AVBC - Dads and Grads Sunday - 06/21/26 - Sermon Title: “A Miracle Turned into a Movement” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 6 of 6) – Acts 2:42-47, Acts 9

 Sunday 06/21/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “A Miracle Turned into a Movement” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 6 of 6) – (Father’s Day) - Acts 2:42-47, Acts 9    

(Cover Picture – Dads and Grads Sunday)

          For the last five-weeks we have been walking together through our sermon series, called “The Power of Transformation.” In this sermon series thus far, we have talked about “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” “New Life, New Creation,” “The Battle of the Mind,” “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” and last Sunday, “Putting on the New Self.” When we come to Christ, as Lord as Savior, we are changed, and we are “transformed.” Even so, there times in our lives where we may feel “stuck in a cocoon.” There are also times in our lives of faith, where we will experience “New Life, New Creation.” There are times in our lives of faith where we will struggle with “The Battle of the Mind,” as we sometimes can get stuck in our own heads. As we live the life of faith, we draw upon the Holy Spirit, through “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” and as we grow closer to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to “Put on the New Self.”

          Brothers and sisters, there is nothing more powerful than a changed life, nothing more powerful than a changed mind, nothing more powerful than a changed church, or a changed community. In this final installment of this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series, this morning, I want to discuss, briefly, “A Miracle Turned into a Movement.” If the goal of the Christian faith is to know Christ, to be changed by Christ, to follow Christ, and to continue to become more like Christ, then the question I want us to consider this morning is this, who is eligible to be a Christian? Who is allowed to be a follower of Jesus, who is allowed to be in this church, and who can accept and receive salvation in Jesus Christ? Who gets to continue to pursue Jesus, and who gets to continue to grow in grace and holiness, to be more and more like Jesus?

          The answer to all of these my friends, is every single person on this earth. Every person in Adams, every person in Jefferson County, every person in New York State, every person in the United States of America, and every person in the world. For we are all loved and created by God, and Jesus died for us all, no exceptions. We all have a share in the grace, the hope, the mercy, the power, and the transformation through Jesus Christ, if we but turn to Him.

          What some of us might not know though is that in the first 15-20-years of the Christian faith, the faith was not open to everyone. In fact, the first Christians were not even called “Christian.” The first followers of Jesus were called “The Way,” The first Christians were in Jerusalem or within miles of Jerusalem, and they were a sect of sorts of the Jewish people. They believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but “The Way,” the first believers of Jesus were all converts or persons within Judaism. The idea that Jesus was for everyone was not yet a universal belief.

          In our reading this morning from Acts 2:42-47 we have a scene in the early Christian movement. The world “Christian” itself was coined in the ancient city of Antioch, in Syria, as an insult for these “Christ followers.” Followers of Jesus Christ, or “Christians,” as we are now called as followers of Jesus. During the Jewish Passover celebration in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit moved on the day of Pentecost, the disciples spoke in various tongues our languages of the people below that came for Passover celebration. The Apostle Peter comes down from the Upper Room, preaches a sermon for the books, and about three-thousand people come to Christ.

(Acts 2:42-47- Picture)

          In our reading from Acts 2:42-47, we have this scene from the early church, where the first followers of Jesus. This is what Acts 2:42-47 says once again:

“⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42, RSV).

Life among the Believers

“⁴³ And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:43-47, RSV).

These first followers of Jesus, or “The Way,” once again, dedicated themselves the teachings of Jesus’s original disciples or apostles, prayed together, broke bread together, and fellowshipped together. What about the rest of us though?

(Acts 2:42 Bullet Points- Picture)

          How than can the movement of following Jesus Christ, or “The Way,” becoming something for the entire world? Enter in the “Conversion of Saul of Tarsus.” Instead of reading all the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, or first called followers Jesus Christ chapter 9, let me summarize it for you:

(Conversion of Saul of Tarsus- Picture)

Acts Chapter 9 details the dramatic conversion of Saul from a fierce persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle and showcases two miraculous healings by Peter. It is a pivotal turning point where the Christian gospel begins to expand rapidly.

1. Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus (Verses 1-19)

·         The Encounter: Saul, armed with authority to arrest Christians, travels to Damascus. A blinding heavenly light flashes, and he hears the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

(Acts 9:4 – “Saul Why Are You Persecuting Me?” – Picture)

·         The Blindness: Saul is struck blind and led into Damascus, where he fasts and prays for three days.

·         Ananias's Obedience: God sends a disciple named Ananias to restore Saul's sight. Though initially fearful, Ananias obeys, lays hands on Saul, and the "scales" fall from Saul's eyes. Saul is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Saul's Early Preaching and Escape (Verses 19-30)

·         Preaching in Damascus: Saul immediately begins boldly preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, stunning the Jewish community.

·         The Escape: When Jewish leaders plot to kill him, his followers lower him over the city wall in a basket at night.

·         Jerusalem Welcome: Upon arriving in Jerusalem, disciples are initially afraid of him. Barnabas vouches for Saul, allowing him to be accepted and preach boldly in the city.

3. Peter's Miracles in Lydda and Joppa (Verses 31-43)

·         Aeneas Healed: In Lydda, Peter heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas, leading many in the region to turn to the Lord.

·         Tabitha Resurrected: In Joppa, a faithful disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas) dies. Peter prays and commands her to rise, bringing her back to life. This major miracle results in widespread belief across Joppa

(https://www.google.com/search?q=%E2%80%9CA+Miracle+Turned+into+a+Movement).

 

So, the first Christians or “The Way” which were converted Jews, a new movement in Judaism, is now potentially a movement for the whole world. In fact, the first big church conference or debate was called the “Jerusalem Conference,” because the Jewish religious leader Saul of Tarsus, who is now the Christian leader called the Apostle Paul, believes all people, including non-Jews should be able to be followers of Jesus Christ. So here is what the “Jerusalem Conference” is:

(Jerusalem Conference – Picture)   

The Council of Jerusalem (circa 48–50 AD), recorded in Acts 15, was a pivotal meeting of early Christian leaders. It resolved a massive theological dispute: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses to be saved.

 

The council concluded that salvation is by grace through faith, and that Gentiles should not be burdened with the Jewish Law. To maintain peace and fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, they issued the Apostolic Decree, requesting that Gentiles avoid specific practices associated with paganism.

 

The Core Debates

·         The Problem: Certain Jewish Christians (from the Pharisee sect) traveled to Antioch teaching that Gentiles must strictly follow the Mosaic Law, specifically circumcision, to achieve salvation.

·         The Defense: Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against this. Peter also spoke up, referencing his earlier vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on uncircumcised Gentiles (the household of Cornelius), proving God accepts them by faith.

·         The Decision: James, the brother of Jesus and a central leader in Jerusalem, proposed a middle path: do not make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God, but provide behavioral guidelines to allow both groups to coexist and share meals.

(https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ec2bff8bd1e2ef21&sxsrf=ANbL-n6GoDiZ2Pf7EGHNI9_olVyJpXyJpA%3A1781625377219&q=jerusalem+conference+acts).

 

          As a result, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who them became the Apostle Paul, and the Jerusalem Conference, the whole world can be part of the Christian faith. Are we willing to offer this hope and love to world that desperately needs now more than ever?

(The Transforming Power of Christ – Picture)

          Through this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series, we have discussed ways that we can we struggle or experience set backs in our lives, but we have also heard about the hope we have in Jesus, through each other, through great churches like this, through people who changing the world, and through the fact that Jesus loves everyone! We live this thing called faith and live out together. The Apostle Paul then, who was Saul or Tarsus, hate filled and a persecutor of the Christians experienced “The Power of Transformation.” He had times where he was stuck, where he was furthered transformed, times where he was stuck in his own head, times where he experienced the Holy Spirit, and was part of a “A Miracle Turned into a Movement.” The same Apostle Paul who said that he was the “chief of all sinners.” Nearly two thousand years later, we are part of the biggest faith in the entire world, a faith open to everyone, and faith that calls us into “The Power of Transformation.”

          We are going to fail sometimes, we are going to fall short sometimes, but we have the greatest gift that the world has ever been given, named Jesus. As we continue to grow in faith individually, and as a church, it is my hope and prayer that we continue experience “The Power of Transformation,” as we draw closer to Christ and to each other. For brothers and sisters, this is why Jesus came, and why were not meant to just exist, but to Thrive through Jesus Christ. Amen.

