The mark of a child of God is being led by the Spirit.
Romans 8 v 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Not only children but heirs.
Romans 8 v 16-17 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
We were encouraged to reflect on those occasions when we knew without doubt that we were led by the Spirit or something happened that could only be down to God.
Several examples of real experiences were shared where individuals were led by God. One person’s testimony is another person’s miracle. The root Hebrew word for Testimony is ‘Aydooth’ which means ‘do it again’.
In addition to examples of being led by the Spirit there were real examples shared of the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Two distinct expressions of the Holy Spirit were emphasised: a) Being led by the Spirit, b) The power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said after he returns to His Father greater things you will do.
John 14 v 12 whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Before Jesus was taken up to Heaven he breathed on the disciples.
John 20 v 21-22 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
When we are born again, we receive the Holy Spirit, however, there is something more than just having the Holy Spirit in us. The baptism and power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1 4-5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Pentecost
Acts 2 v 1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
The ‘Suddenlies’ of GOD still happen today.
When Jesus was tempted, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness
Luke 4 v 1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
When Jesus came out of the wilderness he returned in the power of the Spirit
Luke 4 v 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.
Many Christians can identify with and are comfortable with being led by the Spirit. However, we can move in the power of the Holy Spirit more than we realise, just as Jesus.
We are encouraged to be being filled with the Holy Spirit Eph 5 v 18, we all have the capacity to move in the gifts of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 v 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
We are encouraged to stir up the gift of God within us. Some Christians are unaware of the gifts of the Spirit that are dormant within them.
2 Timothy 1 v 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God (or stir up), which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Anoint with oil. The biblical significance of oil represents the Holy Spirit, God’s blessings, consecration and divine empowerment.
In preparing this word God emphasised the need to provide the opportunity to anoint people with oil and lay hands on them. Thereby stirring up the gift of God so that they move in a greater measure of the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.
An invitation for people to respond was given for those who wanted to move more in the power of the Holy Spirit and to those who wanted the gift of God to be stirred up again. Those who responded came forward and were anointed with oil with the laying on of hands.
Confirmation of the word.
Before to the meeting had started, another minister was asked if he would be available to anoint and pray with people at the end of the meeting. His response was to say, ‘All week God had placed on his heart to prepare two vial of oil for the Friday evening meeting.’ God is so good!
