Led by the Spirit and Baptized with Fire! • Friday Service at the RRC

Led by the Spirit and Baptized with Fire! • Friday Service at the RRC

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"Led by the Spirit and Baptized with Fire: The Imperative for Believers"

Good morning/afternoon, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today, we explore a foundational aspect of our Christian journey: being led by the Spirit and baptized with fire.

**I. The Role of the Holy Spirit**

Scripture: **John 14:26 (NKJV)**
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

- The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Teacher, and Guide.
- Being led by the Spirit means allowing Him to lead our lives, to teach us, and to remind us of God's Word.

**II. The Importance of Being Led by the Spirit**

Scripture: **Romans 8:14 (NKJV)**
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

- To be led by the Spirit is a mark of being a child of God.
- It means submitting to God's guidance and direction in our daily lives.

**III. Baptism with Fire: A Transformational Experience**

Scripture: **Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)**
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

- John the Baptist prophesied about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Baptism with fire represents purification, refining, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

**IV. Theological Foundation of Baptism with Fire**

a. **Purification**: Fire symbolizes the purification of believers. When we are baptized with fire, it signifies the refining work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Scripture: **Malachi 3:2-3 (NKJV)**
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness."

b. **Empowerment**: Baptism with fire empowers believers for ministry and service. It equips us with the fervor and zeal to fulfill God's purposes.

Scripture: **Acts 2:3-4 (NKJV)**
"Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

**V. The Purpose of the Baptism with Fire**

Scripture: **Acts 1:8 (NKJV)**
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

- The baptism with fire empowers us to be effective witnesses for Christ.
- It ignites a passion for God's mission and equips us to spread the Gospel.

**VI. Walking in the Spirit: Crucifying the Flesh**

Scripture: **Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)**
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

- Walking in the Spirit requires crucifying the flesh.
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the sinful desires of the flesh.

**VII. Fruit of the Spirit**

Scripture: **Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)**
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

- Being led by the Spirit results in the production of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
- These qualities reflect the character of Christ in us.

**VIII. Conclusion: The Necessity of Being Led by the Spirit and Baptized with Fire**

- To be led by the Spirit and baptized with fire is not optional but essential for every believer in Jesus Christ.
- It signifies our identity as children of God, empowers us for His mission, and transforms us into vessels of His love and holiness.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and the baptism with fire. May we yield ourselves to be led by Your Spirit, allowing Him to guide, empower, and transform us. Help us to walk in step with You, crucifying the flesh, and bearing the fruit of Your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.