AVBC - Sunday - 06/14/26 - Sermon Title: “Putting On the New Self” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 5 of 6) – Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10

Sunday 06/14/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Putting On the New Self” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 5 of 6) – Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10     

(Cover Picture – Put On The New Self)

          This morning, we are continuing our six-week “The Power of Transformation” sermon series. So far in this sermon series, we have talked about “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” “New Life, New Creation,” “The Battle of the Mind,” and “The Spirit’s Work in Us.” Beyond repenting of our sin, guilt, and shame and coming to Christ as Lord and Savior, the goal of the Christian faith is become more and more like Jesus. This “sanctification,” is the process of becoming holier and more righteous, so that we, as I said, become more and more like Jesus.

          The day we meet Jesus, begin to follow Jesus, as well as the day that we get baptized are great days, and are powerful spiritual experiences. Yet, the journey with Christ and each other on this earth continues, as we all are called to seek “The Power of Transformation.” Sometimes in our lives, when get stuck in “cocoons” or struggles in our lives, which can hold us back from becoming more like Jesus. We then might have times in our lives where we feel the fullness of “New Life, New Creation” through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we can get stuck in our own head or have “The Battle of the Mind” that I discussed a couple of weeks ago. Last Sunday, I talked about the importance of the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God, and work of the Spirit in us. The power of God and the person of God that moves in us, in our lives, and in the church. The power of God that fills us, gives us hope, mercy, love, grace, and power.

(Butterfly Cocoon – Picture)

          In this fifth sermon in this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series, I want to discuss “Putting On the New Self.” You see like caterpillar that goes into a cocoon and comes out as a butterfly, as I discussed on the first week of this sermon series, we are called to continue to change. I am called to continue to change, so that I might be more and more like Jesus Christ. In doing so, things in us that are not good or not Godly will continue to be shed and removed from us. Remember faith in Christ is a free gift, but becoming like Jesus, or “sanctification,” is the journey of a lifetime. This morning, therefore, I want to talk about “Putting On the New Self.” Now it is no secret that we have had some heat and humidity this past week! Has anyone else noticed the heat and the humidity this week? Of course, I still think that it is much better than the winter, but we have had a lot of humidity and heat this week. In fact, did anyone go out this week to mow, to do lawn or garden work, or something else, and after you felt hot, sweaty, and funky?

          Sometimes people come from working outside, and we sometimes have that blade of grass on our four heads that got there somehow. Maybe we then take a shower, and put on some fresh clothes, as does it not feel so great when we are hot, sticky, and want to be refreshed? In a similar way when we come in clean and up and change into fresh clothes we are “Putting On the New Self.” For some of us it could be that we were out shoveling snow in the cold of winter and then we came in and wrapped ourselves in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. That feeling of being warm when you are so cold. What is it like to “Put On the New Self.” There is nothing like feeling refreshed, feeling clean, and feeling made new!

          For those that lovingly like to pick on me for my sermon series and sermon titles being planned months in advance, sometimes God has a plan that we do not know. For me, often, in fact! You see, this “The Power of Transformation” sermon series was picked out like 3-4 months ago. When I picked this sermon series out through the Holy Spirit, I had no idea that I would be baptizing two people on Sunday June 14^th. Why is this significant and Holy Spirit filled? Well because my message this morning is called, once again, “Putting On the New Self.” When we are baptized, we go into the water, and we spiritually die to ourselves. We die to our sin, our brokenness, our guilt, and our shame. We spiritually die with Christ, and then we come up out the water as a new creation. We spiritually die with Christ, and we spiritually rise with Christ. Or to say it another way, as our baptism robes signify, we are “Putting On the New Self.” White is the color of purity, and the white robes of baptism therefore signify “Putting On the New Self.” Yet we also do this when we come to Christ, and hopefully we strive to do this every single day of our lives here on earth.

