GTM - Power of the Holy People - By Tom Fannin - September 14, 2024

The speaker, Tom Fannin, discusses the power of the Holy Spirit and its role in the lives of God's people. He mentions that the power comes from God's spirit working within us and leads us to repentance and understanding God. Tom also emphasizes the importance of receiving God's spirit through baptism and obeying God. He highlights that God's spirit gives us power, love, and a sound mind. Tom discusses how God has placed each member in the body of Christ according to His will for the benefit of all. He encourages believers to proclaim God's virtues and fulfill their purpose as God's chosen people. Well, hello again, everyone. It's really good to be back with everybody on another session of GoToMeeting. Yeah, as we all know, we're getting really close now to the feast days, and I'm sure we're all excited about it and preparing for them. The title I want to have for my message today is Power of the Holy People. So do we think about and appreciate what we have today, all of us, what we're able to do today, what we're able to accomplish as God's people. There certainly is a power among God's people. Let's go back now to Daniel, the 12th chapter. Daniel 12, in verse 7, it says here, I heard the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever saying, it shall be for a time, times, and half a time. And when they have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. So we know, as it talks to us here in Daniel prophetically, there will be a scattering accomplished of the holy people. So let's ask a few questions here as we begin the message. You know, number one, do God's people have power? How do we get that power? And are we using the power that we have as God's people, as God intends for us to use the power? Well, there is power amongst, and we know that comes to God's spirit. God's spirit dwelling within us, God's spirit working with us, God's spirit about us, but it's through his spirit. And when we yield to God and use his spirit to lead us, it becomes evident, doesn't it? And the power of God's spirit working within us should be evident with all God's people within the body of Christ. Let's turn back to Zechariah, the fourth chapter. Zechariah 4, in verse 6, it says, Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by my might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. So we know that the power, the might talked about right here at the beginning, is those things of men. But what's accomplished here is by God's spirit, and the power we know that's of God's spirit. So we need just to continually remind ourselves that that's how all things are accomplished through God. And the power that's being worked in this world, but especially as we'll be talking about, the powers at work within God's people, these things are accomplished by God through his spirit, the spirit of power that we're going to be reading about next. Let's go back to Acts, the first chapter. We'll see how this is described, God's spirit in Acts, the first chapter. Acts 1, in verse 4, it says, And while they were assembled with him, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the following, which he said, You have heard of me. For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not after many days. So then when they were assembled together, they asked him, saying, Lord, will you restore the kingdom of Israel at this time? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times of the seasons when the father is placed in his own authority, but you yourself shall receive power. When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. So we know there in Acts 2, the power did come upon them. The Holy Spirit came within them. And likewise, for all of us who are under covenant with God and Jesus Christ through baptism and laying on of hands, we know we received this same power that they received, the power from God and the Holy Spirit. And that's why baptism, for anyone considering baptism, it's so important to have God's spirit placed within you because of what it does for us. And we know it's the seed of beguile. We know it's a helper. We know it's also called the earnest, the down payment until later on at the resurrection we receive the full. We know it leads us. It guides us. It brings things to our memories. So the Holy Spirit does so many things for us, but it leads us, leads us into repentance, leads us to also know and understand God. And even the deep things of God. So God's spirit within us is so important. That's why we never want to lose God's spirit. So, again, that's why those considering baptism, why it's so important to be in covenant, but then receive God's spirit. While we're on the topic of receiving God's spirit, let's go back to Acts 5. Acts 5 in verse 29, it says, But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We are obligated to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. To him has God exalted by his right hand to be a prince and savior, to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel. And we are his witnesses of these things, as is also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those who obey him. Interesting how it's talked about there. God gives his spirit to those who obey him. And we know this begins at a calling, right? God calling us and leading us to repentance and being in covenant again with him and Jesus Christ. But that's the beginning of obeying and answering that call and then living as we commit ourselves to every word of God. So, again, God gives it to those who obey him, his power. Let's go back to 2 Timothy, and we'll see what Paul says the Holy Spirit is and what it does for us. In 2 Timothy, the first chapter. 2 Timothy 1 and verse 6. For this reason I admonish you to stir up the gift of God that is in you by the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but Paul says, but of power and of love and of sound mindedness. And certainly we should see the fruits of this when we have the laying on of God's hands to receive God's spirit. And that spirit is working these things within us, right? The love we have going forward changes. It's a deeper understanding of God's love. And the mind that we have, the sound mindedness, the mind of Christ as God and Jesus Christ dwell within us. We should have a more sound mind. And, of course, as we're talking about in the message here, the power that's within God's people because of the spirit. Well, there is power among God's people. Let's go back to 1 Peter 2. 