Spirit-Led, Gospel-Fueled - May 18, 2025

 

Notes are below.   Click button for audio

Introduction and Opening Remarks

• Elder Dave welcomed everyone and mentioned that the senior Pastor and his family were celebrating their daughter's birthday.

• Elder Dave expressed gratitude for everyone's presence and highlighted the importance of the day's discussion.

Purpose of Sunday Service Notes

• The notes of the Sunday services are available on reignfirechurch.blogspot.com.

• The notes are provided to ensure the message of the Lord is delivered, not for entertainment.

• Audio of today's service is here: [ Click Here ]

Role of the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is compared to the wind that moves the sails of a ship, guiding and empowering God's people.

• The Holy Spirit plays a major role in helping people speak and act with boldness.
• The power of the Holy Spirit is for the mission of being a witness to the world.

Day of Pentecost

• On the day of Pentecost, a sound like a rushing mighty wind came from the heavens, and tongues of fire appeared on each believer, filling them with the Holy Spirit.

• This event is described in Acts chapter 2, verse 11.
• Peter, filled with the Spirit, spoke with clarity and strength, explaining the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy in Acts chapter 2, verse 17.

Transformation of Peter

• Peter, who had previously denied Jesus out of fear, stood before a crowd without shame, filled with the Holy Spirit.

• This transformation is likened to a lamb becoming a lion, demonstrating God's power.

Early Christian Community

• The new believers shared their food, money, and homes, prayed, and learned together every day.

• This communal living is described in Acts chapter 2, verse 44.
• The Holy Spirit gave each believer unique gifts to help build the church, as mentioned in Acts chapter 2, verse 44.

Healing of the Lame Man

• Peter and John healed a man lame from birth at the temple gate, as described in Acts chapter 3, verse 6.

• This miracle led to the arrest of Peter and John, but they spoke boldly, filled with the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Acts chapter 4, verse 12.

Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom

• Stephen, one of the seven men appointed to serve, was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, performing miracles and serving with joy.

• Stephen was arrested, falsely accused, and martyred, but faced his death with heavenly peace and grace, as described in Acts chapter 6.

Spread of the Gospel

• Persecution led to the scattering of believers, who preached the gospel wherever they went, leading to the growth of God's family.

• The Spirit opened new doors for the gospel, including the conversion of Samaritans and an Ethiopian man, as described in Acts chapter 8.

Conversion of Saul (Paul)

• Saul, who was hunting Christians, had a powerful encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion and baptism.

• Ananias was instructed in a vision to visit Saul and pray for him, leading to Saul's healing and filling with the Holy Spirit, as described in Acts chapter 9.

Paul and Barnabas' Mission

• The Holy Spirit guided Paul and Barnabas in their missionary work, directing them where to go and what to do, as described in Acts chapter 13, verse 2.

• The Spirit often gave them directions, sometimes telling them to go and sometimes to stay, as mentioned in Acts chapter 16, verse 6.

Imprisonment and Escape of Paul and Silas

• Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, but they prayed and sang songs to God, filling their hearts with joy.

• An earthquake opened the prison doors, leading to the jailer's conversion, as described in Acts chapter 16.

Appointment of Church Leaders

• Elders were appointed through fasting and prayer, with the Spirit guiding the process, as described in Acts chapter 15, verse 28.

• These leaders were given wisdom and strength by the Holy Spirit to lead the church effectively.

Peter's Vision and Gentile Conversion

• Peter had a vision of a sheet filled with animals, understanding that the gospel was for all people, as described in Acts chapter 10.

• When Peter preached to Cornelius, the Spirit fell on everyone there, breaking down the wall between Jew and Gentile, as mentioned in Acts chapter 10, verse 47.

Last Supper and New Covenant

• Before his crucifixion, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples, blessing the bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood, as described in Luke chapter 22, verses 19-20.

• This meal, now known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist, became a key part of the early church, symbolizing thanksgiving and gratitude.

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

• Pentecost, occurring 50 days after the resurrection, marks the day the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to begin the church's mission, as described in Acts chapter 2.

• The Holy Spirit filled the believers, empowering them to spread the gospel and perform miracles.

Communion and the Holy Spirit

• Communion reminds believers of Jesus' sacrifice and unites them with him through the Holy Spirit.

• The bread and wine symbolize Jesus' body and blood, but through the Spirit, this sacrifice comes alive in the hearts of believers.

Early Church Practices

• The early church often broke bread together, eating with gladness and simplicity of heart, as described in Acts chapter 2, verse 46.

• This practice was a reminder of their unity in Christ and their commitment to serving and preaching.

Key Points

• The Service began with a greeting and a mention of the senior pastor's absence due to his daughter's birthday celebration.
• The importance of studying the word of the Lord and the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers was emphasized.
• The transformative power of the Holy Spirit was illustrated through the story of Peter and the Day of Pentecost.
• The Holy Spirit's role in giving believers boldness and unity was highlighted through the example of Peter's sermon and the early church's communal life.
• The Holy Spirit's guidance in the selection of church leaders and the spread of the gospel was discussed, referencing the appointment of elders and the missions of Paul and Barnabas.
• The connection between the Last Supper and the Day of Pentecost was explained, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role in fulfilling the new covenant.
• The significance of Holy Communion as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's role in uniting believers was discussed.
• The congregation participated in Holy Communion, symbolizing the breaking of bread and sharing of wine in remembrance of Jesus.
• A prayer was led, asking the Holy Spirit to fill the congregation with boldness, strength, and unity as it did in the early church. 

Closing Remarks and Communion Service

• Elder welcomed everyone to Reign Fire Church and highlighted the significance of the Christian body as a Bible-based community.

• The elements of Holy Communion were distributed, symbolizing the Last Supper and Jesus' sacrifice.