Mount Helena Community Church

Jason Harris shares on God orchestrating events beyond our limited understanding.

The Holy Spirit and his gifts empower the church—under Christ and his chosen shepherds—in unity, decency, and order. Keys to power and unity include forgiving one another and following God's appointed order: Christ the Head, then God-ordained shepherds, then other believers serving Christ, the church, and the world.

1 Peter 4:10-11 teaches that: We all have gifts; they are intended to serve others; we must steward them well; and they are for God's glory. Also, we see in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that love is above them all, and in Philippians 2:2–8 that we are to have the mind of Christ (perfect humility) in all we do. Gifts are given "for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) and are meant to build up the church in unity, maturity, and love. If you don't know your gift(s) – ask God and the people around you, and then use them for his glory!

We have all been empowered by the Holy Spirit with specific gifts and abilities. We should all aim to identify these giftings and use these talents and abilities to better serve the body of Christ!

After Jesus left earth, the Holy Spirit came to enable believers to resist sin and fulfill God’s mission. He existed from the beginning and throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 1:2; Numbers 11:9; Job 34:14-15; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 32:14-18, 44:3; Joel 2:28-29)—but since Acts, he has been present with us in a new way, as promised by both John the Baptist and Christ (Matthew 3:11; John 16:7; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). He purifies, unifies, illuminates / instructs, and empowers (2 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; John 14:26; Acts 2).

Who is the authority that decides who I am? Expressive individualism says it’s ME; but God says it’s HIM. Paul says: Don’t be trapped by the philosophies of this world that are not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8); instead, let Christ give you his own new identity (Colossians 3:1-17), bought by the authority of his sacrifice on the cross.

Just as a redwood tree's roots are wide just as they are deep, so a Christian's roots should not only have depth in their relationship with God, but also width in their relationship with others. We are all stronger when we are part of a healthy, life-giving community. Ephesians 3:14-19 tells us to be rooted and grounded in love…together with God’s people. Loving God’s people is key.

Samson was crazy strong in body, but not morally. True strength comes from seeking God (Isaiah 40:31). On our own we can’t be strong, but in the Lord we can!. Compare Samson’s ever-increasing moral compromises, humiliation, and death (Judges 13-16) to Christ’s example of Ephesian 6:10 (the secret of true spiritual strength): “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”

We’re in a spiritual battle! The Bible tells how to win it, and shows how Jesus won against Satan’s temptations.

Senior leader JR Quigley preaches out of Ephesians 6 on the Armor of God.