Lesson 11



Lesson 11 It’s A Supernatural Operation God’s desire is that we do the same supernatural works that Jesus did when He was on the earth. Powerless Disciples When Jesus returned to heaven His disciples were far from being ready to continue what Jesus had begun. These men were jealous of one another and they argued as to who was the greatest. Peter had denied Christ, Judas had betrayed Him, Thomas lacked faith to believe the Lord’s resurrection, and while the body of Jesus was still in the tomb they were huddled together in a locked room, over-whelmed with fear. Years later it was said of these and other such men that they had "turned the world upside down!" (Acts 17:6) Wow! What made the difference in them? They Were Filled With The Holy Spirit! After their baptism of fire on the day of Pentecost they were changed . From that point on they demonstrated the same supernatural ability as Jesus in proclaiming the gospel with boldness . They were suddenly unafraid of people’s intimidating remarks, the threat of prison or even death. They now had the Holy Spirit’s power to heal the sick and the lame (Acts 4). Peter demonstrated supernatural intimacy with God in speaking insights concerning the evil of Ananias and Sapphira’s heart and releasing the sudden judgement of death upon them (Acts 5). This was the beginning of the fulfillment of what Jesus prophesied in John 14:12: "...he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these shall he do..." Didn’t I "get the Holy Spirit" When I Was Born Again? Yes! Romans 8:9 says, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." We were indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we were saved. However, as we can see in the book of Acts, there is a separate, subsequent experience from being born again. Peter declared to everyone who heard him preaching on the day of Pentecost, "the promise is for you and your children and for all who are afar off - for all whom the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39). What Is "Speaking In Tongues’? From the pattern of people’s experience in Acts they began to speak in other (different from their own) tongues (languages) when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives a person words to speak in a language which he has never learned. Notice in Acts 2:4 they "began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (or "gave them utterance" KJV). What Happens When We Speak in Tongues? We proclaim God’s greatness . "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own language." (Acts 2:11) We worship and praise God. "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." (Acts 10:46) We pray according to God’s will . "Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26) God reveals to us special or hidden truths. "For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people." (Isaiah 28:11; see also I Corinthians 14:21) "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries." (I Corinthians 14:2) Our faith is increased. "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself..." (I Corinthians 14:4) "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in the most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). 6. We are rested . "To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest’ and ‘This is the refreshing’..." (Context is referring to speaking in tongues.) Isaiah 28:12 Unbelievers see a sign (pointing them to God). "Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers..." (I Corinthians 14:22) How Do I Know This Gift Is For Me? The Holy Spirit baptism is for everyone ! Jesus said, "...If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39). What Must I Do To Receive? There are three things: Believe . As with any gift we receive from God, we must exercise faith. Believe God’s promise concerning this baptism. Earnestly desire it. There were three qualifying factors listed in the last lesson, each having to do with desire; (a.) Be hungry, (b.) Be thirsty, and (c.) Ask. Surrender to the Holy Spirit. Experiencing this endowment of God’s power is an act of worship. Our physical being must yield to the control of the Holy Spirit. At that point, God chooses to use the most unruly member of our body (the tongue) to give evidence that He has full control over us. (James 3:2) Be Filled With The Spirit! The world is waiting to see and be convinced of the reality of our Lord. In order to effectively reveal Jesus to our generation we need the Holy Spirit to make us powerful and holy witnesses of Christ. We must take seriously the biblical command to "...BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT" (Ephesians 5:18).
"Neither doctrinal purity nor diligent labor will ever be a substitute for passionate devotion to God." Join our Group- JesusFreakyPeople! then click the fish! Read the Bible Online \| Request Prayer \| Search Jesus is on the .Net! \| Link to us \| Optical Illusion \| Are you captive to sin? Click Here! © MMVII Hungry Heart Ministries, All Rights Reserved.