Fresh Air

Part 4 Breath of Heaven

Welcome to Part 4 of Fresh Air

Joining us today are all of our campuses
Riverchase, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Greystone, Mont., Woodlawn
Hispanic Campus Bibb County, Tutweiler, Bham Womens
And those watching LIVE on www.churchofthehighlands.com

Fresh Air
Book released where you can buy small groups
Premise of the book doldrums you need a breath of fresh air
Each week Im going to leave you with one Fresh Air principle
Reduce the book down to four truths
Teach you things beyond the book
Heres our theme verse
(Deuteronomy 30:19) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses
against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and
curses. Now choose life.
Fresh Air principle #1 fall in love with Jesus
Principle #2 choose a Christ-like attitude
Principle #3 slow down

As the Wind Blows

Today I want to talk about the word Spirit
Mentioned over 800 times in Scripture
Thats the English word thats used to describe Him
In the Old Testament the word Spirit is the word

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Ruwach a wind, breath, a violent exhalation, blast

of breath.
Its found in the very second verse of the Bible
(Genesis 1:2) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was
over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over
the waters.
In the New Testament its the word.

Pneuma a current of air, blast of breath, a strong

breeze.
So every time you read the word Spirit really means breath
Thats what the Holy Spirit came to do
Put life into your religious experiences
So why all the mystery? Why so hard to relate?
There are some characteristics of a wind a breath the Spirit
That may make it difficult for people to understand
Today help you understand His nature
Like a wind or a breath the Holy Spirit is

Wind is unseen.

Wind you cant see it but you know its there

Story guy who came to our church and experienced presence
So many reject the Holy Spirit because they want to see
Feel more comfortable with things we can see not feel
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After Jesus resurrected met with His disciples Doubting Thomas

(John 20:29) Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you
have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed.
If Hes going to be your best friend will require faith
Ok with feeling Him without seeing Him

Wind is unpredictable.

Wind is unpredictable golfers know what Im talking about

Constantly changing
The Holy Spirit moves in different ways
(John 3:8) Jesus answeredThe wind blows wherever it pleases. You
hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is
going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
But we like to standardize everything denominations
If you like things orderly He will mess you up real bad
If Hes going to be your best friend comfortable with the unexpected

Wind is powerful.

Wind can generate electricity sail a ship destroy a city

At the heart of it the Holy Spirit is about power super-natural
Charles Finney called Americas foremost revivalist
Major leader in the Great Awakening great impact on America
Some historians say he led over 500,000 to Christ
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What most dont know was Holy Spirit filled

But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a
mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended upon me
in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel
the impression like a wave of electricity, going through and through me.
Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could
not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God.
But most would rather serve God on an intellectual level
(Acts 1:5-8) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will
be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So when they met together, they
asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to
Israel? He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you.
An intellectual gospel
Is always in danger of creating a God that looks like us
One that is our size
We need more than human effort and ability
We need the breath/wind of God to blow

Breath of Heaven
(Romans 8:11 NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead,
lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will
give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
I remember the first time I heard about it. I was probably 12 years old
and our church was having a business meeting to discuss it. I really
wasnt clear what it was, but it was causing a stir. Years later I
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discovered that our church was fighting (uh I mean discussing) over a
doctrinal issue concerning the Holy Ghost. It was all confusing to me.
All I remember was that people were saying to stay away from those
who had received the Holy Ghost. Sounded good to me. Whoever liked
a ghost anyway? From that moment on, when I heard about people who
believed in the Holy Ghost or spoke in tongues, I thought it was some
hypnotic trance for the gullible. That was the tambourine and hair in a
bun crowd stay away.

1. Let go of fears and misperceptions.

If youre like a lot of people especially those raised in church
You have a lot of misconceptions maybe even some biases that
make it difficult for you to get close to the person of the Holy
Spirit
Most people understand God the Father
We get that one because we all have an earthly father
Its pretty easy to understand Jesus the Son too He came to earth
And we have the movies and pictures to know what He looked
like (even though they are probably not even close to the truth)
But whats up with this Holy Ghost?
Like me you may just think its safer to stay away
The truth is many people are just terribly uninformed
Most dont know the Bible
Their belief just comes from the things theyve heard
Or things theyve seen that have turned them off
(Psalm 34:4) I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me
from all my fears.

2. Go all in.
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You cant go half way

(Jeremiah 29:13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with
all your heart.
Youre going to have to behave yourself

3. Develop an intimate friendship with Him.

I wish you would know Him in an intimate way
God wants to relate to you in different ways different roles
(2 Corinthians 13:14 Message) The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus
Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy
Spirit, be with all of you.
We need to be in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Notice that this beautiful benediction begins with Jesus
It all starts there
Because His unique relationship to you is that He gives grace to
save you
Definition of grace what Jesus did for me that I cant do for myself
When you receive Jesus grace what He did on the cross
Then you can experience the extravagant love of the Father
But after that we need a daily intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit
We need His friendship in our lives every day
He wants to relate to you talk to you

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(Isaiah 30:21) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will
hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

Fresh Air Principle #4

(Ephesians 4:30 Message) Dont grieve God. Dont break his heart. His
Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of
your life, making you fit for himself. Dont take such a gift for granted.
The Holy Spirit just wants to be your best friend
Not some mystical force not a ghost
Thats my prayer for you to know Him intimately
Your best friend

Get to know the person of the Holy Spirit.

Altar Call
Holding back? Go all in

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Prayer/Altar Call 1:03-1:07

Campus pastors take over when hands are raised
If you prayed to receive Christ
Check the box on your Connection Card
If you made a decision today Need to do three things
1. Be water baptized
2. Join a good Bible teaching church
3. Get in a small group start growing
If you need further ministry prayer available after the service
Invite ushers and pastors to take their places

We are going to give our tithe and offerings to God

Probably the easiest and best way to give is online
Also during this song if you want prayer come forward

Offering 1:07-1:10
C

Forever Reign

Benediction
(Numbers 6:24-26) The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn
his face toward you and give you peace.

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