          Another amazing Holy Spirit thing is this: when I googled pictures entitled “Putting On the New Self” this is one of the first pictures that came up:

(Jesus Putting a Baptism Robe On A Man- Picture)  

This picture is a powerful depiction of putting on our new selves in Jesus Christ. You can see the humility, the emotion, and gratitude in this man’s face, as Jesus puts the “new self” of righteousness, holiness, mercy, and hope on this new creation of a man. I was so moved by this picture in fact, that I have a copy of this for both people getting baptized this morning. This is a reminder that in the waters of baptism, and in general, we are called to “Put On the New Self” in Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

          As we continue to grow in our faith, as Christians, and as people, where do we need in our live to “Put On the New Self?” How can we trust God more, and embrace the love of Jesus even more than we do right now? Further, what would it be like to surrender our worries, our struggles, our hopes, our fears, etc. at the feet of Jesus Christ our Lord? The goal the Christian faith to live like and become like Jesus Christ. I’m getting there, myself brothers and sisters, but I am far from all the way there completely. We are called to “Put On the New Self.”

(Ephesians 4:22-24 – Jesus’ Hand - Picture)

          In our reading for this morning from the Apostle Paul’s letter or Epistle to the church in Ephesus or the Ephesians, he says in 4:22-24, once again, this:

²² Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24, RSV).

How many of us, if we are honest, still have more to put off? How many of us, if we are honest, still have more righteousness and holiness to put on? Our journeys of faith, our journeys with Christ should continue to help us to “Put On the New Self.” Jesus reaches out to us. God loves us, and the Holy Spirit fills us and guides us. Our faith, our lives, were designed to be lived out together. We are a church that seeks Christ and we are all welcome on this journey!

(Ephesians 4:24 – Picture)

We are called to be like God, to be righteous and holy, even if we all still have work to do.

(Colossians 3:9-10 – God and Devil – Picture)

          In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s letter or epistle to the church in Colossae or Colossians, we hear this, once again in 3:9-10:

⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Col. 3:9-10, RSV).

If you are not perfect yet, guess what, neither am I, but every day let us strive to love more, care more, forgive more, and to be more like Jesus. Today we will have two people symbolically “Putting On the New Self” in the waters of baptism, two people “Putting On the New Self” in joining this church but may we all strive to get just a little closer. As we do, we will change for the better, and the world around us will get just a little bit better.

          How do we then take the idea of “Putting On the New Self” in our lives and in the world so that we might continue to pursue the “The Power of Transformation”? Here are some ideas and application points for us to consider this morning:

Putting on the new self in Christ is a transformative spiritual journey based on the Apostle Paul's teachings in the Bible. It requires intentionally shedding old, sinful habits and actively embracing a Christ-like life of righteousness, compassion, and truth.

 

 

The Concept

Rooted in Ephesians 4:22-24, this concept uses the metaphor of changing your clothes.

·         Put Off the Old Self: Discarding your former, destructive way of living that is driven by deceitful desires.

·         Be Renewed: Allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and perspective.

·         Put On the New Self: Actively clothing yourself in virtues modeled after God’s own character.

Practical Examples

The transformation isn't just about avoiding bad behavior; it’s about replacing negative habits with positive, Godly actions.

 

 

·         Speak Truth, Not Lies: Ephesians 4:25 calls believers to discard falsehoods and speak truthfully to one another.

·         Share, Don't Steal: Ephesians 4:28 encourages doing honest work so you can help those in need.

·         Build Up, Don't Tear Down: Ephesians 4:29 instructs believers to avoid foul language and only use words that encourage others.

·         Be Compassionate, Not Bitter: Ephesians 4:31-32 commands the removal of malice and anger, replacing it with kindness and forgiveness.

 

 

How to Live It Daily

The new self is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. You can begin putting on the new self by focusing on daily practices like:

 

·         Immersing in Scripture: Reading the Bible to understand the teachings of Jesus.

·         Prayer: Surrendering your daily struggles and seeking God's guidance.

·         Fellowship: Surrounding yourself with a supportive church community to grow in faith together.

 

So, it is true that I pick out sermon titles and sermon series months in advance, but this morning with two baptisms and two new church membership we are hoping that not only these folks, but all of us will “Put On the New Self.” We can then say, we are not who were, we are more like Jesus. Then we can say this over and over again, knowing we will fall and that we will fail. Yet we keep striving and keep getting closer for this is “The Power of Transformation,” and this is “Putting On the New Self.” Amen.

