Reviving the Church: The Power of Spirit and Word

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Vital Role in the Church

The presence of the Holy Spirit is essential for the church's life and effectiveness. Without the Spirit, much of what the church does would lack true spiritual power. In the early church, the Holy Spirit was the driving force behind their actions and growth. Today, many church activities might continue unchanged if the Spirit were removed, highlighting a need for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This fresh outpouring is necessary to breathe life into our structures and programs, ensuring they are not just human efforts but are empowered by divine presence. We must actively seek and pray for this renewal, recognizing that the Holy Spirit is the source of true vitality and effectiveness in our ministries. [01:29]

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your church or personal ministry do you sense a need for the Holy Spirit's fresh outpouring? How can you actively seek His presence today?

Day 2: The Partnership of Word and Spirit

A balanced emphasis on the Word of God and the Spirit of God is crucial for a healthy church. Both should be active and present, as demonstrated in the book of Acts, where the Spirit's work and the Word's proclamation went hand in hand. Jesus taught the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth, and this balance is essential for genuine spiritual growth. The day of Pentecost and Paul's ministry in Ephesus are examples of how the Word and Spirit worked together powerfully. Churches today must evaluate their openness to the Spirit's work while remaining deeply committed to the Word, ensuring that neither is prioritized at the expense of the other. [03:20]

"For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6b, ESV)

Reflection: How can you personally cultivate a balance between the Word and the Spirit in your daily walk with God? What practical steps can you take to ensure both are active in your life?

Day 3: Praying for Revival and Spiritual Awakening

Revival and spiritual awakening require a renewed fervor for both the Word and the Spirit. Historical revivals show that when churches are grounded in Scripture and open to the Spirit's leading, genuine transformation occurs. This dual emphasis challenges us to pray for our churches to experience a fresh move of God, following the example of past movements and leaders like Dr. J. Edwin Orr. By seeking this balance, we position ourselves for a powerful work of God that can lead to widespread spiritual renewal and awakening in our communities. [08:49]

"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific prayer can you offer today for revival in your church and community? How can you be a catalyst for spiritual awakening in your sphere of influence?

Day 4: Training for Effective Pastoral Ministry

Training for pastoral ministry involves both formal education and practical apprenticeship. While formal education provides foundational knowledge, practical ministry skills are best learned through mentorship and real-life ministry contexts. Experienced leaders play a crucial role in teaching others to do what they do, passing on valuable insights and skills. This combination of learning ensures that those called to pastoral ministry are well-equipped to serve effectively, balancing academic understanding with hands-on experience. [12:49]

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is a mentor or leader you can learn from in your ministry journey? How can you seek out opportunities for practical apprenticeship in your current context?

Day 5: Overcoming Sin Through Godly Habits and Accountability

Struggling with sin is a common experience for believers, but victory is possible through replacing harmful habits with godly ones and seeking accountability. Trusting in God's ongoing work in our lives, we can overcome these struggles by intentionally cultivating habits that align with His will. Accountability with fellow believers provides support and encouragement, helping us stay on track and grow in holiness. This process requires intentionality and reliance on God's strength, recognizing that He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. [19:13]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What harmful habit do you need to replace with a godly one today? Who can you invite into your life for accountability and support in this journey?

Sermon Summary

In this session, I shared insights from my time teaching at Calvary Chapel Bible College, focusing on the person, work, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial for the church's vitality, as highlighted by the observation that if the Holy Spirit were removed, much of what the church does today would continue unchanged, unlike the early church, which relied heavily on the Spirit's presence. This underscores the need for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our churches today.

A key theme is the partnership between the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Both are essential and should not be prioritized at the expense of the other. Jesus emphasized worship in spirit and truth, and this balance is evident in the book of Acts. For instance, on the day of Pentecost, there was a powerful outpouring of the Spirit, accompanied by Peter's preaching of the Word. Similarly, in Ephesus, Paul's ministry was marked by both the Word's growth and the Spirit's powerful work.

This dual emphasis challenges us to evaluate our openness to the Spirit's work and our commitment to the Word. We should pray for a renewed fervor for both, ensuring that our churches are grounded in Scripture and open to the Spirit's leading. This balance is vital for genuine revival and spiritual awakening, as exemplified by historical movements and leaders like Dr. J. Edwin Orr.

