The Holy Spirit: Power for Kingdom Living, Week 5
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
September 14, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
The Holy Spirit’s presence and power enables the church to successfully fulfill its assignment—to
advance the Kingdom of God
Kingdom Key Terms
- The Kingdom of God— the dynamic rule and reign of God, both present and future, where God's will is done on earth [here] as it is in heaven [there], including peace, justice, righteousness, hope, healing, and holistic well-being— (i.e., abundant life).
- The Church—the community of people for whom Christ died, who acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior, who live their lives under His authority, and who are empowered by His Spirit to advance the Kingdom of God on the earth.
- Stewardship – We acknowledge and honor God as the creator and owner of everything, and we faithfully manage all that He entrusts to us (e.g., our time, talents, treasures, bodies, relationships, the gospel) for His glory and the good of others.
- Worship – To wholeheartedly revere, honor, serve, obey, and ascribe worth to God individually and corporately through our words, our works (e.g., prayer, song, instruments, dance, etc.), and our walk—how we live our daily lives.
- Fellowship – To do life together with other members of the body of Christ—to develop deep, authentic, Spirit-filled familial relationships, where we encourage, support, care for, and bear one another’s burdens in unity and love.
- Ministry – To serve others in Jesus’ name and to use our time, talents, and treasures to demonstrate God’s love to them by meeting their spiritual, emotional, physical needs, and other needs in practical ways.
- Discipleship –To strive to be apprentices of Jesus, who learn from and about Him, who imitate His way of life, obey His word, follow the leading of His Spirit and invite others to follow us as we follow Him.
- Evangelism – To actively share the good news (gospel) of God’s Kingdom, to show and tell others who we were before Christ, how we came to Him, and how He has changed our lives, and to challenge them to repent of their sins, to receive God’s love and forgiveness, and to accept the Spirit’s invitation to receive Christ as their Savior, Lord, and King.
The Two Assignments of the Church
1. To Obey the Great Commandment—Love God and Love People
Luke 10:25-28 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked,
“what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read
it?”27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”28 “You have answered
correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
We Love God Through Worship
Psalm 100: 1-2 1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before
him with joyful songs. Psalm 150: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
We Love God Through Stewardship
1 Chronicles 29:13-14 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
We Love People Through Fellowship
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
We Love people through ministry (service)
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went
around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers. Luke 6:27-28 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
2. To Execute the Great Commission—Live Like Jesus through Evangelism and Discipleship
Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We Live like Jesus Through Evangelism
Mark 1:14-15 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of
God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the
good news!” Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We Live Like Jesus Through Discipleship
1 John 2:3-6 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I
know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if
anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in
him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
The Portrait of the Spirit-Empowered Church—They Loved God, Loved People, and Lived Like Jesus
Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching [discipleship] and to fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer [worship]. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders
and signs performed by the apostles [ministry]. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in
common [fellowship]. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need
[stewardship]. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts [worship]. They broke
bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts [fellowship], 47 praising God
[worship] and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved [evangelism].
The Holy Spirit: Power for Kingdom Living, Week 4
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
September 7, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
The Holy Spirit’s presence and power enables the church to successfully fulfill its
assignment—to advance the Kingdom of God
The Church—ekklesia
- an assembly of citizens gathered to make decisions for the community,
- the community of people who acknowledge Jesus as their Savior and King, who live under His
lordship and reign, and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to advance His Kingdom
Biblical Metaphors for the Church
Christ’s Body
Ephesians 1:15-23 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and
your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in
my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give
you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the
eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has
called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably
great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted
when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not
only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet
and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness
of him who fills everything in every way.
Christ’s Household and Temple
Ephesians 2:18-22 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is
joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being
built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Christ’s Bride
Ephesians 5:25-32 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just
as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall
leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
The Assignment of the Church
1. To obey the Great Commandment
Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus
replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Love God:
Worship—to bow down, to worship, to kiss toward, show homage, honor, to serve or offer,
revere, and to ascribe worth to God
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Stewardship—To acknowledge and honor God as the creator and owner of everything, and to
faithfully fulfill our responsibility to manage of all of life (our time, talents, bodies, resources,
relationships, the gospel, etc.) for His service.