(Baptism Water – Picture)

AVBC - Communion Sunday - 06/07/26 - Sermon Title: “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 4 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 3:18, Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:22-23

 Sunday 06/07/26 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation” Sermon Series – (Part 4 of 6) – 2 Corinthians 3:18, Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:22-23

(Cover Picture – How The Spirit Comforts Us)

          This morning, we are continuing our six-week “The Power of Transformation” sermon series. So far in this sermon series, we have talked about “When You’re Stuck in the Cocoon,” “New Life, New Creation,” and the “The Battle of the Mind.” If we want to become more and more like Jesus, so that we can experience more “The Power of Transformation” through the Holy spirit, then we must tear down and remove everything that separates us from God, through Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As I asked last Sunday then, what is holding us back from being more and more like Jesus? If we desire to be more like Jesus, which I hope we do, how do we get there? Beyond just loving Jesus, and believing in Jesus, how do we move forward and grow our faith, grow our impact in this church, in this community, and in this the world? I do not know about you, but I want to be ever more like Jesus, as the goal of the Christian faith is for us to become completely like Jesus. The more we are like Jesus, the more holy we are, the more righteous we are, the more loving, the more kind we are, etc. When we chose kindness, when we choose love, when we chose forgiveness, we are being like Jesus.

          You see, Jesus took and still takes broken people and makes them whole. Coming to Christ, being changed by Christ is the beginning of “The Power of Transformation,” but how do we continue this process? Despite getting stuck in the cocoons of life, or “The Battle of the Mind,” of what we tell ourselves and believe that is often not true, how do continue to grow and move forward? The answer to my friends is the Holy Spirit. Historically Christians have believed in the Trinity, which is God in three persons, or three persons in one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In fact, the vast majority of Christian churches, like ours, do baptisms in “the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The God who creates, the Son, who saves, and the Spirit who fills us. So, if God creates, if Jesus came to earth be with us, to teach us, to love us, and to die for us, then who is the Holy Spirit? A good definition of the Holy Spirit, the third person of God is this:

In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is the third person of the Holy Trinity—co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. He represents the active, invisible, and personal presence of God in the world and within believers (https://www.google.com/search?q=holy+spirit+definition).

          What are some names for the Holy Spirit in the Bible? Here are forty of them:

Primary Proper Names & Titles

• The Holy Spirit: The most frequent title, emphasizing His divine nature.
• The Spirit: Used broadly throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
• The Spirit of God: Found in Genesis to signify His role in creation.
• The Spirit of the Lord: Indicates His authority and divine presence.
• The Comforter/Counselor: Translations of the Greek parakletos (Advocate) who guides and comforts believers.

Titles Based on His Divine Attributes

• The Eternal Spirit: Denotes His timeless, uncreated nature.
• The Spirit of Truth: Guides into all truth and reveals reality.
• The Spirit of Holiness: Emphasizes His moral perfection and role in sanctification.
• The Spirit of Life: The source of spiritual and eternal life.
• The Spirit of Grace: Dispenser of God's unmerited favor and mercy.
• The Spirit of Glory: Reveals the glory of God and rests upon believers.
• The Spirit of Wisdom: Grants divine insight and understanding.
• The Spirit of Knowledge: Fills with the knowledge of God's will.
• The Spirit of Understanding: Gives clarity and spiritual perception.
• The Spirit of Counsel: Guides in making wise and righteous decisions.
• The Spirit of Might/Power: Empowers believers with strength.
• The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord: Inspires reverence and awe toward God.

Titles Highlighting Relationship & Ministry

• The Spirit of Christ: Shared by Christ to indwell believers.
• The Spirit of Jesus/The Spirit of Jesus Christ: Connects the Spirit directly to the Son.
• The Spirit of the Father: Sent by the Father to dwell in His children.
• The Spirit of Adoption: Confirms a believer's place in God's family.
• The Spirit of Promise: Represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Spirit.
• The Spirit of Prophecy: Inspires divine revelation and prophetic utterance.
• The Spirit of Revelation: Unveils spiritual truths to the mind.
• The Spirit of Supplication/Prayer: Helps and leads believers in prayer.
• The Spirit of Judgment: Executes righteous discernment and justice.
• The Spirit of Burning/Fire: Represents His purifying and refining work.

