GICF RETREAT

‘GROWING

TOGETHER’ 9:00 – 4:30, Saturday, April 11th

Sign up from next week

Imagine life without electricity

There are currently over 1.3 billion people in the world who have no reliable access to mains electricity. They rely instead on biomass fuels (mostly kerosene) for lighting once the sun goes down.

http://www.deciwatt.org/

I’ve got the Power

ACTS 2:1-13Coming of the Holy Spirit1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were

all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Crowd’s Response5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from

every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

IMPORTANT RESULTS of NATURAL POWER

LIGHTCOMMUNICATIONTRANSPORTATION

IMPORTANT RESULTS of SPIRITUAL POWER

SOUND & LIGHT – v2-3COMMUNICATION – (v4)TRANSPORTATION - (Acts 8:40)

IMPORTANT RESULTS of SPIRITUAL POWER

SOUND & LIGHT – Wind & Visible Fire (OT & NT) v2-3

Light = guidance for our path, hearing His voice• Acts 16:6 … they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to

preach the word in Asia.• Acts 10:19–20 (NKJV) 19 While Peter thought about the

vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

IMPORTANT RESULTS of SPIRITUAL POWER

COMMUNICATION – They began to speak (v4)God speaks to us and expects us to listen e.g. Gen 1

God expects us to speak on His behalf e.g. Matt 28

IMPORTANT RESULTS of SPIRITUAL POWER

TRANSPORTATION - (Acts 8:40) But Philip was found at Azotus.

Okay, so physically it doesn’t happen very often but…

God is taking you on a journey from incomplete to perfect (Phil 1:6) He wants to transport you by His power! He wants your life to be empowered by His Spirit so that whatever you do in His name brings glory to Him. GOD WANTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING FOR HIM!

When does the Holy Spirit come?1. At salvation Eph 1:13-142. When there is unity – Acts 2:1 In one accord– Mat 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered

together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

3. When we CHOOSE TO walk with Him– Gal 5:16 & 25: I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and

you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

And by the way…Gifts I Cor 12: 11. Now concerning spiritual gifts ,brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:… 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: … 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Fruit (Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.… (I Cor 13:13) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

RESULTS IN THE OUTSIDERS

•Amazement! V7& 12•Confusion & misunderstanding! V5 & 13 •God is glorified! V11 •Connections are made as the Holy Spirit touches the listeners V10-11, 37 (cut to the heart, what shall we do?)

CONCLUSION1. You were designed to be a light

(bulb)ARE YOU SWITCHED ON?

2. You were designed to have light & communication with God as He leads you to do HIS WORK.ARE YOU ?

3. You have the Holy Spirit to help you live His HOLY way and to bring light to the world.ARE YOU?

Warning!

REMEMBER WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE

WITHOUT POWER & LIGHT!

Question of the year: What is your next step to…

Glow together

… in the Holy Spirit?