Larry continues teaching about, "Hosting the Presence of the Holy Spirit."
What happens in a church service really depends upon all of us!
The atmosphere we prepare . . .
The attitude we have, come with, . . .
The Lifestyle we have lived before God during the week.
When We gather at church, every believer can do three things
(1). Be a Host the to Holy Spirit
(2). Resist the Holy Spirit
(3). Quench the Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:19, Do not quench the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30, Do not Grieve the HS.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
To BE the TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT think about that!
Learning to “Host” Presence of God is our greatest challenge.
No greater privilege in life.
No greater responsibility.
Everything depends on the Presence of GOD. Living conscious of His Presence with us is one of the most essential parts to this Christian life. Jesus is "Emmanuel", which means, God with us.
We cannot just TALK about Holy Spirit.
Teach about Holy Spirit.
We must EXPERIENCE God the Holy Spirit in our Daily Lives and when we gather as the Church.
(1.) Mindset
Romans 8:5 ESV, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
(2.) Worship
John 4:23-24, The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Worship is both the means by which we may enter the presence of God and the means by which He is welcomed into the midst of our world.
Matthew 6:9, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed (Holy!) be Your name (for there is none like You in Your greatness and glory).”
His prayer then immediately proceeds to invite God into our present circumstances:
v. 10, “Your kingdom come (its power and glory). Your will be done (execute Your Word here) on earth (where my world needs Your presence, power and works) as it is in heaven (for an invasion of the heavenly is needed where I live, O Lord!).”
Psalm 22:3 KJV, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
“inhabit,” literally translates,“You are enthroned upon the praises!”
Worship is both Personal & Cooperate
Hebrews 10:25 ESV, Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
There was a discipline problem in the Early Church. What? You mean people neglected church attendance back then? Yes. More Importantly, missing church is noted in these words: “so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
This Command, do not forsake gathering with the Church emphases the truth about the POWER in WORSHIP. It takes on more importances as you see the "Day approaching.” Which is the 2nd coming of Jesus.
During the Covid Pandemic a lot of churches were closed to public services. As a result many Believers have stopped assembling with the church as they have reopened public services. Hebrews instructs not to allow that lack of discipline in our lives.
God ordained that we gather and WORSHIP the LORD!
1 Corinthians 16:2, On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
(3.) Words
Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(4.) Relationships
Ephesians 2:20-22 NLT, Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
(5.) Holiness
1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Acts 3:19, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
When the Holy Spirit rests upon a person without withdrawing, it is because that has been made the Holy Spirit welcome in a most honorable way.
Blessings,
Larry Neville