Minister’s Foundations | Lecture 7 : BC101-MF-20260902

Good morning everyone. >> Very sad. Good morning. Good morning everyone. >> How are all of you this morning? Many of the boys are not here, right? I think the day scholars are not there. Okay. Welcome online students. Thank you all for joining us and welcome to our e-learning students as well. Um so last week uh we were looking at the nine guideposts, right? What is the first one? The nine guide posts or the nine signposts uh to know what God's plan and purpose for your life is. What is the first one? The instructions and the teaching from God's word. What is the second one? the seeds in your life. The third one >> the stirring within and the fourth one the grace of God. Right? So I hope all of you are looking at your own lives and trying to identify the you know the way God is orchestrating things or doing things in your life so that you can understand or know or discern his plan and purpose for your life. Okay. So today we'll be looking at uh we'll continue looking at the fourth guide post recognize the grace of God given to you. Okay, we already began looking that at that we are on page number 17. So before we move on can somebody lead us in prayer please Anjali like to lead us in prayer. Thank you. Thank you father we worship you Jesus. Thank you father. You are our creator and only you can reveal what is the purpose of our life. Lord help us and reveal and build us. Thank you father so that we can fulfill your purpose and we can grow in your status in your nature. Jesus Christ we worship you and we want you. Thank you father. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. So we saw that you know uh each of us have a function in the body of Christ. Okay. Or even in the whether we are in the business field, education, politics, each one of us have a specific function. Function means a specific role and then we have the grace of God to enable us to fulfill that function. Suppose your function is to be a teacher, a chef, a pilot, a a doctor, whatever it is, you know that is your function. Or in the body of Christ, if it is to be a pastor, if it is to be an apostle, a missionary, evangelist, whatever that is your function, God gives you the grace to enable you to fulfill that function. And God's power is also connected to that so that you can fulfill your function. Okay. So when you serve in the God-given function, his grace empowers you. And when his grace is present, his power flows through your life. But if you're outside God's function, then you won't experience the grace and the power in the same way that you when you are in your specific function. Okay. So we looked at all the functions that we have. We also have the five-fold ministry office which is given in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11. In the church there is something called the five-fold ministry office. Okay. What is a five-fold ministry office? Apostle, >> prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist. Okay. Five-fold ministry. Okay. And these are specific offices. It's not given to everybody. But Jesus himself will choose and give these offices to a select few. Okay. So we have the um uh uh you know the other um like ministry offices that we have the ministry functions that we have. We saw like the gift of administration, help, prayer, you know, all of those are also functions in the body of Christ and that is according to our gifting. But in Ephesians 4:1, we see that there is the uh the the ministry office, the five-fold ministry office and that is given only to a specific few. Okay, are you able to understand? Right? We also saw last week that there is uh the functions in the church in Romans chap 12 6 to8 we saw there are different functions in the church like prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and showing mercy. Okay. So all these are specific functions that different people have in the body of Christ which is listed for us in Romans 12 6 to8. But then in the body of Christ, we also have the five-fold ministry office. This five-fold ministry office is given to a select few and it's given specifically by Jesus Christ only to a select few. Are you able to understand? >> Okay. So um so some have been called to these specific ministries or these specific offices and we need to recognize the grace given to us. Okay. So your gifts of grace reveal God's potential and his purpose for your life. Your gifting and the gifts of grace that God has given you, the function that he's given you actually reveals God's purpose or plan for your life. So the way you are designed basically reveals what you are designed for. So your gifting, your talents, your skill sets, all of them are designed in a specific way and that reveals what God has designed you for or what God has purposed in your life for. Okay. So the gifts of grace need that God gives us needs to be nurtured, developed and used to fulfill its purpose. Okay. So yes, God gives us the gifts, the talents. He gives us the grace that enables us to fulfill that function. But we need to nurture. Nurture means what? Help it to grow. Okay? Just like you all nurture yourself by eating healthy food, sleeping well, resting, drinking enough plenty water, exercise and all of those things are ways to nurture your physical bodies. The same way we the gifts of grace, the gifts of grace needs to be nurtured. That means whatever calling, function, gifts, talents God has given