The Sound of Pentecost: Holy Spirit, there is No Replacement

11 The Sound of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit – There is No Replacement Vision 2018: Forward The Sound of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit – There is No Replacement John 16:5-7 2018 February 25 AM Introduction: A.W. Tozer said, "What this country needs, what the Church needs, is the restoration of a vision of the Most High God!... There was a day when men believed in the sovereignty of God… The great God of the Bible is the God into whose presence you went with fear [awe]. You do not come dashing in wearing your tennis outfit… and then rush out again… The nearest Isaiah ever got… with God… was when he saw Him high and lifted up and cried out, 'O God, O God, I'm an unclean man.' When Daniel started to get [with God]… he fell down and the LORD had to raise him up. When John saw Him he fell flat on his face… That's the God we want back… We are humanists to a degree now. Evangelicals have backslidden until they are into humanism with a biblical veneer… I pray… that the glory of God might be revealed again to this generation so that the Presence of God will be so overwhelming, so humiliating, so humbling, so wonderful, so glorious that… we will stand or kneel or fall down in the Presence of the Holy God and cry, 'Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty.'" A.W. Tozer "Fire on the Altar" Pg. 59-60 I. Where is the Church Jesus talked about? "The Church has halted somewhere between Calvary & Pentecost." -J.I. Brice A. "The Church of today has changed from being all about God to all about us." - Fire on the Altar a. It has become about our comfort, our ideas, our ways, our prosperity, our problems and all about what we want. b. Just as the Prodigal Son wanted what "rightfully" belonged to him. Why? So he could be accepted by others.  B. What/Who has replaced in the Holy Spirit in today’s Church? a. The fact today is, in many churches even Pentecostal, the Holy Spirit nor the Gifts of His ministry are not welcome. What was it that drew throngs of people to the ministry of the First Century Church? It was the power & demonstration of the Holy Ghost! The Word speaks of end-times as “perilous” & men being lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - 2 Timothy 3:5having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! NKJV  b. Because He, Holy Spirit, does not have the liberty to function in these churches, something has to replace Him. Dead, organized, programmed performances or refined music & precisely chosen words of encouragement otherwise known as preaching.  C. Substitutions. a. I will point fingers at Video media today, we, the Church has become so accustomed to celebrated personalities & polished showmanship in the pulpit that, that is what Pastors are expected to live up to. 1. That has replaced the anointing! That has replaced the demand on preachers to stay on their faces before God for His oil to run down our faces like overflowing honey from a honeycomb. God help us! 2. What does the Word have to say? Acts 8:18-21 Simon thought he could purchase the anointing being demonstrated in the life of Peter. Peter said, ““May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.” NLT 3, Paul said he didn't come with fancy speech or oratory excellence - "but rather in evidence of the Spirit and power." 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 b. Please don't mistake what I am saying. I continue to expect excellence. This church team must always offer our top-notch efforts to present the Gospel with excellence. But it MUST, MUST, MUST NEVER, EVER take the place of prayer ushering in the anointing. 1. I want the best sound, lighting & video system we can afford. I want a beautiful building & facilities which will attract people. I want the organizational systems in place which make a cordial welcome & operations of this ministry. But that is not what changes lives! 2. What changes lives is the anointing which destroys the yoke. What feeds the hungry is the Bread of Life preached & decreed. What satisfies the thirsty is the Living Water flowing liberally in copious niagaras. There is NOTHING for which to replace the power & presence of the Holy Spirit. Luke 19:45-46 (BIBLE) How do we assure not to replace the Holy Spirit? How do we get to Gen 1? How do we drag Isaacs & Jacobs to Gen 1? II. Answer, by reestablishing the House of God as the - House of Prayer Remember the application: The thoughts & Ways of God are Better than Mine. The Pre-Eminence of: A. Prayer a. Jesus makes prayer pre-eminent. Prayer should be above all things, first & foremost. He said, when those in God's House don't pray, they rob God. b. It wasn't wrong for the money-changers to be there but they had become thieves & nobody had noticed because they lost the discernment prayer supplies. The Pre-Eminence of: B. Anointing a. You know I am not opposed to the newest technologies & mediums of reaching our city & beyond. I know that we must have Outreach Ministry assisted by programs & helps. I understand we need an organized, rehearsed worship service in order to present the best message of Father. b. God will not anoint programs, technology or ideas. He anoints men & women who pray. The Pre-Eminence of: C. Spirit-Led a. The Church should not be concerned with doing things right, rather doing the right things that please God. b. There is a great quote, Seek first the Kingdom of God. -Jesus III. The Last Exhortation A. Often you hear the phrase, "Their final words," because those leave impressions expressing possibly an urgency, a necessary message. The possibly final words of Christ was Luke 24:49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” What was their time spent doing? - Not chatting, relating memories, maneuvering for leadership & power, they prayed. B. The reason we can do this is because of the resurrection of Christ. - He asks us to: * Repent * Live by Faith * Be Baptized * Be Filled with His Spirit Conclusion: PRESENT THE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION – EVERY WEEK – AND THE NEED TO COME FORWARD IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST