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April 8, 2022 1:00 am
In lonely apartments, in times of crisis, or in times of need, the Holy Spirit is with us. The presence and the power of the Spirit is promised to all who believe in Jesus. Will we receive Him today in His fullness? In this message, we’ll cultivate a sensitivity to the Spirit by faith. As Christians, we are never alone.Â
 Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)Rain forests looking to Jesus we need help to run the race of life and carry out the ministry God has for us. Our task requires spiritual power. That power comes from the Holy Spirit who was promised to all who believe in Jesus as a Christian, you need never feel alone from the Moody Church in Chicago this is with Dr. Sir, whose clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line estimates or have you ever experienced the strength of heart.
Jesus promised in John chapter 14 that is straightforward questions so I will give you a straightforward answer. In my experiences I've walk through very difficult places.
Oftentimes I've not really felt the presence of Christ. I take heart in the fact that Martin Luther had the very same experience the night before. He stood before the diet of warms and said very clearly that he would not recount. He did not experience the presence of Christ, but he knew that God's promises were with him and I think that's been my experience there are times that have been very careful there times with questions and even though perhaps I did not sense the presence of the Spirit. In retrospect, I realize that the spirit was powerfully present. Bottom line, I think that what we need to do is to be willing to trust the promises of Jesus even independent of how we feel like I like to tell people feelings are not facts. When we open the Scriptures we discover that Jesus tells us, facts things we need to know. Let me ask a question to all who are listening today. Are you blessed as a result of this ministry. Consider becoming an endurance partner at somebody who stands with us regularly with their prayers and their gifts.
Of course you need info, go to RTW offer.com when you're there, click on the endurance partner button or call us at 1-888-218-9337 let us listen carefully to everything Jesus has to say is with you at all times is with you when you ride the subway he's with you when you drive in a Chevy a better and is even with you yeah will finish it when you drive a motorcycle but could I remind you bikers that are here that angels that guard you. When you drive officially retire at 65, could I remind you of that spirit is with us.
I know that you may think that this was strange, but when I went to seminary the first time. When I arrived in Dallas coming from. You know the hinterland of Canada.
I was very lonely. I know I shouldn't of been because I was in my 20s, but just accept the fact that I got there early, before anyone else. And for those first few days, and even the first couple of weeks. I was lonely later on.
Of course I make tons of friends okay but but I would just be so lonely, I finally learned that loneliness is a terrifying thing where you think that you know you're kind of alone here and you don't have anyone who really cares about you, because nobody knows you and you don't connect so sometimes and I had a roommate and he and I just never really bonded. He was on a different trajectory altogether, but sometimes I would come into the room when he wouldn't be there and I just throw myself down the presence of God, and I would just pray and still at my heart to God and I had such an overwhelming sense of the presence of God that I said to myself I could live alone all my life.
If God were always this real time not lonely anymore since that time I had the good sense to marry a lovely wife, three children, we have a grandchild and another one on the way. So I'm not lonely. The ministry, the Spirit now takes on different characters. Now the spirit ministers to be in terms of guidance in terms of wisdom in terms of dealing with hidden sins and and protection from the enemy, but the same Spirit that he's back to me because that's what I need help right now. Need to be alongside of me. Listen up.
Those of you who are grieving. Maybe because of the lost partner or because of a lost marriage or a lost child, listen up the spirit of God to you is what he is the King James says he is a comforter to you. Those of you are seeking guidance you say I don't know what to do with my life. The world is so confusing and my choices are so few or my choices are so many to you. He is the counselor to those of you who aren't sure of your salvation. You're not sure whether you have saving really believed on Christ. When you saving lead believe the Holy Spirit messes with your spirit that you are a child of God, the Spirit of God takes on the ministry of this thing to and to your spirit. And if you're fearful and you don't want to face tomorrow because they're all kinds of things that you don't want to deal with and you're just saying I'm tired of this life. Holy Spirit of God comes along side he is your companion. He walks with you and the issue is not how much courage you have, but the companion that's bands with you and walk with you through the darkness. That's with the spirit does different ministries Holy Spirit is our helper, the Holy Spirit is the companion and he's also a teacher. Now we have to skip all the way down here to verse 25. All this I have spoken while still with you, but the counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
There's another ministry the spirit as long as Jesus was here on earth. They could ask him questions as long as he was here, they could clarify.
Jesus isn't here now we have a record of him in the text. We know what he said the spirit of God came along Brock to the remembrance of those who were there. The things that happened and they later on recorded the Scriptures Matthew, Mark and John. They did that, but the simple fact is folks, that the spirit of God today has a little different ministry. It is called the illumination of this.
The illumination of the spirit is when truth not only comes to you, but you're transformed by it and you're gripped by it. The Bible says that the truths of the spirit are not discerned by the world. That's why you can have people listen to messages and whether the messages are good or bad, as long as they're scriptural it could well be that it absolutely does not penetrate any I was a promise keepers speaking in Portland not too long ago and it was wonderful to see there were some man who just came there and sat through the whole thing. They were on moved by it on touch.