you, you need to nurture that, develop that and use that to fulfill his plan and his purpose. Okay. Now, sometimes a person may uh uh move in one or more of these five-fold offices. For example, the apostle Paul functioned as an huh apostle. He was an apostle. evangelist, >> evangelist, teacher, >> pastor. Okay. So we see that he uh function in more than one ministry office and Jesus himself also embodied all the five-fold ministry office. Okay. So uh we we see that one person can flow in more than one ministry office but not everyone is called into these roles. We need to understand that. Okay. Some of you might be called to be a pastor, an evangelist, a min a missionary, um a a teacher. Some of you might be called, you know, to be a um a teacher, a nurse, you know, uh whatever your calling is. So we are all called to different functions. So doesn't mean because God has called us to be a teacher or a nurse, it is smaller in function. No, he's given us those functions. He's also gives us the grace that enables us to fulfill that function in that specific place so that we can extend God's kingdom there. Okay, are you all able to understand? Yes. So all believers have gifts and functions but only some are called to the ministry office. You need to understand all believers have gifts. All believers have functions but only some are called into this five-fold ministry office. Okay. Now we need to understand that when you know some people think oh the grace of God is there so I don't have to work hard right? Yes or no? Sometimes pastors, missionaries, evangelists they take things very very lightly. Why? because they think you know grace of God is there he will accomplish it for us. Okay. So the grace of God does not make mean that you know God is making things easy for us. Look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 10. I don't think it's in your Yeah it's on page number 18. Everyone can quickly read that please. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 10. So Paul understood that God's grace does what? What does it do for him? That God's grace empowers us. Okay. But it does not replace effort. God's grace I'll tell that repeat that again. God's grace empowers us but it does not replace effort. That means we have to put in a lot of effort and hard work. We need to labor hard okay in the ministry in the specific functions that God has called us to. Okay. So grace does not mean God makes things easy for us. No, grace empowers us. It does not replace effort. Okay. So, look at what Paul says. You know, even though he had the grace of God, what did he do? >> Yes. He labored more abundantly. That means he labored more abundantly than all of the other people. So Paul himself who was a great missionary, a great apostle, a great teacher. He himself had the abundant grace of God. But he's saying in spite of having that abundant grace of God, he labored more abunded more hard than all of them. Okay. So um here we see that Paul understood that grace empowers us. It does not replace effort and he labored more than others and but yet he gives the credit to God's grace that works in him. Okay. So serving in your specific function is not going to be easy. Okay. If God calls you to be a pastor, an evangelist, a missionary, uh you know a youth pastor, a children's church pastor, a worship pastor, it things are not going to be easy. It may it may require long hours of work. It requires sacrifice, perseverance, endurance and even a lot of tears sometimes. Okay. So yes, gay gives us the strength. It empowers us to keep going to remain fruitful and remain steadfast in the calling that God has given us. But it does not mean that we don't labor hard. So some people think the grace of God is there. We don't have to labor hard. we just sit back and you know God will do the rest. No, it means that we labor hard but God's grace keeps giving us the strength to keep going to remain fruitful and to fulfill the call that God has given us. Okay. Now God can place you anywhere. Your function can be in the church in the in the in the kingdom of God. It can be in the marketplace. It can be in politics, education, media, family life. But God will give you the grace and the gifts to fulfill your function there. Okay? So it doesn't mean that God has calling only in the kingdom of God or only in the church. But he can also give you the functions to function in politics, in relig in in business, in education, in media. But he will also give you the grace and the power to fulfill your function and to extend the kingdom of god or usher in the kingdom of god wherever he's placed you. Okay. So all of us have a function in the body of Christ whether we are in the full-time ministry or also in the marketplace. Right? You can serve in church as a helper as an administrator as a prayer warrior. you know somebody who's in the welcome team, setup team, you know, ushering team whatever you know but God equips us to bring his kingdom in our sphere of influence. Okay. So that is about the grace of God. Any questions? No. Okay. So we'll move on. Sorry. Yes. Ma'am, >> can I ask you a question, ma'am? >> Sure. Sure. Yes. Sata, go. Ma'am uh um you're saying that in in every area of your wherever we are working or uh in whichever environment we are um there is this the pros. So my question is uh for for a person who cannot initiate the process. So what would be what how how do you um manage to start a particular conversation