Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Christian deism wikipedia , lookup
God in Christianity wikipedia , lookup
Nontrinitarianism wikipedia , lookup
Divinization (Christian) wikipedia , lookup
Salvation in Christianity wikipedia , lookup
Religious images in Christian theology wikipedia , lookup
God the Father wikipedia , lookup
Christian pacifism wikipedia , lookup
State (theology) wikipedia , lookup
Binitarianism wikipedia , lookup
God the Father in Western art wikipedia , lookup
BETHESDA CATHEDRAL – WORD EDIFICATION (Oikos on 31st May 2013) Announcements 1. Saturday Worship Service: Sat, 5pm, Daniel Hall, 2nd Floor. 2. Prayer & Praise: Every Wed, 8pm, Chapel. Word Edification – Moving in the Power of the Spirit Speaker: Pastor Tay Cheng Kee Introduction For three and a half years, we had been hopping from one location to another to congregate as a church to worship God on Sunday. We were like nomads moving from Republic Theatre to Odeon Katong and then to LASALLE College of the Arts. On 5 Nov 1995, we had our first meeting in our very own place. It was entirely by faith, by the work of God and being obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We were small in number but we were big in our faith because we served a big God. Jesus Christ is the Centre of Bethesda Cathedral and this is our home. In the year of 2001, we were in the midst of expanding this sanctuary. Construction work had been carried out and the pastoral staff met at Pastor’s house for prayer. They were depressed by the news of the stock market crashing down due to the terrorist attack 9/11. As a result, the offering went tumbling down. Pastor Tay had been told by God not to take any loan from the bank. As they were praying, Jesus appeared in the midst of them and gave them the assurance and promise that He would settle all the bills. In the thick of political upheaval, the church managed to pay all the bills. Obedience to God is the key to unlock the blessing of God upon us and the church. Jesus wants every believer to walk in spiritual power. He wants us to cast out demons, to heal the sick and to do the greater works of Jesus. Why are we, rank and file, not moving in the power of the Spirit? Below are the four hindrances to moving in the power of the Spirit. 1. Habitual sins When we habitually sin, we come under the influence and authority of Satan. The prophet Isaiah said that our sins had separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). We stray away from God by indulging in things that are not pleasing to Him. We must not allow the devil to have a foothold in our lives. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). We become the righteousness of God only when we are in Christ. We need to be in the Spirit if we want to be righteous. We must intentionally stay away from sin so that we can move in God’s authority. When we sin against God, we seek His forgiveness and move on. Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? God forbid (Romans 6:1,2). 2. Lack of knowledge God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Jesus told the disciples that these signs will follow those who believe: In His name, they shall cast out demons and they shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover (Mark 16:17,18). That was the Lord’s marching order and direction for us before His ascension to glory. Jesus gathered the seventy others and He gave them a specific instruction to heal the sick in the city (Luke 10:9). He went on to say that He had given them power and authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means harm them (Luke 10:19). We need to dispel the thoughts in our minds that the devil will attack us. If we stay in close union with Jesus Christ, we operate in His power and authority. 3. Spirit of Fear This is the best weapon of Satan. It is the spirit of fear that keeps us from moving in the power of the Spirit. It is Satan and not God who gives us the spirit of timidity (2 Tim 1:7). God has given to us the spirit of power to bring healing to those who are sick in their bodies. When Jesus is in the Centre of Bethesda Cathedral, we will see the manifestation of God’s power, His glory and His victory over darkness. God has given us the spirit of boldness. He is sending us into this world of darkness to bring healing and deliverance to those who are oppressed. 4. Prayerlessness To move in power, we must be strong in prayer because prayer is the source of power. Prayer moves the hand of God. Jesus told the disciples a parable to show that they should always pray and not to give up (Luke 18:1-8). We give up too easily when nothing happens. Prayer is the source of our authority and power. When we know who God is and who we are in Christ, faith will arise in us and we will begin to move in miracles, signs and wonders. We are children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What our Heavenly Father has belongs to us. We operate in His power and in His authority because we are close to Him. Applications 1. How do we get rid of habitual sins in our lives? 2. Share with one another how we can overcome the spirit of fear in our lives? 3. When we know who God is and who we are in Christ, faith will arise in us and we will begin to move in miracles, signs and wonders. Discuss.