They went home. As they came and there were others, hundreds of them weeping as they came forward to pray with their pastors in one of the most remarkable scenes I'd seen. In fact, they were lined up to pray. Many of them weeping. Why the difference. There are some people who are illumined by the spirit as they belong to Christ near other people sitting under the same message is the same truth and it does not affect them. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to be our teacher to illuminate the word of God and to change us by that word and also to grant us the wisdom, the spirit of God is very intelligent. Needless to say, the spirit of God knows all things. That doesn't mean that he reveals things to us directly.
He does so through the word of what it means is that Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, and ultimately God comes to us at the very point of our need and pizzas where our and the Paraclete is standing beside us as a companion helper and a teacher is a yeah but I have never really experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit, or if I have. It's been a long time ago you say you say you know somehow I'm going through all these difficulties and I go back to my apartment and I am alone and I go to work and I'm alone and I fall into sin in the spirit of God distancing to help me.
Where is all of this ministry of the spirit about which you have been speaking where is this companionship or something that I need to remind you of this.
We come to some final conclusions here today and the first is this that don't ever forget the sensitivity of the spirit, the Holy Spirit is very very sensitive and we can greet him easily. That's why he's represented as a dove dubs or birds.
Evidently they can be very easily offended and then they fly away spirit doesn't leave us but when he is grieved spirit of God can no longer minister to us.
That's why pulses don't greet the spirit in a list of sins grade spirit in the book of Ephesians because the spirit of God the spirit of God must find a home within us where he can be comfortable. Just imagine the spirit is at your side and in you watches every television program you watch can't help it may be grieved by buddies. There watches everything that you see is aware of everything that you and I think, and the spirit of God has to put up with this in our lives. And when we are unwilling to deal with the sin in our life and confess it and forsake it the ministry on the spirit of God is not experienced. He is resident but he is not president. I member in Ephesians chapter 3 where Paul is preaching speaking, I should say to Christians and he said that, I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. I used to read that as a child and say no Paul is he having a problem here with his theology very dangerous. You know to try to correct the theology of the apostle Paul, until I learn something that actually the word that he uses is this that that Christ may have a deep down dwelling that Christ might feel at home in your heart that that's a good translation that Christ would feel at home in your arrived by faith. In other words, that we might give him a residence that is clean, that is, yielded and yes of course we struggle with sin but were constantly confessing it and were constantly forsaking it so that the spirit of God through the word of God can minister the truth of God and the companionship of Jesus in his physical absence. That's why he was sent FB Meyer says God is willing to become the mention of the soul that believes on Christ but asks in return that such a one should prepare a gas chamber and become a mansion in which he may dwell as he steals with noiseless tread into the loving believing heart.
I hear him say this is my rest forever.
Here I will dwell for I have desired it for my heart to yours today. Don't ever think that the spirit of God is reluctant to fill a reluctance has never been on the part of the spirit.
That's why he dwells. Why is there if you would never commonly feed the reluctant to minister to you that's not the issue. The issue is on our side of the equator. Our unwillingness to listen to his voice and another thing I'm learning the older I get, I know I'm not getting old quite as fast as you are, but the older I get, silence. Silence asked the Holy Spirit what is there in my heart that I have done that grieved you, what is there that I need to take care of and then be silent before the Lord and it will be on amazing to you the things that the spirit of God will reveal to you that remember it's his desire. The sensitivity of the spirit we need to deal with sin. Could I say also second truth and that is that the spirits ministry in his fullness must be received by faith, by faith.
You know Jesus said it is good for you that I go away, because I go away, I can't send the comforter elsewhere.
He says clearly that the spirit can't come until I've ascended and then I'm going to begin this new ministry. The spirit will when Jesus died on the cross he purchased your salvation.
How do you receive Christ by faith. Some of you to whom I speak of not yet done that, but you can you can receive Christ as your Savior by faith but also part of the active salvation was the resurrection and the ascension into heaven.
As a result of the cross we have forgiveness as a result of the ascension we have the port out spirit.
How do you receive the Christ of the cross by faith. How do you receive the port out spirit by faith. He indwells everyone who is a believer, yes, but his fullness is received by faith but just talk candidly for a moment it just you and me now now or get paydirt okay when I woke up this morning I have to tell you, in all honesty I didn't have a heart hot for God.