or how do you manage to um uh try and uh talk about God to others when you're not uh able to like for for that is it leadership qualities are required or is it something else >> okay so let me just I'm I'm using the you know thing to conversation to understand what you're saying so You're saying that you know um whatever field God has placed you in how do you initiate the process? So what would would how would you uh start a conversation and how would you talk to God about others? Is that right? Is that your question? >> Um how to talk to others about God? >> Yeah. How to talk to others about God? >> Yes. Is leadership qualities required or something else? >> Yes ma'am. Yes ma'am. >> Okay. I don't think for to talk about God do you need leadership qualities? >> Um because we fear >> Hello. I'm asking all of you a question. If you have to talk to God, talk about God or share the gospel with others, you need leadership qualities. What do you need? >> Communication skills. Okay. Huh? an opportunity. Yes. That you would want to step in and use knowledge about God, how to share about the gospel. What else? >> Sorry. Your personal relationship, your personal connect with God so that you can share from that can be a good starting point. Yes. What else? >> Grace upon your life. stirring within your heart a desire. Yes. A desire, a love to to just share about God to anybody and everybody. Yes. Your Yes. Confidence also. Yes. You know, so just stepping out just sharing just casual talking with the people and this you know just talking about God casually with them. Yes. Just sharing your life experience what God has done, who he is, what he means to you. the personal relationship you have is more than enough. Does that help Sri Lata? >> Um yes ma'am. Um another question is um should we need the demonstration of the power especially in terms of Gentiles because it's they don't believe uh when we say that you know somebody is uh somebody's healed or somebody is blessed because of uh the presence of God or you know because he shared the gospel. So uh is the like you know is the power uh the manifestation of the power is more important for those who are uh gentiles rather than people who already know God and uh those people who are also in the church they're not aware of it because many people don't uh many people don't support uh presence of the holy spirit or infilling of the holy spirit and the manifestation of the power even even in the churches also that's what happens Um so is this only for Gentiles or for for the people? Uh >> the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit is not only for the non-Christians is also for us as believers. You and me also need that every day. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to move in us. Holy Spirit to guide, teach, correct us. Holy Spirit to empower us. Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen us. So yes, we need the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives in our church, in our church gatherings, in our life groups, cell groups, prayer meetings, regular Sunday services. Yes, we need it. Uh we also need it when we are uh you know ministering to um you know people of other faith. uh because yes you know in the early church we see that their words were um their their preaching was um was attested with power or their words were also attested with signs, miracles and uh uh power of God. Okay. So that also we need uh and ultimately it's not about us uh you know um it's not our anointing it's not the power released through us but it is the work of the Holy Spirit like John says in John chapter 16 that the Holy Spirit convicts people of uh you know sin righteousness and um uh sin righteousness. Yeah sin and righteousness. Um so the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts people. So we just are open to share the gospel. But the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts people of sin, righteousness and judgment. Okay. So the work of the Holy Spirit in is going to work in their lives. But we ask the Holy Spirit also for wisdom. what to speak to them, how to speak to them and also to move in us in the gifts of the spirit, you know, so that um uh they can receive healing or we can give them a word of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, uh whatever. And you know, it will bless their lives and they will know God is living and active and real. And yes, in some of our churches, they don't believe in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit because they're ignorant. Um there's no right teaching. they do not know uh the the the the the work uh the person and the work of the Holy Spirit. So they need to be educated on the Holy Spirit. And some of them think the work of the Holy Spirit of science, miracles and wonders was only in the early church and we don't need it today. >> Some in the earlier I mean even the current churches also they say that once we are baptized it means to say that we already have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But uh when Paul says when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, >> see can I just sorry to uh interrupt here. I think we are not um you know this is something that I think you have uh some doubts about um you know sharing the gospel uh the work of the Holy Spirit baptism. So can I answer your questions in the break time please? Because your questions are not pertaining to uh what we are studying on fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. and I have lot of content to finish. So if it is pertaining to >> ask you later >> contain pertaining to our chapter and what we are studying I'm open to answering it but I'm also opening open to answering your other questions but I can do that during the break time if that's okay with you please. >> Yes ma'am. Sorry. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Okay. So let's move on. Any questions? >> Yes ma'am. I have a question. >> Yes. One minute successor. There is one in-person student who's waiting and then I'll take your question. Yes, >> ma'am. What it means that uh when it is written, it is written like enter from grace to grace. >> So, what it mean by that verse? Oh, we move from grace to grace. Okay. Um Paul talks about that in Romans chapter uh two, right? Righteousness is by faith to faith or by grace to grace. That means it is you know moving from one level of grace to another level of grace. One level of faith to another level of faith. Okay. I hope I answered that. Okay. Yes. Successor you can go ahead please. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I was chatting with a friend of mine and he as you were discussing he talked about as you in the first place you he talked about uh God giving us grace in different uh in different aspects of our giftings and talents. So uh he said that giftings and talents they are different can I know the uh can I have cl on that what's the difference and if there is connection what's the connection because you're saying that a lot of people they mistake again uh talent with uh gifts of god should he say that talents are different from gifts of god sure I want to know about that Okay. So I let me see if I can I have got your question right. See a lot of people have mistaken talents as gifts of God. Uh so can we say that talents are different from the gifts of God. Right? That is your question right? >> Yes that's it. >> Okay. So um your talents are actually gifts from God right? And it's uh your talent, your gifting, your skill set is all just uh synonymous words that we are using uh to understand what is your function. So your function can be if your function is being a chef then what should what will be your gifts or your talents your skill sets. You're somebody who is, you know, um very very sensitive to different taste, different flavors, different cuisines. Um you like uh cooking, you like eating. Uh you like you know uh uh you know just doing trying out new things, innovative things, very creative. So those are your gifts, your talents that God has blessed you with. So your talents, your skill sets are basically the gifts that God has given you and that is how you know what is your function or your calling. Right? So did that help? >> Yeah, actually I got it. >> I hope I I'm not able to uh I'm not able to hear you very clearly. So I'm trying my best. >> Okay. I'm saying that uh I get it and thank you for the job. Okay, I hope I helped you with that. Okay, thank you. So once you know your gifts or your ta your gifts means your talents, what are your skill sets, you are able to understand what is your function in the body of Christ. If you're somebody who's a good or just loves helping people, then you know in the in the body of Christ, you can be somebody who is in the ushering team, you know, just helping people around in the parking lot, you know, welcoming people or, you know, even if people are old, you have to get them into the church. You're there as a, you know, helper. You are somebody who um very good with your words in in in just pouring out your heart in and good in communication. You know, you can you can your function can be prayer because you just pour out your heart to God. You know, your words, you're very articulate in your words. You can you can you can make sentences quick. You can just pray for people because and you're very sensitive uh to the needs of people. It's something that you can also look as a function as a prayer warrior. You can pray for others. So you're able to understand that your talents that is your your gift from God is your talents your skill set are gifts from God. And that is how when you identify what your talents and skills are, you will know what is your function in the body of Christ or what is God's um uh plan and purpose for your life. Okay. I hope that helped. Okay, we'll move on. Um, any other questions? No. Okay, so let's move on to the fifth guidepost. Okay, what is the fifth one? That is a leading of God's spirit. Okay, so God leads us to know his how does God lead us to know his plan and purpose through our lives? The Holy Spirit. Okay, through his word, written word and also through the Holy Spirit. So if you look at Romans chapter 8 14 uh and 14-6 you can quickly read that it's on bottom of page number 18. Romans 8 14-6. What does verse 14 say? Who are we? Who are we? Sons and daughters of God. We are children of God. Okay. And as his children, what privilege do we have? What privilege do we have? >> We have the privilege of what? Look at verse 14. What privilege do we have as sons and daughters? To be led by the spirit of God. to be led by the Holy Spirit. So the Holy Spirit can direct us. He can show us what we are supposed to do. He guides us in the path that God has planned for our lives. Look at the same chapter um of Romans 8 uh you know verse 16. What does it say in verse 16? Who bears