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Discerning is an ability given by the Holy Spirit.

Working Definition:

Discernment is a Spirit given ability working in and through human Intelligence that Enables us to Identify God’s Word and God’s Will.

Some foundational spiritual disciplines that will allow us to grow in our Spirit given ability to have discernment.

1. Pray for Discernment.

2. Seek to Know God.

3. Surrender Your Will.

4. Walking in the Fullness of the Holy Spirit.

5. Trust God – Even when we don’t Understand.

6. Don’t Fret over Mixed Feelings.

Roughness on a road does Not necessarily mean you’re on the Wrong road.

7. Develop a Ministry Mindset.

Our Affections Drive our discernments.

They will Drive your Ability to accept a Ministry.

Discerning is an ability given by the Holy Spirit.

Working Definition:

Discernment is a Spirit given ability working in and through human Intelligence that Enables us to Identify God’s Word and God’s Will.

Detours in no particular order:

1. Biblical “Chocolate Wheel”

2. Peace as Ultimate Proof.

3. Laying Out A Fleece.

4. Seeking Signs.

5. Bible By-Pass.

6. Infatuation with the Unusual.

7. Prophetic word syndrome.

Discerning the will of God correctly is very important.

Working Definition: The will of God is His Ongoing Expression of Love through the Directives of the Word and the Holy Spirit.

Everything God does is an Expression or Extension of His Love.

We need never Fear the will of God because it is His ongoing Expression of Love for you.

3 Types of God’s will.

1. The Intentional Will of God.

2. The Circumstantial Will of God.

3. The Ultimate Will of God.

The Bible is so Unique because of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit Inspires the Scriptures.

Inspiration is about the way in which God’s Self Revelation has come to be Expressed in the Words of the Bible.

2. The Holy Spirit Illuminates the Scriptures.

Because of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit to us the Scriptures can Relate to people of every Race and Culture in the world.

Sinning against the Holy Spirit is a serious issue and one that the Scriptures talk about.

The Holy Spirit is a Person. The Holy Spirit is God.

Therefore he can be Sinned against.

We can sin against the Holy Spirit by:

1. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Scripture tells us there is no Greater sin than Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because there is no Forgiveness for this sin.

a. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can only be committed by Unbelievers.

b. You and I Can’t Tell if someone else has committed it.

2. Grieving the Holy Spirit.

Grieving the Holy Spirit is something Believers can do.

a. The Holy Spirit gives a church fellowship - Unity.

b. The Holy Spirit gives a church Diversity.

c. The Holy Spirit gives a church fellowship – people with Transformed Lives.

3. Quenching the Holy Spirit.

a. To put out a fire you need to Remove the Fuel Supply.

b. To put out a fire you need to Smother It.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ

1. The Holy Spirit Convicts us of Sin.

Only the Holy Spirit can Open our Eyes to the Depth of our spiritual condition. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to Convict us and

to Convince us that the gospel is True.

Jesus goes on to tell us this convicting work is 3-Fold:

a. In regard to Sin.

Without the Convicting work of the Holy Spirit people cannot see themselves as Sinners.

b. In regard to Righteousness.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us that it is the Sacrificial death of Christ that makes us Righteous before a Holy God, Not our

accumulated good Deeds and Works.

c. In regard to Judgement.

The Holy Spirit Convinces us that there is such a thing as Judgement and that God has the Final Word.

2. The Holy Spirit Gives us a New Birth.

What does it mean to be spiritually reborn?

a. We are made Spiritually Alive.

b. We are made New Creations.

A one-time act of the Holy Spirit to make us new creations, but it has Continuing Effects for the rest of our lives.

c. We are given Assurance.

Benefits of bearing the cross:

1. You will Experience Victory.

God’s way to obtain victory is through self-sacrifice.

We are more than conquerors because we are subduing the flesh and we are walking in the Spirit.

2. You will find Great Joy.

When you learn to carry the cross, the flesh can’t rob you of your joy.

You are removing the barriers to a truly joyful life.

3. God will Exalt You.

4. Greater Effectiveness in Ministry.

Brokenness precedes fruitfulness.

Everybody wants to sign up for power. But you can’t have resurrection power until you sign up for your cross.

5. You will get to Know God Better.

Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection

- The desire if the Spirit is that the intellect, the will, and the emotions, function dependent upon God.

- When the Holy Spirit shows us ourselves:

The flesh will always look to rationalise.

The flesh likes to live in denial.

The flesh will try to make a vice a virtue.

The flesh will try to spiritualise everything.

· When Jesus said to you take up your cross daily, He is calling you to an experience that will take time.

· It takes a lifetime to become a mature follower of Jesus.

· God loves us too much to leave us as we are.