Additional Biblical Designations

• The Breath of the Almighty: Reflects His creative and life-giving power.
• The Good Spirit: Highlights His inherent benevolence.
• The Free Spirit: Symbolizes liberty and willingness.
• The Power of the Highest: Represents the supreme, unmatched power of God.
• The Seven Spirits of God: Symbolizes the Holy Spirit's perfect and complete nature. (https://www.google.com/search?newwindow)

With this all said, I have read how the Holy Spirit is described, explained, and named in over one-hundred different ways in the Bible. Further the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God is in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. If the Holy Spirit is the person of God that we feel that dwells in us, leads us, and convicts us, then here is a good question to consider for this morning, “What Is the Role of The Holy Spirit in Our Lives Today?”

(What Is the Role of The Holy Spirit in Our Lives Today?- Picture)  

          I have felt the presence of God on many occasions in my life. I have the presence of God, when I hear the choir sing, when I hear Janna play the organ. The other day in fact, I came in from the Session or Fellowship Room into the sanctuary, and I thought that Janna was at the organ about to play. You see the organ was all illuminated with light, and I thought that Janna was there. Sometimes at a certain time of the day the light from the outside comes in through the stained-glass window next to the organ. When this happens it literally looks like the light on the top of the organ is on, everything things is illuminated, and that the organ is about to be played. As weird as it might sound, when I come into the sanctuary now, when I see the church organ all illuminated by the light of the stained-glass window, I think of organ music. I feel blessed by this, and I feel joy, hope, and peace of good. Sometimes I also think, “Oh no, am I about to interrupt Janna!?”

          When we had four baptisms last month on Sunday May 10^th, I felt the presence of God, of the Holy Spirit in powerful ways. Seeing the joy, hearing a dynamic testimony of faith, hope, and “The Power of Transformation” in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. I remember when Steve and Betsy Robinson came back, and Steve got up in front of this church, and gave a great testimony. Steve talked what God had done in him, his life, and in his family. “The Power of Transformation,” through the Holy Spirit. Feeling God, the hope, the peace, the joy. This, my friends, is the Holy Spirit.

          Where have you felt God’s presence then? Where have you felt the power of the “Holy Spirit?” Sometimes I feel this when I am praying, or as the church is singing, or the laughter and joy of our children. I feel this when someone new comes to the church and they tell us that felt loved here, that they felt hope and mercy here. When they tell us that the joy of Jesus Christ is here. Where have we felt the hope, the love, and the power of God? Friends, the fuel that grows a church, the fuel that grows our faith, which fills us, that guides us, and that leads us, is the Holy Spirit. So, what are the attributes once again of the Holy Spirit?

(Holy Spirit – Names - Picture)

Here are some of those attributes. Where have we felt the power of God, of the Holy Spirit? For “The Spirit’s Work in Us” is central to “The Power of Transformation” through Jesus Christ. This is another reason why our bulletin now says Sharing of Joys, Praise Reports, Concerns. Why? Praise Reports are area where we see God at work. These are areas where the Holy Spirit is clearly moving.

(2 Corinthians 3:18 – Flowers – Picture)

          For as we see and hear, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 once again, this:

¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18, RSV).

 

God’s love, God’s hope, mercy, and joy, is available to us, as the scripture says: “from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Our experiences with God, us feeling God’s presence, is central to “The Power of Transformation” in our lives. As the flower changes and grows, so do we!

          In our scripture this morning from Titus 3:5 the Apostle Paul tells us this:

(Titus 3:5– Mountains – Picture)

⁵ he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,         (Titus 3:5, RSV).

 

          The Spirit of God moves is us, washes us clean, and renews us. It could be you a listening to Christian song, and suddenly you find yourself singing along, that is the Holy Spirit. The joy of God that you feel when a new baby is born, when someone celebrates a success or a victory. The peace that you might feel “that passes all understanding” in times of trials and hardship. That grace that leads you, even when you feel stuck or uncertain. “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” in “The Power of Transformation,” and the evidence of the power and the hope of God. This makes our faith go from beyond the mental, beyond the intellectual, to a felt, and a lived experience. We do not just consider and think about God, we feel and grow closer to God. It is one thing to think about and discuss God, but what happens, when you feel God?

          The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia, or the Galatians, says in 5:22-23 for this morning, this, once again:

(Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit – Picture)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law                      (Gal. 5:22-23, RSV).

