not just a nice gesture but a powerful tool for building up the body of Christ. It helps to strengthen faith, inspire hope, and cultivate a sense of belonging within the church. As believers commit to being a source of encouragement, they contribute to a thriving and vibrant community that mirrors the love and grace of Jesus. [43:08]

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV): "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: Who in your life could use a word of encouragement today? How can you intentionally reach out to them and offer support and love in a meaningful way?

Day 5: Seeking the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Seeking the fullness of the Holy Spirit and wisdom from God is essential for navigating life's challenges and fulfilling one's calling. These gifts are promised to those who earnestly seek them, providing guidance, strength, and insight for the journey of faith. Believers are encouraged to pursue the Holy Spirit's presence and wisdom in all situations, trusting that God will equip them for the tasks ahead. By seeking these gifts, believers can experience a deeper relationship with God and a greater capacity to fulfill their divine purpose. [47:03]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and wisdom? How can you intentionally seek these gifts from God today, and what steps can you take to be more receptive to His leading?

Sermon Summary

As we gather to celebrate 46 years since the founding of our church, we reflect on the profound journey that began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This journey mirrors the early church's experience, where the baptism of the Holy Spirit was the catalyst for transformation and empowerment. Our church was not founded on doctrine alone, but on the living power of the Holy Spirit, which brought life and vitality to our ministry. Just as the early apostles were transformed on the day of Pentecost, we too experienced a turning point that brought boldness and power to serve the Lord.

The essence of our church's foundation lies in the first two promises of the New Testament: Jesus saves us from our sins and baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. These promises are not just theological concepts but living realities that we must continually seek. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous filling that empowers us to live victoriously over sin and to be united as one body in Christ.

Unity has been a cornerstone of our journey. The Holy Spirit not only grants personal victory but also fosters unity within the body of Christ. This unity is not superficial but is rooted in a shared commitment to the Lord and to one another. It transcends differences in personality, background, and status, creating a community where everyone is valued equally.

As we look to the future, we are reminded of the importance of discipleship. Our mission is not just to make believers but to make disciples who are committed to following Jesus wholeheartedly. This involves a daily taking up of our cross, a detachment from worldly possessions, and a deep love for Christ that surpasses all other attachments. We are called to be a church where repentance is a daily practice, and where each member is encouraged to grow in their walk with the Lord.

In this new year, let us commit to being a source of encouragement to one another, to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and to pursue wisdom from God in all situations. May we continue to be a light in the world, united in purpose and empowered by the Spirit to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of our church is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which brings life and power beyond mere doctrine. This experience is essential for personal transformation and effective ministry. [02:06]
2. Unity in the body of Christ is a result of the Holy Spirit's work, transcending differences and creating a community where all are valued equally. This unity is crucial for a thriving church. [11:35]
3. Discipleship is central to our mission, requiring a daily commitment to take up our cross, detach from worldly possessions, and love Christ supremely. This commitment leads to true spiritual growth. [28:10]
4. Encouragement is a vital ministry for every believer. By encouraging one another daily, we prevent the hardening of hearts and foster a supportive community that reflects Christ's love. [43:08]
5. Seeking the fullness of the Holy Spirit and wisdom from God is essential for navigating life's challenges and fulfilling our calling. These gifts are promised to those who earnestly seek them. [47:03]
** [47:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Anniversary Celebration
[00:42] - Isaiah 32 and the Holy Spirit
[01:42] - Birth of the Church
[03:06] - Prophecy and Growth
[04:28] - Turning Point and Empowerment
[05:29] - From Barren to Fertile
[06:52] - Importance of the Holy Spirit
[08:02] - Two Promises of the New Testament
[09:16] - Living Under the Waterfall
[10:22] - Unity in the Spirit
[12:29] - Fellowship and Differences
[14:15] - Overcoming Discouragement
[19:15] - Pure Offering and Discipleship
[22:37] - Building a Repentant Church
[28:10] - Conditions of Discipleship
[33:08] - Closeness to Christ
[37:06] - Authority Over Satan
[40:11] - Global Reach and Future Vision
[42:25] - Making Disciples
[43:08] - Ministry of Encouragement
[46:50] - Assurance of the Holy Spirit
[48:28] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 32:15-18
Matthew 3:11
Hebrews 3:13

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Observation Questions:

According to Isaiah 32:15-18, what transformation occurs when the Spirit is poured out from on high? How does this relate to the founding of the church as described in the sermon? [01:26]
What are the first two promises of the New Testament mentioned in the sermon, and how do they form the foundation of the church? [07:39]
How does the sermon describe the role of unity within the church, and what biblical basis is given for this unity? [11:35]
What is the significance of the "pure offering" mentioned in Malachi 1:11, and how does it relate to the church's mission? [19:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the continuous filling of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:18, empower believers to live victoriously over sin? What does this look like in practical terms? [06:41]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that unity in the church transcends differences in personality, background, and status? How can this unity be maintained? [11:35]
The sermon emphasizes discipleship as a central mission. What are the conditions of discipleship mentioned in Luke 14, and how do they challenge modern believers? [28:10]
How does the ministry of encouragement, as described in Hebrews 3:13, prevent the hardening of hearts within the church community? [43:08]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal experience with the Holy Spirit. How can you seek a continuous filling of the Spirit in your daily life to overcome specific challenges you face? [06:41]
Consider the unity within your own church or small group. What practical steps can you take to foster a deeper sense of community and value for each member, regardless of their background? [11:35]
Discipleship requires a daily commitment to take up one's cross. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with this commitment. What specific action can you take this week to address it? [28:10]
The sermon highlights the importance of detachment from worldly possessions. Is there a possession or attachment in your life that hinders your spiritual growth? How can you begin to let go of it? [30:20]
Encouragement is a vital ministry for every believer. Think of someone in your life who may be struggling. How can you intentionally encourage them this week to prevent the hardening of their heart? [43:08]
The sermon calls for seeking wisdom from God in all situations. Identify a current situation where you lack clarity. How can you actively seek God's wisdom in this matter? [47:03]
Reflect on the concept of a "pure offering" in your spiritual life. What does a pure offering look like for you, and how can you strive to offer it to God in your daily actions and decisions? [19:15]

