Sermon Summary: The Apostle Paul shows the importance of balancing the head and heart, being spiritually attuned as well as a great intellect. The fruit of the Spirit attests to a life given to God, but the gifts to His power within. If we have the gifts without the fruit we will ‘blow up’; if we have the fruit without the gifts we will ‘slow up’; and if we have the fruit and the gifts we will ‘grow up.’ By actively waiting on God (Luke 24:49) to be continuously filled (as implied by Ephesians 5:18) we, too, can demonstrate the difference that comes with the Spirit’s transforming power (one seen in the disciples such as Peter and Thomas). For this to happen, we need to fan the gift of the Spirit into flame (2 Timothy 1:6), avoid quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), and then desire the Spirit (Luke 11:13).
Questions
1. Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. How does your life demonstrate the Spirit’s power?
2. Read the story of Jesus’ transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36. How did the disciples misunderstand the encounter they witnessed? In what ways might Christians misunderstand God’s power today?
3. Read Romans 1:11-12. How can our faith be encouraged and what can we do about this?
4. Read Luke 4:18-19 and Isaiah 10:27. When we are anointed by the power of God, how does it help us to see breakthrough come in the lives of others?
5. German evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke* was renowned for his international ministry, especially in Africa, and it was accompanied by many miracles. He said of his encounter with God: “Once you have tasted honey [i.e. ‘the real thing’], you never want to taste treacle [i.e. ‘the cheap substitute’] again” What does this mean for our encounter of the Spirit today?
6. How might you fan the gift of the Spirit into flame, avoid quenching the Spirit, and also desire Him?
* Reinhard Bonnke founded Christ for all Nations. He died in 2019 after a significant ministry in the late 20th and early 21st centuries detailed in the books “Plundering Hell to Populate Heaven” and “Mighty Manifestations.”