As we close out the Life in the Spirit series, Pastor Tim reminds us that Peter wasn't always the powerhouse of faith and spiritual strength that he is after Acts 2. He often tried to act through his own power and strength, even when he was walking with and learning from Jesus!

But once he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he too healed and performed signs and wonders as only Jesus did.

This Sunday be reminded, that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, the Holy Spirit lives IN YOU. You are anointed to go and share the Good News with the world as a vessel for HIS use.

As we receive the baptism of the Spirit, we are given access to spiritual gifts that allow us to minister to people in the same way that Jesus ministered. These gifts don't prove our spirituality or make us more important than others. They are simply tools, for our use, to accomplish Kingdom priorities!

This Sunday, Pastor Tim does a surface review of the gifts of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and takes a few moments to discuss the importance of using those gifts to help others - not yourself.

During Peter's first sermon in Acts, he references the Old Testament book of Joel to remind the people who were listening that the baptism of the Holy is for young & old, rich & poor, Jew & Gentile, and male & female. And throughout the book of Acts how God's Spirit moves just as Peter had said.
This Sunday, Pastor Tim identifies each of those specific situations in Acts and reminds us that even though this is what the early church experienced, it's what we should expect, and that we have to release any ignorance, or any measure  control so that we may experience the Spirit as they did.

Aren't we ALL called?

John the Baptist's parents knew from before he was born that he was set apart and that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. They probably didn't realize at the time that they were preparing the way for the Messiah as spoken of in the Old Testament. It's likely that they taught him and prepared him for a ministry assignment that would guide him in what the Lord God had for his life.

As we raise the next generation, shouldn't we be doing the same? Shouldn't we be teaching our children the ways and word of God? Shouldn't we be preparing them as if they were going to be the next world changer? Shouldn't we show them patience, love, kindness, peace, joy, goodness, gentleness, and self-control that we want them to learn?

We believe that the Holy Spirit IS our baptizer. And it's not some strange or even awkward event only for those "elite" or select few Christians who are better than the rest. It's for everyone and it's a natural step in our growth as Christ-followers. But often times those who are baptized by the Spirit are flawed vessels and can often be tempted or confused in the Spirit's expression or intention.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim helps us to bring clarity to the the words that Christ spoke regarding the Holy Spirit and reminds us that it's important to trust in the Holy Spirit through all situations.

Spiritual growth is something that takes time. It takes focused time in God's Word, time in prayer, and time listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your life. As we are all tempted to be distracted by the works of the flesh, we have to overcome them with the fruit that the Holy Spirit provides.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim discusses how the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence can cultivate the fruit that brings profound spiritual growth. And ultimately bring us closer to our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you ever considered what you feed your mind and heart? When you mindlessly unlock your phone what apps do you turn on?
We truly are a new creation when we accept Christ into our hearts and receive the Holy Spirit. And with the Holy Spirits teaching, we are able to recognize things in our lives that we need to be freed from. So much about this world is meant to distract us or divert us from God's truth. But through the Holy Spirit, our Liberator, we can identify those things, and be free in Christ Jesus.

Throughout the New Testament the Holy Spirit is called many different names, "Spirit of God," "Spirit of Holiness," "Spirit of Truth," "Spirit of the Lord," Etc. But one of the names of the Holy Spirit goes beyond being just a name. This name is a reminder that we are never alone. This name ensures that he will always be there to teach us and remind us. This name is "The Helper" and all we have to do us just take time to listen to him and he will reveal so much of God's glory in our lives.

This Sunday Pastor Tim tackles two more words that often get overlooked or quickly dismissed as "religious" terms in the church today. Those words are "indwelling" and "sealing." Each of these words have just as much weight as "truth" and "conviction" as Pastor Tim mentioned in his previous message.
But what is missed is the significant implication each of those words have in our lives. The Holy Spirit is WITH US (always) and He has CLAIMED US as sons and daughters of a gracious Father.

To fully grasp the Holy Spirit takes time and the topic is like a textbook - you have to work through every detail about the Spirit in an orderly fashion.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim shares with us two very important aspects of the Holy Spirit...1) Truth and 2) Conviction. Both of these words bring freedom to our lives, through the Holy Spirit, but often these words land hard in our lives depending on what's going on around us. But, to experience Life in the Spirit, we need to settle into the Holy Spirit's truth and be willing to open ourselves up to His conviction.