[0:00] This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. This is the next message in our series on the book of John entitled, Jesus is God.
[0:15] Amen. We believe that with all of our hearts. Amen. There is none like him and he is greater than all. What a praise and wonderful thing to say to our God. This very week in my devotions, I came across a verse that just rang so true in my heart because the Bible said that God had told Solomon, hey, you appoint guys to get up in the morning and praise me and thank me.
[0:38] And then before y'all go to bed, you have them do it again. And so God loves to be praised. I'm imagining that in heaven, he was happy to hear that some people at Vision Baptist Church this morning would actually praise him.
[0:50] He is a great and wonderful God. There is none like him. Take your Bibles and go back with me to John chapter 14. And I want to tell you, Jesus is leaving. And the apostles, we're in the last week.
[1:01] About half of every gospel talks about just the last week of his life. We're in the last week of his life. He will soon be in heaven. And he's talking to the guys. He's saying, I'm leaving. And of course, that's a sad time.
[1:13] I remember when Betty and I were in Atequipa and we were leaving from our first term. We'd been in Peru for about three years. And we'd seen several churches started. We had a lot of people.
[1:24] And the folks went to the airport. There was no way to get around back then. Very few taxis. People couldn't afford them. Buses. And we had to be at the airport at like 530 in the morning.
[1:35] And we got there. There were about 50 people waiting on us. And they were crying and hugging us and saying, you'll never come back. And we did actually go back. But, I mean, it was a really sad time.
[1:45] And can you imagine if they think that about a missionary, what must you think about Jesus? He's leaving. It's like we have given our lives to you for what? One, two, three years.
[1:56] We've been listening to you. And you've been preaching and teaching us. And we've been learning so many wonderful and great things. And now you're leaving. And Jesus says in this passage today, I'm leaving.
[2:08] And because I'm leaving, there's going to be some great things happen. Because I'm leaving, there's going to be some great things happening. He's even going to say this, I'm leaving, but I'm not going to leave you. So that's a wonderful thing because he will send the comforter.
[2:21] This passage of scripture, just like lots of others, but in a great way, he's going to show you God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So I want you to go with me and think, what happened because he left?
[2:34] What wonderful things happened because he left? The first thing, look if you would in John chapter 14 and verse 12. We will do greater works than he did because he left.
[2:44] We will do greater works than he did because he left. Look at verse 12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.
[2:55] And greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my Father. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine having spent time with this awesome God that was just sang about who walked on water and turned water into wine?
[3:10] And now he is dying. He's going to die on the cross and be buried. Three days later, he will resurrect from the dead. He has worked miracle after miracle. And he looks at him and he says, guys, I'm leaving.
[3:22] But because I leave, let me just tell you, you guys are going to do the same works I've done. And you're going to do even greater works. He's saying, hey, we just got things off the ground. The ministry is just starting.
[3:34] And it is really going to start cranking now. It is really going to be big and good and great now. So I want you to realize today that we are able to do great and wonderful works for the Lord.
[3:46] It is more powerful than it would have been if he were still alive today. The men standing there are going to stand up and be counted. They're doing the job that he left them to do. They're all of a sudden, it's going to be like Jesus leaves.
[3:58] And they're going to stand up and really be counted. They're going to have the Holy Spirit and his direction and his guidance in their work. Look at chapter 14, verse 16 through 18.
[4:09] They're going to have the Holy Spirit and his power and his direction. The Bible says, I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you forever.
[4:20] Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But you know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless.
[4:31] I will come to you. Now, over the next few weeks, you're going to hear a lot about the Holy Spirit. You're going to hear about him and his power and the work that he's done and is doing. You're going to hear a lot about the Holy Spirit of God.
[4:44] But this is another comforter. Would you put a circle around that phrase? Another comforter. That means, hey, God's sending somebody just like Jesus. One very much like him. One that has the same characteristics and the same power.
[4:57] And he is going to give them the Holy Spirit. And he is not leaving them without comfort. They will know now more than ever their need for him. And they are dependent on the Holy Spirit and his power.
[5:11] Did you realize that when God, when Jesus was doing works, that he's going to tell us in his passage of scripture, when I served God and when I worked miracles and when I did great things, it wasn't me doing them.
[5:24] It was him, the father in me doing works. So that's going to be a key for you to understand. It was Jesus did the work by the power of the father. And I'm going to send you a comforter so you can do that.