1 Peter 2. In verse 9, this is what God speaks of or how God looks at his people. It says, but you are a chosen stock. A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession of God. Notice what it says here next. It says that you might proclaim his excellent virtues. Emphasizing again, proclaim his excellent virtues. Not anything of ourselves, but we are called as God's people to proclaim his excellent virtues. Who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Who once were not a people, but now are the people of God. Who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy. So as God's people, we're called for a purpose. There's something that we should be doing every day. And hopefully when we wake up every morning and we think about our calling, and we spend some time in the morning in prayer, reading, meditating, that we think about, hey, there is a purpose within us. God's placed the spirit within us for a reason. And every day we should go about again, as Peter wrote here, proclaiming his excellent virtues. By our example, by our words, by the power. So something to consider. We are a special people to God. Go back to 1st Corinthians 12. 1st Corinthians 12, we're going to talk a little bit about how things work within the church. With all of God's people, because, you know, if you look at God's people, we're all not the same. And yet the way God has put us together, the way Christ has formed his church and placed all of us, it's very important. And it's by God and Christ's design, through their wisdom, through their calling. Let's see what this says here in 1st Corinthians 12, verse 7. It says, but the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the benefit of all. Isn't that wonderful? There's a benefit, and we'll talk about that in just a moment, that there's a placing of all of us, as God's spirit works for the benefit of all. For to one, a word of wisdom is given by the spirit. To another, a word of knowledge according to the same spirit. To a different one, faith by the same spirit. To another, gifts of healing by the same spirit. To another, the working of miracles. And to another, prophecy. And to another, discerning of spirits. And to a different one, various languages. And to another, the interpretation of languages. But the one and the same spirit is operating in all of these things, dividing separately to each one as God himself desires. For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body through many are one body, so also is Christ. For indeed, by one spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and we are all made to drink into one spirit. For the body of Christ is not one member but many. If the foot should say, because I am not the head, am I not of the body, would this then cause it not to be part of the body? And if the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, would this then cause it not to be part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? And if the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now has God himself placed each one of the members in the body according to his own will? And why is that? Why has God called each of us and placed each of us with each other per his desire, per his will? Well, we know a big part of this is for the perfecting of us, the developing of us, as God works through each one of us with our talents and abilities. You know, it's something for us to consider. But this is God's power at work. And it's very important when we think about the church and how the church is made up as the body of Christ. You know, in my opinion, and I'll say this with this understanding that, you know, all of us need to be yielding continually to God and Jesus Christ. But if we're doing that, and that's within our hearts and minds to do that, God puts and places his people with other people within the church they need to be with for their good. And I know I've seen examples of that, and especially in our lives, my wife and I and family, being placed with other people within the church that we needed to be with, again, for our good. And God knows these things and everything that he wants for us is for our good. Let's go back to Colossians, the first chapter. So we know Christ works within us, within his church continually. In Colossians 1, verse 24, it says, So the church, the body is his, it belongs to Christ. And there's a development of it. Well, so let's go back to Philippians, the third chapter. Philippians 3. In verse 20 and 21. It says here, So, yes, we see obviously here, there's the things that are happening in our lives now for our perfecting, all the things God and Jesus Christ are doing. Christ is doing an inner working in us. But again, for our development and our preparation for the kingdom, for his return. So there is to all of us this inner working of Christ. And we should be yielding to that, shouldn't we? Shouldn't be resisting the things the Spirit's working out within us. And, you know, we look at the example there in Acts with Stephen, and he called out the Pharisees and those of that time. He says, you know, you resist the Holy Spirit continually. So for us, we shouldn't be resisting what Christ is trying to work in all of us. But yielding to it. You know, when you're around God's people. Can we notice that there's something at work? I'll just give an example of something my wife and I have noticed over the years. We have hosted the feast site in Tennessee for a lot of years. And it's been a really nice feast there. And we've been able to meet and spend a lot of time with God's people from different areas. You know, when you get to the feast, you're excited. And we get there and we get things organized and get things set up. And a lot of the brethren come in and stop in and get to say hi to others and, you know, just welcome each other. And then the feast gets started and we have a really good feast with one another. For the eight days. It is time to go home. And probably most of the time, my wife and I are two of the last ones to leave the feast. And particularly I'm talking about the building, the facility we use. And oftentimes as we walk out the door to shut the door to lock it or to shut it for the last time to leave, you just notice there's a difference there now. It's not