In addressing questions, I emphasized the importance of training for pastoral ministry through both formal education and apprenticeship. Practical ministry skills are best learned through mentorship, where experienced leaders teach others to do what they do. Additionally, I discussed the struggle with sin, encouraging believers to replace harmful habits with godly ones and seek accountability. Finally, I clarified that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a promise for those under the New Covenant, highlighting the unique relationship believers have with the Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit's presence is vital for the church's life and effectiveness. Without it, much of what we do would lack true spiritual power. We must seek a fresh outpouring of the Spirit to breathe life into our structures and programs. [01:29]
2. A balanced emphasis on the Word of God and the Spirit of God is essential. Both should be active in our churches, as seen in the book of Acts, where the Spirit's work and the Word's proclamation went hand in hand. [03:20]
3. Revival and spiritual awakening require a renewed fervor for both the Word and the Spirit. We should pray for our churches to be grounded in Scripture and open to the Spirit's leading, following the example of historical revivals. [08:49]
4. Training for pastoral ministry involves both formal education and practical apprenticeship. Learning from experienced leaders in real ministry contexts is crucial for developing effective ministry skills. [12:49]
5. Struggling with sin is a common experience for believers. Replacing harmful habits with godly ones and seeking accountability can help us overcome these struggles, while trusting in God's ongoing work in our lives. [19:13]
** [19:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction and Location
[00:31] - Teaching at Calvary Chapel Bible College
[00:58] - The Importance of the Holy Spirit
[01:12] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church
[02:21] - The Need for the Spirit's Fresh Outpouring
[02:36] - The Word and the Spirit in Partnership
[03:20] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
[04:04] - Examples from the Book of Acts
[05:02] - The Day of Pentecost
[05:34] - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
[06:50] - Evaluating Our Openness to the Spirit
[08:08] - Praying for a Renewed Fervor
[09:05] - Insights from Dr. J. Edwin Orr
[11:12] - Addressing Questions and Answers

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

John 4:23-24
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 19:8-10

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Observation Questions:

In John 4:23-24, what does Jesus say about the kind of worshipers the Father seeks? How does this relate to the balance between the Word and the Spirit discussed in the sermon? [03:20]
Describe the events of the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4. How did Peter respond to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? [05:02]
What was the nature of Paul's ministry in Ephesus according to Acts 19:8-10, and how does it illustrate the partnership between the Word and the Spirit? [06:50]
According to the sermon, what would happen to the church's activities if the Holy Spirit were removed, and how does this compare to the early church? [01:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of worshiping in "spirit and truth" challenge the way churches today might prioritize either the Word or the Spirit? [03:20]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of both formal education and apprenticeship in pastoral training? How might this dual approach benefit someone called to ministry? [12:49]
In what ways does the sermon suggest believers can overcome struggles with sin, and how does accountability play a role in this process? [19:13]
How does the sermon describe the unique relationship believers have with the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant, and what implications does this have for the church today? [23:13]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal openness to the Holy Spirit's work in your life. Are there areas where you might be relying more on structures and programs than on the Spirit's leading? How can you seek a fresh outpouring of the Spirit this week? [02:02]
Consider the balance between the Word and the Spirit in your church. Is there one that seems to be emphasized more than the other? How can you encourage a more balanced approach in your community? [03:49]
If you feel called to ministry, how can you pursue both formal education and practical apprenticeship to prepare effectively? Identify a mentor or program that could help you grow in this area. [12:49]
Identify a harmful habit you struggle with. What godly habit can you replace it with, and who can you ask to hold you accountable in this process? [19:13]
Think about a time when you experienced a genuine move of the Holy Spirit. How did it impact your faith, and how can you seek similar experiences in your current spiritual journey? [08:49]
How can you actively contribute to a revival or spiritual awakening in your church? What steps can you take to foster a renewed fervor for both the Word and the Spirit in your community? [08:49]
Reflect on the promise of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant. How does this promise encourage you in your daily walk with God, and how can you share this encouragement with others? [23:13]