[5:36] Look at what it says in John chapter 14, verse 10. Believest thou not that I am in the father and the father in me? Y'all don't believe that? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself, but the father that dwelleth in me.
[5:50] He doeth the works. Stop. Look at this. God, almighty, powerful, eternal, everlasting God who dwells above time and creation.
[6:03] And Jesus says this, all you've seen me do. It's been the father doing that in me. And now I'm leaving. And because I leave, you'll do greater works than I've ever done.
[6:17] Can you not see what's going to happen? God's going to come on his people. God's going to do great and mighty works through them. And they're going to stand up and do things like they never would have. Look at this. If you would, in John chapter 14 and verse 13, they're going to have the privilege of prayer and his promise that he would answer.
[6:34] Jesus says, I'll be gone. I'm leaving and I'll ascend back to the father. But hey, you can pray and you can pray and I'll hear your prayers and I'll answer your prayers. Look at chapter 14, verse 13.
[6:46] And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the father may be glorified in the son. If you ask anything in my name, I'll do it. Jesus said, now guys, I'm leaving.
[6:58] I want you to look at this. I'm leaving. Number one, you're going to do greater works than you've ever done. Number two, I'm going to send you another comforter who's going to live in you and dwell in you and take a precedence in you.
[7:09] But he's going to be able to guide you and give you power. Number three, you can call on me in prayer and whatever you ask, I will do that when you ask me. Now look at this. They're even going to be told before Jesus ascends into heaven, you guys wait till the comforter comes in power on you.
[7:26] You see, understand God's work is always spiritual work. And God's work's always done in God's power. So if you would look at Luke chapter 24, if you would, in verse 49 and Luke 24, 49, the Bible says, behold, I send the promise of my father unto you, but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high.
[7:51] Look at me a second. How did you do the work, Jesus? How did you heal people? How did you preach? How did you convince folks to believe you? What was it that gave, what's the secret of your ministry?
[8:03] And Jesus says, it was the father working in me. And I'm saying, I'm not leaving you comfortless. I'm going to send you another comforter, but you guys wait.
[8:14] And he's going to come in power on the day of Pentecost. And they're going to wait till they are endued with power, till they're filled with power, until they have the power of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
[8:26] Acts chapter one, verse eight. And you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth.
[8:37] Can you imagine this? Jesus says, because I'm leaving, you guys are going to do greater works than I've ever done. Because I'm leaving, God's going to use you in a fantastic way.
[8:48] You'll do greater works. Because I'm leaving, I'm going to send you another comforter, the Holy Spirit. He's going to empower you and he's going to work through you. And not only that, he's going to help you take the word of God, not in this little geographical area that I've spent my life.
[9:02] You're going to take the gospel to the entire world in your lifetime. Not only that, you're going to have prayer. And you can ask for me to work in anything you ask. I'm going to do it.
[9:13] Because I leave, you guys are going to see great and mighty things. Would you look this way just a second for us? You know what that means for us? Did you know he's as powerful and as real and here today as he was if he was personally here?
[9:27] That's what he's saying. I am the power of God. I am the Holy Spirit of God. I am the Son of God. I am God. And it's good for you that I left because I leave.
[9:39] Great things are going to happen. You need to give up your anemic fears that God can't use you. You need to give up the idea that God, the Holy Spirit, won't fill you and empower you. You can have victory over sin because the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you and gives you power to live for him and serve him.
[9:56] You can witness to people and they can hear the gospel and get saved. Not because of who you are and what you do, but he lives in you and he speaks through you. You can have power over sin. You can have power to preach.
[10:08] You can have power for God to use you. You can ask God. You can say, God, I'm asking you to save some people. God, I'm asking you to be with me as I share the gospel message. God, I'm asking you to work because I've got the power to get a hold of you now and you'll do whatever I ask.
[10:23] What a wonderful thing. Jesus said, I'm leaving, but it's going to be good for you. And today as a church, we meet here. If Jesus were alive today and he was like he was in Bible days, he'd be limited to where he could be.
[10:35] He'd probably be over in Jerusalem somewhere. And by the way, if he wasn't in Jerusalem, wherever he was, no one else would have him. But when he left, he sent the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer.
[10:46] And people have been getting together all day since hours ago. They started meeting all around the world, opening the Bible and preaching the gospel. And the Holy Spirit of God was there doing a work.
