Outline / Notes:
The Sword of the Spirit (message 1 outline)
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
How is the Bible like a sword against the enemy?
I. It helps us maintain our bearings in life (so that we do not go astray)
- The Bible helps us to live a holy life.
– Philippians 4:8
– Ephesians 5:3-4
– Hebrews 12:14
– 1 Tim. 5:1-2 - The Bible helps us to keep our focus on the Lord.
– Luke 16:13
– Proverbs 13:4 - the Bible helps to point out hypocrisy and wrong attitudes in our life
– Proverbs 10:18 - the Bible helps to correct wrong thoughts of God
– Jeremiah 9:23-24
II. It helps us to deal with the difficulties and worries of life
– Philippians 4:6-7
– Proverbs 3:5-6
III. It helps us to recognize false teachings
– Ephesians 4:14
Praying in the Spirit (message 2 outline)
Ephesians 6:18 – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers
and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the
saints.”
Why must we pray?
I. It was a priority in the life of Jesus
– Mark 1:35
– Matthew 14:23
– John 17:1-26
– Luke 23:34
A. The pattern of prayer
– Luke 11:2-4
-
- Prayer begins with praising God, recognizing who He is, and that HIS will be addressed before we pray for our own needs. Our prayers should always be GOD-CENTERED instead of ME-CENTERED.
- Our needs can be divided into 3 categories:
a. material and physical needs (v.2)
b. moral and spiritual needs (v.3)
c. guidance and protection (v.4b)
– James 1:13
II. We are in a SPIRITUAL WARFARE
– Ephesians 6:12
– 1 Corinthians 10:12
– Ephesians 6:13-17
– Ephesians 6:18-19
Prayer is also a weapon of offense and it is the power behind using each piece of
armor effectively.
III. Prayer IS effective
– 1 John 5:14
The Holy Spirit Helps Us with Our Witnessing (message 3 outline)
– Ephesians 6:15
– Acts 1:8
– Luke 24:46-49
How does the Holy Spirit helps us with our witnessing?
I. The Holy Spirit uses the Gospel to bring people to faith in Christ
– Romans 1:16
– John 16:8
– 1 Corinthians 2:14
– 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
– 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
SO, the Holy Spirit uses the Gospel to bring people to faith in Christ, but how does
the Gospel get to the people?
II. The Holy Spirit empowers US to be witnesses for Christ
– Acts 1:8
– Luke 24:46-49
QUESTION: What are some ways in which the Holy Spirit can empower us in
witnessing for Christ by sharing the Gospel?
- He can give us the words to speak during times when we don’t know what to say
– Luke 12:11-12
– 1 Peter 3:15 - He can lead or prompt us toward witnessing opportunities
– Acts 8:29 - He can help us to clearly and courageously share the Gospel
– Colossians 4:3
– Ephesians 6:19-20
NOTE: It is never by our power that a person comes to faith in Christ
– 1 Corinthians 3:5-7
NOTE: All this emphasizes the importance of PRAYER when sharing the Gospel
Being Led By the Holy Spirit (message 4 outline)
Romans 8:14 – “…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of
God.”
– Ephesians 5:18
- Being filled by the Spirit means to live according to the Spirit
– Romans 8:4 - Being filled by the Spirit also means to “keep in step with the Spirit” or to “walk
by the Spirit.”
– Galatians 5:25 - Being filled with the Spirit also means being LED by the Spirit.
– Romans 8:13-14
– Galatians 5:16-18
What are ways that we are LED or guided by the Spirit in our lives?
I. We are led by the Holy Spirit to understand God’s Word
– John 16:13-14
– 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
Most of all, the Holy Spirit guides us into a greater understanding of who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He has said……
– John 15:26
– 1 Corinthians 12:3
– 1 Corinthians 1:18
As the Spirit testifies about Christ to us, it is not only to remind us of what Jesus has DONE, but to also remind us of what Jesus has SAID…..
– John 14:26
II. We are led by the Holy Spirit to live a life that expresses our new nature
– Romans 8:13-14
– Galatians 5:16-18
A. The struggle between the old sin nature vs. the new nature in Christ:
– Romans 8:9
– Galatians 5:17
– Romans 7:15
– Romans 7:18
– Romans 7:22
III. We are led by the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives
– John 17:17
– Ezekiel 36:26-27
A. In a believer’s life, the Holy Spirit can be resisted.
– Acts 7:51
– Galatians 5:24
QUESTION: What about being led by the Holy Spirit in making major decisions in life?
Are you willing to do what God wants you to do? Often major decisions can take time. Sometimes a lot of waiting, uncertainty, prayer, a maturing process…..
1. to train our patience in waiting upon the Lord, trusting, depending
2. to weed out incorrect motives
3. because you are unwilling to accept God’s will even if you think you are willing
– Isaiah 48:18