 

          Where have the felt the presence of God, or felt or seen the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Have we felt the hope, love, and kindness of God in this place? Have we felt it this morning? When was the last time we felt God, felt the Holy Spirit? When is the last time drew closer to Jesus? For “The Spirit’s Work in Us” – “The Power of Transformation.” I still remember the Sunday that I felt God telling me during our Joys and Concerns to go down to the back the church, anoint Chyme Lane with oil and to pray for him. I told people they could lay hands on him, or that they could hold a hand up to call upon the Spirit of God. I felt the presence of God when we prayed. To know God, to pursue God, to know Jesus, to pursue Jesus, goes from heart to the heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. Seeing people change and being transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. For example, of some interrupts this service because God is moving, then sometimes we grow closer to God.

          We hear this in the Book of or the Prophet of Ezekiel 36:26-27 in the Old Testament

(Ezekiel 36:26– Heart - Picture)

²⁶ A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances (Ezek. 36:26-27, RSV).

 

When we draw closer to God, we become more like God. When we seek the Spirit of God, and when the Holy Spirit fill us, it changes us, and changes us, and changes us some more. As we continue to seek “The Power of Transformation,” through “The Spirit’s Work in Us,” may continue to tear down strongholds, continue to draw closer to Christ, as we will continue to be transformed.

          While “Salvation” then, or forgiveness, eternity, and heaven, are free gifts through Jesus Christ, becoming like Jesus or “Sanctification” is the life-long process of becoming holy and righteous like Jesus Christ. Here is a good quote for this to make more sense:

(Sanctification Quote – Picture)

In this way, brothers and sisters, friends, we are becoming, our faith is growing, as we pursue Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

          Another good quote that I found about being centered on Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is this:

(Sanctification Quote – Picture)

          If we are centered on Christ, on Jesus, the Holy Spirit is present to guide us and lead us. The Holy Spirit grows and forms deeper faith in Christ within us. This process occurs throughout our lives during the good times, the hard times, and in general.

          To wrap this all up with how this sermon called “The Spirit’s Work in Us” can be applied to our lives let us look at some application points. This way this sermon can walk with us out of the sanctuary into Adams, and the world, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can continue to be transformed:

The Holy Spirit works within us to transform our character, empower our spiritual growth, and guide our daily lives. His active presence produces Christ-like virtues, directs our conscience, and equips us to serve others while deepening our relationship with God.

 

The indwelling power of the Spirit manifests in several key-ways:

·         Producing the Fruit of the Spirit: The Spirit naturally cultivates inward transformation, replacing old habits with "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control".

·         Transforming Our Mind: He renews our perspective, convicts us of sin to keep our hearts sensitive to God, and illuminates Scripture so we can apply spiritual truths to our daily lives.

·         Empowering and Gifting: The Spirit provides specific abilities and spiritual gifts to every believer so we can serve our communities and share God's grace.

·         Guiding Our Conscience: He acts as an inner guide, giving us peace about decisions or gently nudging us to take righteous action.

·         Bringing Assurance: He assures us of our salvation, reminding us that we are securely connected to Christ.

The Holy Spirit’s work in us is a deeply transformative, internal process. Rather than just dictating rules, the Spirit actively changes our desires and character, guiding our thoughts, comforting us in trials, and ultimately molding us into the likeness of Christ.

This internal work primarily unfolds in four distinct ways:

·         Transformation of Character: The Spirit produces the "fruit of the Spirit" within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This goes beyond mere behavioral changes and alters our fundamental desires.

·         Conviction and Comfort: The Spirit convicts us of sin to lead us toward repentance, but simultaneously provides a deep, supernatural inner peace and assurance that we are God’s children, even in the midst of chaos.

·         Guidance and Illumination: The Spirit brings the truths of Scripture to life, helping us navigate moral choices and understand God's will on a daily basis.

·         Empowerment for Service: The Spirit equips us with specific spiritual gifts to encourage others, build up the church, and live out our faith boldly (https://www.google.com/search?q=the+importance+of+the+holy+spirit&oq=the+importance+of+the+holy+spirit).

Brothers and sisters, if we want to experience “The Power of Transformation” in Jesus Christ, then it is important that “The Spirit’s Work in Us” is powerful and consistent! Amen.