[10:57] He spoke through preachers. He convicted people of their sin. He showed men of God how to get right with God. He showed his children how to get right with God. He convinced lost people. He's been at work all over the world because Jesus left.
[11:09] The second thing I want you to look at, because he left, he gave us direct access to him in prayer. Because he left, he gave us direct access to him in prayer. That's a pretty new thing, by the way, if you didn't know.
[11:21] You go back in the Old Testament, they had to go through priest. Go back in the Old Testament, they couldn't get direct access. In the New Testament, Jesus said, yep, yep, yep. Just call out. You just ask. Come in my name.
[11:32] Go in my name. You go in my name and you ask the Father and he'll do it. Look if you would have John chapter 14 and verse 13. The Bible says, and whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do.
[11:43] That the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. Now watch this. And you really need to listen to this particular point today.
[11:55] Because a lot of us may have kind of given up on prayer. Because we haven't understood what prayer was about. And we've kind of manipulated and twisted prayer. And so we kind of think it doesn't work.
[12:05] But watch what it says. You can ask whatever you want to ask in my name. And I will do it. Now watch this. Maybe you ought to write some of this down. We are given permission to ask anything in his name.
[12:17] We're given permission to ask anything in his name. To ask in his name means it would be something that he authorizes. When you ask in somebody's name.
[12:28] You ask because that person authorizes it. How many of you have written a check within the last 30 days? Hold your hand up. That little piece of paper that you wrote a check on.
[12:40] That is a promise. But it's only as good as your name. And when you walk in the bank and you hand them that. They look and say it's in his name.
[12:51] Betty and I just wrote a check to the church this morning. We gave our offering this morning for Vision Baptist Church. What we'll give this month. Almost all of it was given today. Only a little bit will be given this morning.
[13:03] And it had probably my wife's name on it. Because she used to write some checks. But it was written in her name. And she said, hey you can take this to the bank. And you can count on it. You can bank on it.
[13:14] This is an offering. It is good. It is good. Because it came in her name. Now if you went down to the bank. And you walked into the same bank. And you said, Betty sent me down here to get some money.
[13:26] They'd say, well we're going to need. We're going to need some way to know that. You can't just walk in and say in Betty's name. I want all the money in their account. You can't walk in and say in Austin's name. I want all the. You see when Jesus said you could pray in my name.
[13:39] What he was saying was. I authorized certain prayers. I authorized certain petitions. I will go ahead and tell you. That if you ask these things. You can have them. Because you ask in my name.
[13:50] To ask in his name means that we have the permission and authority. To ask based on what scripture says. We are promised. That if we ask anything in his name. That he will do it.
[14:01] The purpose of this type of prayer was not that I would get what I want. And what gives me pleasure. But rather that the father may be glorified in the son. Go back up to read chapter 14 and verse 13.
[14:14] Look at it please. Look at it. He said. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name. That will I do. That the father may be glorified in the son.
[14:25] That the father may be glorified in the son. Look this way just a second. A second. Simply tagging in Jesus name on your prayer. Means nothing.
[14:39] A lot of us have been taught to pray. We pray our prayers. We say. La de la de la de la de la de la de. In Jesus name. Amen. Well if I pray and I say. Dear God. I would like to ask you.
[14:50] If it is. I would just like to ask you. To give me. A Mercedes Benz car. And I'm asking you that. In the name of Jesus. Well you know what's going to happen. God's going to say.
[15:01] Son did you authorize that request. And he's going to say. No he don't need that. And I ain't getting it. It's not like it's some magic phrase. You tag on the end of anything you want.
[15:12] It's not like you walk in and say. Hey Jesus. I'd like another wife. I ask you in Jesus name. Kill mine and give me another one. He's going to look at you and say. That's against my word. I'm not going to do that for you.
[15:23] You see. Jesus said. Whatever you ask in my name. I'll do it. But we've turned prayer into. A genie where we can stroke the bottle.
[15:34] Get the genie to come out. And give us three wishes. Say amen. It's like hey. Father. Father. Speak now. Come on. And Jesus is supposed to come out and go. You name it. You get it.
[15:45] Not happening. Here's what he was saying. You can ask anything you want in my name. That the father may be glorified in the son.
[15:56] And really there's no real glory for God. That you drive a Mercedes. Unless. I mean God may choose to answer that prayer for you. God may give you that. Because he does different things with different people.
