Mark & Joanne Mackey with Dr. Valdamir Degtyaryo:
Missionaries to the Ukraine
Sermon Notes
- Please turn to Acts 6:1, pg. 614
- Mission to the Neighborhood
- In John Pollocks biography of the great evangelist, DL Moody.
in 1872 near Dublin, The morning after an all-night prayer meeting, two men strolled around the grounds of the mansion where the meeting had been held, Varley uttered a brief but thought-provoking statement to Moody. This is how Moody recorded it in one of his diaries: “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” . . . A man! Varley meant any man. Varley didn’t say he had to be educated, or brilliant, or anything else. Just a man. Well, by the Holy Spirit in me I’ll be that man.”
“Full of…”
- READ Text & Pray
- CONTEXT -Last week “If it is of God” It grows, heals it’s opposed & it Speaks the word of life
- Growth brings problems- Real life, drama, etc.
- We see some partiality being played out with a different class so the disciples anoint 7 men to serve so the peace may be kept.
- Luke begins to focus on a man named Stephen.
1. Full of the Spirit, vs. 3, 5 (notice it only describes Stephen), vs. 10
SLIDE – In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
- Ephesians 5:18, filled with the spirit
- Luke 4:1, And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
- It’s not what you think…
- Address the hardships of “walking ing the spirit”
- I have yet to meet a man who has not struggled
May you & our church be Full of the Spirit.
2. Full of Faith (vs. 5)
SLIDE- In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Luke 17:5, Disciples, “Lord increase our faith.”
- In the economy of God, your faith is more important than your comfort.
SLIDE- “The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is faith. It is the gift that makes all other gifts possible. This gift not only liberates a person to respond to the gospel, but frees him to dare to believe that all things are possible through Christ.” Lloyd Ogilvie, Drumbeat of Love
- Also calls it “audacious faith.” Trust & Obey
- Cafeteria proclamations.
- Not saying if you are filled with faith you will do what I did, or Stephen, but you, uniquely created in the image of God, equipped with Gifts given to you by the Spirit & filled with faith.
May this church be of the Spirit & faith
3. Full of Grace vs. 8
- Grace: Unmerited favor.
SLIDE And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
SLIDE– Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
- God’s throne is a throne of unmerited favor
- It’s not that God tolerates us, it’s favor. Not just acceptance, it’s a “happy to see you.”
- Ever been in a room with people you know, kinda. Acquaintances at best, and then a good friend walks in the room? Or your spouse?
- I like you guys but when my family walks in… Favor. Especially my wife… Now that’s favor.
- Do you really believe God thinks that way about you?
- Walk in the room he is genuinely excited to see you?
- Or have you given into the Christianity that says “he has to accept me because of Jesus but there is no way he is excited to see me. He knows what I’ve done, He knows what I did this week. Aint no way he is excited about me…”
- Here’s a secret. It’s not based on your actions, it’s based on someone else and thankfully, the Father really, really, really, likes that guy. In fact, he is pleased with him eternally.
- What does it mean to “full of Grace”? It’s to take your experience of Gods Grace and extend that Grace to others! With Both Christians and non christians alike.
May you & church be full of the Spirit, faith, Grace & power
4. Full of Wisdom (vs. 3 & 10)
SLIDE- And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
- As we begin to ask for a filling of the Holy Spirit, full of Faith & Grace, there a wisdom that follows. Jesus became for us, wisdom. We only need to be in Him.
- Not just facts or information but Discernment. A keen insight into life and decisions.
- To put someone else’s needs before your own, you then begin to discern what could be best for them rather than just the first thought that you say.
- This applies to social media AND politics.
- There is a wisdom that comes with salvation and there is a distinct gift of Wisdom.
- So how can we be full of Wisdom? We Pray…
SLIDE- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
May this church be full! Full of the Spirit, faith, Grace & wisdom.
5. Full of Power (vs. 8)
SLIDE- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
It is not what we would normally define power as. It’s true biblical power. It can’t be bought or sold, only experienced by Grace & faith with Wisdom we see the power of God. It comes with authority in the spiritual realm, and can be followed by great wonders and signs. This can be a physical healing, salvation, or even having integrity against all odds. These are all great wonders and signs.
May this church be full! Full of Him, the Spirit & full of it, faith, Grace, wisdom & Power
Conclusion
“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” . . . A man! Varley meant any man. Varley didn’t say he had to be educated, or brilliant, or anything else. Just a man. Well, by the Holy Spirit in me I’ll be that man
Henry Varley’s words became indelibly fixed in Dwight Moody’s heart and mind and were a tremendous motivation for the gifted American evangelist’s final quarter century of ministry. A short while after his walk with Varley, Moody was further impressed by the need to be completely obedient to the Lord:
Back in London , in the gallery of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Varley’s remark and Spurgeon’s preaching focused Moody’s attention on “something I had never realized before. It was not Spurgeon who was doing the work: it was God. And if God could use Spurgeon, why should He not use me?” (Invite band up)
- That is the question… Why should he not use you, me, us, Goleta Valley Church?
- May we be fully and wholly His.. filled with the Spirit, Faith, Grace, Wisdom & Power,
- When we do may God grant us, like Stephen, faces that shine like an angel to His Glory and our joy!!!
- READ vs. 15
Sermon Slides
