Tag Archives: promises

When does one receive the HOLY SPIRIT

Leave a comment

This is the Sunday sermon at Calvary Temple, India, delivered by Dr. P. Satish Kumar on October 6, 2024.

📖 Acts 2:41-42
Peter denied knowing Jesus. Later, when the disciples and some believers were praying together, the Holy Spirit descended upon them, and when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they achieved victory in the very places where they had once fallen, where they had been weak, and where they had lived dishonorably before God!
If the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we will live strong and victorious lives, particularly in the areas where we were once weak!

Every person who has Christ also has the Holy Spirit. At times, if someone asks you whether you have received the Holy Spirit or been filled with the Holy Spirit, there’s no need to be confused. When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, the Father in Heaven gives us the Holy Spirit as a gift. The Bible says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

“So those who accepted His word were baptized” (Acts 2:41).
In those days, the early church first accepted the word. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the Word! After accepting Christ as their Savior, they were baptized.
👉 One should only be baptized after being saved! (⚠ Baptism should not be taken for salvation.)
Baptism means participating in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).
God has forgiven my past sinful life and given me a new life. When I go into the water, I am burying my old life, and when I come out, I am a new person — this is the testimony baptism gives to the world!
👉 Some may say, “We are saved, but we want to take baptism together as a family.” But baptism is personal! Just as when we eat, everyone has their own plate, in the same way, after accepting Christ as a personal Savior, each individual must take their own baptism. Please do not delay baptism even after accepting Christ as your personal Savior because of your spouse, children, parents, or family members.

In the Bible, a eunuch who understood the truth about God and accepted Christ immediately went into the water and was baptized (Acts 8:34-38).
👉 Baptism must be done by immersion in water — that is the biblical baptism.

The prison guard and his entire household were taught the word of God, and they were immediately baptized (Acts 16:31-33).
👉 One should take baptism immediately after dying to sin!

Peter, who once denied knowing Jesus out of fear of being killed, boldly stood up in front of the same people in the same city of Jerusalem and proclaimed, “We are witnesses of this Christ, whom you crucified.” He had once been afraid, but after being filled with the Holy Spirit, he gained courage.

Dear brothers and sisters, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
Some may claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit but behave uncontrollably. The Bible says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
👉 If the Spirit of God is dwelling in you, you will be in control! Uncontrolled speaking, clapping, or behavior is not a characteristic of someone filled with the Holy Spirit.

The early church was first saved, then baptized, and then they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
🔵 There are four pillars of spiritual life:

  1. The Word!
  2. Fellowship!
  3. Breaking of Bread!
  4. Prayer!
    👆 These four are essential for our spiritual lives!

🔴 1. The Word: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Those who are saved and baptized are considered newborns in Christ! 👉 Newborns need the milk of the Word. The Bible emphasizes, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

👉 After being saved and baptized, in order to grow strong spiritually, you need the Word! Regardless of our age, we are still children in God’s sight! As His children, we require the spiritual milk of His Word! The more frequently you receive the Word, the more you will grow spiritually. Just as a plant thrives when it is watered regularly, your spiritual life will flourish when you attend God’s house and meditate on His Word regularly!

🔴 2. Fellowship: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer without ceasing” (Acts 2:42).

Fellowship is a critical aspect of spiritual growth. Engaging with fellow believers encourages mutual support, accountability, and shared worship. Being a part of a faith community enables you to build lasting relationships rooted in Christ and strengthens your spiritual journey.

🔴 3. Breaking of Bread: Breaking bread refers to participating in communion, a sacred act that Jesus instituted during the Last Supper. It represents remembering His sacrifice and uniting with fellow believers in His name. By regularly partaking in communion, we renew our connection to Christ’s redemptive work on the cross and our relationship with one another in the body of Christ.

🔴 4. Prayer: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Prayer is an essential part of a believer’s life. The Bible says, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through prayer, we communicate with God, draw closer to Him, and receive His guidance and strength. In difficult times, prayer can bring peace and breakthrough. Are there challenges you are facing that seem insurmountable? Prayer can open doors that seem closed. Never cease praying, for through it, God works in miraculous ways.

By incorporating the Word, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer into your daily life, your relationship with God will be strengthened, and your spiritual growth will thrive.

Why do God’s promises seem to take so long?

1 Comment

This is the Sunday sermon at Calvary Temple, India, delivered by Dr. P. Satish Kumar on September 8, 2024.

About 13 years before David actually became king, God had anointed David as king over Israel through Samuel. The reason was that David lived according to God’s heart, had a heart that pleased God, preserved his holiness in his youth, and lived as a mighty warrior in the hands of God.

The Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). In these last days, those who live truly and righteously are becoming rare. It would be wonderful if God’s eyes were upon you in such times. Reflect on this!

When God examined the Israelites, everyone seemed to be wicked, but David, who was in his youth, appeared to be living according to God’s will. Consequently, God anointed David as king of Israel through the prophet Samuel.

However, David did not immediately get the opportunity to rule as king.

Dear sisters and brothers, God sometimes takes time to fulfill His perfect will for us. This was the case with David. He had to wait 13 years to rule as king. During this waiting period, David learned a lot. He learned about human envy, animosity, and hatred through Saul.

In our spiritual journey, we meet good people who bring us joy, and loving people who leave sweet memories in our lives. We also encounter bad people who teach us valuable lessons. Similarly, spiritual mentors improve our lives, bring us closer to God, and live as examples.

David learned patience through Saul. When Saul tried to kill him, David had to endure in a desperate and dire situation, wandering in the wilderness. David had to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise. For about 13 or 14 years, Saul obstructed David from receiving the blessings and authority he was destined for. However, during these 13 or 14 years, God taught David valuable lessons.

Dear sisters and brothers, if you are going through struggles, labor, and trials, God is teaching you valuable lessons. God has higher plans and thoughts for you. He wants to bless you, make you a blessing to many, elevate you, and fulfill His higher purposes for you. To inherit these blessings, you need to gain experiences that God allows through people like Saul.

David learned great patience, but he also made mistakes out of despair and impatience. David became afraid of Saul. In reality, David had no reason to fear. The Bible says, “The Lord is with David.” Thus, God did not deliver David into Saul’s hands. If God did not deliver David to Saul, Saul had no chance of harming him! Yet, David faltered in his faith.

In our lives, we might lose things, but we should never lose our faith. The Bible says, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).

David, in his fear of Saul, made the mistake of seeking refuge in the land of the Philistines rather than trusting God. As a result, he faced difficulties and obstacles to the anointing as king of Israel.

The Bible says that Abner, Saul’s commander, made Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-9). Abner was initially a commander of Saul’s army but proved to be an ineffective leader. At one time, David even spared Abner’s life (1 Samuel 26:12-16).

Now, Abner feared that David would become king over Israel after being made king over Judah. Abner, driven by envy, sought to prevent David from becoming king over all Israel.

When we are about to see progress and blessings, when we are moving forward with hope, and when good days seem to be approaching, people like Abner will undoubtedly come into our lives.

Dear sisters and brothers, when you are on the verge of achieving your goals, when it’s time to receive what you’ve been waiting for, many obstacles will arise to prevent you from attaining it. Such obstacles may even come from those in ministry or service.

When such obstacles arise, please don’t be discouraged, fearful, or troubled. Even if you feel like things are getting worse when you expect them to get better, remember that it’s a time of testing.

Bible scholar J.J. Butler stated that while it is true that David was anointed king over Israel, it took about seven and a half years for him to become king over the entire nation. This delay was possibly due to David’s mistake of seeking refuge in the Philistine territory rather than fully trusting in God.

Sometimes, due to our mistakes and sins, God might delay the blessings He intends to give us. David’s delay in becoming king might have been a result of seeking refuge in the Philistines.

Luke 1:5-8, 11-18, 20, 22

Zechariah did not believe in God’s promises! When we fail to trust God at the right time, we must pay the price.

David faced the same situation. He was meant to trust in God’s promises but faltered and went to places he shouldn’t have, seeking refuge with those he shouldn’t have. As a result, obstacles arose to his anointing as king of Israel. Abner, a wicked person, obstructed David’s anointing.

The Bible says, “You will be afraid and sin” (2 Samuel 2:8-9). Fear leads us to sin.

Abner, despite being ineffective, wanted to continue his role, so he made Ish-bosheth king over Israel. Despite the military incapacity of Ish-bosheth, Abner’s actions were driven by his own schemes.

In the end, David became strong while Saul’s house weakened (2 Samuel 3:1). When Saul’s family and David’s family were at war, David became stronger while Saul’s house weakened.

Dear readers, Saul, who was an obstacle in David’s life, died, and David was anointed king. If you commit to God’s will and trust Him, despite obstacles and delays, God will give you the best blessings He has in store. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, remember that God is working in ways you may not yet understand.

A little girl once brought apples to her mother. When her mother asked for an apple, the little girl bit into each apple and placed it back in the basket, thinking her mother would eat them all. The mother, feeling hurt and confused, eventually realized that her daughter was trying to give her the best apples.

Similarly, do not misinterpret God’s delay in blessings. He is preparing the best for you, and during this time, He wants you to gain the experiences you need.