[16:06] But that's really not the kind. Probably. You don't need to be praying about that Mercedes. But you probably need to be praying about people getting saved. You probably need to be praying that God would send forth laborers into his harvest.
[16:17] You probably need to pray that your church. Would be able to advance for the cause in the kingdom of Christ. You probably ought to pray for your Sunday school teacher. You probably ought to pray for your children to be saved. And in heaven when you pray for your children to be saved.
[16:29] Jesus will be like. That's the kind of prayer I like to hear. That's the kind of thing I want to hear. Pray it in my name. And I will do those things. For you. Simply tagging Jesus on there won't get it.
[16:39] Jesus had a purpose of glorifying God his father. And when we ask for things that will further his name. His kingdom. And his cause. Then he will answer. We will pray because without him we know we can do nothing.
[16:54] And we desperately need him. How many of you have already experienced this? You've invited your family members to come to church. You've witnessed to them and told them about Jesus. And nothing happens.
[17:05] And just won't listen. You need to go to the father. In the name of the son. And say I can't. But you can. How many of you have been raised in children. And as you raise your children. Your children have been in trouble.
[17:17] And I say in trouble. I don't mean they had. They've gotten credit card debt. I'm talking about they're off the path. And going in a direction you know doesn't please the father. You know the father loves it when you pray.
[17:28] And ask your kids. Ask him to make your kids love him. And serve him. Ask about that. How many of you. How many of you teach a Sunday school class. And as you teach a Sunday school class. Sometimes it feels like you just can't get the gospel through.
[17:39] Sometimes people aren't listening. Ask the father. In the name of the son. We're more than welcome to ask those kinds of prayers. And ask him to do something. We desperately need him. Two more verses before we go to our last point.
[17:52] We're told that we have not. Because we ask not. Look at James chapter 4 verse 2. We must become prayers. John James chapter 4 verse 2.
[18:03] The Bible says you lust. That means you desire. You want. And you have not. You kill. And desire to have. You cannot obtain. You fight and you worry. Yet you have not. Because you ask not.
[18:14] Let me put that in Tennessee Hillbilly for you. You ready? Look this way. Just listen. You're struggling to get a lot of junk. God would love to give you. But you don't have it. Because you don't ask.
[18:25] Some of you have been dealing with temptation and sin. And you're saying. God I really want. I really want to have victory. And you're begging God for victory. When the truth of the matter is.
[18:36] You're not begging God for victory. You're just doing it in your own flesh. You think you can will it. You think you can make a decision. And you're trying to do it in your own flesh. And he said. Hey. I'll come and work you to life.
[18:47] If you ask me. In the name of the son. If you ask me in the name of Jesus. We need to quit. We're always struggling. And fighting. And trying to accomplish things. And he said.
[18:58] Guys. I'm not answering your prayer. Because you're not praying. And we have become almost a prayerless society. We hope our kids will get saved. We hope that our family will live for Jesus.
[19:12] And we hope a lot of things. But we don't ever ask. You have not. Because you ask not. But the very next verse says. Not only do you have not. Because you ask not. But sometimes you ask.
[19:22] And I still won't do it. Sometimes you ask. And I still won't do it. You see. You got to get the balance here. He said. You ask whatever you want to ask. In my name. And I'll do it.
[19:33] But in James chapter 4. In verse 3. The Bible says. In James chapter 4. Verse 3. You ask. And receive not. You ask. And receive not. Because you ask wrongly.
[19:45] Amiss. You ask amiss. Why? That you may consume it. Upon your lust. You ask. That you may consume it. Upon your lust. You're not asking for my honor. You're not asking for my glory.
[19:56] You're asking. Because it's something you want. Whether I want it or not. And so I'm not going to answer that prayer. So you know. Because he left. Number one. We'll do greater works. And even Jesus did.
[20:08] And number two. We have access to the Father. By prayer. But you need to understand today. That prayer. Works on this premise. You ask in Jesus name. Which means his permission.
[20:20] And his authorization. To ask things. That will bring glory. To the Father. Through the Son. And you ought to ask. Please. Some of you. Are missing so much.
[20:30] Of what God would do. Because you're asking. Is all about selfishness. Jesus. Ask. And I'll answer prayer. Third thing. Jesus said. Because I leave.
