Dreams, visions, prophecy.
Old and young, male and female, even slaves
Outpouring of Holy Spirit will be a sign that the Day of the Lord is near
All flesh. This was only partially fulfilled at Pentecost.
A greater outpouring is coming in the last days. Great blessing and also great upheaval.
Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
In the midst of the upheaval we are called to be those who shine with His light.
That is only possible through the Holy Spirit’s power.
We rejoice in hope of the glory of God (5:2)
Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (5:5)
This is why we can cry out Abba, Father (8:15). We do this by the Holy Spirit.
Our hope is in the age to come – hope of resurrection.
The Love of God, imparted through the Holy Spirit, is the sign that this hope is real.
Love, joy, peace – fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Who can produce these? Only God.
11:13 – compare Matthew 7:11
Scripture interprets Scripture.
Conclusions from comparing Matthew 7:7-11 to Luke 11:9-13
1. The Holy Spirit is the best of all possible gifts.
2. Father wants us to ask for his best gifts
3. If we ask in faith, we will receive.
Further conclusions
4. Holy Spirit is the gift of Himself
5. Gift of love – the ability to love God. Restoration of our souls, our hearts. Streams of living water. Everything else flows from this.
6. HS is sign of what is to come – down payment. “Hope does not disappoint”. Hope in age to come. HS is sign and seal. Eph 1:13.14.
7. Cross is the way TO somewhere. For the sake of the joy set before him Jesus endured the cross. The cross was not an end in itself.
Sermon Outline
1. What is the best of all possible gifts?
- Matt 7:11 compare Luke 11:13
- Father wants to give us good gifts
- Holy Spirit is the best gift
- He wants us to ask for HS
2. Why is H.S. best of all possible gifts?
- The best things in life aren’t things.
HS is a person, not a thing - HS is the evidence that we truly are God’s children. HS in our hearts gives confidence to call God Abba
- HS is God living on the inside of us, filling us with the life of age to come
- Our inheritance – bridegroom Jesus
We are His inheritance, He is ours - Joe and Carmen
I get a new daughter.
Part of my inheritance. - HS is a deposit on our inheritance.
Allie and Isak wedding – appetizers
HS is foretaste of wedding feast
3. What does HS do? (#1 : LOVE)
- Rom 5:5 The love of God has been poured into our hearts
- Paul says this is a sign that our hope of resurrection is real
- John 7:38 Whoever believes – rivers of living water flow from our hearts
- Restoration of our hearts – setting us free to enjoy the love of God
- Foretaste, down payment of glory
- Rev 22:1-5 New Jerusalem – river flowing from throne – healing
- 1 Jn 3:14 We have passed from death to life – we love one another
4.What does HS do? (#2: Power)
- Acts 1:8 You will receive power when Holy Spirit comes upon you
- These signs were common in first few generations of Christians.
Tongues, prophecy, deliverance, healing miracles, dreams, visions - Whenever revival has broken out,
these signs have reappeared.
Common among early Anabaptists,
common in Third World church now - Heb 6:5 Powers of the age to come.
Empower us to give God glory in midst of persecution. - Don’t be afraid of power of H.S.
It’s given to make us effective.
5. What does HS do? (#3: Joy)
- Ask and you shall receive,
that your joy may be full - Apostles were full of joy because
they had power over demons :
Rejoice in this, that your names
are written in heaven - God encourages our faith and hope
in what is to come by giving us
signs, down payments, foretastes - He wants us to ask (Luke 11:9-10)
He wants to give us good gifts
My father and my allowance - H.S. drawn to faith, love, humility.
- Taste and see that the Lord is good
(Psalm 34:8) – in spite of troubles.
The More I Seek You