witness with our spirit? >> The Holy Spirit bears witness in our spirit man. So here we see that the Holy Spirit bears witness within us. Okay, that means he speaks in our inner being. The Holy Spirit speaks in our spirit man. He communicates to us. He gives us guidance. He tells us what we need to do. And this is the this is an inner, you know, uh uh voice that is speaking to our spirit man. And it's the direct communication from God about his plan and his purpose for our lives. Okay. U there's another verse there. John chapter 16 13-15. All of you can please read that quickly by yourselves please. John 16 13-15. So here we see that the Holy Spirit is going to speak to us directly. Okay. What is he going to reveal to us? The truth. He will reveal God's plan and purpose uh in our spirit man. Okay. He will tell us what is coming. He will help us understand the seasons ahead in our life. He will help us understand the present season in our life. He will also help us to understand the seasons that are coming up ahead. So imagine God has a plan and purpose for your life. And it's the Holy Spirit who reveals it to us in our inner spirit man. So the Holy Spirit will reveal or show you ahead of time what you are supposed to do. And why does the Holy Spirit reveal it to us? So that you know we can prepare for what is coming ahead. Even sometimes he warns us about things that are coming ahead so that we are ready and not caught off guard. Okay. So let me give you an example. Say um you know in 2026 the Holy Spirit bears witness in your spirit man or tells you in your spirit man or reveals to you hey that in 2027 you're going to get a new job. Okay. So you receive this revelation and you begin to pray about this and prepare yourself and then the Holy Spirit reveals to you that in this job it will require a lot of travel. Okay? So if you're married you will you know prepare your spouse for the travel up ahead or if you're single you will tell your parents whatever and you will be prepared you know mentally, physically, emotionally for what is coming up ahead. Now in 2027, you get a new job. Okay? And uh you know the Holy Spirit has already prepared you for this new season. He showed you what you need to do in this current season in 2026. What you need to do in 2027. Okay? And he's guiding you, leading you, helping you. And when you come to 2027, you know, um uh you get a job and then one fine day the the your boss calls you and says, "Hey, you know, um will you be willing to travel here and you know and go to this such and such a place and you are already in your spirit prepared or physically, mentally, emotionally already prepared and you're ready to take that course of action." Okay. So you see the Holy Spirit reveals things ahead of us. a ahead to us. He plans things for us. He helps us to plan, prepare us and he guides us even every step of the way. But how do we receive the guidance from the Holy Spirit? We need to be tuned in to listening to him. Okay? So it's not like one fine day, you know, the Holy Spirit is going to come and say you're going to get a job in 2027, right? It's not like something like that but it's something that you need to be tuned in to be listening to the Holy Spirit constantly every day right so you need to fellowship with the Holy Spirit and listen to him. So even in small things like for example your friend tells you something you know you ask the holy spirit what do I respond to him or her you know or um I I'm trying to read the scripture passage and I'm not able to understand holy spirit please help me or my mind is so troubled holy spirit tell me what I need to do or you know I need to do this in my job I don't know how to do it holy spirit please help me or I'm going to buy a you know a shoes or a shirt or a pant or you know um an outfit you know Holy Spirit take me to the right shop show me the right thing or I'm buying a bike or a car or whatever Holy Spirit guide and lead me so you're constantly engaged with the Holy Spirit so when it comes to important decisions in your life and you are constantly in tune with the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit will reveal things up ahead the seasons of life that you are uh going to go into step into so that he can prepare you much in advance. So we need to listen to the Holy Spirit. We need to train our senses. Okay? And how does it uh how do we train our senses? Like I said last week, we need to start with the word of God. Okay? Just reading God's word is not enough. We need to meditate on it. We need to let God's word fill our hearts, our minds, and our spirit. And when God's word fills us, it trains our senses to recognize his voice and to be sensitive to his voice and also to know what is good and perfect and the pleasing will of God. Okay? Then when our senses are trained with the word of God is when the Holy Spirit will speak to us and we will discern very clearly. We will not be confused whether it is our own voice, it's God's voice or Holy Spirit's voice or it's Satan's voice. We will have clarity because our senses are trained with the word of God. And we will be able to understand and discern very clearly when the Holy Spirit speaks to us. So we need to keep reading God's word, meditating on his word and fill our hearts and our minds with God's word. We also need to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Just like we talk with the father and the son, we also need to talk to the holy spirit and ask him for guidance in every area of your life. For example, can ask the holy spirit, holy spirit, what should I say in this situation? You know, or what root should I take? What path should I take? What should I pray for this person? Or what should I pray regarding this situation in my life? So the more that we tune into the Holy Spirit, the more we recognize his voice and the more he's able to guide us. Everyone able to understand? Okay. Sorry. Yeah. So it's important also to quiet if you want to listen to the Holy Spirit. It's important also to quieten our hearts and our minds so that we can hear the Holy Spirit and not you know uh be be uh confused because sometimes when we are really troubled and distressed and worried and anxious, we think those times God does not speak to us. Yes or no? We're saying God speak to me. tell me something what do I need to do what I need to do and we're not able to hear and we get very very disappointed and we get very upset that God is not speaking to us in a situation where we need to hear him very clearly right but the thing is God speaks to us okay but it's important for us to quieten our hearts and our minds we cannot hear the Holy Spirit when we are distracted when we are anxious ious when we are stressed and when we are worried, we need to remember that the Holy Spirit is very very gentle. Why? Why do we say the Holy Spirit is gentle? Why do I say the Holy Spirit is gentle? Sorry. Gentle. Gentle means very nice and >> ah it's the smart one. You know he's Yes. How when when Jesus was baptized, how does the Holy Spirit come in? >> Like a dove. A dove is known as a very very gentle and harmless bird. Yes or no? Gentle, very gentle. Now imagine you have a dove sitting on your shoulder. A dove just comes and sits on your shoulder. How will you walk? You'll run. You'll walk. How will you walk? How will you walk? Show me. Very gently, very slowly. Why? Because you don't want to disturb the D. So everything in the Bible that is there, God does it with a specific plan and a purpose and you know with something something that he has specifically. So why does the Holy Spirit come like a dove? Because the Holy Spirit is very very gentle, right? So you don't want to disturb the dove and you don't run or walk fast or scream or shout or jump or dance. You walk very very slowly. So that shows us that the Holy Spirit is very gentle. That means we need to be very calm, composed. If we have to hear the Holy Spirit clearly and what he is speaking to us, that means we need to be very peaceful focused. That's when the Holy Spirit will speak, teach, lead, guide, show us what is coming and also what is the changes happening in our lives and what we need to do in the next season. So if you're very anxious and you say God speak to me, speak to me, speak to me. You know, what do I do? What do I do? And you're very anxious, that's the time you don't hear God because you are not calm and composed. So what you need to do is get to a place where you're more calm, composed, your mind is at rest so that you can hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. Okay. Now how does the Holy Spirit to speaks to us? The Holy Spirit bears witness in our spirit man that he speaks that means he speaks to us in our spirit man. Okay? And he equips us what we need to do every day in this season. and also in the next season. But all we need to do is tune in, listen, and respond to his gentle guidance daily. Okay. So, let's look at another scripture passage that reveals to us that the Holy Spirit reveals God's plan to us. It's on top of page number 19. 1 Corinthians chapter 2:es 9 and 10. Can everyone please read that quickly, please? But as it is written, I has not seen. Can all of you please read that quietly please? Thank you. Okay. finish reading. Okay. So what is God saying here that he is God is saying I have prepared wonderful beautiful amazing things for you and these are beyond human imagination. Things that we cannot see with our eyes or comprehend with our minds. But how does God reveal this wonderful, beautiful, amazing plans for our lives? Through the Holy Spirit. Okay. So, this means you and I need to tune into the Holy Spirit. Listen carefully because he's the one who reveals God's God's plan and purpose for our lives. Okay. Look at another scripture passage where it talks about the mystery of the Holy Spirit's leading. John chapter 3:8. So everyone quietly please read John 3:8 please. So what is Jesus trying to say here? He's saying sometimes the leading of the Holy Spirit is like a wind, right? Can you feel the wind? Yes. Can you hear it? >> Can you even see the effects of the wind? >> Yes. The trees are moving. The leaves are rustling. Okay. But can you explain exactly where it comes from and where it goes? >> No. Okay. So Jesus is saying in the same way the spirit's leading is real. Okay. You can feel it. It's real. It's powerful. Okay. You can experience his leading but not always be able to fully explain it. Okay. Sometimes people ask how do you know the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. Okay. The only answer I can give them is I know with that assurance that deep within that it is the Holy Spirit speaking because I can feel it. It's real. It's powerful. I've experienced it but I can't really explain it like the wind. Okay. So that is what John chapter 3 verse 8 describes that it's an undeniable reality. You can sense, you