Theophilus Sunday Adelugba

Can i see your hand typing Amen with Faith.

Happy Sunday Dear Body of Christ

TOPIC: THE TESTIMONY OF A SPIRIT-FILLED MAN
(Scripture Portion: Micah 3:8-10 (cf; Acts 7: 54-60)

Introduction: At the heart of Micah chapter 3 the prophet gives a striking personal testimony (verse 8): “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord.” Micah wrote these words nearly 800 years before Pentecost, and his short testimony emphasises the true meaning and significance of all that was to happen on that great day, and the spiritual fulness of power which would be available to every Christian. Remember that it is God’s plan, purpose and provision for all His children to be “filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord”. It is His command (Ephesians 5:18), and only then can we live the Christian life effectively and serve God fruitfully. What does this statement tell us about being filled with the Spirit?

1. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience.
Micah’s statement leaves us in no doubt about this. Something has happened. Look up the following references in Acts to those who were filled with the Holy Spirit, and notice how definite their experience was: Acts 4:8; 4:31; 6:3-5; 7:54-55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9; 13:52. This experience is so definite, that it can be said of some people that they are filled with the Spirit and others are not!

2. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a personal experience.
We learn this from the fact that Micah was able to say, “I am filled…” Was he boasting? No, because a Spirit-filled man will never boast. Why then does Micah give this testimony here? Because he is speaking in the Lord’s name, and he is contrasting himself with the false prophets who were void of the Spirit. He was declaring his authority, his credentials, and in so doing he was giving his personal experience. Turn again to the above references in Acts and notice that in each case the statements referred to a personal experience. The disciples in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit – so was Peter, so was Paul, so were Barnabas and Stephen, and so on. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? If it is God’s purpose for His children to live Spirit-filled lives, then they should live Spirit-filled lives, and know it!

3. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a revolutionary experience.
Notice that Micah said, “I am filled…” – and it is quite obvious that he must have been emptied of sin, self and of everything that is contrary to the presence and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4). It is a revolutionary experience for a man when he faces up to all the sin in his life, the doubtful things, the displeasing things, things which grieve the Holy Spirit, in order that he might be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). But before we can be filled we must seek grace to get rid of sinful things such as pride, jealousy, criticism, anger, impurity or deceit. The dictionary defines a revolution as being ‘a great upheaval’ – read Acts 19:18-19 for an illustration of this.

4. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a necessary experience.
God commands it (Ephesians 5:18). But notice the word ‘power’ in Micah’s statement, which describes the greatest need of God’s people. Think of some ways in which we need power:-

1. To live for the Lord. We need power to live the Christian life in our home or workplace; power to be effective, to be holy, joyful and victorious (Acts 4:13). The power of the Holy Spirit is not primarily for working, but for daily living (Ephesians 5:18 again), and notice the setting of this command.

2. To speak for the Lord. We need power to witness, to tell others of the Lord Jesus and to testify to His saving grace and keeping power; power to stir us out of our complacency so that we may be vital, effective missionaries where God has placed us (2 Kings 5:1-4). We so often rely upon ourselves to do it instead of relying upon the Holy Spirit to empower us.

3. To work for the Lord. We need power to pray (James 5:16); to preach (Acts 4:33); to teach (Acts 5:41-42); and to work (Haggai 2:4). The cry that arises from many hungry hearts is, ‘Where can we get this power?’ The prophet Micah found the answer, and so may we.

4. To endure for the Lord. We need power to glorify Him during times of trial and suffering (1 Peter 4:12-14). One of the most moving illustrations of endurance in trial is the record of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). How was he sustained in his ordeal? Acts 7:55 supplies the answer.

5. To die for the Lord. In Acts 7:54-60 we have the illustration of a man dying victoriously (compare 2 Corinthians 5:8; Romans 14:8). A Spirit-filled man dies with a song of triumph!

5. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a supernatural experience
See what Micah says: “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord” – there is the secret. Look up Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8.

Conclusion: Every Christian needs constantly to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Have you learned the secret of spiritual power? Will you do so and move from weakness, poverty and ineffectiveness into the place of strength and enrichment?

Salvation is found only in Christ Jesus

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SAVE SOULS.

SHALOM.

Love Letter From The Father Our God is Love, He will never forsake nor reject you no matter your offenses. He has made the provision for our Eternal Salvation in His Son CHRIST JESUS. H...

*BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS*

Question: What is spiritual warfare?

Answer: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

We live in the flesh, but we do not fight by fleshly means. Our weapons are mighty through God to the destruction of the imaginations of our body or of any high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Our weapons teach us to submit to the obedience of Christ. Jesus’s soldiers have unusual armor. We have the “breastplate of righteousness”, the “helmet of salvation”, the “shield of faith”, and the “sword of the spirit”. Our feet must be “sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace”, all the while wearing the “belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:11-18 HCSB).

“Strongholds” of our sinful mental fortress can only be destroyed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our imaginations are filled with pride, selfishness, vices, evil tendencies to follow society’s standards, etc. The degradation of man is revealed throughout history. Therefore, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” - Romans 6:12. Destroy those fortress, and use your bodies to obey God.

With all our strength by God’s power, we must focus on spiritual things, as we read in Colossians 3:2: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” We have to think about holy things, related to our salvation as we strive to be part of the Royal Priesthood.

When we want to subdue the old nature, we may examine ourselves through these questions:

• Do my mind and heart enjoy sin in any form?

• Do I justify my little sins as excusable?

• Do I have a passion for justice, truth, kindness, gentleness, meekness, humility, patience and lo