Edify Your Spirit

Paul Black – Short Talk Notes

 

Sunday 7^th March 2021 – BCC Zoom Meeting

 

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands. (Psalm19:1 Amp)

 

As I read this verse I was reminded of Mount Wilson Observatory in California having a large telescope for viewing the stars – It is perched high on top of the mountain because there is less light pollution; less contamination in the atmosphere; fewer clouds – all helping to make pictures of the stars clearer than those seen from lower altitudes.

One of the most famous Directors of the Observatory was a man called Edwin Hubble and he made some astonishing discoveries whilst working there (he died in the 1950’s).

But the launching of one of the largest and most versatile low orbit telescopes by America in 1990, aptly called the “Hubble Telescope”, revolutionised our understanding of the universe. The amazing pictures being relayed back to earth were of distant galaxies and stars unable to be seen from earth itself.

This telescope was free from the restrictions and limitations of earth, it was in another dimension able to see and explore with far greater clarity in ways not possible on earth.

As I pondered these things I believe that God wanted me to use this as a picture of the difference between the physical realm and the spiritual realm.

³ Jesus answered Nicodemus, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a man is [spiritually] born again, born from above, he cannot see and experience the kingdom of God.” (6) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:3;6 various)

We are spiritual beings created to live in Heavenly realms. Paul reminds us in (Ephesians 2:6 Amp) that,  ⁶ And God raised us up together with Jesus [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus,

But so often we look with just our physical eyes. We look from the standpoint of our earthly, fleshly lives; from our past experiences and from our prevailing culture; like the telescope bound to the earth and affected by its conditions and pollution. BUT there is so much more to see and understand. The spiritual realm is far greater and more real than the physical realm in which we live – this is the realm which Jesus came to show and demonstrate when He walked amongst us – When He declared that the Kingdom of Heaven was in our midst.  He sent out the twelve disciples and the seventy-two believers to manifest the power and the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven – a spiritual Kingdom being manifest in the physical realm.

The Bible tells us in (John 4:24 NIV) that,

“God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

And in (John 6:63 NIV) We are told,

‘The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing and Jesus declared, “The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life.

(John 7:38 NIV) records Jesus saying,

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”– Spiritual Rivers, not physical –  but having an impact on the physical realm, bringing life and healing wherever they flow.

HOW DO WE GROW IN THIS SPIRITUAL REALM?

I think it goes without saying that we need to pray and read God’s Word regularly. BUT I think there is another area in which Paul is very specific about and I believe that this is the area that God wants me to really emphasise this morning. The Bible, speaking through the Apostle Paul, tells us how.

Paul tells us, (1 Cor 14:18; 4)

“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. – Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves,

Edifies (oikodomei) to be a house-builder; construct or confirm. Only the amount of our commitment or desire limits the dimensions of what we are building.

I am believing that the more I speak in tongues the bigger will be the building; the more I will be edified, built up, in my spirit.

Jude also tells us the same thing,“But you beloved build yourselves up in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit.”  (Jude 1:20 NIV – Greek)

Do you know that you can speak in tongues whilst reading the Bible or as you speak in tongues you can be praying in English in your minds

Paul says in (1 Cor 14:14-15)

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

The more we choose to speak in tongues and edify, build up, our spirits the more revelation we will receive from the Holy Spirit as He continues to lead us into all the truth. The more we speak in tongues (which is a miracle at work) then the more we will be engaging with God’s Kingdom manifesting its Glory and Power – to our neighbours; on our streets; in our town and nation – ALL in the Name of Jesus.

 

Below is the audio of meeting highlights which begins with the above message.

God bless you as you listen and may he fill you anew with his Spirit.