WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:05.599 But today we're gonna bring our series on the Holy Spirit to a conclusion. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:08.560 And we're gonna look in Acts chapter 4. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:11.759 So if you have your Bibles, turn with me to Acts chapter 4. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:22.960 Last week we were in Acts 3 and we learned through the story of Peter and John healing the man that was lame from birth. 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:30.160 We learned that we may not have what people are asking for, but we do have something that they need. 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:33.520 And they need Jesus. 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:40.000 And I encouraged you last week to adopt the mentality that I have something to give. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:53.920 And the reports that I've got from many of you this week is that God opened your eyes to see people right in front of you this week that maybe you've been looking past and you met a need for the glory of God. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:55.520 And church, that's exciting. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:59.200 That's how we need to live as followers of Jesus. 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:14.400 This week I want to answer the question: how do I release what God has deposited in me for the world around me? 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:20.159 How do I give away what God has given me? 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:27.359 How do I impart to the world what has been deposited in me? 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:31.760 And we're going to see that in Acts chapter four. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:36.480 Stand with me, if you would, as we honor the reading of God's word together this morning. 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:42.560 Acts chapter 4 is a continuation of Acts chapter 3. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:59.519 The Bible tells us that after healing this lame man, that Peter and John are arrested, and they brought before the religious leaders and told to give an account of what they have done. 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:04.959 And we're going to pick up the story in verse 8, Acts chapter 4, verse 8. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:26.000 The Bible says, then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:32.319 Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it's by the name of Jesus. 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:35.360 Come on, somebody, we've been singing about that this morning. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:43.680 It's by the name of Jesus, Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.120 This man is standing before you well. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:51.759 Anybody else standing this morning because of the name of Jesus? 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:58.159 Anybody else well today because of the name of Jesus? 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:05.199 Anybody else been in a pit, but you're not in a pit today, and there's one reason, and his name is Jesus. 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:10.879 By him, this man is standing before you well. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:27.840 Verse 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builder's which has become the cornerstone, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.759 Can I just pause here for a second? 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:32.159 Do you know who Peter's talking to? 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:41.680 Peter's talking to the very people that just weeks earlier had crucified our Savior. 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:51.360 He's talking to the people that just weeks prior he didn't have the courage to stand before, much less speak before. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:04:08.000 As a matter of fact, just weeks earlier, he couldn't even call on the name of Jesus at night by a fire to a slave girl, but now he's standing before the very ones who crucified his Savior and say, It's by his name. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:15.039 Something has shifted in Peter, something has changed inside of Peter. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:16.800 This is a different man. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:24.959 He's standing confidently and speaking boldly about the name of Jesus. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:25.759 Verse 13. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:27.600 No watch what they say about him. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:30.079 When they saw the what? 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:34.240 When they saw the courage, another word for courage is boldness. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:36.000 Everybody say boldness. 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:46.240 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, come in, they were astonished and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:47.600 Let me ask you a question this morning. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.720 Would anybody recognize that you've been with Jesus? 00:04:53.199 --> 00:05:02.240 Is there anything about your life today that would testify that you've been with Jesus? 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:09.439 Is there anything that you are demonstrating through how you live your life and through the words that you use? 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:15.439 That other people would say there's something different about them. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:20.000 I think they may have been with Jesus. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:30.399 Peter and John are released, and they go back to the other apostles and the church that is gathered praying for them. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.720 And go to verse 29. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:40.399 And we read the prayer that they pray at the conclusion of this story. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.120 Listen to this prayer. 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:53.040 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak with great boldness. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:59.600 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:00.480 Verse 31. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.279 And after they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and they all were what? 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.959 With what? 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:09.120 And what did they do? 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:22.319 Church, this is God's word and the title of my message this morning is this filled to speak. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.240 Say that after me this morning. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:26.639 Filled to speak. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:31.439 Say, I am filled to speak. 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:36.800 Turn to your neighbor and say, You are filled to speak. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:42.319 Turn to the other neighbor and say, We are filled to speak. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:48.560 Turn around the person behind you and say, We are filled to speak. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:52.720 Father, we thank you for your word this morning. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.360 Your word is a light into our path. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:01.920 Father, your word shows us the way to go and how to arrive there safely. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:06.399 And I pray this morning that we would not just be hearers of your word, but doers of it. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.680 In Jesus' mighty name. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.279 Everybody said, Amen. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.639 You may be seated. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.319 Thank you, Caleb. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:28.000 The other day, I got to spend some time with a family that has young kids. 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.959 My kids aren't young anymore. 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.399 Meg and I are quickly becoming empty nesters. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:34.959 Praise the Lord. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:35.519 Hallelujah. 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.879 Thank you, Jesus. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:41.759 We love our kids and we're thankful for our kids, but we're ready for our kids to go. 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:43.120 I know I kind of shouldn't say that. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:44.720 No, they're great. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:08:03.600 But spending some time with a family that had some young kids, I was I was struck and reminded about the sayings that we say around kids that are just somewhat crazy. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:15.199 If you can, if you remember these sayings. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:18.079 I'm rubber and you're glue. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:20.800 That's right. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:24.639 Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.240 How many of you guys remember that one? 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:27.600 How about this one? 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.279 Finders keepers. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:32.240 Boy, y'all know that one really well. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.279 Here's another one. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.279 Step on a crack. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.720 Wow, that's another one. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:46.720 Here's a here's a classic parental line that's a threat. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:53.279 And it's if you keep making that face, it's gonna stay like that. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.960 It's gonna stay that way. 00:08:55.200 --> 00:08:58.480 Any any others, as I say that, anybody get give me one? 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:01.919 Anybody have a saying that immediately comes to mind? 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:06.960 Oh, that's a good one. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.240 That's a good one. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:14.879 For those of you that didn't hear that one, she said, if you don't stop crying, I'm gonna. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.639 Jesus, hallelujah. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:21.039 That's that's a good one. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.120 I I love that one. 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:31.039 I I I was reminded of another one the other day that's just just flat out not true. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:36.080 You know, some of these sayings are are are aren't aren't very true. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:40.799 I found that I can step on as many cracks as I want, it doesn't break my mother's back. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:47.600 I I have found that finders keepers doesn't translate very well in court. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:53.600 Although I've heard possession is nine-tenths of the law. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.919 Here's another one that doesn't. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:02.000 It's so wrong, it's ridiculous. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.519 Let me say it that way. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:05.919 Sticks and stones. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:13.919 How many of you guys know that's a flat out lie? 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:19.120 It's just not true at all. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:27.679 As a matter of fact, I have found that bones that are broken heal faster than spirits that are bruised. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:42.559 A word has the power to bruise a spirit that can have lingering effects for decades. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.000 Decades. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:54.000 You know, the Bible treats our words way more strongly than we tend to. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:11:01.039 The Bible speaks of, I'm gonna have to pause here for just a second for the media team. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.600 I think this keyboard is on. 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:07.919 I hear, did anybody else hear like a buzzing noise over here? 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.679 Y'all hear that over here? 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.639 Somebody fix that in Jesus' name. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:18.639 Because I'm about to lose my mind over this buzzing noise over here. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:21.039 Well, we are raw today. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:29.679 You know, one of the things the Bible is most clear about is the power of our words. 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:40.639 And there's really only one verse in scripture that you have to look at to understand the significance and the importance of our words, and it's in Proverbs. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:48.879 And Proverbs says, life and what lie in the power of the tongue. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:57.519 That literally our words have the power to build up or to tear down. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:04.159 Our words have the power to encourage or to destroy. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:12.240 Our words, church, have incredible power, and that's why this statement isn't true. 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:20.720 It's why when we say sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.440 It's just not true. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:31.840 As a matter of fact, when you study scripture from beginning to end, you understand that it was by the word of God that the universe was created. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:38.639 By his word, God said, Let there be, and it became. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:13:07.519 Our words have power, and today we're going to learn together that one of the primary purposes of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to empower your words. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:17.279 If you have your Bibles, let me show you just a few passages to help to illustrate this as we move along. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:34.240 I spent some time this week, and I I'm not going to take you through all of it, but I charted from Acts chapter 1 all the way through the book how often the Bible references that they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they verbalized something. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.960 They spoke. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:40.399 Look at this in Acts chapter 1, verse 8. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:46.080 Jesus says, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be what? 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.759 You'll be what? 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:49.840 Oh, what are you called to be? 00:13:50.159 --> 00:14:07.679 A witness that you are called to testify that there, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the infilling of God, that there should be an outflow of a verbal response that I'm going to witness, that I'm going to testify, I'm going to tell people about Jesus. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:11.039 Acts chapter 2, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is poured out. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:15.279 Verse 4, it says, All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to what? 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:21.600 They began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:24.240 Verse 14 of this same chapter. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:31.600 After everything happens, Peter stands with the eleven and he lifted up his what? 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:35.360 And he addressed the men of Judah and all who dwell in Jerusalem. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.480 Let this be known to you and give ear to my what? 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.320 My words. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:44.639 Over and over again throughout the book of Acts. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:57.279 Every time the Holy Spirit was poured out, there was a verbalization that accompanied it. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:18.159 It says, When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to what? 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.919 Speak in tongues and prophesy. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:26.879 There were about 12 men in all, and he entered the synagogue for three months, and he did what? 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:35.600 Spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:41.279 Here's the revelation that I want you to get today, if you don't get anything else. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:52.960 One of the primary purposes of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to empower our words through our witness for Jesus and our prayer to Jesus. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:02.480 This is the consistent theme we see throughout the book of Acts. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:08.720 When the Spirit of God came upon people, they spoke. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:24.480 There was always a verbal response to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.200 Why? 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:34.159 Because I believe God wants to empower our words so that the world can be changed. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:54.480 As a matter of fact, the Bible would tell us that God fills us with His Spirit so that His Word can get in our life and flow out of our words to change the world around us. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.440 Why? 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:58.159 Words have power. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.080 Now let me clarify something for you this morning. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:07.119 I don't believe in naming it and claiming it. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:22.160 That the confession of your mouth matters immensely to God. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:42.079 But when we do speak, we need to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:50.319 So this morning, I want to give you three ways the Holy Spirit wants to empower your words. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.960 Three ways he wants to empower your words. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:58.720 He wants to empower your words through prayer, through proclamation, and through practice. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.759 Through prayer, proclamation, and practice. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:04.160 I'm gonna say that one more time so you can get it in your heart. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:11.279 The Holy Spirit wants to empower your words through prayer, proclamation, and practice. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.440 Let's look at number one through prayer. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:20.480 The Spirit fills us so that we can speak to God. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:25.359 Anyone thankful this morning that you can speak to the Lord? 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:40.799 That you don't have to go through an intermediary, you don't have to go through a veil, you don't have to go through all the things that the ancient Israelites had to go through, but but you can go through Jesus and speak directly to God. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:45.759 Look at this in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verse 2. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:54.880 Paul says, for when anyone speaks in a tongue, he's talking about praying in the spirit. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:58.319 He does not speak to people, but to who? 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.160 But to God. 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:02.160 Indeed, no one understands them. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:06.240 They utter mysteries by the spirit. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:10.079 What do we call speaking to God? 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.640 We call that prayer. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:26.720 And so what Paul is telling us here is that the Holy Spirit wants to empower our ability to speak to God, to pray to God, to communicate with God. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:35.279 I'm thankful that I have an advocate today that helps me to know how to communicate with the Father. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:49.839 I'm thankful today that I don't have to have it all figured out to know how to communicate to him, but the Spirit will enable me to communicate to God in a way that I can never communicate on my own. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:54.720 I'm thankful that he understands we have limitations. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.799 Anyone have some limitations? 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.960 I'm gonna try this side of the room. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:04.240 anybody over here have any limitations? 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.200 Yeah, yeah. 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.880 This side's going to heaven. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.640 I don't know about y'all. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:11.359 We all have limitations. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:25.519 And the beauty of the Spirit of God, one of the primary purposes of him coming up to take residence in our life, to be filled with the Spirit of God, is so that he can empower our prayer life. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.920 And he does it in two ways. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:32.240 He does it in an unknown tongue and in a known tongue. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:37.519 He empowers us to pray in our mind and in our spirit. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:51.039 He empowers us to pray in a way that we understand and in a way that is beyond our understanding, which I'm so thankful for because I don't understand everything. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:21:03.599 I mean, think about the goodness of God, that He would give us a gift that enables us to operate in something beyond our capacity. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:09.680 Paul says this in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verses 14 and 15. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:11.759 He said, So what am I to do? 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:15.519 For I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.400 What am I to do? 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:19.680 I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:24.960 I will sing praise with my spirit, and I will also sing with my mind. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:37.519 Why does it matter that God would give us a gift to pray both in our mind and in our spirit? 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:41.759 And it's because we've already said this, we don't know everything. 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:45.359 I want you to turn to your neighbor and say, you don't know everything. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:54.640 How many of y'all have been waiting forever to say that to the person you're sitting next to this morning? 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:58.720 I want you to look back at them and say, neither do you. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:10.160 How many of you have ever been in a situation where you just didn't know how to pray? 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:18.799 You you you've been in a situation, not only didn't you know how to pray, you didn't know what to pray. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:26.000 I remember years ago, right after Meg and I got married, we were in Tuscaloosa, also known as Tornado Alley. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:34.559 And we lived in Northport up next to County High at the time, and tornadoes seemed to go by there quite regularly. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:40.160 As a matter of fact, uh when we were living in the house there, I watched a tornado go by. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:49.920 Well, it's in the middle of the night, and tornado sirens go off, which is always wonderful. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:23:03.119 So we jump out of bed and I turn the TV on, and they literally, James Spann, his sleeves are rolled up, jackets off, ties off. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.720 Listen, it's getting real. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:13.200 He calls out our neighborhood to take shelter. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:29.680 So we go to the middle bathroom in our little garden home, and I put Meg in the in the tub, and then I sit on the commode, and I just start praying in the spirit because I don't know what else to do. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.839 Anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:45.759 I'm praying in the spirit, and at that time Meg had not yet received her prayer language, and she's in the tub screaming, whatever he's saying, whatever he's saying, whatever he's saying. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:24:03.440 I say that tongue in cheek this morning, but I want us to come to grips with the reality that we know in part. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.880 We see in part. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:12.720 Paul says, we see through a glass darkly, that we don't know everything. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.839 We don't see everything. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:19.279 We can't calculate everything, but we serve a God who knows it all. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:34.240 And in his wisdom, he gives us a gift that enables us to connect with him in a wonderful, miraculous, supernatural way that aligns our life with him. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.440 That's what Paul says in Romans. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:39.920 Look at this verse in Romans chapter 8, verse 26. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:43.519 It says, In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:51.599 We don't know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:55.359 He searches hearts, knows what is in the mind of the Spirit. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.559 Listen to this. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:25:00.240 Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints, how? 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.920 In accordance with the will of God. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:13.039 I'm so thankful this morning that I have a gift that allows me to pray in the perfect will of God when I don't know what the perfect will of God is. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:17.200 Something beyond our understanding. 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:20.400 So let me let me let me tell you what praying in the spirit is. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.000 This is Jeremy's version. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:28.079 Praying in the spirit gives your spirit a voice when your mind runs out of words. 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.440 This is what praying in the spirit is. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:39.039 It's giving your spirit a voice when your mind runs out of words. 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:48.400 If your prayer life feels stuck or shallow, I want you to know this morning that the Holy Spirit wants to give you a gift that will unstuck you. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:51.839 I know that's not good English. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:26:09.680 The Holy Spirit wants to give you a gift that will empower you, that will propel you, that will connect you with God in a way that is wonderful and beautiful, something beyond your mind and your ability. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:21.599 See, the Holy Spirit has come to fill us so that our prayer life can be empowered, both in a known tongue and in an unknown tongue, both in our mind and in our spirit. 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:27.759 Number two, the Holy Spirit comes to empower our proclamation of the gospel. 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:37.359 The Spirit fills us to speak for God, not just to God, but for God. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:45.759 In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John have healed the lame man. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:27:04.319 This causes such a stir in the temple that they're arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders of Jerusalem, as I said earlier, the very men that crucified Jesus. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:10.319 And their command to Peter and John was explain yourself. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:21.039 Explain how this has happened, explained by what name you have healed this man. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:35.599 And verse 13 tells us that they were taken back, as Peter began to declare, it's in the name of Jesus, the one whom you crucified, but God raised from the dead. 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:39.200 It's in the name of Jesus that this man is healed. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:43.680 And the Bible says they were in awe of their boldness. 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.880 Why would it say that? 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.799 Because they knew who they were. 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.759 They knew who Peter and John were. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:53.599 They had seen them around Jesus. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.960 This wasn't a shock. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:57.440 They they wasn't like they were strangers. 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:00.160 They had been in the temple when Jesus was teaching. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:02.400 They had been there when Jesus was crucified. 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:05.519 They had been there all along. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:12.559 They knew who these guys were, but the problem was they're not the same guys anymore. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:19.519 There had been something that had happened to them that had changed them. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:30.079 It wasn't just that they had been with Jesus, but that the spirit of Jesus had taken up residence inside of them. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.720 It's what Jesus had promised them. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.720 It's better for you that I go away. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:37.440 If I don't go away, the helper cannot come. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:41.440 But when he comes, he'll not just be with you, he'll be in you. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:46.480 Anyone thankful that the God of the ages lives in your heart today? 00:28:49.759 --> 00:29:01.759 They saw the boldness of Peter and John as they testified about Jesus. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.440 I want to clear something up. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:07.279 Boldness is not a personality trait. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:16.160 A lot of times we think that boldness is a personality trait. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:29.920 Boldness is not about your personality, it's not about your demeanor, it's not about the things that we would like to clarify it as. 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:37.519 Boldness is something that comes on you when you've been changed. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:42.079 And this is what has happened to Peter and John. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:50.559 They've been changed, they're not the same people that they used to be because the spirit is in them. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:30:06.319 Some of you shriek back from the idea of testifying about Jesus because you say, Well, I'm not I'm not bold enough. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:19.599 I want to tell you this morning that the same God that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:40.160 See, it's not that you don't have boldness, it's that you're allowing a spirit of fear to have preeminence over your life. 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:47.279 And the Bible says that God's not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:31:02.480 And because we're allowing fear to govern our heart rather than what is in our heart, we walk by people every day, timid and quiet and tentative about saying anything about Jesus. 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:09.440 I need you to know this morning, you have the solution for the world's problems living inside of you. 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:11.920 You've just got to give word to it. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.559 You've got to point them to Jesus. 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:21.759 Tell them that He is the hope of the world. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:29.519 Same Spirit who helps you talk to God will help you talk about Him. 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:31.519 So let me ask you a question this morning. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:36.880 Where where have you where where are you feeling pressure to go quiet about your faith? 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:44.079 Where have you said, I don't want to rock the boat when the Spirit is actually nudging you to say something? 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:54.160 Boldness to testify. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:56.160 I'm not talking about being mean to church. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.759 You hear me this morning. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:12.480 But you know when there's this butterfly in your stomach, you know there's this stirring in your you need to say something. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:19.039 You need to say something, you need you need to point them to the source of life. 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:25.039 And how often do we retreat from that rather than step into it? 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:39.920 If Jesus is willing to testify about you before his father, how can we not testify about him before others? 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:48.799 You know there's one way you get into heaven. 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:53.039 Jesus says, He's mine. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:59.119 If he's willing to do that for us, how can't we do that for others? 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:07.599 Third way, the third way the Holy Spirit wants to empower our words is through practice. 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:20.400 Through practice, through practicing the declaration of our faith, through practicing prayer, and through practicing our testimony. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:28.559 And we do that through desire, through asking for it, expecting it, and speaking it. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:35.920 Listen, I just want you to know if if you want the Holy Spirit to empower your words, He doesn't just overtake you. 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:37.519 You've got to want it. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:48.640 In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verse 1, Paul says, eagerly desire spiritual gifts. 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:56.559 The words eagerly desire are the strongest verb tense in all of the New Testament, and they are only used in this one spot. 00:33:56.799 --> 00:34:06.079 And it literally means to long for, to desire, to search for, to go after, to pursue. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:09.599 How many of you guys remember how you pursued your spouse? 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.519 Somebody said, Oh, yeah. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.639 Somebody said they're still doing it. 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:16.559 There's a healthy marriage. 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.960 It's a little much. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.920 I love it. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:37.440 Listen, God doesn't just overwhelm us to give us what He wants to give us, He invites us to want it. 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:39.760 How many of you guys remember the parable of the swine? 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:43.360 Jesus said, I don't cast pearls to swine. 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:48.639 I don't cast valuable things to those that don't know their value. 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:57.039 So God doesn't give gifts to people that don't understand their value. 00:34:58.400 --> 00:35:02.960 And so we're invited by the Spirit of the Lord through the word of the Lord. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:18.239 If you want your words to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that you can pray to him in a way that you've never prayed before, and you can witness for him in a way that you've never witnessed for, you gotta want it. 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:21.599 He doesn't just overwhelm you and give it to you. 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:24.559 And number two, you've got to ask for it. 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:41.840 In Luke chapter 11 and verse 13, actually, verses 11 through 13, Jesus says, if your earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their kids, how much more does your heavenly father know how to give good gifts to his kids who ask for it? 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:43.920 You've got to ask for it. 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:46.559 I gotta want it, I've gotta ask for it. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:52.960 And when I want it and when I ask for it, number three, I need to expect to receive it. 00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:57.039 Look at this in Acts chapter 2, verse 38. 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:03.519 This is on the day of Pentecost, Peter's preaching before the multitudes in Jerusalem. 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:09.920 And Peter says, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:12.400 And listen to this: and you will receive. 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:16.159 Not you might receive, or one day you get to receive. 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:20.480 No, and you will receive the gift of the Spirit. 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:28.239 Then verse 39, he says, This promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off. 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:30.239 He's talking about us, church. 00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:36.960 All of us who are far off, for all whom the Lord will call on. 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:45.840 You've got to expect to receive it, and then you've got to give word to it, number four. 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:55.679 I gotta want it, I gotta ask for it, I gotta expect to receive it, and then I've got to give voice to it. 00:36:55.760 --> 00:37:00.800 Let me say it this way: you've got to pray the prayer and you've got to share your testimony. 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:03.280 He doesn't take your words over. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:11.119 But if you'll give your words to him, he'll empower them in a way that is unbelievable. 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:18.400 So our family has a story that has been passed down for many, many generations. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:27.280 My both sides of my family grew up in the hills of eastern Kentucky, coal miners by day, pastors by evening and weekend. 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:32.159 My great-grandfather lived way up in a holler. 00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:34.000 Anyone know what a holler is? 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:40.239 A holler is a really small valley that's so small that you can holler from one side to the other. 00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:50.320 There's one road in and one road out, and he would walk that road to work early every morning, and he would pray as he walked to work. 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:55.840 He would pray in understanding, and he would also pray in the spirit. 00:37:56.559 --> 00:38:04.239 My grandfather would walk with him from time to time, and he would tell the story that I'd ask my dad, What are you what are you saying? 00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:05.760 And he'd say, Son, don't worry about it. 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:08.079 I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to God. 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:13.119 This happened over and over and over again over many years. 00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:26.159 And one year in particular, a a a Russian immigrant family moved in, and they moved into a house that my great-grandfather would walk by every morning as he prayed in the spirit. 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:30.320 He's thinking, he's praying to God. 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:35.440 He's facing things that he doesn't know how to deal with. 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:39.920 So he's praying to God beyond his understanding. 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:52.320 Little church that he pastored soon after this Russian immigrant family moved in, they came to attend the church and got saved, the whole family. 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:57.519 And my grandfather asked him, Well, tell me, tell me your story. 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:59.440 He said, What do you mean? 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:05.199 He said, We don't we don't we don't know God, we don't know the story of Jesus. 00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:20.800 But every morning you walk by our house in our Russian language, you were telling us about the Son of God who gave his life for the sins of humanity. 00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:52.159 See, God wants to empower your prayers, and he wants to empower your witness, but we have to give words to it, and if we'll take a step of faith and give words, give voice to it, God will get on it and connect us with Him and with others in a way that we can't connect any other way. 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:55.360 You stand with me where you are this morning. 00:39:56.719 --> 00:40:00.639 We ask my prayer team to join me to my right and to my left today. 00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:06.960 We're gonna have a moment of ministry together here at the conclusion of our service today. 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:13.760 My response is really simple. 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:15.519 It's three things. 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:46.000 First is this if you're here this morning and you were real honest about your faith journey, you'd say, I feel a little dry, I feel a little weary, maybe even I'm worn out, I'm tired, the vibrancy that I once had has faded, and I need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit today. 00:40:46.320 --> 00:40:51.440 I want you to know that you're in the right place at the right time to receive what God has for you this morning. 00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:56.000 I'm gonna ask you to respond in just a moment as our worship team leads us. 00:40:56.400 --> 00:41:10.320 Number two is this if if you're here this morning and and you want the Holy Spirit to empower your prayer life and maybe even give you a prayer language beyond your understanding because you know you need more. 00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:26.480 Come to one of our prayer team members, and we're gonna pray with you today and believe that there's gonna be an impartation of power upon your life to pray in a way that you've never prayed before. 00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:38.320 And then number three is this you know God's placed you among people that don't know him because you're the witness for them. 00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:52.639 And you've been timid and you've been shy and you've been tentative about sharing your testimony, and you know you're coming into a season where you need to get bold about your faith. 00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:55.360 I'm gonna ask you to respond in just a moment. 00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:57.519 With every head bowed and every eye closed. 00:41:57.679 --> 00:42:02.239 If you're here this morning, you say, Pastor, I know today I need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. 00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:04.159 Would you just raise your hand right where you stand? 00:42:04.239 --> 00:42:05.599 Because I'm gonna I just want to pray for you. 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:07.920 Is there anyone here under the sound of my voice? 00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:10.639 Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. 00:42:10.800 --> 00:42:11.760 I see those hands. 00:42:12.000 --> 00:42:12.800 Praise the Lord. 00:42:12.880 --> 00:42:14.079 Thank you, thank you. 00:42:14.320 --> 00:42:17.199 In just a moment, I'm gonna ask you to respond to get out of your seat. 00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:18.800 Come to one of our prayer team members. 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:22.880