“In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise.” —Rev, Dr Richard Halverson
Acts 4:13–14 (NKJV)
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
Acts 4:19–21 (NKJV)
“But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.”
The Work of the
:
- “they marveled” =
1 Corinthians 1:27(NKJV) “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…”
1 Corinthians 2:10–12 (NKJV) “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
- What is keeping us to fully
ourselves to the move of the Spirit?
1. Is it the Fear of being
to God?
Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV) “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
- Paul says There is a
between our Flesh and the Spirit
- We choose to live in
2. Is it the Fear of
extremes?
1 Corinthians 12:1–2 (NKJV) “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.”
1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (NKJV) “ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all…
- We must stop ourselves from
the Holy Spirit…And get to know Him for
Acts 19:1–7 (NKJV) “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”