The Holy Spirit and the Church by Pastor Dave

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”  1 Corinthians 3: 16
 
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 24b-31
 
Introduction
     On Sunday we were blessed by the testimonies of Katherine and Darcy, thank you! They shared how the Holy Spirit had worked in their lives and enabled them within the Body of Christ, the Church. We then considered the What, How, Who and Why of how the Holy Spirit works in the Church.
What – God puts the Body together; 1 Cor. 12: 24b
How – by acting in us to fulfil & show us His will; Phil. 2: 13 & Col. 1: 9
Who – He is calling all His children to be the Body; 1 Cor. 12: 27
Why – to bless us and prevent disunity, and for good works He has prepared for us to do 1 Cor. 12: 25-26 & Eph. 2: 12
 
Now What
     We then considered the question, “So, now what do we do with this knowledge?” How can we “…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in us through the laying on of  hands,” 2 Tim. 1: 6?
    
Application
     As God’s Children, believers, we each have the Holy Spirit within us. He guides us to the truth of Christ, He convicts us of sin, judgement and righteousness, He comforts, counsels and empowers. We heard different ways in which the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of Darcy, Katherine and me. We also considered the 'Joy of Jesus,' John 15: 11; how this deep joy that we have in knowing God can be a guiding light in our lives. If we lose that light we may be walking astray because of the pressures of life, ministry and the troubles we see in the world. This is just one way in which the Holy Spirit can prompt and help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not on fears, troubles or self.
 
The Question of Application
     So, how can we work with God to fan into flame that gift within us, how can the flame of the Holy Spirit become a fire in us and in the Church? Here are some questions to help us consider the answer to these questions:

• How do you recognise and hear from the Holy Spirit? Consider prayer, the bible, other Christians
• Can you remember and identify ways in which the Holy Spirit has worked in you and guided you? Share this with a brother or sister in Christ
• How have you learned to confirm that this is the Holy Spirit guiding and directing and not your own or another’s voice?
• What roles and gifts has God called you to and given you? Consider the 1 Cor. 12 reading
• How might God be calling you to use these in your Church, what good works has He prepared for you to do? Consider Phil. 2: 13 and Col. 1: 9

 
Prayer
     Lord God, help us to fan into flame the gifts that you have blessed us with through your Holy Spirit. Guide us into truth and enable us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Saviour. Help us to bless you and one another within your Body. May we remain in you, and your love through faith and obedience so that your joy may be in us and our joy be complete. Amen
 
Praise
Holy Spirit, Come with Power – sung by the Midnight Hymn Sing
Spirit Lead me by Influence Music and Michael Ketterer