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SERMON TEXT: LUKE 4:14-15

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:14-15 ESV

In the Power of the Spirit

These temptations are crucial for Jesus. In the months that follow, he will feed a multitude, refuse to become king and

resist the taunts to escape from the cross. These are the very choices he made in the desert.

Andrew Knowles

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy,

fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not

inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh

with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another,

envying one another.

Galatians 5:16, 19-26 ESV

The power of the spirit at work in our: Public, Private & Inner Lives

I used to tell young preachers, in order to preach you've got to have the power of God on your life. Now I tell them, in

order to tie your shoes you've got to have the power of God on your life.

Paul Washer

Power of the Spirit in our: Public Lives

Public Lives (broad audience, ‘polished’ self)

- in our relationships

- work ethic

- in our coming & going (the mundane)

- in our words & actions - regarding public issues, other people & ourselves

Those in whom the Spirit comes to live are God's new Temple. They are, individually and corporately, places where

heaven and earth meet.

N.T. Wright

Power of the Spirit in our: Private Lives

Private Lives (limited audience, unguarded self)

- how we treat those closest to us

- in our handling of finances

- the way we handle correction

- in our consistency - what we give our time to

Power of the Spirit in our: Inner Lives

Inner Lives (no audience, self talk & thoughts)

- our ability to fully surrender to Christ

- the taking captive of our thoughts

- internal motivations

- our fear & self deprecation

“...stooping very low, He engraves with care His Name, indelible, upon our dust; And from the ashes of our self-despair, Kindles a flame of hope and humble trust. He seeks no second site on which to build, But on the old foundation, stone by stone, Cementing sad experience with grace, Fashions a stronger temple of His own.”

Patricia St. John

In the power of the Spirit, God turns mourning into dancing.

He turns tears into joy.

His perfect love casts out all fear.

The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us, producing fruit & preparing our hearts & hands for good works.

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