The key to living a 'Spirit-filled life' is simple obedience to Jesus' words and faith in his promises.
Richard E. Bieber emphasizes the importance of following Jesus' example of simple obedience and submission to God's will. He contrasts the clutter and complexities of modern interpretations of a 'Spirit-filled life' with the straightforward obedience that Jesus required from his disciples. The sermon highlights the need for believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus in humility and obedience, trusting in God's power to work through them for His Kingdom.
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Who of us would deny that our Lord Jesus expects us to do the things he commands in the way he does them--the way we see him do things in the gospels.
Can you picture Jesus saying.....
"We need more money, Peter. Time to send out an appeal for funds."
"Listen folks, if you don't speak in tongues, you don't have the Holy Spirit."
"I want all my disciples to sign up for a course in healing. The work books are $25.00, and we'll receive an offering of $5.00 for each session."
"I'm putting Martha in charge of the Bake Sale which we'll hold in the Jerusalem Market next Friday."
Our Lord's approach was always simple. He never went into the intricacies of healing or the right technique for casting out demons. He just told the disciples to do it.
All Jesus required then, and requires now, is obedience to him. Obedience of heart. Submission of our souls to him. Getting under his yoke and learning how to be "lowly in heart."
Surely, if we truly are under the yoke with the Lord Jesus, we will find ourselves doing things his way. And all the clutter and complexities of what is called the "Spirit-filled life" will be reduced to simple obedience to the Master's words, simple faith in his promises.
For the Kingdom of God is run by God, not by us. God does the commanding; we do the obeying. God sends the light, we walk in it, as we follow in the steps of our Lord.
The true power of the Kingdom of God is given to those who;
---deny themselves. (their egos)
---take up their cross. (die to their own agendas)
---and follow the Master. (doing things his way)
During his days among us in flesh and blood, our Lord Jesus never deviated from the path of simple obedience to his Father. His words were clear and direct. His signs of the Kingdom were without fanfare. And all he asked of those who choose to follow him was that they deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him.
Only God knows the events that lie ahead. And only God has the power to cause his Kingdom to be proclaimed with sufficient power to shake this distracted earth to its senses.
But who will the living God raise up to accomplish the final awakening? Hardly those professing believes who are consumed by their own agendas.
We can be certain that the "little flock", to whom the Kingdom is given, will be made up of men and women who have abandoned their own agendas for God's. They alone will have the strength to pay the price.
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.
And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another.
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end will be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.
Lord Jesus, I'm here to do your will, your way. Shine your light on every place where my way is still paramount.
Sermon Outline
- Jesus' Approach to Ministry
- Our Response to Jesus
- The True Power of the Kingdom
- The Cost of Following Jesus
- Persecution and Tribulation
- Betrayal and Hatred
- False Prophets and Wickedness
Key Quotes
“All Jesus required then, and requires now, is obedience to him. Obedience of heart. Submission of our souls to him.” — Richard E. Bieber
“The true power of the Kingdom of God is given to those who; deny themselves. take up their cross. and follow the Master.” — Richard E. Bieber
“Lord Jesus, I'm here to do your will, your way. Shine your light on every place where my way is still paramount.” — Richard E. Bieber
Application Points
- We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus to experience the true power of the Kingdom of God.
- Simple obedience to Jesus' words is the key to a Spirit-filled life.
- We must be willing to pay the cost of following Jesus, including persecution and tribulation, for the promise of salvation.
