Tag: Acts: Life In The Spirit

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Sermon Audio: Times of Refreshing
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 3:11-26
Duration: 20:57
Size: 10.6 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Times of Refreshing
Acts 3:11-26

Well, of all the refreshing experiences we can find, nothing can compare to the renewal of the mind and spirit that is found in the presence of God.

We’re going to look at a few thoughts from our passage that will show us how a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ can bring refreshing to our souls.

I. Turning Away from Sin Brings Times of Refreshing
Let’s repent and turn away from the sin we have allowed into our lives, and the times of refreshing will begin to flow into our lives like cool refreshing water.

II. Turning to God Brings Times of Refreshing
When it is well with my soul, I find myself refreshed because I am doing what I was created to do–that is to live in harmony with God.

III. Staying Close to Jesus Brings Times of Refreshing (It is all about relationship!)
Jesus compared Himself to a Shepherd and said, “My sheep know My voice.” Can you recognize when Jesus is speaking to you?

If we choose to ignore God’s answer for mankind, we are passing up the only way to get right with Him, and to find the refreshing we need in our lives.

Are you willing to let go of what seems so important to you? If you will, I can assure you that God has something 1000 times more wonderful than what you would be giving up.

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Sermon Audio: Giving The Right Stuff
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 3:1-10
Duration: 27:41
Size: 13.3 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Giving The Right Stuff
Acts 3:1-10

Peter did not have what the beggar thought was needed; he had something 1000 times better, and he did not hesitate to give it away.

We are going unwrap 3 ideas today that will help us give the right stuff.

I. Earthly Riches Produce Diminishing Returns
Money is not evil; in fact, it is quite useful, but it can never be a substitute for the presence and power of God at work in our lives.

II. Heavenly Riches Produce Lasting Returns
If we have the Spirit of God, we have all that we need, and we have what others need!

The heavenly riches that Peter shared with him paid eternal dividends.

III. God Wants Us to Be Willing to Give What We Have
We also have a spiritual obligation to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and give of the spiritual resources we have in Christ.

Maybe we would like to do more for God, being used in the miraculous and sharing our faith with others. However, we don’t think we have the necessary power.

Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power to be His witnesses after the Holy Spirit came upon them.

If you believe in Christ, you have the Spirit of God living in you, wanting to use you to give life, hope, and healing to those in need.

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Sermon Audio: Anatomy of a Growing Church
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:42-47
Duration: 28:45
Size: 13.9 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Anatomy of a Growing Church
Acts 2:42-47

What are the elements needed for growth? What does a growing church look like?

I. Essentials of a Growing Christian Body
A. Teaching/Learning
If we will devote ourselves to obeying God’s word, whether we learn it in a Sunday School class, a sermon, in our own Bible reading time, or some other way, we will learn to live in the freedom God has for us.

B. Fellowship
So, not only did they hang out together and build good friendships with one another, but they gathered to remember the Lord’s death, and what it had done for all of them together. It was both social and spiritual.

C. Prayer & Worship
Now, as important as personal prayer times are, Acts 1:14 says they all joined together constantly in prayer.

D. A Sense of Awe
If we really believe that our God is alive and well and wants to let His power flow through His church, then I believe we will begin to see the miraculous in our lives.

E. Sharing
They were so excited about what God was doing in their lives that they wanted to be around other believers who would rejoice together with them.

II. Effects of a Growing Christian Body
A. Favor
Favor comes by being part of the solution, rather than the problem in your community.

B. Divine Increase
Let me encourage you to keep on being faithful in obeying what God asks you to do. Don’t give up sharing your faith. Keep planting seeds; keep watering the soil. God will give the increase if we do not give up.

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Sermon Audio: How To Deal With Conviction
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:36-41
Duration: 21:06
Size: 10.0 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
How To Deal With Conviction
Acts 2:36-41

As we take a look at how Peter’s listeners responded when they were faced with their own sin and guilt, we will see at least 3 steps that can apply to our own lives.

I. Get Right
The sword of God’s word, when delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit can cut to the heart.

According to Peter, we need to repent, because God is the One who is disturbing us, convicting us, and making us see our need to get right with Him!

II. Get Clean
That is why we say His blood washes away our sins.

III. Get Filled
Luke’s references to the Holy Spirit usually include both the indwelling Spirit, whom we receive at salvation, and the empowering Spirit, whom we receive when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Get right! Get clean! Get filled! Folks, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit! We need to stay filled with the Holy Spirit!

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Sermon Audio: Under The Influence
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:14-36
Duration: 24:07
Size: 11.9 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Under The Influence
Acts 2:14-36

Well, Peter was still under the influence of the Holy Spirit when he stood up to correct the allegation of drunkenness, and he preached the gospel to well over 3000 people at once.

Let’s look at three main elements from Peter’s sermon to find these answers.

I. God Is Pouring Out His Spirit on all Who Will Receive (2:17-18)
If we don’t trust that God wants to give us what is best for us, then we won’t be very open to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

The invitation is that of a loving Father, saying, “Come home. I love you and want to give you a life worth living.”

We need to stay in right relationship and close fellowship with Jesus, so the Holy Spirit can work through us.

II. God Is Showing Signs & Wonders to Signal the End of Time (2:19-20)
Jesus is coming back to this earth to take His people to be with Him forever.

III. God Is Saving All Who Call on Jesus (2:21)
How many of you here today would say, “I really need more of the Holy Spirit in my life”?