Introduction

• Acts 9:31

We grow deeper

• Acts 9:31
• Acts 9:1-4, 25 – They went everywhere preaching the word!
• Ephesians 1:15-21
• Ephesians 3:14-21 – The strength here is for comprehending God’s word.
• Ephesians 4:11-13
• Philippians 1:9-11
• What kind of depth is there in your faith?
• This will take:
  • Thought
    • How do I apply what I read?
  • Willingness to serve
• Acts 9:31
• Romans 12:18; 14:14-19
  • We must pursue peace wherever we can.
  • Ephesians 4:2-3

We grow wider

• People are drawn to real spiritual growth.
• Acts 2:42-47 – People notice when others treat each other well.
• Acts 5:11-16 – The people held them in high esteem!
• Acts 6:1-7

Introduction

• Hebrews 13:20-21

The pattern:

• God expresses an expectation
• Person expresses insufficiency for task
• God equips person to fulfill His will
• Examples:
  • Genesis 18:9-14; Hebrews 11:11 – Sarah
  • Exodus 3:10-12; 4:10-12 – Moses
  • Judges 6:11-16 – Gideon
  • I Kings 3:7-9 – Solomon
  • Jeremiah 1:4-10 – Jeremiah
  • II Corinthians 2:15-16; 3:5-6 – Paul
  • Peter walking on the water.
    • Peter asked Jesus to command him because Peter know that he would then be given power to walk on the water.

How does God equip us?

• Personal transformation – Mark 1:17
• Other people – Ephesians 4:11-12
• Scripture – II Timothy 3:16-17
• Strength – Ephesians 3:16-19; I Samuel 30:6
• Opportunities – Colossians 4:3-4

God equips us for:

• Daunting tasks
• Temptation – I Corinthians 10:13
• Tough decisions

Introduction

• I Thessalonians 5:19-22
• John 14:26; 16:13 – The Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth.
• I Corinthians 2:10-12
• Ephesians 3:4-5
• The Holy Spirit’s work is to reveal the mind of God. Anything we do to try to prevent that is quenching the Spirit.

By closing our minds

• I Thessalonians 5:19-22
• I John 4:1 – Test the spirits!
• John 16:7-8
• Matthew 13:13-15
• Zechariah 7:11-12

By closing our Bibles

• II Timothy 3:12-17
• Hebrews 4:11-13
• James 1:21-25 – If you hear God’s word, but don’t do anything with it, you are quenching the Spirit.

By closing our mouths

• Acts 4:29-31
• If we don’t share God’s message, we are quenching the Spirit.
• Ephesians 5:18

I Corinthians 14

• I Corinthians 14:2 – Speaking in tongues is only beneficial if the language is understood or can be translated.
• I Corinthians 14:3-5 – Prophecy is seen as the more generally useful gift.
• I Corinthians 14:6-9 – Speaking in tongues is useless unless the language is understood.
• I Corinthians 14:10-11 – See Genesis 11:7-9. Clear communication is critical!
• I Corinthians 14:13 – Apparently it was at least sometimes possible for one speaking in tongues to also interpret.
• I Corinthians 14:14-17 – “Mind” is also translated “understanding.”
• I Corinthians 14:18-19 – Compare Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 10:33. The emphasis was always on edification.

Introduction

• Matthew 8
• Authority – the right to act or to command others to act.
• Isaiah 45:9

We should respect God’s authority and be thankful that His laws are good for us.

• Hebrews 10:30
• Deuteronomy 4:5-8 – God’s laws were for their good!
• Malachi 3:12
• Deuteronomy 10:12-13
• Acts 2:36-38 – Jesus has authority! He is Lord!
• I John 5:3 – Obedience is how we experience God’s love.
• Philippians 3:1
• II Timothy 3:16-17
• I should submit to God’s authority.

But many reject God’s authority and turn to a different one.

• Colossians 2:8-9, 20-23
• I John 3:4
• I John 2:4
• Matthew 7:21-23, 15, 20
• James 1:26
• Romans 1:21, 25, 29-31

Others attempt to ignore the need for God’s authority.

• Hebrews 7:12-14; 6:20; 8:5
• Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32
• Proverbs 30:5-6 – Do not add to God’s words!
• Revelation 22:18-19