Practicing Spiritual Gifts Is Essential For Growth | Bobby Schuller | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Practicing Spiritual Gifts Is Essential For Growth

Shepherd's Grove • Feb 22, 2025 • 36 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Every follower of Christ who has believed and been baptized already possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit. While salvation imparts God's Spirit within us, believers are called to continually fan into flame spiritual gifts and experience fresh anointings for daily life and ministry. By turning to the Spirit for comfort rather than worldly distractions, yielding in faith, and practicing spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy, we walk in divine power, love, and self-discipline.

Themes

Spiritual GiftsIndwelling and Anointing of the Holy SpiritSpeaking in TonguesProphecySpiritual RenewalWorship and Praise

Pastor's Points

1.

Earnestly desire and thirst for the spiritual gift.

2.

Come directly to Jesus, who is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

3.

Drink of the living water by breathing in the Holy Spirit.

4.

Release the outflow by opening your mouth and yielding in faith.

Key Points

1.
Every believer who trusts in Christ and is baptized already possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation.
2.
Beyond the initial indwelling at salvation, believers can experience a fresh wind and anointing of the Holy Spirit for ministry and service.
3.
Rather than turning to worldly comforts, addictions, or unhealthy habits during stressful times, believers are called to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit through worship.
4.
Believers hold personal responsibility to actively stir up and fan into flame the spiritual gifts God has imparted to them.
5.
The Holy Spirit inside every believer does not produce fear or timidity, but bestows divine power, love, and self-discipline.
6.
To receive spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, a believer must desire the gift, go directly to Jesus as the baptizer, receive in faith, and yield the outflow.
7.
Spiritual gifts are not forced upon us; the Holy Spirit gently operates like a dove as believers actively yield and cooperate in faith.
8.
Prophecy in the church is not about predicting the future, but sharing an encouraging word, image, or truth that God brings to mind to build up others.

Sermon Moments

“In your baptism, you receive a pilot light and a gas line; it is your job to turn it on and fan the flame.”

“Stirring up the gift of God is like chocolate milk left in the fridge that separates—you have to stir it up to enjoy it again.”

“The Holy Spirit given to us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

“Instead of turning to worldly vices or temporary distractions when life gets stressful, drink deeply of the Holy Spirit through worship.”

“The Holy Spirit is like a dove; He never forces or dominates, but gently enters where He is welcomed and invited.”

“When Satan lies and says 'You're just doing it yourself,' answer back: 'The Holy Spirit gives me utterance, and I yield in obedience!'”

“Prophecy is simply sharing an image, word, or encouraging truth that God brings to your mind to strengthen another person.”

This Week

Turn to the Holy Spirit for comfort and peace whenever stress, frustration, or temptation arises throughout your week.

Intentionally fan into flame your spiritual gifts by engaging in regular prayer and active spiritual practice rather than remaining passive.

Spend daily time in heartfelt praise and worship, singing songs from the Spirit to stay continually filled with God's presence.

Ask Jesus directly in prayer to baptize you afresh with the Holy Spirit and impart gifts to serve and edify others.

Step out in faith to speak or act when you feel the Holy Spirit giving you spiritual utterance or encouragement.

Share encouraging thoughts, scripture, or uplifting words with fellow believers when God brings someone to your mind.

Reject thoughts of fear and accusation from the enemy, remembering that God's Spirit endows you with power, love, and self-discipline.

Remember This

Every believer already has the Holy Spirit indwelling within them, but we must actively fan into flame His spiritual gifts to walk in power, comfort, and fruitfulness.

A Challenge for You

Lift your hands, submit your heart to Jesus, apply the blood of Christ to your mind and soul, and drink deeply of the Holy Spirit in worship and praise.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.