Greg Sowle’s sermon on Acts 20:36-21:16
Application Notes:
- Immerse yourself in the Word Eph 6:17. The one offensive weapon of the armor of God in Ephesian 6:11-20 is the sword. Paul puts it this way: “The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The Spirit and the Word are inseparable. If you want to hear from the Spirit and be guided by the Spirit, daily immerse yourself in the Word. The Spirit will never contradict God’s Word and will never lead you into sin or tempt you with sin. The Spirit speaks to us most often and most clearly when we are in the Word. Paul’s intimate walk with the Spirit was matched only by his unrelenting passion to proclaim the gospel to everyone at all times. The Spirit and the Word go together. As you get the Word in you and out of you, you’ll find the Spirit speaking to you.
- Pray for God’s wisdom. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
- Discern the different ways the Spirit speaks to you. The Spirit speaks in a variety of ways to different people at different times. Sometimes its as strong sense, sometimes a vision, sometimes a dream, sometime some other way.
- Test all prophetic words from others, Test the words of another who claims the Spirit spoke to them, especially if it concerns you. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
- Distinguish the Spirit’s message from the interpretation. Remember the difference between the Spirit’s message and the interpretation and application of that message. 1 Cor 14:26-33
- Cautiously share what the Spirit reveals to you about others. Rom 14:13 “let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” When you speak to someone else about what the Spirit told you be careful not to lead others astray..
- Expect the Spirit to lead you to deny yourself, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus. Luke 9:23-26
- Inspect the fruit of the Spirit in your life. If you are walking in the Spirit, your life should bear the type of fruit Paul speaks of in Gal 5:22-23;