Sermon Clips

We know that for the proper function of God's church there must be a real blessing and outpouring and presence of the Holy Spirit. It's been observed by some people, notably it was observed by oratory I believe who said that if much of what the church did today ceased mixing me let me rephrase that, if the Holy Spirit was removed from the church much of what the church does today would go on just as before whereas in the first century if the Holy Spirit was removed almost everything they did would stop. [00:01:26]

We need to realize that there must be a combined work of the Holy Spirit a combined work in the Church of the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Now some people may argue and it's sort of a legitimate in-house argument for us to have in the body of Christ as to which of those should have the precedence. Some people think the Word of God should have first place among the gatherings of believers, other people believe that the work of the Holy Spirit and attention to his work should have place. [00:02:42]

Remember what Jesus said in the Gospel of John chapter 4 he said that the father is looking for worshipers and those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. We want both aspects we don't want to sacrifice one for the other we don't want to promote and further the Word of God at the expense of the work of the Spirit of God, but neither do we want to promote and advance the work of the Spirit of God at the expense of the Word of God. [00:03:24]

On the day of Pentecost you have this wonderful combination of this amazing work of the Holy Spirit and a real emphasis on the word and the preaching of the work of Jesus both in his death and resurrection. Now you go later on into Acts chapters 19 and 20 and you see the remarkable work that the Apostle Paul did in the city of Ephesus. Actually it was much more than the city of Ephesus it was the whole region of Ephesus. [00:05:20]

We just see this we see this again and again this partnership between a remarkable work of the Holy Spirit and this real emphasis upon the Word of God. Now this is a great challenge for us among God's people today and I think it's sort of for us to ask and maybe do a little bit evaluation of ourselves, where are we at do we need a greater openness to the work and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in what we do. [00:06:47]

You can never have too much of the Word of God among believers and and you can never have too much of a legitimate work of the Holy Spirit. Now you can have sort of a feigned teaching of God's Word where Bibles are open but it's never really delved into and you can certainly have a feigned work of the Holy Spirit and sad to say there's all too much of that among Christians today. [00:07:16]

Lord God, would you please send us a renewed fervor for your word a renewed love for your word help, Lord myself and the leadership of our church bring the people into the scriptures to preach the gospel that great message about the person and work of Jesus Christ with accuracy with passion developing and presenting the Word of God maybe that needs to be the prayer for your church. [00:08:08]

I think the most needful aspect for training a pastoral ministry actually comes back to the apprenticeship model in other words you basically apprenticeship yourself under a respected and end and more experienced someone who has the capability to pour into you and I think that this is the very important aspect for the ministry of pastoral training the apprenticeship model. [00:12:49]

It is entirely possible to be born again and to have a heart that loves God and yet still is attracted to sin on some level. I saw somebody put this out on Twitter and I hope I can remember the phrase because it was a great phrase he says as a believer I hate my heart that loves sin and I think that's kind of the thing we still sense that there's some attraction within us that loves sin but we hate that even within ourselves. [00:18:06]

Take comfort in the fact that you hate your heart or that sin that this is a problem for you it shows God's work in you is real and he'll build on it and he'll increase it and and just keep your heart surrendered before God and and look to Jesus he is the author in the finish of your faith. Don't let your struggle with sin which is something that every believer deals with don't let your struggle of sin with sin convince you that you're not his child. [00:20:00]

The remarkable thing about the New Covenant is that the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all those who are part of the New Covenant. This was the astonishment of people on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 when they looked upon the disciples and noticed that all of those followers of Jesus there was about a hundred and twenty of them gathered together on the day of Pentecost they were all filled with the spirit whereas under the Old Covenant the Holy Spirit was given to certain people at certain times for certain functions. [00:22:41]

The great outpouring of the Spirit that's promised and is the property of all those under the New Covenant this is the great encouragement we have is that under the New Covenant the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all flesh in opinion all those who are part of the New Covenant old men young men old women young women they will all receive of this great work of the Holy Spirit. [00:23:16]

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Reviving the Church: The Power of Spirit and Word

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Vital Role in the Church

Day 2: The Partnership of Word and Spirit

Day 3: Praying for Revival and Spiritual Awakening

Day 4: Training for Effective Pastoral Ministry

Day 5: Overcoming Sin Through Godly Habits and Accountability

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Reviving the Church: The Power of Spirit and Word

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