As a matter fact when I rolled out of bed at about 610 this morning. The demise of you know, today would be a good day to not go to church, but then I remembered that if I did that some people would know about it so I said that option is close to me but then I began to read the word go over my sermon notes and then I told the Lord I feel dry. I don't feel spirit filled what I want to do is to receive in simple faith. The filling of the Holy Spirit and in the for Christ was the companion to be called alongside of me. He's already there. The Paraclete, the comforter that help or whatever word you would want to use all of them are true and today Jesus becomes in me all that I do not have and when I began to about those truths. I was excited about coming to church and said you know going to be great to be there to worship and to be with the people of God to that's why Neil Moody when he was asked why he had to be filled with the spirit so often said because I leak FB Meyer whom I quoted a moment ago said these words. I left the prayer meeting and crept away into the lane saying old Lord, if there were ever a man needs the power of the spirit that resonate with your heart. You're a man or a woman or a child or teenager and if there is anyone in the world who needs the fullness of the spirit.
It's you and me, but he said Lord I do not know how to receive this fullness. I am too tired to warn to nervously run down to agonize and then it was as if he heard a voice that said, as she took forgiveness from the hand of the dying Christ so you receive the fullness of the Spirit from the hand of the ascended Christ and in faith he came to drink and to drink and to take again and again and again and tomorrow I will have to take again because what I had today will not last for Monday but Jesus said, I am sending you another comforter, one like unto me, who will continue my work here on earth, performing not exactly the same, but many of the same ministries as I did with the disciples and so notice what he says he will be with you forever all the way home to heaven.
The presence of the spirit in lonely apartments in times of crisis. In times of need. He is there. Would you receive him today in his fullness.
Let's pray our father, we want to thank you today for these comforting words, we confess that we do not understand how Jesus could say that the father will love him and together will come and make our home. Our dwelling place with them yet. Father God is here today you are here with us, but you are also in costs. Those of you. Those who have believed, so we pray today only this life of God break out from with in us maître d', a death to our own self dealing with sin, so that in simple faith, we can receive the fullness of the spirit and say today. I accept all the spirit has for me all grant that father we ask for those who have never trusted Christ as Savior. They've never believed on him. We pray today that they might do so may they received by faith. Salvation from the crucified Christ in the fullness of the spirit from the ascended Christ do that in our hearts we ask in Jesus name, amen.
Isn't it wonderful for us to remind ourselves that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was not and we have course anticipating celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Jesus.
The reminder of his triumph and then later on his ascension into heaven is complete victory on our behalf.
We love him we only wish that we loved him more.
Let me ask you a question are you blessed as a result of the ministry of running to win want you to know that we not only exist in the broadcast mode, but also we make resources available for our listeners resources that we think will help them in their Christian walk. I'm holding a letter in my hands from someone who says I have terminal colon cancer, and will die sometime next year, probably by summer. I know where I'm going.
When I die, but one minute after you die is exactly what I needed to solidify my faith one minute after you die is one of the resources we make available it's a book I've written many years ago, but God continues to bless it and you can be a part of what we are doing.
Would you consider becoming an endurance partner.
Those are the ones who join the running to win family. They stand with us regularly with their prayers with their gifts. Of course, the amount that they give is entirely their decision here is what you can do. Go to RTW offer.com let me get that to you again.
RTW offer.com when you're there, click on the endurance partner button or if you prefer you can call us right now at 1-888-218-9337 RTW offer.com. Click on the endurance partner button or you can pick up the phone right now and you can call 1-888-218-9337 it's time again for you to ask pastor looks or a question about the Bible or the Christian life in law trouble drove Lisa to write to pastor looks or here is her story. My husband and I have a good relationship but he's not supporting me in relationship to his family.
His mother has hurt me terribly because it is not always seen eye to eye on issues as a result we don't visit her often. That's fine, but my husband won't tell his mother the truth about how she and her other children have hurt us. It just makes excuses. What should I do Lisa, you're in a difficult situation because your husband should take your side in these disputes, you know that's why the Bible very wisely says, then shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.
He is to leave and he is to cleave and that kind of leaving and cleaving isn't simply a matter of geography, it's emotional.
Also, he is to take up your side in the sum of the disputes that have happened between you and your mother-in-law now. Couple of things.
First of all, it may well be that your husband thinks that you are partially at fault for the breach and fellowship. So you need to discuss that you need to work through that. If there is forgiveness that needs to be offered and requested on your side you most assuredly have to do that but after that is been done.
I think that you need to talk to your pastor, he needs to understand that if he wants a happy marriage. He can't always side with his mother now you do say in your letter that you don't visit her very often and that is fine. That's good, but it does mask a problem in your marriage that needs resolution go for help. Pray for your husband that he will see that he has a part that he needs to play if he wants a harmonious relationship with you. Thank you Dr. Luther and thank you Lisa for that question.
If you'd like to hear your question answered. Go to our website that RTW offer.com and there you can click on ask pastor Luther or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us at running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 piece.
It's getting scarcer with increasing fears of economic collapse in a world ever more hostile to Christ. Next time the great promise of Jesus that he would leave a legacy of peace for those who follow him. Don't miss how to have a peaceful heart on our next running to win for Dr. Erwin looks or this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the church