1 Chronicles 29:13-14 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a
price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Love People
Matthew 22:36-40 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Fellowship—koinonia, deep spiritual partnership and sharing life, among believers
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Ministry—diakonia, service, serving others in Christ’s name
Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he
went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God
was with him.
2. To execute the Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age.”
Live Like Jesus
Evangelism—to proclaim the good news of the gospel of the Kingdom, and challenge people to
repent and respond to the invitation to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord
Mark 1:14-15 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good
news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent
and believe the good news!”
Discipleship—to be an apprentice of Jesus Christ—to learn from and about him, to imitate his
way of life and to continue His mission by making other disciples
Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and
signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in
common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day
they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Holy Spirit
Surrendered to the Holy Spirit
August 31, 2025
Sis. Lelia Broughton
Mind
• Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
• Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
• Ephesians 4:23 And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.
Soul
Mark 8:36 “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” Matthew 10:28 do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Heart
• Proverbs 4:23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
• Ephesians 6 says put on your breastplate to guard your heart.
• Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
How this works together
• Body: vessel → interacts with the world.
• Mind: processor → interprets information and forms beliefs.
• Soul: chooser → decides based on mind, emotions, or spirit.
• Spirit: connector → links us to God.
Holy Spirit: divine power source → brings life, clarity, and transformation to the whole being.
Surrender
When surrendered to the Holy Spirit, the order flows:
Spirit → Soul → Mind → Body.
When you are not surrendered, the order flips:
Body → Mind → Soul (while the spirit lies dormant)
1 Corinthians 2:9-14 “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Holy Spirit: Power for Kingdom Living, Week 3
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
August 24, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
The Holy Spirit’s presence gives us the extraordinary power we require to live the Kingdom life
Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
John 14:15-17 15 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. 16 And I
will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate,
Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth,
whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know
Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in
you.
We’ve Got the Power: 6 Things that Happen When the Spirit Moves In
1. The Holy Spirit’s presence frees us from the power and penalty of sin
Romans 8:1-4 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2
And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the
power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the
weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in
a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s
control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just
requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful
nature but instead follow the Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit’s presence transforms our thinking from death to life and peace
Romans 8:5-8 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but
those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So
letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control
your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never
did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of
their sinful nature can never please God.
3. The Holy Spirit’s presence proves we belong to Christ
Romans 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit
if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the
Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
4. The Holy Spirit’s presence gives us abundant life now, and eternal life later
Romans 8:10-11 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because
of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 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.
5. The Holy Spirit's presence empowers us to be victors over, not victims under, sin
Romans 8:12-13 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what
your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if
through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will
live.
6. The Holy Spirit’s presence confirms our adoption and inheritance as God’s children
Romans 8:14-18 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.15 So you
have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit
when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit
joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children,
we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to
share his glory, we must also share his suffering.18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing
compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Application
1. Review this week’s notes
2. Join us for Wednesday night Bible study to study and pursue the power of the Holy Spirit
Can You Hear Me Now?
Holy Spirit is Speaking
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Minister Trashawnda Ward, M.Ed.
The Sermon in a Sentence: Clear hearing begins with the right connection.
Key Words:
1. Advocate—from the Latin word “advocare” which means to add a voice.
2. Teacher—instructor, one who imparts knowledge
5 Barriers to Clearly Hearing Holy Spirit’s Voice:
1. Being Controlled by Sin
Romans 8:7-9 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did
obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the
control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled
by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of
God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of
Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you
live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will
be saved on the day of redemption.
2. Stifling or Quenching (extinguishing) the Spirit
I Thessalonians 5:19, Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
3. Feelings of Fear and Unworthiness—God won’t speak to me.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
4. Determining how YOU think God should speak.
Isaiah 55:8-9 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
5. Too much noise!
II Timothy 4:3-4 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to
sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will
look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to
hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 Ways to Repair Your Connection:
1. Accept that the Holy Spirit wants to be in relationship with you!
John 14:26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my
representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and
will remind you of everything I have told you.
2. Turn down the noise of the world, by renewing your mind in God’s word.
Romans 12:2 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will
learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3, Put time on your calendar each day to spend time with God.
I Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my
path.
4. Ask!
Luke 11:13 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
those who ask him.”
Matthew 7:7 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be
opened to you.
5. Use the How to Hear from God tab at bcpgh.info, and do that exercise with the daily scripture readings.
Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).
