RAW Praise with Tosin Bee (Legacy of Faith with PG) | Sunday, 7th April, 2024 | The Elevation Church
SERIES: LEGACY OF FAITH
TOPIC: ENGAGING THE MOVE OF THE SPIRIT
TEACHER: PASTOR GODMAN AKINLABI
TEXT: ACTS 1: 8-11, 2 TIMOTHY 1: 5-7 (NKJV)
DATE: SUNDAY, 7th APRIL 2024
Genuine faith is based on the foundation of Christ, not whatever suits you. You are living in an age between the ascension and the return of Christ, so you will have to propagate this faith and hold it dearly. The genuineness of your faith has the potency to withstand fear and the lies of the devil. You have an identity as a child of God; you can’t practice your faith the way you like.
After Jesus’ ascension, God’s work and purpose on earth moved to the next gear. Jesus went to heaven but left the Church—His new body on earth. You must continue to desire, seek, and understand God’s dispensation and His will for the Church. The stories of your life, your local church, and the body of Christ are still unfolding and are meant to display God’s master strategy. You are here to reflect Christ (Acts 4: 13).
The Holy Spirit is the representative of the Godhead on earth today. He lives within you and is doing great work within the Church by empowering you and others. These things characterised the early church: the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, and prayer (Acts 2: 41-42). The closer and clearer the reality of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross was to the people, the easier it was for them to lay down everything for the gospel. Like the early church, you are called to serve one another and uphold the teachings of scripture, even in the face of opposition. How are you running your part of the race?
The power triad seen in the early church is that the church, your personal life, and the works of your hands are meant to be evidence of God’s power. It is shown in 3 ways.
3 THINGS FIRMLY AT PLAY IN THE EARLY CHURCH
1. The Great Commission, as mentioned in the Gospel of Mark 16:17-20, refers to the divine calling of Christians to spread the word of Christ and witness his teachings to people from all walks of life. This commission holds great significance in the Christian faith, as it calls upon believers to actively participate in sharing the good news of salvation and eternal life with others. By fulfilling this mission, Christians aim to spread love, hope, and faith to those around them and, ultimately, contribute to the betterment of society.
2. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a Christian belief that involves a spiritual experience in which one is filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This experience is said to bring about a deeper understanding and relationship with God and a greater ability to live a holy and fruitful life. The exact nature and manifestation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can vary among different Christian traditions and individuals, but it is generally seen as a significant and transformative event in the life of a believer.
3. Cultivating a deep and meaningful relationship with God while fostering a sense of camaraderie and community with other believers is commonly referred to as "fellowship." It involves engaging in activities that promote spiritual growth and development, such as prayer, worship, and study of religious texts, as well as participating in social events and gatherings that allow believers to connect and support one another in their faith journey.
