Filled with the Spirit
Muskoka Lakes Ministry of Knox, Port Carling & Zion, Torrance
Sunday Oct 24, 2021
Message: Filled with the Spirit
Reverend Glynis Faith
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Announcements
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* Monday evening 7pm via Zoom ~ ‘The Story’ study group meets
* Thursday evening 7:30 pm via Zoom ~ the Bible study group meets
* Thursday 2pm ~ Zion Session meets in Torrance
* Beginning Sunday November 7, 2021 we will be returning to the winter worship schedule for the months of November through to April. The weekly service will begin at 10:30 a.m. November services will be at Port Carling, December services in Torrance, January services in Port Carling . . . and you get the picture.
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Prayer of Intercession
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Loving God, as a community of believers we bring our prayers of intercession before You today.
We pray for one another, for our church families, our communities, and our loved ones.
We pray for those who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of each day, for those adapting to new ways of living, and for all who are seeking Your guidance for their lives.
We pray for all who are ill, for those close to death, and for the people who are caring for their needs.
We pray for those who are grieving.
We pray for people living in areas of war, for those who are persecuted for their faith, for families displaced and seeking safety, for individuals and families forever impacted by hatred and violence.
Lord, we pray for that promised day, when you will wipe away all the tears, when there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. We pray for the day when you will ‘make all things new.’
In the Name of Jesus we offer up these prayers. AMEN
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Prayer of Intercession & The Lord’s Prayer
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Father God, we thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Grant us hearts that know the depth of Your love and the wisdom to live our lives expressing our appreciation.
Jesus, we praise you for showing us the love of God through Your life, death and resurrection. We thank your for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us in knowing and living God’s will. May our words and actions reflect Your love and grace into the world around us, that Your Name may be glorified and Your Church strengthened in its mission.
Holy Spirit, when we welcome You into our heart and choose to walk in Your ways, You fill us with love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. When we seek and listen, You guide us and strengthen us. Spirit of God we thank you.
Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Your presence now as we repeat the prayer Jesus taught us saying: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN
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“ Filled with the Holy Spirit ”
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These past 28 weeks we have been travelling through God’s Word using ‘The
Story.’
In the Old Testament we are introduced to the One Whom the Bible is about – God. In the opening chapter we are introduced to the Triune God (Genesis 1:1-3a, 26)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,
God’s people, however, would not have interpreted Genesis 1 to indicate God as Triune. The Israelites focused on God as one, noting Deut 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

It would take the birth of God’s Word – Immanuel – God with us – Jesus the Messiah and the accounts of the Gospel writers, along with the dramatic appearance of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the words and activities of those filled with the Spirit for the early church to begin to understand the fulness of God.

We have travelled through the Old Testament, observing that God never gives up on us. God made a promise to Abraham to bless all nations through him and his offspring. Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage back to Abraham.
Over the past 7 weeks we have explored the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, offers His life to bring salvation to all who would call Him Saviour and Lord – to all who will follow Him through life and death and into the resurrection into the eternal presence of God. Through Jesus, the descendant of Abraham, God fulfills His promise to bless all nations. Jesus showed us God in the flesh and He promised to send the Advocate, or Holy Spirit to strengthen, guide and help believers to understand God’s love and His will.
Today we explore chapter 28 in The Story entitled “New Beginnings.” Chapter 28 covers the book of Acts, and it is here where we meet the Holy Spirit in a bold and wonderful way – empowering disciples – spreading the Gospel – growing the church – and changing lives by enabling people to have a personal relationship with God.
*I have provided a copy of Scripture readings for you to follow along today. We are going to walk through the book of Acts together.
Although we call the 5th book of the New Testament ‘Acts,’ the King James Translation calls it “The Acts of the Apostles.” Indeed, it does look at the stories of some of the apostles, but a good read through this book (which, of course, I encourage you to do this week) might suggest it could be best named, “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”
Lets begin with Acts 1:4-5
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Before departing to return to the right hand of God the Father, Jesus gives His followers some direction: wait!
Now, there is a direction we don’t generally like to follow.
So what else does Jesus tell them. Lets look at verse 8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Power, you say! Well, perhaps waiting would not be so bad if the end result was to be power. Let’s see how this turns out. Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Filled with the Holy Spirit – speaking in tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The power promised is the presence of the Holy Spirit, which enables the believer to do all sorts of things. It was through the guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit that the disciples, who once scattered in fear, now boldly proclaimed the Resurrection and faced persecution. By the power of the Holy Spirit the early church was founded by everyday people like you and me.
One of the amazing proofs of the power of the Holy Spirit, is that everyday people like you and I are emboldened.
In the past several months I have been reading up on revivals, and an interesting common variable presents in the revivals I have looked at thus far, and that is a strong belief in, and reliance upon, the Holy Spirit. I have plenty more to read on the revivals, but I am now reading with a hypothesis that revivals are the result of faithful and fervent prayer that calls on and welcomes the Holy Spirit to come in power and awaken God’s people – Christ’s Church. Sadly, we don’t often talk about the Holy Spirit. He gets an honourable mention on Trinity Sunday and, of course, a staring role on Pentecost Sunday, but for the most part we speak of God the Father and Jesus the Son. There are, however, three persons in the Trinity. Let’s look at Acts 2:32
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
God: Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead, and as such has an important role in our relationship with God. The people in Acts are often referred to as being ‘filled with the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at a few more passages from Acts.
2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
11:24 Barnabus was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Repent and be baptized and receive the gift (GIFT) of the Holy Spirit
Peter is filled with the Spirit, and the man who denied Jesus now speaks boldly to the crowds of people.
A crowd of believers gather and pray together, and when they do, they are all filled with the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to speak the Word of God boldly.
Ananais places his hand upon Saul, a man known for the death and incarceration of Christians, and blesses him, and in this bold act, Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit, received his sight back, and dedicates his life to sharing the Gospel.
Peter keeps on speaking the truth of Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes on all who heard it.
Barnabus, a travelling companion of the apostle Paul, is full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and through his belief and actions ‘a great number of people were brought to the Lord.’
Throughout the book of Acts is the power of the Holy Spirit which people receive as a gift and become filled with, but what does this mean? Let’s look at an Old Testament reading and Jesus’ words from John’s Gospel for guidance.
Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD.
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
AND
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
God’s Old Testament promise is to one day put His law in the hearts and minds of His people. The Holy Spirit teaches us – remind us – empowers us.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to know God, to understand Christ’s teachings, to make wise decisions.
The Holy Spirit fills us with the fruits of the Spirit – peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. These gifts are not easily developed in a world filled with chaos, anger, malice, sorrow, frustrations, resentment, hate, disloyalty, betrayal – in a world that often feels out of control. On our own accord, these gifts are not easily lived out, but when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when we ask the Holy Spirit to live within us, to take the reigns to teach and guide us, then – then, my friends we can experience the acts of the Holy Spirit living within us.
It is a great joy to be a Christian – a follower of Christ, but don’t stop there. Don’t just follow Christ, do as he asks you to do. Pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s Church today. Pray that the Spirit will open eyes, ears, and hearts to the undeniable love of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. Pray that hearts will turn to God and lives will be restored. Pray for the gifts of the Spirit to reign in your life – pray for peace, love and joy. Pray for patience, kindness and goodness. Pray for faithfulness and pray for self-control.
If you have not done so already, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.
There are times in life when it is so very hard to pray, but the Spirit has you covered there too. Our last Scripture verse today – Romans 8:26-27 tells us this: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
If you have not done so already, simply pray, come, Holy Spirit, come.
I invite you to join me in this prayer:
Come, Holy Spirt, Come and fill us with Your loving power.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come and teach us how to live at peace.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come and revive Your people.
Spirit, of the Living God, stir us from placidness, wake the church from its slumber, speak to us and blow through us as You did the early church at Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come. AMEN
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Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
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REFRAIN:
Spirit, spirit of gentleness.
Blow through the wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness. Stir me from placidness.
Wind, wind on the sea.

You moved on the waters, You called to the deep,
Then You coaxed up the mountains. From the valley of sleep,
And over the eons You called to each thing,
"A wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings." (REFRAIN)

You swept through the dessert, You stung with the sand,
And You gifted your people With a law and a land,
And when they were blinded With their idols and lies,
Then You spoke through Your prophets To open their eyes. (REFRAIN)

You sang in a stable, You cried from a hill,
Then You whispered in silence When the whole world was still,
And down in the city You called once again
When You blew through Your people On the rush of the wind. (REFRAIN)

You call from tomorrow, You break ancient schemes,
From the bondage of sorrow The captives dream dreams;
Our women see visions, Our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions Your people arise. (REFRAIN)
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Offering
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DONATIONS TO ZION, TORRANCE
Mail cheques to Zion Presbyterian Church 1046 Torrance Rd, Torrance, ON, P0C 1M0
E-Transfers to zionchurchpc@gmail.com No security question required
Pick up ~ Please call the office (705) 765 3797 to arrange pick up

DONATIONS TO KNOX, PORT CARLING
Mail cheques to Knox Presbyterian Church Box 283, Port Carling, ON,
P0B 1J0
E-Transfers to KnoxChurchPC@gmail.com No security question required
Pick up ~ Please call the office (705