can feel but you can't fully explain. So I can't fully explain how the Holy Spirit speaks to me but I know it's real. It's powerful and I have experienced it. So you all can even experience it because it is real. It is powerful. and all of us can experience it. Amen. So let's look at some ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us. He speaks to us through the inner witness or inner impression in our spirit man. So the first way the Holy Spirit speaks to us is through bearing witness within our spirit. That is an inner impression in your spirit. You may not hear an audible voice. You will not see a vision but deep down in your spirit you know that something has been deposited put or spoken or revealed to you. Okay. So for example when you're praying about something the Holy Spirit may impress in your spirit man peace and joy. So that is one way the Holy Spirit is saying yes go ahead with this you can do this. You can go ahead with this plan. You can choose this plan. You can choose this person. Okay? You can go to this college. You can start this business. So peace and joy is one in your spirit man is one way the Holy Spirit is saying yes, go ahead. But if you're praying about it and you are feeling very restless or anxious, the Holy Spirit is warning you. The Holy Spirit is saying stop. This is not for you. Don't do this. Don't go there. Don't get involved in this. This is not the cause. this is not the college. So restlessness and anxiety is another way the Holy Spirit is warning you or there's a stirring in your heart, a deep sense of urgency. That means the pro the Holy Spirit is prompting you. Say take action. Don't sit still. Come on, go ahead. Do it. Send in your resume. Go for the interview. You know there is a or pray for this person. There is a stirring a sense of urgency. Sometimes you may even experience physical sensations and that is the way the Holy Spirit speaks. For example, when you're praying, you feel or somebody else is praying for you, you feel a very heavy weightyness on you. Heaviness, weightiness, that is just basically the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is resting on you. And some people fall because of that weight and that heaviness is basically the Holy Spirit anointing you or resting on you. Sometimes when you're praying or when somebody else is praying for you, you feel fire, heat. You're sweating suddenly and just feeling a lot of fire and heat. It is the way the Holy Spirit is saying that I'm filling you or I'm just ministering to you. Sometimes when you're praying or somebody else is praying, you just feel refreshed like everything is just gone like rain is just coming and you're just feeling refreshed. It is the Holy Spirit saying, "I'm renewing you. I'm strengthening you. When you're also praying, you can sense, you know, fragrance, beautiful smell. There's no perfume around. There's no somebody not somebody's not sprayed room freshener, you know, uh but you can just get this fragrance. The Holy Spirit is basically gently ministering to your soul, especially in the times of stress and anxiety. And the Holy Spirit is saying I'm there assuring you of his uh presence. Okay. So these are not imaginations. These are ways the spirit communicates his presence and his direction. So we need to know, we need to learn, we need to be sensitive and recognize and you know just follow the leading that he is giving us. And sometimes when you pray and hear nothing, there's only silence. There is no answer. That means the Holy Spirit is saying just continue in what you are doing. Maybe you're saying, Holy Spirit, you know, I need a new job. I'm just tired in this job. No answer. That means the Holy Spirit is saying just continue in this. Okay? Or you're saying, I want to move to go back to my city, to my town. No answer. That means the Holy Spirit is saying just stay here wherever you are. Continue doing what you are called to do. Are you all able to understand? Okay. Sometimes the Holy Spirit ministers through the word of God. So when you're praying about something, especially for me when I'm praying about something, a verse will come into my spirit man or a verse will just come into my head. I know that is the answer. Okay? Or when I'm reading the scriptures, when I'm going through some problem, difficulty, when I'm reading a scripture, there is some scripture verse that just a word or verse that just leaps out of scripture. just comes and kind of folds you right and it has happened many times and that is one way that Holy Spirit is saying this is the answer. For example, you know, I was once praying um I think just last year about three important decisions in my life and I was I was quite worried about it and you know uh I was reading scripture and in that same verse exactly in the order of what my problem my difficulty was and I'm looking for solution the scripture verse had the answers exactly in the order that I was looking for, I was praying for. So the word of God spoke very clearly and I knew that this was God's direction. Okay? So if you want to know answers for your life, don't run to people, pastors, prophets, you know, to pray over you. Yes, I'm not saying it's not important. You can go but also the word of God speaks. The Holy Spirit speaks because every answer in my life I have got it from the word of God and the Holy Spirit has spoken to me. Okay, we'll pause here. We'll come back after the break and continue. Thank you.