Sermon Tone Analysis

Title: When the Transformer Reigneth

Theme: Evidences of a Holy Spirit Led Life

Introduction: What do you think of when you hear the word "reign" or as the Old King James language would say, "reigneth?"

I took time to look up the word reign in the dictionary.

When used as a noun it means, "dominating power or influence: the reign of law."

When used as a verb it means, "to have control, rule, or influence of any kind."

Synonyms are "overrule, be in power, or to be in the drivers seat."

Every Christian can tell you the repercussions of a life not controlled by the Holy Spirit.

However, everyone appreciates the life that walks insteps with the Lord.

Through the writer of the Book of Galatians we see the contrast of a life led by the human flesh and a Spirit-led life.

Paul writes, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.

They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:16-24)

Let us Pray!

The Bible has just given the facts of life, suffer the consequence of being controlled by the human flesh or enjoy the benefits of a Spirit-filled life.

You and I have family members who live their lives with an attitude of the song lyrics sung by Frank Sinatra, "My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I am certain...

I did it my way."

These lyrics are in the song, My Way of which we find the opening stanza saying, "And the end is near; And so I face the final curtain."

God in His Sovereignty spoke some powerful truths in this song that was so wonderfully and powerfully sung by Mr. Sinatra.

Truths worth grasping and hanging onto, and truths that cause a Spirit filled Christian to tremble with a holy fear, "I did it my way."

Just as the Bible gives a sharp contrast between a life lived under the influence of a world-view, a life controlled by the flesh of man's ideas and the lies of the devil.

Is the testimony of Pastor, Adrian Rogers, a man who preached God's Word effectively.

In his early years of ministry he pleaded with God in prayer, "'Lord, give me your Holy Spirit so I may better know Your Word.

I need your Holy Spirit so I may better teach Your Word.

Empower me with Your Holy Spirit that I might have a influential ministry.'

Pastor Rogers pointed out during his testimony, 'There are many Christians who sit in the pew of a church, who think that is a good prayer, but to Christians filled with the Holy Ghost, that pray is full of I and me.' Pastor Rogers went on to explain, 'I prayed and got nothing back from the Lord.

As time went on that prayer changed, Lord, I want what You want for me.' From that time on, Pastor Rogers ministry exploded into a work that has effectively changed lives and is still going on under the banner, A Love Worth Finding.

(Pastor Rogers Testimony, 1994 North American Conference for Iterant Evangelist, Louisville, Kentucky)

Two statements will be heard when the final curtain is raised, one, "I did it my way" the other, "Lord, I want what You want for me."

One of those statements opens the spiritual heart to a Holy Spirit-filled life that effects others for Christ.

I believe with all my heart, it is imperative to catch the truths of the this message, When the Transformer Reigneth.

Interrogative Sentence: Just what are some signs that the Holy Spirit Reigneth in our lives?

This message is not a complete teaching on the Holy Spirit-filled life, but contains foundational truths to walking instep with the Lord.

Proposition: I would propose to you that there is a huge difference between trying to live a good Christian life and allowing the Holy Spirit of God to transform your life.

It is imperative that people who are exposed to what is called the church, see a huge difference between the conjecture of man and a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit.

The late Pastor David Wilkerson, author of, The Cross and Switchblade wrote, "In order to be a good solder in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not enough to just be saved.

There is much more for you: you need to be [filled] with the Holy Ghost."

At the North American Conference for Itinerant Evangelist in 1994, the Billy Graham team charged the attendees, "If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, do not leave until you are."

After the Lord's suffering, He appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days, teaching about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus told the disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

(Acts 1:5)

The Apostle Paul knew the value of the Holy Spirit in the church.

During His work with the Lord he asked the believers in Ephesus, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed."

(Acts 19:2) In Acts 8: we see Peter and John praying for the Samaritan disciples, "...that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet came on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

(Acts 8:15-16) Like many today, they were missing out on God's best for them.

