I was so thankful to be a part of Trinity Fellowship Church’s 2017 Exchange Fest last week. Here is the conclusion of what I believe God had to say to these powerful students! If you missed Part One, find it here.

I realized my need for a Savior–this is the first and definitely the most important step.

I was saved. I had also been baptized. Jesus had given me authority. But, I did not have power, because I had not waited for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as a matter of fact, I had not waited for it or asked for…I was afraid of it and didn’t want any part of it.  So, I had authority.  Jesus had given me a job to do right, go and make disciples, tell people about Me. The problem was that I had no power to do that.

I ALSO HAD NO POWER OVER THE ENEMY. I HAD NO POWER OVER THE GIANTS IN MY LIFE.

So…I struggled. The giants in my life were whoopin’ me….

I was afraid. I was shy. I was awkward and insecure. I made the wrong kinds of friends trying to fit in. I compromised. I dated guys I shouldn’t have. I had sex before I was married. I drank. I fought with my parents. I was a complete wreck.

I was a Christian, I had been saved and baptized. Jesus had given me the deposit of the Holy Spirit in my life. He had given me authority…

BUT, I HAD NO POWER.

Remember what Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive power with the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.” David is one of my favorite heroes in the Bible. Saul was the first King of Israel and Samuel was the prophet. Samuel heard the voice of the Lord. (Remember Samuel grew up sleeping in front of the Ark of the Covenant or the presence of God.) The Lord told Samuel it was time to anoint a new King and to go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem.  So, Samuel tells Jesse that the Lord will anoint one of his son’s as king to bring all of them before him. (1 Samuel 16: 6 – 13) So, the Spirit of the Lord comes on David in power and he is anointed to be the next King of Israel…what did he do next? He goes back to tending the sheep. He goes back to just being in the presence of the Lord and listening for His voice.

However, David’s brothers go and serve in Saul’s army.

Remember Goliath?  The Philistine Giant over 9 feet tall?  For 40 days, he comes out and mocks the Israelites and he mocks God. The Israelites are terrified of him. David shows up one day to take some food to his brothers and he hears Goliath…and he is offended by Goliath’s attacks on God. Who is this guy that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 SAMUEL 17:32 – 37) We all know what happens, with stones and a slingshot this young man defeats the giant. David was a kid! But he was a boy with POWER…because the Holy Spirit was ON him!

So, what is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 19:1-7) Paul came upon a group of men who had accepted Christ. And he asked them, “have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit?” They didn’t even know what anything about the Holy Spirit…he laid hands on them and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What did it take when you accepted Christ for you to be water baptized? All it took is for you to say, maybe I don’t understand all the significance of being dipped in water, but that is what the Lord says for me to do…so out of obedience, you are water baptized. There is absolutely nothing different to being baptized in the Holy Spirit. The word clearly says…when you are baptized with the Holy Spirit you will receive power…you will experience the Presence of God…he will change your perspective, your passion and the level of your power.

All you must do is out of obedience say…I want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

So, remember the jar from the Part 1 blog? Once we are saved, the Holy Spirit lives IN us…sometimes He pours Himself ON us.

I then had a young man come up to the stage. I asked him, “Have you accepted Jesus? He has saved you…given you the deposit of the Holy Spirit to live in you and given you Authority. Have you been baptized in water? Great. Are you ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? For His holy spirit to come on you in POWER?”

LISTEN TO ME…YOU HAVE GIANTS IN YOUR LIFE…YOU NEED HIS POWER TO OVERCOME THEM.

• Maybe you feel alone
• Your parents are fighting
• You aren’t doing well in school
• You have an addiction
• You are involved in an immoral relationship
• You are looking at pornography

Jesus has saved you and forgiven you. He has given you purpose, calling, and authority. Now, it is time to receive the power necessary to be who He has called you to be.  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to pour Himself ON you.

My love,

Power and authority: Luke 9:1-6, John the Baptist “I baptize you into repentance in water, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”
Moses to commission: Joshua Numbers 27:18
Jesus gave authority to his disciples: Matthew 10:1
Great commission: Matthew 28:16
All authority nothing will harm you: Luke 10:19