Empowered Identity: Praying in the Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we are diving deep into understanding our identity in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to know who we are, what we are, and how to apply God's word in our lives. In 2013, the Lord spoke to me, saying, "Do not build me a church full of attenders. Build me an army that I can use." This is a call to action for all of us to lean into our faith and become more than just attendees; we need to be warriors for Christ. My people perish for lack of knowledge, and when you don't know what to do, you are at the mercy of others. We need to work out our own salvation and be on a journey of learning and exploring more about God.
Today, I want to talk about the power of praying in tongues, a subject that can be divisive but is crucial for our spiritual growth. Acts chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 14 will be our primary texts. Praying in tongues is a powerful tool that can become mundane if we are not careful. We often regulate it to a baptism experience and then don't develop it further. This is a mistake. Praying in tongues is not about feeling something new every time; it's about consistently engaging with the Holy Spirit.
Praying in tongues is supernatural and not something we can fully understand with our natural minds. It is a gift that allows us to communicate directly with God, bypassing our limited understanding. The devil hates this because it is a powerful weapon against him. When we pray in tongues, we are speaking mysteries in the Spirit, and this builds us up spiritually. Jude 1:20 says, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."
We often find ourselves running out of things to pray for in our natural language. This is where praying in tongues comes in. It allows us to pray for things we don't even know we need to pray for. Romans 8:26 says, "Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Praying in tongues is not just for the early church; it is for us today. It is a part of the armor of God, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:18, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." This is a secret weapon that many of us are not utilizing. How many battles have we lost because we are not praying in the Spirit?
Today, I want to give you the opportunity to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and to begin speaking in tongues. This is not about waiting for a feeling but about stepping out in faith. When I count to three, if you have never been baptized with the Holy Spirit, I want you to raise your hand and come forward. We will pray together, and you will receive this gift.
As we step into the Spirit, we are moving out of the natural and into the supernatural. This is a powerful moment where we connect our spirit with the Holy Spirit. Don't worry about what it sounds like; just let it flow. This is a part of your spiritual arsenal, and it will change your life.
Let's pray together: "Jesus, here I am. I need everything you have for me. Cleanse my heart and make me a new person. Baptize me with the Holy Spirit. I will speak in new tongues today. Come upon me, Holy Spirit, and ignite me."
Thank you, Lord, for what you are doing in this place. Let's continue to pray in the Spirit and build ourselves up in our most holy faith. Amen.
### Key Takeaways
1. Building an Army for God: We are called not just to be church attenders but to be warriors for Christ. This involves a deep commitment to learning, exploring, and knowing more about God. When we lack knowledge, we are at the mercy of others, but when we are equipped with God's word and the Holy Spirit, we can stand strong and independent in our faith. [04:30]
2. The Power of Praying in Tongues: Praying in tongues is a powerful spiritual tool that allows us to communicate directly with God, bypassing our limited understanding. It is a gift that needs to be developed and not just experienced once. This practice builds us up spiritually and helps us to pray for things we don't even know we need to pray for. [09:40]
3. Supernatural Communication: Praying in tongues is a supernatural act that connects our spirit directly with the Holy Spirit. It is not about feeling something every time but about consistently engaging with God. This form of prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy and helps us to pray effectively for ourselves and others. [32:50]
4. The Armor of God: Praying in the Spirit is a crucial part of the armor of God. It is just as important as the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. This secret weapon helps us to win battles that we might otherwise lose if we only pray in the natural. [40:26]
5. Stepping into the Spirit: Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is not about waiting for a feeling but about stepping out in faith. This act of faith allows us to connect our spirit with the Holy Spirit, enabling us to pray effectively and build ourselves up in our most holy faith. [52:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Overcoming Intimidation in Learning
[03:54] - Building an Army for God
[05:55] - The Power of Agreement
[07:06] - The Most Divisive Subject
[08:42] - Praying in Tongues
[09:40] - Developing the Gift of Tongues
[11:48] - Testimonies and Preparation for War
[13:45] - Speaking in Tongues Explained
[15:29] - Beyond Feelings
[17:19] - Speaking to God, Not Man
[19:30] - The Importance of Tongues
[21:33] - Removing Denominational Filters
[23:40] - Moving from Natural to Spiritual
[25:21] - Overcoming Prayer Limitations
[29:13] - Praying What He Knows
[30:54] - The Spirit Knows All Things
[32:50] - Supernatural Communication
[34:47] - Building Spiritual Muscle
[36:31] - Responsibility for Edification
[38:14] - The Armor of God
[40:26] - Winning Battles in the Spirit
[42:02] - Praying for Mission Teams
[43:56] - The Spirit Helps in Our Weakness
[46:30] - The Most Important Ministry
[48:45] - Effective Prayer in the Spirit
[50:53] - Stepping into the Spirit
[52:28] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[54:37] - Praying with the Spirit and Understanding
[56:18] - Giving Utterance
[58:12] - Baptism of the Holy Spirit
[59:56] - Praying in the Holy Ghost
[01:01:22] - Exercising Spiritual Weapons
[01:02:32] - Continuous Prayer
[01:04:16] - Developing Prayer Language
[01:07:17] - Conclusion and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 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.
