December 20 – 26, 2008
PREPARED BY THE SPIRIT
In this lesson
you will learn how to be prepared by the Spirit on the inside of you and
through you to be a bold witness.
I.
Two
types of preparation.
A.
Natural
preparation.
1.
You
prepare for the day by doing things like bathing and brushing your teeth.
2.
You
may prepare for an interview, contest, sales, or a purchase.
B.
Spiritual
preparation.
1.
It
is important for us to be prepared by the Holy Spirit for what God is doing.
2.
Many
people were unprepared and unaware of Jesus’ birth, life, and ministry. They
were not prepared for what God was doing.
II.
People
who were prepared and looking for Jesus’ coming – Luke 2:25-38.
A.
Luke
2:25-35 – Simeon, a just and devout man of God, was waiting for the Consolation
of Israel (Messiah), and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It was revealed
(revelation knowledge from God) to him that he would see the Lord Jesus before
his death. By the Spirit he went to the temple at the same time that Jesus’
parents took Him there. Simeon took Him up in his arms and blessed God and
prophesied Jesus’ future.
1. To be prepared by the Spirit will put you
in the right place at the right time and you will know things to come.
B.
Luke
2:36-38 – Anna, a prophetess and widow of eighty-four years, did not depart
from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. Coming
in the instant of Jesus being brought to the temple, she gave thanks to the
Lord and spoke of Jesus to all those who looked for redemption in
III.
We
are in the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
A.
Joel
2:27-29, Acts 2:17-21 – “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions…” (Joel 2:28). In the
last days God will pour out His Spirit on men, women, young, and old.
DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
·
Are
you prepared for what God is doing right now and what He is about to do on the
earth?
·
What
are you doing to prepare yourself?
·
Share
what the Spirit of God is speaking to you.
BE
A DOER OF THE WORD
Open
your heart and speak this to the Lord, “Lord, how can I be prepared and ready
for what You are doing on the earth today?”
SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Joel 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass
afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.”