Scripture text: Acts 1:8

You Need a Push from the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit gives us power

Psalm 104:27-30; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 3:5-8; Galatians 5:22-23

2. The Holy Spirit gives us unity

Ephesians 4:3; I Corinthians 12:12-14

3. The Holy Spirit supervises the church

How does the Holy Spirit accomplish this?

* Comforting the believers - Acts 9:31

* Guiding the believers into all truth - John 14:16, 25-26; 16:12-14

* Offer prayers for intercession - Romans 8:26-28

* Bears witness that we are saved - Galatians 4:6-7; Romans 8:16

* Creates an atmosphere for freedom - II Corinthians 3:16-17

4. The Spirit is Holy

I Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 3:3; Ephesians 5:18

We can grieve the Holy Spirit by:

* Angry words and rebellion - Ephesians 4:30-32; Isaiah 63:10

* Resisting the Holy Spirit - Acts 7:51

* Quenching the Holy Spirit - I Thessalonians 5:19-20; Philippians 2:13

Acts 1:8

The road - the marathon of your life has been long - are you willing to keep pushing forward in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit?

Scripture text: John 20:11-18

How can you experience joy?

1. Gratitude should drive you

2. Your past doesn't have to bind you when you're in Christ

3. Don't let delayed hope rob your joy

4. Don't forget: Jesus knows your name

5. God's formula for joy: Seek God's kingdom first

6. Share your joy

Scripture text: 1 Corinthians 15:54

Matthew 28:1-7 - He is risen (egerthe) - I wake, arouse, I raise up

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - first fruits (aparche) - beginning of sacrifice

What does the Resurrection mean for us?

1. Your past is:

a. forgotten - Psalm 103:11-12

b. forgiven - Mark 2:1-5; Colossians 2:14

c. forever sealed by the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 1:13-14

2. For the present, you have:

a. Victory...

*over sin - 1 John 5:4-5

*to do God's will - Hebrews 13:20-21

b. Life - John 10:10; Ephesians 5:8-17

3. For your future:

a. Your spirit will immediately enter the presence of the Lord when you die if you know Christ as personal Savior - 2 Corinthians 5:8; Hebrews 12:1

b. We will no longer experience sickness, pain, tears or death - Revelation 21:4; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:31-32

Scripture Text: 1 Kings 18:20-39; James 5:16-18

How does God respond to our prayers?

1. God delights in hearing our prayers

2. Your prayers matter to God because you matter to God

3. God is waiting to answer our prayers

4. God is preparing you for eternity

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Scripture Text: Romans 8:15-17. Numbers 13:1-32

What should believers focus on?

1. Circumstances or Promises?

Numbers 13:1-2, 30-32; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

2. Possible defeat or Victory?

Numbers 13:30-32; Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 20:7

3. Death or Life?

Numbers 13:32; Job 19: 23-27

Did they face challenges? Yes!

a. The Jordan river was wide

b. The walls of Jericho were high

c. The inhabitants of Canaan weren't giving up without a fight

Joshua led the Israelites to focus on promises, victory and life

Joshua 24:28

Caleb - Joshua 14:10-12

Scripture text: Romans 16:20

God's Promises Regarding the Devil

1. Our enemy has already been defeated

Romans 16:20; Colossians 2:15; Jude 6; Revelation 20:10

2. Our God is greater than our enemy

1 John 4:4; Matthew 6:13; Ezekiel 28:12-17

3. We don't have to give in when tempted by the enemy

1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7

4. The armor of God will protect us from the enemy's attack

Ephesians 6:13-16

3 Main Weapons in our Fight

1. Prayer

James 5:16; 1 John 5:14; Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 145:18; Psalm 34:15

2. Worship

2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 136

3. Scripture

2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Matthew 4:8-11

This is the first message of our new series entitled "Unshakeable Hope" Building Our Lives On the Promises of God"

Scripture text: 2 Peter 1:4

How do we know we can trust God?

1. He is unchanging

2. He is faithful

3. He is strong

4. He cannot lie

Isaiah 55:10-11

Scripture text: Romans 12:14-21

1. Bless those who persecute you

2. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep

3. Be of the same mind

4. Repay no one evil for evil

5. If it is possible, live peaceably with all men

6. Do no be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Scripture text: Romans 12:12-13

1. Be constant in prayer

1 John 2:1; Psalm 62:8

ACTS prayer

Adoration - Psalm 108:5

Confession - Psalm 51:10-12

Thanksgiving - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Supplication - Philippians 4:6-7

2. Distributing to the needs of the saints

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

3. Seek to show hospitality

1 Peter 4:9

Scripture text: Romans 12:11-12

Spiritual Reminders

1. Don't be slothful in zeal

Colossians 3:17, Galatians 1:19, John 12:42-43, Colossians 3:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Galatians 6:9

2. Be fervent in spirit

Revelation 2:1-7

3. Serve the Lord

Romans 1:1, Mark 9:35

4. Rejoice in hope

Psalm 27:13

5. Be patient in tribulation

Exodus 14:14, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 5:3