Transitional Sentence: With such clear instructions coming from Jesus and the whole counsel of God's Word, lets us consider, some of the Holy Spirit's influence upon our lives?

Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

(Acts 1:8) Our Lord also taught, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) The Holy (ἅγιος - hagios) Spirit (πνεῦμα - pneuma) sent on behalf of Christ will teach us all things through the Spirit of revelation and wisdom.

Just as Jesus taught His disciples the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will teach the Lord's truths to those who seek Him and He enables them to teach others.

(Matthew Henry Commentary; Daily Bible Study Series; The Exposition Commentary) Jesus called the Holy Spirit the, Advocate (NIV) (παράκλητος - Parakletos) or helper (ESV).

His chief call is to glorify Jesus Christ as He indwells believers.

(Romans 8:9-11)

While missionary Jack Lockwood was planting a church in Moscow Russia, he discovered a young man, Oscar, he had been a Christian for just a few months.

Jack was amazed of this young man's knowledge of the New Testament, especially his ability to teach from the Book of Acts.

Dr. Horton writes, "The Book of Acts might we be entitled, The Acts of the Risen Lord by the Holy Spirit in and Through the Church."

(The Book of Acts, by Stanely Horton)

Transitional Sentence: Being filled with the Holy Spirit enables us to be taught by the very same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead.

(Romans 8:11) Jesus said, "...In this world you will have tribulation.

But take heart I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33) The Book of Ephesians tells about the full armor of God of which the children of God may take their stand.

One of the weapons of defense is, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Ephesians 6:17) The writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us this, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

(Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

"The word of God" (ὁ λογος του θεου [ho logos tou theou]) is "living" (ζων [zōn]) Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.

The words I have spoken to you - they are full of the Spirit and life."

(John 6:63) The word living is active, giving us a natural impulse for the life of the living God, Who utters it's existence.

(The Pulpit Commentary) God's living Word is able to cut loose "those sinful habits that have become so natural to the soul.

It cuts off ignorance from the understanding, rebellion from the will, and enmity from the mind, which sets itself against God." (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Christians who walk instep with the Holy Spirit have the spiritual heart of the psalmist who wrote, "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they who keep His statues and seek Him with all their heart.

They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways.

You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!" (Psalm 119:1-5)

The psalmist closes with a knowing that there will be a day of looking into the face of God.

He knows that walking in obedience to the Word of God will give him a confidence to look the Lord in the eyes.

During the time of the writing of the Book of Hebrews, "Sometimes when a criminal was being led to judgment or to execution, a dagger, with point upwards, was so fixed below his chin that he could not bow his head in concealment but had to keep it up so that all could see his face...

In the end we have to meet the eyes of God.

We may avert our gaze from people we are ashamed to meet; but we are compelled to look God in the face.

Kermit Eby writes in The God in You: 'At some time or other, a man must stop running from himself and his God—possibly because there is just no other place to run to.'

There comes a time when every man will have to meet God from whose eyes nothing ever can be concealed."

(Barclay, W. (Ed.).

(1975).

The letter to the Hebrews (pp.

40–41).

Philadelphia: The Westminster John Knox Press)

To the Spirit filled Christian, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is the base-line for living.

They seek His word for cancel, conformation and direction.

The writer of Psalm 119, "shows that godly people are happy people - through His Word, God has laid before them the right way to live which they may be sure will end in happiness, though it be strait and narrow.

God's Word is the rule of their action, and governs their conversations.

(Matthew Henry Commentary)

They diligently study His Word or put themselves in a place were they are being taught the things of God so they can understand His will for them.

Blessed is the child of God who understands their Spiritual gifts and how to exercise those gifts in a way that bring glory to Christ and good to those they minister too.

They have Holy Spirit revelation of God's promised rewards for faithfulness.

The psalmist use the phrase, "steadfast in obeying Your decrees."