[20:40] You'll do greater works. Than I've ever done. Because I leave. I give you a privilege. To come to me directly in prayer. And because I leave. I'm going to send you. Another comforter. This is like. One of the most wonderful. Promises.
[20:51] We could ever imagine. Look at John chapter 14. And verse 16. With me. If you would. And I will pray. The Father. And he shall give you. Another comforter. That he may abide.
[21:02] With you. Forever. Jesus was only here. Temporarily. He spent. Maybe at the most. Three and a half years. With his disciples. Three and a half years. He said.
[21:13] I'm leaving. I'm going back to the Father. I'll be seated at the right hand. Of the throne of God. But I'm going to give you somebody. Who will never leave you. I'm going to give you somebody. Who is another comforter.
[21:23] I'm going to give you somebody. Who will be with here. With you. And he comes. As a gift. From God. The Father. Can you see the Trinity here? You might have heard somebody. Criticize the Trinity.
[21:34] You might have heard somebody. Say the Trinity. Is not in the Bible. And that word. Is not in the Bible. But you see three people. At work here. Jesus says. I'll pray the Father. God. The Father. In heaven. That he sends you another comforter. There's three people.
[21:45] Jesus praying to the Father. That another comforter will come. That's the Trinity. God. At work. In us. The comforter. Is the spirit. Of truth. Look if you would.
[21:55] In John 14. 17. Even the spirit. Of truth. Whom the world. Cannot receive. Because it seeth him not. Neither knoweth him. But you know him.
[22:05] For he dwelleth with you. And shall be in you. Just a couple of things. That you might want to notice here. Notice he's him. Would you circle that in a verse? The Holy Spirit's not a force.
[22:16] He's not a power. He's a person. And right there in your Bible. It said him. Neither knows him. But you know him. For he dwelleth with you. And shall be in you. It seeth him not.
[22:28] Neither knoweth him. But you know him. Three hymns. One verse. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. Is a person. It's not some kind of force. May the force be with you.
[22:38] Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. Stupid. Ridiculous. Dumb preachers. Kind of like the dumb ones. That stood up today. To preach on the Avengers. When they had a Bible. They could have preached.
[22:48] It's about Jesus. Say amen. No you didn't like that. But it's the truth. And he's a person. And he said. He said. And the world sees him not. The world can't receive the Holy Spirit.
[23:00] Nor does it understand the Holy Spirit. But we know him. I want you to look. And you need to look this up in your Bible. Romans chapter 8 and verse 9. Romans chapter 8 and verse 9.
[23:13] Well listen to what the Bible says. You are not in the flesh. But in the spirit. If so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ. He is none of his.
[23:26] I want you to notice two or three things here. You're not in the flesh. But in the spirit. Now watch this. Would you watch? When you were born the first time. You were in Adam. You were in human flesh.
[23:37] You had all the characteristics. And all the traits of your father Adam. Adam was a farmer. Adam disobeyed God. Adam rebelled against God. And chose to live life his own way. Adam brought sin and death into the world.
[23:49] And you were of him. Hey your grandfather Noah was a drunken sailor. Who did his own thing. And that's the line we would come out of. That's the line of flesh. But the day I got born again.
[24:00] I was put into a different line. And I'm in the spirit now. I am in the spirit. I am not like them. I'm not even in the same family. I'm a new creature. And all the old things are passed away. And behold all things have become new.
[24:12] Can I just tell you real quickly. There's no in between ground. Some of you seem to want to live here. You want to hang on to the flesh. And hang on to the spirit. There's no in between ground. But then notice this powerful statement. Many people don't understand this about the Holy Spirit.
[24:24] If you're born again. You have the spirit of Christ. If you don't have the spirit of Christ. You are not saved. Look at Romans chapter 8 and verse 9. Look at what your Bible says.
[24:36] Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ. He is none of his. How many of you have the spirit of Christ this morning? Say amen. See you have the spirit of Christ. When you got saved.
[24:47] The Holy Spirit moved into you. What did Jesus say? Hey it's good for you that I leave. I'll go and you'll do greater works after I'm gone. Than you would have done while I'm here. It's good for you that I leave.
[24:58] Because you'll be able to pray. It's good for you that I leave. Because I will send you another comforter. Who will be in you and live in you. Always. Forever. He will be with you. What a wonderful truth.