Sermon Clips

"because cfc was born just like the early church through the baptism in the holy spirit it was not born through any particular doctrine no doctrines are good important but you can be dead the pharisees had right doctrines jesus said that whatever they said was right but there was no life in it there was no power there was no holy spirit and so we mustn't think because we teach the new covenant in the church we mustn't think that that is the basis of our church it was the outpouring of the holy spirit" [00:01:38]

"jesus will save you from your sins matthew 1 21 and jesus will baptize you in the holy spirit and fire matthew 3 11. those are the first two promises in the new testament and our church was built on the first two promises in the new testament jesus can save you from sin and jesus can baptize you in the holy spirit and fire he will and those who responded to both those invitations and allow jesus to do it in them become a part of a living church against which the gates of hell can never prevail" [00:07:30]

"the baptism in the holy spirit not only gave us personal victory but helped us to become one that was not only the truth of being saved from sin but becoming one body and it had to be true in our experience and i found annie my wife was 100 with me in this and so in our family life she had been baptized in the holy spirit too and so unity in the family life bringing up our children we had only three sons then we have four sons now but bringing up our children in godly ways is very very important for her and to me" [00:10:28]

"we have we are so different like paul and barnabas completely different he you know that ian is a tremendous encourager he's he's the finest counselor in cfc he spent hours and hours and hours blessing so many people and our ministry is different our emphasis is different but we were one we were like two halves of the body our human body in our ministry and god kept us united despite areas where we may have disagreed if we disagreed we waited until we agreed before we move forward" [00:12:01]

"so when you think of the baptism in the holy spirit it's a spirit that fills our hearts with love but it's first of all love for god then love for another first commandment is not love your neighbor is yourself so it's not a wishy-washy type of love that god filled our hearts with where we just were nice and good to each other and would never speak the truth to correct one another we were ready to correct one another and remove especially all hypocrisy" [00:18:13]

"we felt there was something missing in christendom the message of discipleship it's like bringing babies to birth and then ignoring them imagine if a couple brought a baby to birth and then slept on the roadside and then brought another baby to birth and left it on the roadside that's how christendom was yes babies were being born but they were not being brought up to maturity and many of them were you what do you what would happen to a baby that's just left from the roadside it'll die" [00:20:55]

"the first condition of discipleship was that we have to jesus use the word hate father mother wife children brothers sisters it cannot be this out in other words a detachment from attachment from a human attachment to our family members even to brothers and sisters in the church in other words my love for jesus must be so great so great that compared to that my love for my fellow believers i have to love my collaborators it's almost like hatred" [00:26:35]

"the third condition of discipleship was our attitude to our possessions luke 14 33 you cannot be my disciple if you don't give up all your possessions and we thought that possessions were what we possessed held down to tightly and the lord said you can have things don't possess them what that means is keep your palm open that there the possession is still there it's your the house is in your name the car is in your name but you're not holding it tight as it belongs you belong to the lord" [00:30:15]

"so in the church also we found not our relationship with everybody in the church was not the same it depended on their commitment to christ and how serious they were about discipleship in their life and that's true even today after 46 years in cfc there are these different circles jesus is in the midst but his relationship with everyone is not the same there are those who are like a multitude who come and listen regularly who are faithful and then there's an inner circle of 12 disciples" [00:32:08]

"i pray to be like that in the days to come i urge you my brothers and sisters come close to jesus let this be a year in which you seek with all your heart to be a disciple to love jesus more than anyone on earth your relatives your family members even the brothers and sisters in the church and where you decide from now on you're gonna ask for the power of the holy spirit to put yourself to death to put the flesh to death those who are christ have crucified the flesh with its affections and lust" [00:33:31]

"i want to make disciples in my home i want to make disciples wherever i meet i want to be an encouragement to others even if i can't make disciples let me do one thing here's a challenge i want to give to you for the new year in hebrews in chapter 3 if you have 365 days between now and the next anniversary date let's obey hebrews chapter 3 verse 13 as far as possible every day hebrews 3 13 says encourage one another every single day as long as it is called today" [00:42:31]

"if you are not sure that you are filled with the holy spirit and received power from our heart determine today to seek god until god himself gives you an assurance that you're filled with the holy spirit i'm talking about individual christians not as a group you don't have to go to any prayer meeting you remember what john the baptist said he according to jesus he will baptize you in the holy spirit sometimes people come to me say brother zach please lay your hands on me pray for that i'll be filled with the holy spirit" [00:44:39]

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Empowered by the Spirit: Celebrating Our Church's Journey

Devotional

Day 1: The Living Power of the Holy Spirit

Day 2: Unity Through the Holy Spirit

Day 3: The Call to Discipleship

Day 4: The Ministry of Encouragement

Day 5: Seeking the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Empowered by the Spirit: Celebrating Our Church's Journey

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