The Holy Spirit is a person; not wind, water, energy or fire!

He is our "Advocate", the one who comes alongside us. He lives with us and in us. He teaches us, reminds us, and intercedes for us.

He is a person, not a force we may seek to control. We relate to Him, we don't "tap into" Him for power.

Let's know the difference between the person of the Holy Spirit and his work!

John 14:15-18, 26, Romans 8:26-27

Here are some compelling reasons to read the Bible regularly:

• Jesus had absolute trust in the scriptures
• Jesus said that his own words are eternally significant
• The apostles viewed the scriptures as "God-breathed"
• Scripture is powerful, cutting to the heart
• Scripture cleanses our souls
• Scripture sustains our souls
• Scripture reveals the lies of the devil
• Scripture speaks into every aspect of life
• Research shows that regular Bible reading transforms!

We would therefore be wise to regularly read the Bible, trusting God to speak to us through it - and transform our lives through his words! 

Matthew 5:17-19, Matthew 24:35, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 2:37, Ephesians 5:25-27, Matthew 4:4

The church exists for God - he has chosen to reveal his wisdom through it. The church belongs to Jesus - he rules it, and he is building it. He loves the church as his bride, so we should surely also love her!

Jesus has given the church ministry gifts to equip and mature us. The end goal is a wedding - with the church as his bride and he as our bridegroom!

Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 3:10-11, Ephesians 4:11-15, Revelation 19:6-9

God expects us to grow up into maturity - it is foundational to our faith.

We learn from the Bible that spiritual maturity:

- submits to ministry gifts that equip them

- builds unity

- results in the Kingdom of God advancing

- discerns good from evil and recognizes God's will

- isn't influenced by winds of false teaching

- perseveres through trials

- is devotion to Jesus 

- looks more and more like Jesus

1 Corinthians 13:11, 14.20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 5:11-6:1, James 1:2-5, 12, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 John 2:6, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:1-2

The gospel - "good news" - is the most important message we could ever hear or tell - so it is important to know exactly what this good news is.

It starts with some very bad news. Everyone has sinned in God's sight. This has left us spiritually dead, separated from God, helpless and in desperate need of redemption.

But then there is wonderful news! Jesus - God's beloved Son - died, paying the penalty for our sin, and then rose from the dead so that we could be rescued from the grip of evil and reconciled to God!

This is good news indeed - and it demands a response! How will you respond?

Romans 1:16-17, Mark 1:14-15, Romans 3:23-24, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:19, John 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 1:17, Romans 10:9-10

Jesus commanded the first disciples to make disciples - and teach them to do likewise. In the first centuries of the church, it was very clear what it meant to be a disciple ofJesus, but over the years some of that clarity was lost. This short study aims to clarify what it means to be a disciple.

Disciples of Jesus:

- learn Jesus' words and put them into practice (learners/ apprentices)

- commit themselves daily to lay down their lives and live for Jesus (devoted followers)

- follow Jesus on HIS terms, not their own

- are becoming like Jesus (our Master)

- make disciples.

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 11:26, Luke 6:46-48, Luke 9:23-24, Luke 9:57-62, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 11:1

We are called to partner with God as salt and light in our communities. God speaks to people through us.

Sometimes we make excuses like:

-They're the enemy - I'm not speaking to them!

-They don't deserve forgiveness and restoration!

-It's too risky / dangerous / costly!

Today let's hear Jesus' call and be salt and light to our communities.

Ezekiel 33:1-7, Matthew 5:13-16, Isaiah 62:6, Isaiah 59:16, Ephesians 6:18, Jonah 4:2, Jonah 3:7-8

The most powerful presentation of God's amazing grace and forgiveness is surely the crucifixion of Jesus. There Jesus cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And he promised paradise to the criminal who put his faith in him as he was being crucified with him.

God offers us a perfect forgiveness that is complete and permanent. He also demands of us that we forgive others as he has forgiven us. Rather than repaying evil with evil, we are to overcome evil with good.

Forgiveness is not only very good for us; it may result in the salvation of those we forgive!

Luke 23:32-34, Psalm 103:12, Matthew 6:9-12, Luke 17:3-5, Romans 12:17-21, Ephesians 4:26-27, Acts 7:54-8:1, Ephesians 4:30-32

As the people of God, we have been "called up" to active duty. This calling applies to all of us always and everywhere. It is not reserved for Sundays!

Jesus did a complete work of atonement for us, but the mission of seeking and saving the lost is NOT yet finished. He is completing it through us.

Many Christians have a "church" mindset and are useful on Sundays; we need to rather have a KINGDOM mindset that makes us useful EVERY DAY.

Jesus sows us, like seeds, into the field of the world and wants us to be planted, grow and produce fruit. Some of us don't want to lay down our lives, or go out to reach others, but when we say "yes" to Jesus, his kingdom advances!

Revelation 5:10, Proverbs 19:18, Acts 1:1-2, Matthew 13:37-38, John 12:24, Acts 4:4, Acts 11:24-26

At Easter, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. And we celebrate the brand-new life that he offers to those who believe and entrust their lives to him.

As we look around us, we can see people and communities who seem broken beyond repair. WE may even feel broken beyond repair.

Jesus does not offer a self-help or makeover program. He offers us a brand-new life - if we will surrender it to him.

A spectacular example of human transformation is the life of the apostle Paul. A spectacular example of national transformation is the Roman Empire.

Jesus CAN fix us!

Psalm 14:2-3, Ephesians 2:1-9, John 3:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17