2. 1 Corinthians 14:1-2 (NIV)
> Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
3. Romans 8:26 (NIV)
> In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 2:1-4, what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost?
2. In 1 Corinthians 14:1-2, what does Paul say about the purpose of speaking in tongues?
3. How does Romans 8:26 describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life?
4. What did the pastor mean when he said, "Praying in tongues is not about feeling something new every time; it's about consistently engaging with the Holy Spirit"? [09:40]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might praying in tongues be considered a powerful tool for spiritual growth, according to the sermon and 1 Corinthians 14:1-2? [17:19]
2. How does the concept of "building an army for God" relate to the idea of praying in tongues and spiritual warfare? [04:30]
3. What are some reasons the pastor gave for why praying in tongues is often neglected or misunderstood in the modern church? [09:40]
4. How does the pastor's interpretation of Romans 8:26 challenge or support your current understanding of prayer? [43:56]
### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of not just being church attenders but becoming warriors for Christ. What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to learning and exploring more about God? [04:30]
2. Have you ever felt like you ran out of things to pray for in your natural language? How might praying in tongues help you in those moments? [26:57]
3. The sermon mentioned that praying in tongues is a part of the armor of God. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily spiritual routine to better equip yourself for spiritual battles? [38:14]
4. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or unsure of what to pray for. How does Romans 8:26 provide comfort and guidance for those moments? [43:56]
5. The pastor invited those who had never been baptized with the Holy Spirit to step out in faith and receive this gift. If you have not experienced this, what might be holding you back, and how can you overcome those barriers? [52:28]
6. How can you consistently engage with the Holy Spirit in your daily life, even when you don't "feel" anything? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your spiritual practice? [09:40]
7. The pastor mentioned that praying in tongues helps us to pray for things we don't even know we need to pray for. Can you think of a specific situation in your life where this might be particularly helpful? How will you apply this practice in that situation? [26:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Building an Army for God
We are called not just to be church attenders but to be warriors for Christ. This involves a deep commitment to learning, exploring, and knowing more about God. When we lack knowledge, we are at the mercy of others, but when we are equipped with God's word and the Holy Spirit, we can stand strong and independent in our faith. This call to action is a reminder that our spiritual journey is not passive but active. We must engage with our faith, seek understanding, and apply God's word in our lives. This is how we build an army for God, ready to face spiritual battles and stand firm in our beliefs.
[04:30]
Ephesians 4:12-13 (ESV): "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of God's word and become a more active participant in your faith journey?
Day 2: The Power of Praying in Tongues
Praying in tongues is a powerful spiritual tool that allows us to communicate directly with God, bypassing our limited understanding. It is a gift that needs to be developed and not just experienced once. This practice builds us up spiritually and helps us to pray for things we don't even know we need to pray for. By engaging in this form of prayer, we tap into a deeper level of spiritual communication and empowerment. It is not about seeking a new feeling each time but about consistently engaging with the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and spiritual resilience.
[09:40]
1 Corinthians 14:2 (ESV): "For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of praying in tongues into your daily prayer routine to enhance your spiritual growth?
Day 3: Supernatural Communication
Praying in tongues is a supernatural act that connects our spirit directly with the Holy Spirit. It is not about feeling something every time but about consistently engaging with God. This form of prayer is a powerful weapon against the enemy and helps us to pray effectively for ourselves and others. By speaking mysteries in the Spirit, we build ourselves up and fortify our faith. This supernatural communication transcends our natural limitations and allows us to align more closely with God's will and purposes.
