Feb 25, 2018 Preaching | Bro. Popit Aragones
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Luke 3:16
Just like the believers in the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit dwells in us as we receive Christ in our hearts. We become one with His body. Holy Spirit is the believer’s seal and the pledge of our inheritance.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. — Ephesians 1:13-14
As Christians, the Holy Spirit should be evident in our lives. Each should manifest in the way we act towards our families, friends and even our enemies. The day of Pentecost shows us that God can use anyone to whatever capacity He requires. He can use ordinary people just like the Church at this time for His glory.
How do we manifest the Holy Spirit and become the Church?
Feed yourself with the scriptures.
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. – Hebrews 5:13-14
LIVE | Live it out
We are all called individually by God to function as one community. Each one of us has a purpose to fulfil.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. – Ephesians 4:16
Don’t just be a spectator, be a team player and contribute to the church. For the Lord does not look at how big or small your part is. Every ministry matters to Him.
How do we live it out? By yielding to the Holy Spirit and surrendering to God. It is in the filling of the Holy Spirit that the life of a believer is empowered. Praying alone does not always fill us with the Holy Spirit, but through complete obedience to His will.
PLAY | Play your part
Be part of the great commission.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
Through speaking in tongues, God bridge the barrier of languages in sharing the Gospel. But oftentimes language is not the greatest barrier why Christians do not share Jesus to others. Sometimes we are the barrier, because we don’t love people enough to share to them the Good News. While we may not be the best conversationalist, the way we live and treat others can be the best way to communicate the Gospel of Christ to the people around us.
Don’t be a barrier. While witnessing the same experience believers had in Acts Chapter 2 can be beneficial but not necessary in our Christian walk. Speaking in tongues is not the only manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
If we have truthfully accepted Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we already have the Holy Spirit in us. Because the same breath (Ruach) of God that appeared on the day of Pentecost, is the same Holy Spirit that dwells in us today when believe in Jesus.