LOCK IT OR LOSE IT

•    Bosma murder cautions on dealing with strangers
•    Canadian “pioneer code” reluctant to lock doors
•    younger generation finds hard to trust anyone but themselves
•    Spirit’s coming reflects huge authority-shift

THE SPIRIT’S EFFECT IN OUR LIVES

•    new birth & renewal (Jn 3:5f; Ti 3:5)
•    spiritual satisfaction & fullness (Jn 4:14; 7:37f)
•    positive experience emotionally (Rom 14:17; 5:5; Gal 5:22f)
•    transformed character (2Cor 3:18)
•    truth & understanding (1Cor 2:12; Jn 14:16f, 26; 16:13)
•    focus on Jesus as authority (Jn 15:26; 16:14)
•    convict & correct (Jn 16:8ff; Rom 9:1; Rev 2:29)
•    power over weaknesses (Lk 24:49; Ac 1:8)
•    power to speak (Ac 4:31; 2:4, 11)
•    power to behave (Rom 8:2, 6, 9, 13)
•    power to serve through gifts (1Cor 12:7-11)
•    connects to Jesus as Lord / God as Father (1Cor 12:3; Rom 8:15ff; Gal 4:6)
•    our Helper / Paraclete (Php 1:19; Rom 8:26)
•    how to receive? Ask! (Lk 11:13; Ac 2:38)

WHEN SONS AND DAUGHTERS DON’T PROPHESY

•    promise of poured-out Spirit to include younger generation (Ac 2:17)
•    Hemorrhaging Faith researchers studied >2,000 Canadians 18-34
•    craving authenticity not hypocrisy
•    drop-off between ages of child / youth / young adult
•    spiritual types: Engagers, Fence-sitters, Wanderers, Rejecters
•    importance of parents’ modelling of spiritual disciplines
•    need for church to be involved in community, answering tough questions, involving youth in leadership
•    vital role of summer camps, mission trips