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BACKGROUND
GOD
GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood
MAN
WOMAN
FALL OF MAN
MAN
a. Man in nature
b. Man’s destiny
c. Man ‘s structure
d. Man’s sin
e. Man in God’s image
WOMAN
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
DEFINITIONS (For serious students)
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT |
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Avaioding theological issues altogether, practical experience tells me that the best way of describing the empowering of the Holy Spirit is:
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| Our release of the Power of the Holy Spirit Into Our Soul (mind, emotions and will) |
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 This can happen at conversion, at a later stage in our Christian walk, or at different times during our life.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-4
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| THE SPIRIT IN US |
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 FALLEN MAN
Lives with a spiritual vacuum.
SAVED MAN
The Holy Spirit lives within, but is restricted in His operation within our soul.
SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVER
The Holy Spirit is consciously released and given varying degrees of 'authority' to change us more into the image of Jesus. The walk towards maturity is determined by the degree of authority we give to the Holy Spirit to change us.
We cannot change ourselves, by ourselves, through our own efforts. Been there, tried that!
However by 'giving up' on ourselves and letting the Holy Spirit transform us, genuine change can take place. This is a long term, ongoing process.
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It is not enough to receive the Holy Spirit into our life. The Lord requires that we allow His Spirit to permeate our soul and our body so that we might achieve perfection in Christ.
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| THE GLOW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT |
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The ultimate in the release of the Holy Spirit is when the glow of the Holy Spirit shines forth through our soul and out of our bodies. Do you know anyone who has so let the Holy Spirit permeate their soul (life) that His glory is reflected through their body?
My Aunty Ina was an example. In her later life she was crippled with arthritis. Yet she would sit in her chair beside the fire with her Bible by her side, and a cheerful countenance that belied the pain she was suffering.
At this time I was not a believer, but even I could see there was something different about her. Something that I desired then, and still desire.
Now, of course, I know that it was the glow of the Holy Spirit shining through and out of her.
Now, I truly thank the Lord for my Aunty Ina and the inspiration she has been to me in my walk with Jesus.
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| WHY THE HOLY SPIRIT? |
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 The Bible gives us 4 reasons why God, in His Almighty wisdom, grace and love chose to dwell in us in the form of His Holy Spirit.
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| 1. As the Sign of Salvation |
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 The presence of the Holy Spirit in our life distinguishes us as Christians from the non-Christian.
Ephesians 1:13
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| 2. As the Promise of Future Glory |
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 The presence of the Holy Spirit in our life, tremendous as it is, is only a small foretaste of what is to come in heavenly glory.
Ephesians 1:14
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| 3. As the Sign of Having Received Eternal Life Now |
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 The promise that our soul lives in Him NOW and FOREVER.
John 3:36, 1 John 5:13
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| 4. To Help Us Develop the Character of God |
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 Being a part of God, we are expected to develop His character in our lives.
John 14:26, John 15:16
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| The Holy Spirit is God living in us. |
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> GOD AND MAN continues |
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 As we look at the very practical subject of how the Holy Spirit communicates with us.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 The Holy Spirit is meant to be an agent of change in our lives, not a spiritual plaything!
We have corrupted His purpose by seeking the supernatural outside of ourselves rather than allowing Him to make changes within.
ANCIENT ROMAN TRANSPORTATION (continued)
The few inns at which a traveler could find lodging for the night were of dubious quality at best and were downright risky at times. Most innkeepers were crooks, the food was bad, and the inns were frequented by cutthroats and drunks. All kinds of lice and other insects infested the bedding, and the traveler might not even find a bed at all because they were all taken by other guests by the time he arrived at the inn.
Occasions for road travel included army officers on business, government magistrates traveling between Rome and their posts, students journeying to Athens to complete their education at the universities there, and imperial postal couriers carrying messages and letters. Travel for enjoyment and long journeys by foot were almost unheard of in Roman society.
The rich often traveled lying down in a litter carried on the shoulders of slaves or seated in a sedan chair, also carried by slaves. Military officers traveled on horseback and the Roman army had stations at which a courier or officer could exchange a tired mount for a fresh one. Intimate knowledge of this system of relay stations enabled the emperor Constantine as a young man to escape the court of Galerius to rejoin his father in Britain.
The streets in Rome and other large cities were crowded and narrow. Freight was delivered by wagons at night, as wagons were banned from the city by day because of the congestion. Travel within the cities was often done on foot by rich and poor alike. The proper way for a wealthy woman of Senatorial rank to travel was by carpentum, a large four wheel covered coach. Additionally, she could travel by litter, just like the men.
Source: http://www.bible-history.com
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
353. While God graciously accepts me as I am, His desire is for me to become more like Him.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Till Death do us Part!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/tddup.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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