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Unleashing the Spirit of God in My Life

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. MATTHEW 12:22-32 ESV

TO UNLEASH THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN MY LIFE, I MUST:

RECOGNIZE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit… ACTS 7:51 ESV

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” MATTHEW 12:24 ESV

A rejection of the Spirit’s work is a rejection of God.

And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. MATTHEW 12:32 ESV

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. PSALM 51:11 ESV 

OPEN MYSELF UP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER

Do not quench the Spirit. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19 ESV

THE SPIRIT’S POWER WILL CONVICT ME OF SIN

…I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. JOHN 16:7-8 NLT

THE SPIRIT’S POWER WILL UNLEASH GIFTS

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4 NLT

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:11 NLT

The gifts of the Spirit include: leadership, speaking, preaching, teaching, tongues, evangelism, wisdom, word of knowledge, discernment, interpretation, miracles, healing, serving, and giving.

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 NIV

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 PETER 4:10 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to reflect on this sermon, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you. How have you recently experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Maybe you’ve received wisdom, been comforted, convicted, nudged closer to God, or even witnessed a miracle. Invite the Spirit of God to help you recognize His work in your life and in the lives of people around you. So that we might have an opportunity to repent, the Holy Spirit challenges and convicts us of our sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see where you missed the mark this week, whether in your choices, words, thoughts or desires. Have you ignored, dismissed or even been too distracted to notice God at work in and around you? Be real and humble yourself before God. Acknowledge what comes to mind, talk to God about it and ask for His mercy, grace and forgiveness to cover your sin. Turn your thoughts now to the gifts of the Spirit, reviewing the list in the sermon notes [1 Corinthians 12:4-11]. Which gifts do you recognize in your life? How have you or how are you using those gifts? After hearing the message, is there a new or different way you could use your gifting in service to God, the Church or in the world around you? Invite the Holy Spirit to show you how you can engage your gifts to share His love with the lost and work toward unity in the Church.

Discussion Questions

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 12:22-32 (ESV) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What are the main points or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity? Consider the points and the other passages referenced in the sermon notes in your discussion.

3. Apply the Lesson. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? What from the passage might God be encouraging or challenging you in?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on what you learned?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: How are you feeling as you come into group this week?
  2. START HERE: When have you seen God do something miraculous?
  3. START HERE: What are some ways you’ve experienced spiritual warfare?
  4. KEEP GOING: Why do you think there’s so much division among Christian’s in the world today?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 12:22-32 (ESV). What makes it easier for us to be critical of others, rather than convicted of our own sin?
  6. KEEP GOING: Who is someone that you find difficult to celebrate? Why do you think that is?
  7. KEEP GOING: What are some barriers or obstacles that keep us, as Christians, from loving lost people?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NLT). What gifts of the Spirit have you recognized in your life since you began following Jesus?
  9. KEEP GOING: Are there any areas in your life that feel like a locked room you haven’t let the Spirit into yet?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV). How is God challenging you to move from revenge toward reconciliation?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT). What’s one way you could use your spiritual gifts to serve someone this week? Pray for that opportunity and commit to that action.