PRIOR(I)TIES For 2015

 INTRO: As we determine to live God’s priorities for us, He has given us the provisions we need to live this year according to His will for our lives. We have been given the Holy Spirit and we must invite Him to take charge of our lives. He is co-equal with God the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit when He was taken up to Heaven.  Jesus said He would be our Comforter, Counselor, Teacher and the power of God in our lives to live for Him.

I. When we invite Jesus to save us we are baptized by the Spirit.  

A.  Into the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

The baptism of the Spirit is experienced by all who believe, at the moment of salvation. In that baptism, believers, regardless of nationality (whether Jews or Greeks) or station of life (slave or free), are identified with Christ (baptized... into one body) and are indwelt by the Spirit - given the one Spirit to drink.  

    B. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

      1. As our assurance of salvation.

      2. Till the redemption of our bodies.

II. We are to invite the Spirit to lead us daily.

  A.  Proves we are children of God. Romans 8:14 (NKJV)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

  B. To help put to death the deeds of the body. Romans 8:13 (NKJV)
¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

III. We are to invite the Holy Spirit to fill us. Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

  A. In obedience to God’s command.

Getting drunk with wine was associated with the old way of life and its selfish desires and will ultimately end in ruin. Paul contrasted getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high,” to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy. When a person is drunk, everyone can tell. His or her actions make it obvious. In like manner, our lives should be so completely under the Spirit’s control that our actions and words show beyond a doubt that we are filled with the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. He is urging that we continually be filled by and live in the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit means we are submitted to Him and He controls us.

B. Invite the Holy Spirit for the anointing to accomplish His will for us.

  1. Jesus is our example.  Acts 10:38 (NKJV)  God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. If Jesus needed the anointing to do God’s will, we certainly do!

       C. For witnessing.

  Acts 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

       D. For bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) ²² But the fruit of the           Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,           self-control. Against such there is no law.

      Fruit is a by-product of our salvation; it takes time to grow and requires care and cultivation. The Spirit produces the fruit; our job is to get in tune with the Spirit. Believers exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, not because they work at it, but simply because the Holy Spirit controls their lives. The fruit of the Spirit separates Christians from a godless, evil world, reveals a power within them, and helps them become more Christ like in their daily lives.

    Invitation: Have you invited Jesus to forgive your sins against God and save you from Hell? If not today is the day, now is the time. Do you invite the Holy Spirit of God to fill you with His power daily to enable you to live God’s priorities and serve Him? Are you being led by His Spirit daily. It’s the only way to the abundant, joy filled, and victorious lifestyle.