Sermon Notes for Sunday, August 2, 2020

“When the Spirit Comes” Pastor Joe Alain, August 2, 2020

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11                           Series: This Is Church!

Introduction: Waiting is difficult for most of us and the disciples were no different. Jesus’ message to the disciples was “the kingdom is coming, but you’ll have to wait a little longer.” That message along with what would take place when the promise was fulfilled is the content of Acts 1:1-11.

Prologue (1:1-2)

 *Who is Theophilus?

*Luke’s “former book” The Gospels were and remain primarily evangelistic in nature, to show what Jesus did and taught.

*“Jesus began” (1:1). His work did not cease when he left this earth, it continues through the lives of his Spirit-indwelled people, the church.

Instructions in Preparation for Pentecost (1:3-5)

*The significance of 40 days.  

*The occasion when Jesus gave the command to wait (Lk. 24:49).

*The link between John’s prophetic words and the soon-to-be-fulfilled “promise.”

Christ’s Legacy: The Call to Witness (1:6-8)

All that “Jesus began to do and to teach” (1:1) prior to his ascension back to heaven, will now continue through his Holy Spirit-empowered church (1:8)! The remainder of the book is the unfolding of this Acts 1:8 pattern.

 

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God.

1. References to the Holy Spirit are interchangeable with God

(Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16-17).

 

2. The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes or qualities.

              *Ever-present, Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10).

              *All-powerful, Omnipotent (Lk. 1:35).

              *All-knowing, Omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10-11).

              *Eternal (Heb. 9:14).

              *Equal with God (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

              *Creates (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30; Job 33:4).

 

What the Holy Spirit Does

1. Enables a person to become a believer

⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^]” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3, 5

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Romans 8:9,16

 

2. Guides the believer

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

 

3. Energizes the believer

(Worship) ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

(Work) For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

(Witness) Acts 1:8 A witness . . . (1) Recalls an event from personal experience, (2) They do not hold back evidence, and (3) They tell the truth as accurately as possible.

How Is the Holy Spirit Received? The Holy Spirit is the promised gift of God that is received upon repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-39).

 

 

Sermon Notes for Sunday, July 26, 2020

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Psalm 46

July 26, 2020

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Introduction: Our world is in a state of constant change. If the earth is not fixed, then where can we be anchored, where can we stand firm? Psalm 46 answers this question. In the instability and insecurities of life, God is our strength and security (46:1). This Psalm was the inspiration for the great hymn by Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

How is God our refuge, our unfailing “helper,” our security in a changing world?

1. God shelters and strengthens us in times of adversity (46:1-3)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

2. God secures his people for the future (46:4-7)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up [laid bare] (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV).

“That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:12-13).

3. God silences all evil and summons us to acknowledge him (46:8-11)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

When the Foundations Crumble July 5, 2020 (Sermon Notes)

“When the Foundations Crumble”

July 5, 2020

Scripture Reading: Psalm 11:1-7, NIV

For the director of music. Of David.

¹ In the Lord I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
² For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
³ When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
    his eyes examine them.
⁵ The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.
⁶ On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷ For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face.

Introduction: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3). You can do nothing out of fear, you can flee, or you can put your confidence, your trust in the Lord and fight the good fight of faith! This Psalm expresses unshakeable confidence in God in the face of danger. The word “foundations” occurs only here and is a metaphor for the order of society. The order that has been established by God is in danger of being replaced by human autonomy and what results from it, anarchy. And the wicked are intent on driving out the godly, ridding themselves of “the upright in heart” (11:2b). But the Psalmist will “trust” in the Lord even in the face of serious dangers and even when his friends and advisers council him to do otherwise. He will not be moved!

What can the righteous do?

1. Choose faith in the Lord over flight (11:1-3)

The Danger Is Real

(1) Slander. Their tongues are bent like “bows;” their words are like

“arrows against the strings” (11:2a).

(2) Deception. They “shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart” (11:2b).

(3) Destruction. The “foundations are being destroyed” (11:3).

2. The reason for our confidence in the Lord (11:4-7)

(1) God is still on his throne (11:4a)!

(2) God is aware of what is happening (11:4b-5a).

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

(3) God will judge each one appropriately (11:5-7). The “righteous” will be refined but the “wicked” will be ruined. God’s patience with the presence of evil is an expression of his grace, permitting people to repent (see 2 Pet. 3:7-10).

When the Foundations Are Crumbling (Practical Helps)

1. Grow your faith by growing your relationship with God.

2. Filter your intake of news and advice.

3. Live your life in Christ – through your words and actions.