Transformed by the Spirit of God – 1/16/2022

Transformation versus conformation.

• Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what s that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Why has transformation not happened?

• Real transformation can only happen by the Holy Spirit – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

 Transformation starts with receiving the Holy Spirit.

• Paul asks an interesting question – Acts 19:1-3 – And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples ² he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
• Paul is referencing Luke 3:16 – John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
• This is also the state of the first disciples before Jesus returns to Heaven – Acts 1:5 – “…for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
• Somehow we are sealed by the Holy Spirit based off our confession of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – Ephesians 1:13 – 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.
• Baptized was a word that the authors of the different Bible translations just took directly from the original Greek – it means to be immersed, submerged – to be completely overwhelmed.
• Right before Jesus ascends into Heaven, He tells His disciples wait for the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:4-5
• And is a result of being baptized by God’s Spirit (Acts 19:5-6), one is filled with God’s Spirit (Acts 2:4). Filled comes from a Greek word which was used in reference to the wind fully filling a sail on a boat.

There is tangible evidence of being filled with God’s Spirit.

• Throughout the Book of Acts we see tangible evidence of someone filled/baptized with the Holy Spirit. Tongues is part of the evidence in 3 of these 6 passages – Acts 2:4, 4:31, 8:14ff, 9:17ff, 10:44ff, 19:1-6.

 This being filled with the Holy Spirit is a process not a one-time event thing!

• And not only are we filled one time, we are commanded to be continuously filled – Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) – And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.
• It’s a command – Greek word for filled here means to be an ongoing running back to the well – we are leaky
• Galatians 5:16, 25-26 – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ^…25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
• There is a daily war going on – 1 Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV) –I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
• And dying daily is a choice – Romans 8:5 – For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit –

And how does transformation look?

• Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in His own image …
• 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV) –Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is  liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
• It’s a grace thing and this is why many struggle because depending on their flesh – Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
• Psalms 42:7 –Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

 Awakening is the purpose of being filled with the Holy Spirit!

• In two cases where people receive/baptized/filled with the Holy Spirit we see awakening and revival take place – Acts 2:41 and Acts 19:17-20.
• But ultimately we are receiving the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel with power – Acts 1:8 and Mark 16:17-18.

 So how does this happen?

• Humble yourself because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (and you need grace) – 1 Peter 5:5
• Quit worrying what people might think about you – Galatians 1:10.
• Make a choice – choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19) and life more abundantly (John 10:10)
• Receive the Holy Spirit – Out of our bellies (the inner most part of man) shall flow rivers of living water – John 7:38.

The next 14 days:

• Spend at least a half hour each day with God:
  • Worship music, prayer, reading a chapter each day from Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and quietly listening for God’s voice in your spirit
• In two weeks we will pray for you to receive the Holy Spirit.

 Your life will drastically change!  Are you ready?