Following the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1. The Holy Spirit and the Flesh are bitter rivals. 

Flesh focuses on self.  The Spirit focuses upon the things of God.  To learn how to follow the Spirit, we must deny the flesh.  

If God calls you to give something away, but you refuse.  You don't own it.  It owns you.    

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

2. The Holy Spirit gives us power over the flesh.  

Bethlehem is God "Emmanuel" with us.  Calvary is God for us.  Pentecost is God in us through the person of the Holy Spirit.  

The Holy Spirit gives us strength.  Strength is not about status.  It's about service.  

Romans 8:11-12 (ESV)

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

1 John 4:4 (ESV)

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Galatians 5 (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

3. The Holy Spirit speaks through the Word of God, the Bible.  

God speaks just like He writes. If you understand the Word of God, you will understand the will of God. 

2 Peter 1:21  (ESV)

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 4. The Holy Spirit speaks through a still small voice.  

To hear the Holy Spirit, you must turn down the world. 

1 Kings 19:12  (NKJV)

12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

5. The Holy Spirit will speak through mature Christians.  

Hebrews 10:24-25  (NKJV)

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

6. The Holy Spirit fills us for function not for consumption.  

The Holy Spirit doesn't want to make me better than you, but better than me.  

God is wanting us to serve others to reach the world.  Don't struggle to be like Jesus.  Tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Luke 11:13 (ESV)

13(Jesus teaching:) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

Mike Haman, Healing Place Church

https://healingplacechurch.org/media/you-asked-for-it/

Elijah

1 Kings 19:1-2  (ESV)

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”

For anyone who feels like life is falling apart...

Our perspective shapes our reality.  

1 Kings 19:3 (ESV)

3 Then he (Elijah) was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there (lonely).

1 Peter 5:8  (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Satan is trying to kill you.  He is looking for an opportunity.  

1 Kings 19:4  (ESV)

4 But he (Elijah) himself went a day's journey (tired) into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers (angry).”

Satan watches for when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.  H.A.L.T. 

1 Kings 19:5 (ESV)

5 And he (Elijah) lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat (hungry).”

If you're in the middle of something, your plan is never the right plan.  

Your perspective is too small.  God's perspective is so big.  God is with you and is for you.  

1 Kings 19:9-14  (ESV)

9 There he (Elijah) came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 

13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Chose to let go...

1. Of it all.

2. Out of it all. 

3. Once and for all.  

Philippians 4:6-7  (AMP)

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 

7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

1 Kings 19:15-18  (ESV)

15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 

17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 

 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Choose to let God...

1. Direct our path.

2. Determine our plans.

3. Demonstrate His providence. 

Romans 8:31 (ESV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Mark Pettis, Church of the Highlands
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/elijah

God, what?

We must live by the will of God first.  


We must not live by feelings, but by faith.



There is a sovereign will of God, the moral will of God, and the personal will of God.

We want to know the personal will of God, but we must know the sovereign will of God and the moral will of God first. 

The sovereign will of God is something that's going to happen no matter what you do.  



Like Jesus is going to return.  We must position ourselves to get into what God is doing.

The moral will of God is like whether to steal or not.  We must not steal (Exodus 20:15).   



We should ask these two questions daily. 

1. What am I doing that I should not be doing?

2. What am I not doing that I should be doing?

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    
Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! 

     

God wants you to...

Know God

Find Freedom

Discover your Purpose 

Make a difference 

Here are 6 questions to help you determine what God's will for you is.

   

1. Am I in a right relationship with God? 

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2. What does the Bible say about it?

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

3. what Jesus would do?

James 3:14-17 (ESV)

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 

15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Do you consider others when you make decisions?

4. Have I sought Godly counsel?  

These are people who love God and love you.  They must value you more than your friendship.  

Proverbs 11:14  (ESV)

¹⁴ Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

5. Do I feel God's peace?

1 Corinthians 14:33  (ESV)

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV)

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

Jeremiah 29:11  (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Just because it is a good decision does not mean that it's a God decision.

6.  Is it my will or God's will?  

Is it what I want or what God wants?

We must not pray me first prayers. 

God has place within you a desire to do His will if you'd just put your will aside.  

Romans 10:13 (ESV)

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus) will be saved.”

Jeremy Foster, Hope City Church

https://hopecity.com/sermons/get-in-the-zone-pastor-jeremy-foster/