[25:09] We're going to be talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And what he does. And how he works in our lives. And we'll be doing that over the next few services. As we look at John 14 and 15 and 16.
[25:20] We're going to learn a lot about the Holy Spirit. Because this is where Jesus is going to introduce him to us. And tell us who he is and what he does. But I want you to know. If you're born again you have him. Someone may have told you.
[25:31] If you don't speak a tongue. You don't have the spirit. Only sad thing is they made that up. Not in the Bible. Some of them might say to you. Well if you're not. If you're. You got to get saved. But then later on you get the second blessing.
[25:42] And you'll get the Holy Spirit. Simply not what Jesus said. Here is. You want the second blessing. Here it is. Hey I'm leaving. And I'm sending you another comforter. Second blessing. The person of the Holy Spirit. And we all got him. If we're born again.
[25:53] Can you say amen right there? That's a pretty powerful truth. If you do not have the spirit. You're not saved. He dwells. In a. With us. And in us. Verse 18.
[26:04] John 14. 18. Jesus said. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you. I'll not leave you comfortless. I'll send another comforter.
[26:15] He's just like me. I'll send him. And I will come to you. Now watch this. John chapter 14. And verse 19. Jesus might leave this earth via death. But he wasn't dead.
[26:27] His death. And burial. And resurrection. And life. Is what gives us. Life. Life. Look at John 14. 19. Yet a little while. And the world sees me no more.
[26:39] But you see me. Because I live. You shall also live. Hey. How many of you believe. With all your heart. That after death. We'll continue to live. Forever and ever. In the presence of God. The Father. Say amen. If you believe that.
[26:50] You know why. Don't you. Because he died. You know why. Because he was buried. You know why. Because he rose again. You know why. Because Jesus lives forever. And because he is life. And he has life.
[27:00] I have life. Jesus said hey. Hey. I'm leaving here. But it's for you. Look at John chapter 14. And verse 20. He sends a comforter. And we'll know these truths.
[27:11] At that day. You shall know. That I am in my Father. You and me. And I and you. Now we ought to take about a week. To talk about that one. Look at that verse. Look at that verse. I am in my Father.
[27:22] Jesus is in the Father. And you are in Jesus. Which means. If you're in Jesus. You're in the Father. I am in Jesus. Who's in the Father. And then he says. And I'm in you.
[27:33] That's pretty wild isn't it? You know what. I'm surrounded. And enveloped. In Jesus. Who's surrounded. And enveloped. In the Father. And not only is he on the outside. But he's on the inside. And he is in me.
[27:45] We know him. Look at Romans 8 14. Romans 8 14. If you would. For as many. As are led. By the Spirit of God. They are the sons.
[27:56] Of God. If you're led. By the Spirit of God. You're the son of God. You have not received. The spirit of bondage. Again to fear. You have received. The spirit of adoption. Whereby we cry.
[28:07] Abba Father. The Spirit. Itself. Beareth witness. With our spirit. That we are the children. Of God. I want you to look at something here. If you would. Number one. The Holy Spirit.
[28:18] Leads us. Now. Would you listen here. Look this way. Just a second. I'm afraid. Somewhere along the way. We've gotten insensitive. Now. We've.
[28:29] We've learned the ritual. And the formality. But we've gotten insensitive. To the Holy Spirit's direction. While the preaching's going on. You ought to know. By now. That I can be preaching.
[28:40] About something. And in your heart. All of a sudden. You begin to realize. Man. This is something. I need to work on. I might not even be mentioning it. But the Holy Spirit's mentioning it to you. You might ought to know. That sometimes at work.
[28:50] You're saying. Or doing something. And all of a sudden. You hear in your heart. I don't like that. And you say. Who did that? Not me. I wasn't there. Amen. But he was there. He said. Hey. If you're a son of God.
[29:01] The Holy Spirit works in your heart. You got up this morning. You want to come to church. Should we give you a reason why? Because the sons of God. Are led by the Spirit of God. We're led by him. But look at what else it says here.
[29:11] If you would. Look at John chapter 14. And verse 15. But you have not received. The spirit of bondage. Again to fear. You see. You see. Before we were in bondage. Before we were slaves to sin.
[29:24] And sin controlled us. And manipulated us. And used us. Before we lived a life of fear. Now we don't live a life of fear. Now we don't live a life in bondage. Now we're not being beat up.
