LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

I believe every born again should live a life in the Spirit. How does one live a life in the Spirit? Well, for one, it is not a walk in the flesh whereby we live to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. It is not even a walk whereby we live as born again believers, who have experienced salvation, repentance and forgiveness of sins.

As born-again believers, washed in the blood of Jesus, just having the salvation experience actually falls short of what God intends us to live. So what then is a life in the Spirit ?

LIVING SUPERNATURALLY

Acts 19 v 1 - 7

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" they answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

What Paul was saying to these believers who were saved and baptised, that their Christian walk was not complete, that there was another experience following salvation and water baptism. It was the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues - an experience that imparts the power of God's Spirit upon all believers who are baptised in the Holy Ghost, enabling them to function supernaturally.

God desires that all believers operate in the supernatural. That is why the devil tries so hard to get Christians to reject the full manifestation of the Holy Spirit because he knows that without this power, Christians will never be a real threat to the Kingdom of Darkness.

There is more to your salvation. In order for you to effectively penetrate the supernatural Kingdom of Darkness, you have to function in the supernatural. How do you function in the supernatural? By being filled and continually filled with the Spirit of God.

It is for that reason that Paul taught these believers the experience of Pentecost. He knew that they were not equipped to come against the works of Satan, to turn cities and towns around for Jesus and to bring healing and deliverance in the name of Jesus.

How were they changed? By being baptised in the Holy Spirit.

THE BIG FIVE

God expects his Church to be a supernatural church, consisting of supernatural people, empowered by God's Spirit, who daily live a life in the Spirit. Essentially to rule and reign over, what I call, the big five.

God has empowered by His Spirit you to rule and reign over

• Sin in your own life
• Sin in lives of others
• Poverty
• Sickness
• All the power of the devil

What is the evidence of a supernatural church? Having the big five in subjection. What is the evidence of a supernatural believer? Having the big five in subjection.

Follow the following steps:

• Give your life to Jesus
• Get baptised in water
• Get filled with the Spirit
• Live a life in the Spirit by being continually filled every day
• Then start ruling over sin, over poverty, over sickness and over every work of Satan. God has given us that authority - let us exercise it.

REPLACE FAITH WITH FEAR

Many Christians are afraid to operate in the supernatural They are scared of the supernatural. You can only accept this authority and operate in God's power by faith. Yes, the circumstances may look overwhelming, the odds may seem stacked against you. But remember, it is not your power in operation, it is God's power. You are only a vessel which God uses to overcome negative circumstances. "Not by (man's) might, nor by (man's) power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord"

The Church is empowered to set the captives free, but sadly, it finds itself in bondage itself. Believers get into fear when they see sicknesses, when they see people bound by alcohol and drugs as well as many other social problems. But when you live a life in the Spirit, these circumstances will not present themselves as obstacles, but rather as challenges for a supernatural person to confront and to bring into subjection to the Word of God.

God wants to use you for greater things - so break out, step out and move out into the supernatural realm and be a world shaker!

If sickness is holding you back, rule over that in the name of Jesus. If poverty is holding you back, rule over that! Do it by faith - remember, the demons are subject to those who are empowered by the Spirit of God.

BE READY FOR DIVISION

A supernatural person will cause division. A supernatural person will have enemies. Jesus said, if everybody likes you, you are probably a false prophet. When you start living a life in the Spirit, operating in the supernatural, the devil will stir up people against you to contradict you, to ridicule you or openly oppose you.

When God moves, he divides the things of the enemy from the things of God. A supernatural person knows that darkness and light cannot mix - it must be divided. Flesh and Spirit cannot mix - it must be divided. Love of the world and love for God cannot mix - it must be divided.

Jesus himself told us that no man can serve two masters - either he will love one and hate the other. Many believers live far below their potential because of compromise with worldly standards and opinions. The Word tells us the friendship with the world is enmity with God. Jesus tells us in the book of revelation that believers in the last days will have a form of godliness but denying the power - ie: a rejection of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1 v 8 tells us that we receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon us, so that we can become witnesses for Jesus.

We see the problems Paul encountered by being a powerful witness for Jesus. He was jailed, mocked, stoned, hounded by the Jews from city to city. He brought division between the true lovers of God and religion. He was called a plaque, the creator of division and a "pesky fellow ." In other words, he became a real pest! However, that did not stop him from turning the entire world around for Jesus!

So don’t think all your friends and family will applaud you when you tell them you saw an angel, or that you speak in tongues, or that you were healed of cancer. They may even reject you. You may now have new enemies.

That's the life of a supernatural person - doing supernatural things - turning their world upside down for Jesus.

EXPERIENCES ARE CAUGHT - NOT TAUGHT

Experiences, whether godly or ungodly are caught and not taught. If you wish to grow more powerful in the things of God, then mix with supernatural people, because the experiences are contagious. (Like laughing, weeping, etc.) Many times these experiences are caught.

For example, if you have a desire to be used by God for supernatural healings, mix with people who pray for the sick. If you want to experience a greater measure of joy, mix with happy people. You will never be greater than those with whom you associate.

CONCLUSION

In summary:

• The salvation experience is not enough
• Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and receive power
• Speak in tongues
• Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit
• Start exercising your authority over the big five
• Turn your world around for Jesus!!
• Be a world shaker!!