Looking into the gifts of the spirit

 

Now that we’re all jumped out from a fun evening at the Skyzone we were back in The Warehouse as John Authenreith brought the word. It was great having John who further discussed the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

He reminded students to be careful that the waves of the world don’t drag us from God. Ephesians 4: 11-13 was read as it states that God equips those to serve him. Teaching, giving, serving, encouragement, mercy, and organization were a few of the spiritual gifts John talked about.

In groups students talked about what spiritual gifts they believe they have, and how they can use them. What the purpose our spiritual gifts have, and why God gave out gifts differently to some people.

This Sunday we’re playing Halloween Clue from 6 to 8 p.m. Students are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes too for a contest. Halloween Clue will have students asking leaders dressed as Clue characters questions to solve the mystery. It’s a great event to bring new friends.

Also a reminder that students need to get their money in to reserve a spot for Spring Hill. A minimum $50 deposit payable to Mainstreet Church is what it takes to reserve a spot. The total cost is $137. Along with the deposit students need to fill out and turn in registration. The goal is to bring more than 100 people this year, invite friends.

Being the Fruit of the Spirit

Don’t be a rotten caramel apple.

Brian talked about a time he was so hungry and took a giant bite of a caramel apple hoping to quench his hunger, while tasting something delicious, but it was rotten and disgusting.

When we go to school, games, work, or are hanging out with people who know we’re Christians we want to show our fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Are we showing that to others, or do they see a Christian on the surface and rotten apple on the inside?

We were challenged to look at what fruit our lives really produce? Good fruit or Bad fruit:

Matthew 7:15-20New International Version (NIV)
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

We can rely on and use the Holy Spirit by listening to its counsel. The Holy Spirit can convict us when we’re going down a path that will lead to sin, or even listen for when the Holy Spirit is affirming our actions because they are God honoring! We can know when we are walking in step with the Spirit or in step with the sinful nature by simply looking at the fruit our lives produce.

Galatians 5:16-26New International Version (NIV)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

We wrapped up groups by praying for the Holy Spirit to fill our lives, that we’re led by the Spirit and the not the desires of the sinful nature. We prayed for strength to overcome temptation when it arises and submitting to the spirit. We prayed for forgiveness for the times we have grieved the Holy Spirit. We specifically prayed for The Fruit of the Spirit to come over each other.

Who ya gonna call?

THE HOLY SPIRIT!

OK, the students may not understand the 1980s movie reference, but the Holy Spirit is the focus of our new series titled Ghostbusters. Our Levi Phillips spoke about living a spirit filled life, and trying to debunk the misconception that the holy spirit is only for very special moments or extremely holy people. It is Christ in us, that we should be going to with any questions we need help with.

A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious richeshe may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

GPS was a helpful acronym.

– Guarantee: If we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior than we’re promised to have the holy spirit come and live in us.

– Power: Acts 1:8. We’re promised to have the power of the spirit in us. It empowers us to witness to others.

– Surrender: Are we surrendering our lives to Christ and the Holy Spirit to work through us to glorify God?

During small groups most of the conversations were about surrendering parts of their life they previously haven’t to God.

We discussed who the Holy Spirit is, and why we need him. How having the Holy Spirit to go to takes the pressure off of us.

*Reminder, students who want to attend Sky Zone with us Oct. 18 need to pay $25 to Mainstreet Church by this Sunday. Students will need dropped off at Sky Zone before 5:30 p.m. and picked up at 8 p.m. Sky Zone: 1600 Albon Rd. Holland, OH.