what it was. I believe the power that was there with all the brethren that were there, it's now gone. As the feast comes to an end. So maybe you've had experiences like that, too, or you could just tell something was different. But when God's people are together and that power is there, it's evident. I just wanted to bring that example up of personally the evidence I see of it. Well, there's power in our fellowship. And, you know, what we have to be able to get together on the go to meetings. Is fellowship. Let's go back to Hebrews 10. Hebrews 10. Verse 22, it says, let us approach God with a true heart and with full conviction of faith. With our hearts having been purified from a wicked conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water. Yeah, we can approach God this way, all of us because of Jesus Christ. In his sacrifice and him entering into the holy of holies. Once and for all. For us. It was time to say let us hold fast without wavering to the hope that we profess for we. For he who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another and be stirring up one another into love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, even if some are accustomed to do, but rather encouraging one another. And all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Because there is a power in our assembly. And it's a benefit. And as Paul writes here, you know. The custom of some were to forsake. The assembly. Being able to get together with God's people, but we, you know, we shouldn't forsake it. We should enjoy the opportunity to come together as God's peoples anytime we can, but particularly on the Sabbath and God's festival days. And I know a lot of God's people are scattered and by themselves where they can't. Have a fellowship with others like they would like to. But, you know, when we get an opportunity to be with God's people, we should take advantage of that because of what's there. And work together. I know at this time, I see within a lot of the body of Christ, those who have gotten accustomed to. Staying at home. And being comfortable. Just maybe listening to a message on the Internet. Instead of making an effort to have more fellowship and be with God's people. Well, like I said, I know there's some that are in that situation where they can't help it. That's all they have. But for others, they've gotten comfortable with staying at home and they have truly, as Paul says here, forsaken the opportunity to fellowship. And that's dangerous. We just read there in 1 Corinthians 12, how important it is. As God's placed his spirit within each one of us and given us all different abilities to help one another. So that's why our fellowship and being together as much as possible is very important. Hebrews 13, let's go back there. Hebrews 13. Paul emphasizes this again. Hebrews 13 verse 15. He says, accordingly, let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to God through him. That is, with the fruit of our lips openly professing our faith in his name. Do not forget to do good. And to fellowship. For with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. Yeah, those sometimes they're personal sacrifices. The fellowship to do good. But we give of ourselves to one another. And again, it's very important to do so for all of us. We just need to have this on our minds of how important. We are to each other in the working of God's spirit within us. Go back to Galatians 5. Galatians 5 and verse 13. For you have been called unto freedom, brethren. Only do not use this freedom for an occasion to the flesh. Rather, serve one another with love. For the whole law was fulfilled from this commandment. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite devour one another, watch out. Lest you be consumed by one another. Now, this, I say, walk by the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. So we've got this freedom. We've been called to freedom. We've been called to an understanding of the truth. We have God's spirit within us. And how do we use that? You know, freedom is power. I don't know if you've considered it that way, but the freedom we have in Christ is power. We've been freed from this world. From the bondage. Our minds have been opened up to an understanding we couldn't have before. So we need to consider how do we use the power. We continually want to use it to edify one another, to build up one another, to love one another. We certainly don't want to use the power within us according to the flesh. That's why it's really important that we, as God's people, we don't do things to each other to cause divisions, to cause problems. I notice a lot of times things get brought up and discussed that maybe cause hard feelings or divisions or contempt between God's people. Things that aren't salvational. So we have to be really careful about that because certainly we want to be discussing things and coming before God and Christ in a way that we build one another up continually and focus on what our calling is, and that's to be for all of us. Firstfruits in the kingdom of God. That's our calling. So again, we should be concerned for one another, keeping each other, right? Keepers of each other, watching out for one another. Continually. And our goal is for our minds to be all of us in line with the mind of God and Jesus Christ and what they desire for us. And hopefully we all are of the same mind. And that is the mind of Christ. I know here recently I was asked to do some counseling with a younger man that was desiring to be baptized. And his father was in the church. And his father had instructed him and given him some guidance and information on some things that he needed to be considering for baptism. And this individual I was talking to, there was just some things that he wasn't fully convinced in that he needed to do. So I was going over some of those things with him. And particularly, he had a really good understanding of the Sabbath and how the Sabbath should be kept. But when it came to the Holy Days and the keeping of the Holy Days, he, again, wasn't really convinced that those things needed to be kept or observed. So as we were talking and going over some of the scriptures, and we reached a point there where he commented to me, he said, you say the same thing my dad does. The things you're bringing out and talking about, that's also what my dad said. And I paused for a moment. And I came