Midweek Review #1 (Acts 1:1-8)

The Spirit-Filled Christian Walk and the Mission to the Ends of the Earth

Area, and then to the ends of the earth. So in closing, we kind of circle back around to where we started. As we sit here this morning, we need the Holy Spirit. We can go through the motions, or we can be filled and controlled by the Spirit of the Living God, and the difference is night and day.

The difference between a Spirit-controlled, Spirit-filled believer and someone who's going through the motions is night and day. You can't do this Christian walk on your own. That's why I don't have to offer a guilt trip about Acts 1 -8.

Acts 1 -8 says, be a witness. I mean, this is your whole point, your whole mission. Go to the ends of the earth preaching the gospel. I don't have to try to guilt you into evangelizing your neighbor. What I'm trying to tell you is you surrender control of your life to the Spirit, and He will do that in you.

It'll come naturally, because Acts 1 -8 says, and you will be a witness. So are you willing to ask for that? Are you willing to say, you know what, I'm not really fully controlled. There's a part of me that's controlled by the Spirit, but a lot of me goes through the motions, and I want more.

Are you willing to ask? Ask for the filling of the Spirit, and begin to wait on that, to keep asking. Luke 18, this is all one book. Luke 18, the persistent widow. Ask, keep asking. How much more will the Father give this gift to you?

In the meantime, as you're asking and waiting, obey the precepts. Don't think it's going to be some lightning zap that just changes everything. Obey. Be patient. Learn sanctification through patience.

The listen to the work of the Holy Spirit. Abide in Christ, but ask for these things. These were the last words. It's got to be important, right? He went up on a mountain to tell them these things, which in the Scriptures marks that off as a special occasion.

So in closing, we're gonna pray, and we'll ask the worship team to come. I want you right now, I'm not going to do the praying for you. You need the Holy Spirit to take greater control of your life.