Living a Lifestyle of Worship through the Holy Spirit

Introduction to Pentecost and Spirit-Led Living

• The Significance of Pentecost:

  • Also known as the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the global Body of Christ (the Church).
  • Pentecost is not limited to a single event or physical displays, such as wearing white or speaking in tongues. It is intended to thrust the believer into action and the work of ministry.
  • Action vs. Idle Worship: After the Holy Spirit comes, the believer receives power to be a witness, which is a call to active labor rather than remaining idle.

• The Spirit-Led Lifestyle:

  • A life of worship is a shift from an occasional encounter to a new way of living.
  • Identity through Submission: True identity is found in the willingness to submit to the Holy Spirit. This involves assessing the "gap" between what one confesses about God and how one responds when asked to obey.
  • Worship as an Offering: Worship is not just something a person does; it is an offering of one's entire self—emotions, relationships, and titles.

The Dynamics of Yielding and Identity

• Addressing Internal Resistance:

  • The "gap" in obedience often stems from fear, lack of understanding, or the desire for control.
  • Believers often yield in certain areas while withholding others (e.g., willingness to greet people but refusing to pray or lead when called).

• Overcoming Trauma and Perfectionism:

  • Case Study (Ebony’s Personal Testimony): Before accepting a call to pastoring, Ebony struggled with a desire for control and perfectionism. Past trauma in ministry distorted her view of what a preacher should be.
  • Rebellion vs. Disobedience: Making excuses to God instead of following a directive is identified as rebellion. This state leads to a lack of peace, spiritual torment, and the avoidance of intimacy with God.
  • The Resolution: Peace is restored only upon total submission—admitting, "Whatever you want me to do, I will do it."

• Sons vs. Orphans:

  • Scriptural Reference: Romans $8:14$ states, "For all who are being led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God."
  • Sonship as Position: "Son" is a designation of position rather than gender.
  • The Orphan Spirit: To act in disobedience or purely out of emotion is to act like an orphan who has no father. Sonship is proven by being Spirit-led in every area, including secular workplaces.

Navigating Emotions and "Soul Consumption"

• Emotions as Indicators, Not Drivers:

  • The human heart is described as "desperately wicked" and can talk individuals out of God's instructions.
  • Emotions must be brought under subjection to the Spirit. Worship involves being honest about raw emotions (fear, incapacity) while simultaneously seeking God’s truth to replace those lies.

• The Concept of "Soul Vomit":

  • Feeding the Soul: When an individual consumes "junk" (toxic media, doom scrolling, negative conversations, secular soundtracks), the soul becomes overloaded.
  • The Overflow: Stress or emotional outbursts are often the soul "vomiting" back what it has been fed. It is necessary to take inventory of what is being ingested mentally and spiritually.

• Responding vs. Reacting:

  • Slowing down allows the Holy Spirit to act as a "coach" to de-escalate emotional responses on social media, on the highway, or in conflicts.
  • The Lesson of Sanctification: Every difficult moment is an opportunity to die to the self and allow the process of sanctification to work.

Forgiveness, Pride, and Cultural Worship

• The Barrier of Unforgiveness:

  • Holding others to their faults prevents an individual from experiencing God fully. Misperception of others (viewing them as lacking value) hinders one's ability to see Christ clearly.
  • Forgiveness as Choice: Forgiveness is a decision to lay down one’s own judgment in light of Christ’s forgiveness toward us.

• Pride and Control:

  • Scriptural Reference: James $4:6-7$ states that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
  • The Stance of Pride: Pride is "standing" (acting as if one knows better than God), while submission is "bowing" (allowing God to see and guide for you).
  • Control is described as a defense mechanism and is ultimately exhausting and impossible to maintain.

• The Unknown God:

  • Scriptural Reference: Acts Chapter $17$. Paul found an altar in Athens dedicated "to the unknown god."
  • Surface-Level Worship: Many people in modern culture are enamored with the culture of worship (conferences, music, church aesthetic) but do not have an intimate, authentic relationship with the Person of God.

The Holy Spirit as Helper and Comforter

• The Promise of Presence:

  • Scriptural Reference: John $14:18$ states, "I will not abandon you as an orphan; I will come to you."

• Testimony of the $2016$ Season of Desolation:

  • The Hardship: Chris and Ebony faced a period where they lost both jobs, both cars were repossessed, suffered a miscarriage, and had to throw out all their furniture due to bed bugs.
  • The Revelation: In this place of total loss, they found that God's presence was the actual reward. They learned to stop striving for outcomes and start submitting to His presence.
  • The Outcome: The experience marked them, showing that joy is found in Him regardless of material conditions.

• Grief and Comfort:

  • Chris shared the experience of his father's passing on June $30$, two years prior. Though grief exists, turning focus and affection toward God reveals His nature as a Comforter who never leaves.

Scriptural Anchors for Difficulty

• Participants shared the following as foundational scriptures:
  • Matthew $6:33$: Seek first the kingdom of God.
  • Isaiah $26:3$: God will keep those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him.
  • Psalms $23$: Confidence in the Lord as Shepherd.
  • Romans $8:20$/$8:28$: All things work together for good.
  • Ephesians $6:12$: We wrestle not against flesh and blood.
  • James $1:2$: Count it all joy when facing trials.
  • Philippians $4:13$: Strength through Christ.

Questions & Discussion

• Q: How do you know God is calling you to a specific thing (singing, preaching, etc.)?

  • A: Look for what is evident and affirmed by others. Check your "frustrations"; often you are created to solve what frustrates you. Gifting will follow you into all avenues (e.g., leadership in the workplace). Consult those who know you intimately. Most importantly, follow the "I don't know" or the area you are trying to shy away from, as God often works there. Refer to Jeremiah $33:3$: "Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know."

• Q: How do we help people coming from religious traditions who may not understand prophetic or apostolic culture?

  • A: Encourage them to stay in one "house"/tribe. Every tribe (referencing the $12$ tribes of Israel) operates differently. For example, Issachar discerned times while Levi served in the temple. Connect them to the community through discipleship and teaching to learn the "why" behind the actions.

• Q: What about when you ask God for help and hear only "crickets"?

  • A: Discipleship is required to walk through the fundamentals. Sometimes it is about practical instruction (e.g., what to do physically when a craving or a negative thought hits) rather than just waiting for a feeling.

• Q: What happens if a Christian woman is simply tired of trying to connect with community due to grief or past hurt?

  • A: There are seasons where it is acceptable to just show up and receive without being expected to pour out. One can simply lay on the floor during worship and be healed. Community is about showing up and being vulnerable.

• Q: How do you unlearn rigid church traditions after decades in a specific culture (PK/Military background)?

  • A: It requires rebuilding a love relationship based on truth rather than forced participation. Seek discipleship to understand the "why" of prayer, fasting, and reading. Do not be ashamed to start over; it is better to have a sure foundation than a form of godliness.

Personal Prophetic Encounters and Closing

• Instruction for K Scott: There is a "word in her belly" that she has been fighting to keep in the background. God is pushing her to the forefront to empower women. She is affirmed as prophetic and hearing the voice of God.
• Instruction for Latanya and Gene: Renewal is coming to their marriage. Latanya is affirmed as a dreamer who should keep a journal. Gene is affirmed as a servant/leader with a heart like a deacon. Both are called to be faithful with their hands and are promised financial and spiritual empowerment.
• Announcements:
  • New Series: "Groundwork," covering Soteriology (the study of salvation), including doctrines of sin, redemption, grace, sanctification, justification, and regeneration.
  • Event: An "AWE" healing service scheduled for June $27$.