back and I said, well, that's how it should be. See, your dad and I, we have God's spirit. And we're of the same mind and the same understanding. And so, yes, whatever you hear from your dad and however your dad instructed you, you should hear the same thing from me. And he said, yeah, you know, you're right. That should be how it is. And consistently with God's people, that's how it should be, the same message. We'll be turning back to 1 John, the second chapter. I want to talk about something a little bit different here now. I've talked about the church quite a bit and what's working within the church, the Holy Spirit, power. But what I want to talk about now is sometimes within the church, separation occurs. And we shouldn't be surprised or shaken by this. Is it not mentioned in God's word that things like this will happen? You know, Amos 3.3 talks about unless two be agreed, how can they walk together? And it's very important for us to be agreed, all of us. And John and 1 John 2. Verse 18. As it says, little children, it is the last time. And just as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have risen up by which we know that it is the last time. They went out from among us, but they were not of us, because if they were of us, they would have remained with us. Nevertheless, they left that they might be exposed to show that they all were not of us. But you have the anointing from the Holy Spirit. That's the difference, right? John's talking about separation here, those who went out. But John's talking about the ones here that remain, that have the anointing from the Holy. And you have knowledge of all things pertaining to salvation. What a blessing for us to have that knowledge. You also go back to verse 27 while we're here. It says, but you yourselves have dwelling in you the anointing that you received from him. And you do not have need of anyone to indoctrinate you, for the same anointing instructs you in all spiritual things and is truth and is not a lie. And if you do exactly as it is taught you, you will be dwelling in him. So as we read here, yeah, there is separation at times. But there is a differentiation here between those that have God's spirit working within them, that anointing, and perhaps those who don't. But God teaches us, God's the one who teaches us. Whatever means he uses, God's the one at work doing this. Let's go back to 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 3. I'm going to start in verse 1 of 2 Timothy 3. And certainly as we read down through this, yeah, we're going to see, as it talks about here, we're going to see a lot of these things that are happening today in this world. But as we read on further, we're going to notice, too, yeah, these things have happened also within the body of Christ. Verse 1 says, note this also then, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, braggarts, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, and unholy, without natural affection. And wow, don't you see that in the world today? Implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, despisers of those who are good. Betrayers, reckless, egotistical, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Having an outward appearance of godliness, but denying the power of true godliness. There's the denial of that power. That's true godliness, the power. And there are those who deny that. But as for you, turn away from all these. Because we have no part in those. We can't walk with those who are of this mind. But for men such as these come those who are warming their way into the house of two houses and are gaining control over empty-headed, gullible women given over to various sins, being driven by all kinds of lusts. It says they are always learning, but are never able to come to the knowledge of truth. Of the truth. Now just as John Janus and John Bray stood against Moses in the same manner, also these are brazenly standing against the truth. They are men of deprived minds, reprobate in respect to the faith. But they will proceed no further because their folly will become clearly evident to everyone. Just as theirs was also. But you have closely followed my doctrine, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance. So have we seen this? As it talks about here, Paul says it will become evident. Have we in our time in the church seen evidence of this? Where it became, as Paul said, it will become clearly evident to you. What the motives are, what the purposes are, what's behind it. What power is behind it. A difference in what we see is the power that's within from God. That's in with God's people. Well, I've seen this myself. You know, we've learned a lot within the church. And we've all grown and developed personally. But I can say in my time in the church, I saw examples where different ones, and I'll just say ministry, the leadership, they couldn't get to what we have now. The understanding and the power that we have now. And the things we know. Because the power wasn't working within them. To have this understanding and knowledge to do these things. That's unfortunate. But yet that's true. Let's go back to Ephesians, the third chapter. Ephesians 3. Start in verse 1 of Ephesians 3. It says, For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles. If indeed you have heard of the mystery of the grace of God that was given to me for you. How he made known to me by revelation the mystery. Even as I wrote briefly before. So that then you when you read this, you will be able to comprehend my understanding and the mystery of Christ. Paul had the understanding of the mystery. He was personally given that. By Christ himself. Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men. As it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. That the Gentiles might be joint heirs and a joint body and joint partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel. Of which I became a servant according to the gift of the grace of God. Which was given to me through the inner working of his power. To me who am less than the least of all the saints was this grace given. That I might preach the gospel among the Gentiles even the unsearchable riches of Christ. And that I might enlighten all as to what is the fellowship of a mystery that has been hidden from the ages in God. Who created all things by Jesus Christ. So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known. Through the church to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places. So it's very clear here that we can't deny that Paul. Worked his power. The power of the Holy Spirit. That led him and taught him. Again taught personally by Christ. You know and we need to be all of us to be able to tell the difference don't we? All the spiritual leaders that are within the church the ministry or the elders. Are they being led by God's spirit? Again are they teaching through the power? It should be evident. Brethren again I'll say we should be able to tell the difference. Let's go to Romans 16. Romans 16 verse 17. So now I exhort you brethren to take note of those who are causing divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and shunned it. Well we talked a little bit earlier about Galatians 5 about the power that we've received. And freedom we've received and how we should be using that. But right here in verse 17 it says to make note of those. That aren't using that in the right way but they're using what they have. To cause divisions to cause problems. It goes on to say here in verse 18 it says because these are the sort who are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belts. And are deceiving the hearts of the innocent by smooth talking and flattery. Who are these? What's being talked about? Well we just went over that. So again brethren we need to tell the difference. But we need to take note of those who are doing this causing divisions and not using God's spirit. As a guide to teach and lead. But they're winning over others. Others. To fulfill their own desires. As Paul says here it's about their own bellies. It's about something they desire to achieve. By teaching God's people or being about God's people. Certainly they have an effect on God's people and I think we've all seen this. How many have been led in different ways because of this. Let's go back to 1 Thessalonians the 5th chapter. 1 Thessalonians 5 and this is Paul's admonishment to the Thessalonians and as we read this it's Paul's admonishment to us today church. And hopefully that's how we read God's word and as it applies to us individually today and as it applies to God's people today also. Let's start in verse 11. Paul writes here, therefore encourage one another. And edify one another. Even as you are already doing. Now we beseech you brethren to acknowledge those who are laboring among you and are overseeing you and are instructing you in the Lord. Again. There's a lot who are doing this and I'm glad they are. And so we just acknowledge by hopefully recognizing that they are doing this. They are teaching truth. They are being led by the power of God's spirit and they're trying to be helpers of joy to God's people. And we acknowledge that they are doing this. Because some haven't. And some right now aren't. Verse 13. And do greatly respect them and love for the sake of their work. For the sake of their work. What they're doing. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we encourage you brethren to admonish those who are irresponsible. Yeah that's our job. Sometimes within the body of Christ there are those who are acting irresponsibly. So we admonish them. Console the fainthearted. Support the weak. Be patient toward everyone. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone. But always be pursuing what is good. Both toward one another and toward all men. Rejoice always. Pray unceasingly. Give thanks to God. And be faithful. Toward one another and toward all men. Rejoice always. Pray unceasingly. Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God and Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the spirits. Defies not prophecies. Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from every form of wickedness. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly. And may your entire spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calls you. Who will also perform. Brethren pray for us. And boy Paul needed prayers and those traveling with him at times, you know, whether it be Silas or Timothy or Titus or Barnabas or all the ones that we know, Luke, all the ones we know that travel. They all said, you know, pray for us. And certainly we all need prayers. We need to pray, again, praying for each other. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. And that's what we do today. We read these epistles to the holy brethren because they apply today. And hopefully what we're reading here is that we are doing these things. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. So, brethren, these are the things that we need to be doing in the church today that Paul's admonishing here through the power of God's spirit. And, you know, as I look at these things and read these things Paul's talking about here, how can we practice any of these things if we don't have time with each other? If we don't fellowship? If we don't take advantage of the opportunities we may have? Now, I know, again, it's harder for some to get together. But it's hard to practice these things if we're not fellowshipping and spending some time with each other when we can. Let's go to one final scripture. Go back to 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel 22. And I'm just going to read verse 33. And so when we read this, think about King David here. King David wrote this. King David had God's spirit. King David reached a point in his life, we know, where he was afraid of losing God's spirit because of some actions of sin that he did. But he had a true repentance of that, we know. So David had a lot of wisdom and understanding and certainly in the kingdom David will be king over Israel. And we know that through God's word. But David learned a lot in his life. But boy, his heart was true to God in all ways. You know, and God sought after kings after him and admonished him to have a heart like David did. But this is what David wrote, what David understood, what David acknowledged in 2 Samuel 22, 33. He says, God is my strength and power. And he makes my way perfect. So David understood the power of God, the power of the spirit, the power of the spirit working within us, the power of the spirit perfecting us. The power of the spirit working within his people in what it does. So, brethren, let us all consider this. That we are God's holy people. And that there is a power at work amongst us. And that is the spirit of God.