Hope Alliance Bethlehem

To best understand how the Holy Spirit guides Christ-followers, we need to see that God created humans as creative decision-makers, that the Spirit wants to us to understand WHO we are WITH God on mission rather than simply what we are to do FOR God on mission, and that the Spirit guides us using the Scriptures as a source of gospel life, moral guidance, and wisdom.(*During the announcements, Pastor Adam felt compelled by the Spirit to lead us in prayer/small prayer huddles for a family from our congregation. I make reference to this a few times during the sermon as a move of the Spirit that could be "validated" by Scripture.)

The presence of the Spirit in our lives makes true life accessible and it is by the Spirit that true life is achieved. The indwelling of the Spirit is a down payment guaranteeing access to the life that Jesus promised us. The filling of the Spirit is the means of tapping into the full life.

In Acts 2 we see the event of Pentecost dramatically shape the early church. What we discover is that the event is not as important as the intent of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known IN us and THROUGH us. The intent of the Holy Spirit is to transform us in such a way that the world looks on and says "Clearly God is among you."

Jesus told his disciples that it was better for them that he went away, so the Spirit could come. Why would he say something like this? Because the Spirit would break two critical boundaries to the advance of the gospel. In breaking a geographical boundary, the Spirit would oversee the advance of the gospel to the word. And in breaking the bodily boundary, the Spirit would indwell the disciples and teach the gospel to the depths of their heart.

The Holy Spirit is an often overlooked, but critically important part of the Christian faith. This introductory talk covers the doctrine of the Trinity, the Spirit's role therein, and the continual work of the Holy Spirt in our world and in God's story.

In the Christian life, worship and mission go together. Genuine mission cannot exist apart from worship. And genuine worship always leads to mission. There's much to do as we bear witness to God in this world. But true effectiveness in this effort comes from a life fully given to God in worship.

True happiness comes from a life lived God's way. But obedience is not something to simply be added to our lives. It is the result of a true and deep affection for a God whose grace, mercy and love overwhelm us. As we meditate on God's loving rescue and presence, our affection grows. And from our affection springs forth obedience and a life lived in light of the gospel and therefore for God.

In Psalm 72 we see that God is a God of justice and compassion and that throughout human history He has sought to bring those things to bear using the people and kings of Israel. Ultimately, justice and the peace of God are brought by Jesus and found in his kingdom. However, compassionate and just living are to be carried out by followers of Jesus as an act of worship so that all people can experience the shalom of God.

When David wrote Psalm 51 after his colossal sins with Bathsheba and Uriah, his poem of confession gives us a picture of the role of worship in restoration. He affirms the story of restoration from human brokenness to God's mercy and faithfulness. And he responds to the reality of restoration with a posture and life bent towards God. In so doing, David enlivens his restoration by taking hold of the life that God offers.