[29:35] We're not afraid of what's going to happen to us. We know. Because we know Jesus. And he said. And guess what's going to happen. Your heart cries out. Abba Father. That's kind of like a. It's kind of like an old Greek word for saying.
[29:47] Daddy Father. It's kind of like saying. Hey. Poppy. Hey. Dad. Hey. I got this special relationship with you. It's a spirit of adoption. I'm his.
[29:58] And he is mine. So when you got born again man. The Holy Spirit of God moved into you. Changed your whole perspective. Brought you out of what you used to be. Put you where you are now. Changed your bondage to freedom.
[30:10] Changed your fear to love. Spirit of adoption. And it bears witness. He bears witness with our spirit. Verse 16. The spirit bears. It said. Beareth witness with our spirit. We are the children of God.
[30:21] This morning. Something inside of you is saying. Yes you are. Yes you're born again. Yes you're on your way to heaven. Yes you're saved. And some of you. Honestly. If you were to tell the truth. Right now you're going.
[30:31] I don't know if I feel any of that. I'm not sure that I know that I am. And that's the Holy Spirit dealing with you. And speaking to you. We know that we're in him. We know that he's in us. We know that Jesus is in God.
[30:42] You want to talk about eternal security? I'm in Jesus who's in God. And Jesus is in me. I'm saved forever. Has nothing to do with my works and my goodness. I'm in Jesus who's in God.
[30:52] And Jesus is in me. I'm saved by what he did. I want you to just. Here's just. We're going to pray. But here it is. Do you realize. That you live in one of the most wonderful times.
[31:03] That you could possibly live in in history. You can be used of God. In ways that nobody could have ever dreamed. You could do something for God. Are you taking advantage of God's work in your life?
[31:14] Are you submitting to him? And surrender. Do you realize you have direct access to the father? As much as if you were in the presence of Jesus. Do you realize that God himself lives inside of you?
[31:25] In his Holy Spirit. Are you sensitive to him? Do you listen to him? Do you allow him to work in your life? To speak to you and guide you? In just a second.
[31:36] I'll give an invitation. And I honestly believe many of you today will hear. Here's some things I really want you to surrender to me. Here's some things I want you. You're in disobedience to me.
[31:47] Not me. Not me. Not me. I didn't mean me. I mean he's saying that to you. See he knows where you live. He was at your house Friday night. I wasn't. He knows what you were doing Saturday night.
[31:57] Wherever you were. He knows what kind of thoughts you're having. What kind of life you live. And he lives in you. And I'm giving an invitation. And right now the Holy Spirit. He's already saying. You need to get some things right. I want you to surrender to me.
[32:08] I want you to yield to me. I want you to follow me. Some of us is our lack of trusting him. Some of us is our. It's the way we've been playing with sin. But I just want you to know. Because he left. We can do greater things than even Jesus did.
[32:20] Because he left. We have the power of prayer. We can go to God. Because he left. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Another comforter has come. What a privilege.
[32:30] That God himself would live in you. Are you listening to him? Are you sensitive to him? Or do you usually sit through an invitation saying this. If he'll hurry up.
[32:40] I can still get out of here. I won't obey. Do you kind of endure. You know invitation. That's like the painful time isn't it? It's like shh. Let God talk.
[32:51] And our attitude is. Well hurry up. Because I don't want to have to keep resisting him. Why don't you say. I'll be sensitive to him today. And let him lead in God. Father I love you. Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
[33:02] I pray you'd work today. I pray you'd bring great power in our lives. I pray you'd show yourself. I ask you dear God. To make your presence real. Holy Spirit convict us of sin.
[33:13] Holy Spirit draw us to you. Cause us to trust you. And love you. And live for you. God do a work today. I pray you'd save those that don't know you. Holy Spirit convict them of their sin. I pray God that you'd help those that aren't.
[33:24] Are saved. To submit to you. Be sensitive to you. And to obey you. And I will ask you. This all in the name of Jesus. Knowing that you can work in our lives. And you are powerful. And you will. You have been listening to Austin Gardner.
[33:40] Pastor of Vision Baptist Church. For contact information. Location. Service times. Or more audio and video recordings. Log on to www.visionbaptist.com are saved.
[33:52] Thanks. factors... To submit. Those who arranged for the행 OPEN BANING. are saved.цы tweet tempting. Consider this. Let us bow down to your苑.
[34:02] See you by listening to school.