Revolutionary Leaders

Fill'er Up (Intro)

The person and work of the Holy Spirit seems to be the most overlooked, underappreciated, and least known personality of the Trinity (God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Perhaps we feel that He’s to mysterious, or we lack the faith to believe in the supernatural, or maybe it’s due to the controversy of other denominations and faiths.

Regardless of why, let the truth be told that the person and work of the Holy Spirit is just as real and relevant today as He was on the Day of Pentecost. Our belief in this truth is what sets us apart from other Protestant faiths, and this weekend is when we celebrate that distinct doctrine – Pentecost Sunday.

I think that the most legitimate question that many ask concerning this doctrine is, “Why do I have to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit?” or “Do I need to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit to make it into heaven?”

If I took and placed you a couple hundred miles deep into a secluded forest with nothing but the clothes on your back…sorry, but I don’t think any of you would survive. Then on top of that I tell you that there are thousands of people in that same forest and it’s your responsibility to rescue them.

BUT, if I gave you a survival guide, an endless supply of matches, a knife, a rifle, a map and compass, and food…I think some of you would figure it out.

NOW think how much easier it would be if I gave you a partner who was an expert outdoorsman and tracker. This guy was made for the woods and equipped in every way…Now I know you ALL of you could do it.

Well, that’s kind of the way that we can look our lives today. We’ve been placed here in our neck of the woods – New Castle – to not just survive, but to rescue as many people as we can. God has given us the tools...namely His Word and His Holy Spirit.

Can we get to heaven without these tools? Sure. The Bible tells us that if anyone confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead, he’ll be saved.

Look at the thief on the cross who died next to Jesus. He wasn’t water baptized or spirit baptized and we are unsure if he ever went to church or read the Bible, yet Jesus said “Today you will be with me in paradise”.

The truth of the matter is, God didn’t put us here in this neck of the woods just to survive and barely slide into heaven. He wants to have an intimate relationship with us where He fills us with the power of His Holy Spirit so that we can rescue those lost in the woods. This is where the person and work of God the Holy Spirit come in.