[32:50]
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel weak or uncertain? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to intercede and guide your prayers?
Day 4: The Armor of God
Praying in the Spirit is a crucial part of the armor of God. It is just as important as the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. This secret weapon helps us to win battles that we might otherwise lose if we only pray in the natural. By incorporating praying in tongues into our spiritual practices, we equip ourselves with a powerful tool that enhances our ability to stand firm against spiritual attacks and challenges. This practice is essential for maintaining spiritual strength and resilience in our daily lives.
[40:26]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: How can you make praying in the Spirit a more consistent part of your spiritual armor to better face the challenges and battles in your life?
Day 5: Stepping into the Spirit
Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is not about waiting for a feeling but about stepping out in faith. This act of faith allows us to connect our spirit with the Holy Spirit, enabling us to pray effectively and build ourselves up in our most holy faith. By stepping into the Spirit, we move from the natural to the supernatural, experiencing a deeper connection with God. This practice empowers us to live out our faith more fully and to engage in spiritual warfare with greater confidence and effectiveness.
[52:28]
Jude 1:20-21 (ESV): "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Reflection: What steps of faith can you take today to step more fully into the Spirit and experience a deeper connection with God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "My people perish for a lack of knowledge. You don't know what to do when you don't know what to do. I'm going to say it again. You don't know what to do when you don't know what to do. So then you're at the mercy of others. You're at the mercy of others. I don't want you to be at the mercy of others. I want you to lean upon others, but not at the mercy of others. Work out your own salvation. It is a work in progress." [04:30]
2. "I want to say this because some people will feel intimidated to a degree of, well, I'm not a school person, or the classroom can't hold me. I'm nervous in a classroom. Can I say I get that? I hated school. Can I be that honest with you? I hated every second of it. Do I have a witness in the room that anybody... Okay. Okay. All right. Can y'all just stand, not all of you, but those of you that raised your hand so I can feel really good that you didn't like school like I didn't like school. Oh, I didn't know my family was so big." [01:14]
3. "When war happens, it's too late to learn how to fight. You prepare. You prepare now for the battle that is coming. Now it may not be a battle that is national, a nation against nation. It may be an internal war. What do I do with a child that has no interest in God? How do I survive through an epic crisis in my life? And oftentimes we just throw ourselves down on oh God help me." [03:18]
4. "When I pray in English, I pray what I know. When I pray in the spirit, I pray what he knows. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I'm catching it. I'm about to let it go in just a moment. My mind's limited. His mind is unlimited. My mind is finite. And his mind is infinite. And when I pray in the natural, I'm limited to what I know." [29:13]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Do not build me a church full of attenders. Build me an army that I can use. Don't build an audience, but build an army. I just want to challenge you to lean into this and become all you can be for him. My people perish for a lack of knowledge. You don't know what to do when you don't know what to do." [04:30]
2. "Praying in the spirit can become mundane. And you're going to have to fight that because it can become normal for us. And praying in the spirit, praying in tongues can lose its edge. I sense that in the body of Christ at large, because we literally regulate praying in tongues to a baptism of the Holy Spirit experience, and then don't develop it, discover it, dive deep into it." [09:40]
3. "When you pray in tongues, you are moving out of a natural communication mode and moving into a spiritual mode. You are coming out of the natural, and now you are in the spirit. And the devil loves it when you're always praying in the natural. Nothing wrong with praying in the natural. We need to pray in the natural. We need to develop our understanding of the book so we know how to pray." [23:40]
4. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, in the spirit. He's saying, I want you to pray in tongues. This is a part of the armor of God. It is just as important as the shield of faith. It is just as important as the armor of God. It is just as important as the sword of faith. It is just as important as having that breastplate of truth and righteousness around you, the helmet that you wear, the sword that you carry." [40:26]
5. "When I pray in English, I pray what I know. When I pray in the spirit, I pray what he knows. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I'm catching it. I'm about to let it go in just a moment. My mind's limited. His mind is unlimited. My mind is finite. And his mind is infinite. And when I pray in the natural, I'm limited to what I know." [29:13]
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