Why we need the Holy Spirit? – Part 2
Brother Edward continues his message on being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The sermon draws from several key passages to illustrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit:
- Acts 1:8: The foundational promise that believers receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
- Romans 7 & 8: A contrast between the “carnal” state (where one does what they hate) and the “spiritual” state. Brother Edward notes that “I” is mentioned 21 times in Chapter 7 (struggle), while “Spirit” is mentioned 21 times in Chapter 8 (victory).
- Galatians 5:16: The instruction to “walk in the Spirit” as the only way to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
- 1 Corinthians 2: The classification of three types of people: the Spiritual (Spirit-led), the Natural/Carnal (unconverted), and the Fleshy (believers living by human effort).
Brother Edward challenges the congregation to move beyond “religious advice” and human effort to resolve life’s issues.
- Healing Relationships: Stop trying to “fix” or “tolerate” others through willpower. Fullness of the Spirit is the only way to truly forgive 25-year-old grudges or overcome jealousy.
- Overcoming the Flesh: Instead of focusing on legalistic rules (dress length, smoking, dancing), focus on being filled with the Spirit. Brother Edward argues that once the Spirit controls the heart, external behaviors align naturally.
- Effective Witnessing: Recognize that shyness and fear are displaced by the Spirit’s power. Members are encouraged to move from “lazy” or “ashamed” witnessing to being “bold” and “effective” like the disciples.
- Prayer Life: Move away from “dry” and “boring” 5-minute prayers or reading from books. The congregation is urged to let the Spirit intercede with “groanings that cannot be uttered.”
Translation into Armenian
Այս քարոզը կենտրոնանում է Սուրբ Հոգու լեցունության անհրաժեշտության վրա՝ հիմնվելով Գործք 1:8-ի և Հռոմեացիս 8-րդ գլխի վրա: եղբայր Էդվարդը բացատրում է, որ առանց Սուրբ Հոգու մենք մնում ենք մարմնավոր, վախկոտ և անկարող ենք ներել կամ ճշմարիտ աղոթել: Նա շեշտում է, որ Սուրբ Հոգին է տալիս զորություն՝ հաղթահարելու մարմնի գործերը և դառնալու Քրիստոսի ազդեցիկ վկաները: Միայն Հոգու առաջնորդությամբ մեր աղոթքը դառնում է կենդանի և ընդունելի Աստծուն:
