Blowing in the Wind?

Blowing in the Wind How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly before they're forever banned? How many times must a man look up before he can see the sky? Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry? Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died? How many years can a mountain exist before it's washed to the sea? Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free? Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head pretending he just doesn't see? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind

The Holy Spirit  Water refreshes: John 7:  Oil soothes and heals: Isaiah 63: 1  Fire cleanses/purifies: Luke 3: 16  Clothed with power: Luke 24: 49  Wind changes our direction: Acts 2: 1-4

Acts 2: 1-4 (NIVUK) “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Angels  1Peter 3:22 – they are subject to Jesus’ commands  Hebrews 1: 14 – serve those who inherit salvation  They are not to be worshipped – Cols. 2: 18; Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:8-9

On our guard  Matthew 7:  Matthew 24: 4ff  2 Corinthians 11: 4  Acts 20: 13ff  2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12  1Timothy 4: 1  1John1: 4

The right questions  Can God do things differently?  Is this the only way God does things?  How do I find out?  Why go to Lakeland?

Matthew 5 Beatitudes  Blessed are those who mourn  Blessed are the meek  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness  Blessed are the merciful  Blessed are the pure in heart  Blessed are the peacemakers  Blessed are those who are persecuted  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute and slander you

The right questions  Can God do things differently?  Is this the only way God does things?  How do I find out?  Why go to Lakeland?  Why come here to church?

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT) Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NLT) Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 6: (NIVUK) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6: (NIVUK) Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6: (NIVUK) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.