THE GATEWAY TO THE SPIRIT-CONTROLLED LIFE
John 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:1,11; Galatians 5:16-18,24,25; 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Scripture teaches that the entrance of the Spirit of God at salvation makes a believer experience supernatural wonders on a daily basis. The Spirit begins to control his language, disposition and other aspects of his life. The power of the Spirit becomes central in his life. The Holy Spirit thus becomes the gateway into the Kingdom and divine wonders. "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." The Holy Spiri is also the gateway into sanctification and holiness of life that makes us peculiar people of the Lord. Besides, the Holy Spirit is the gateway to a life of power - power to evangelize, endure trial and persecution - at all times.

1. THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN YOU.
John 3:3-6; 14:17; Romans 8:1-4,7,8,9,14,13.

Mere religious profession does not make anyone a Chriatian. What makes one a Christian and qualifies him for the Kingdom is the presence of the Spirit in him. The Holy Spirit partners with the believers to lead and guide him.

moral lesson?

1. THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN YOU.
John 3:3-6; 14:17; Romans 8:1-4,7,8,9,14,13.

Mere religious profession does not make anyone a Chriatian. What makes one a Christian and qualifies him for the Kingdom is the presence of the Spirit in him. The Holy Spirit partners with the believers to lead and guide him. Although Nicodemus, a highly placed individual in the Jewish society, recognized and honoured Christ, he did not know the way into the Kingdom of God. "Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he i old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" He could not tell the difference between the natural birth and the spiritual birth. The spiritual birth by the Spirit brings total transformation of life and makes the believer possess the Spirit of truth; lying, deception, hypocrisy, diplomacy, will all be gone. He is enabled to live a consistent Christian life and walk in the Spirit. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify....

2. THE PURITY THROUGH SANCTIFICTION IN YOU.
Psalm 24:3,4; Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:9; 1 Timothy 5:21,22; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Jude 20,21,24,25.
Obtaining salvation and enjoying good health, deliverance and prosperity without sanctification is not sufficient to take the believer to heaven. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?... He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart...".
Professing believers who are sensual in their mode of worship, filled with immoral thoughts, steal money from the coffers of the church ir government, defraud their employers or employees, kidnap others and demand for ransom, assassinate or murder their fellow human beings, give or take bribes, earn salary with forged certificates and wish their enemies evil, do not possess clean hands and a pure heart that qualifies one for God's kingdom.

3. THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT IN YOU.
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5; 19:2; Isaiah 40:31

Christ's command is to "...tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Believers must not allow church administration, religious activities and running errands for relationship to make them take preeminence in everything we do.
We must strike a balance between Christian activities and our desire to get to heaven, and go beyond mere religion to reach out for true righteousness. The baptism with the Holy Ghost that empowers us to lead a victorious Christian life and fulfill the great commission is available for evey believer who waits upon the Lord.

UNCHRISTLIKE JUDGMENT FORBIDDEN.
Matthew 7:1,2.
"Judge not." These gracious word of Jesus are often quoted casually and carelessly. When an evil-doer is confronted by a friend or neighbour, instead of showing any desire to change or repent, he glibly responds by saying, "judge not." Many people, in their ignorance, use the words of Jesus to cover up their evil deeds and continue in the way that leads to destruction.
The problem of such interpreters advocating absolute liberty without restrain is that they forget that God is the great judge and Christ is also the Judge of the living and the dead.

1. MISINTERPRETATION OF CHRIST'S WORDS ON JUDGMENT.
Matthew 7:1; John 19:11,12; Luke 20:22-26; 23:1,2; John 2:18-22; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6.
Satan quoted God's Word to Jesus to persuade Him to please the flesh, to worship Satan and to sin against God. It is not enough to merely say the Word, we must know its context, meaning and proper application. As a general rule, any quotation of God's Word which is intended to justify wrong-doing or cover up sin in any way is wrong and misleading. Leaders and teachers who have a charge to keep must judge and lift up the standard for the people.

2. MODEL OF CHRIST'S WISDOM IN JUDGNENT.
Matthew 7:1; 10:16; 7:15-20; 13:36-43; 23:13-33; Luke 16:14,15; John 3:18-20; 8:24,37-44; 9:39-41; 5:22-30; Matthew 16:6-12; 18:15-17.
The actions of Jesus give us a perfect interpretation of His words. It is said of the Pharisees, "for they say, and do not" but we cannot say that of Christ. His life interprets His words and His words explain His life. His life and His words do not contradict but they complement one another. This He did as "the judge of quick and dead" and "the watchman" over the souls of those He came to save (Luke 19:10).

3. MANDATE IN CHRIST'S WORDS ON JUDGMENT.
Matthew 7:1,2; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; Luke 12:57; Isaiah 65:5; Ezekiel 13:22; Romans 2:1,2; 14:1-4, 10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:5.
In our personal relation one with the other as brethren, our Lord has commanded us not to judge one another. We can admonish one another, counsel and correct one another, exhort and watch over one another, teach and edify one another, be concerned for one another, minister to one another, exhort and challenge one another but we are not to judge, criticize or condemn one another.

PERSEVERANCE IN THE EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY.
Acts 18:1-28.
In the previous chapter, we followed the Apostle, Paul, as he evangelized and ministered in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens. The results, responses and reactions were varied and profitable. In Thessalonica, a great multitude of men and women believed (Acts 17:4); in Berea, many of them also believed and became committed to studying the Scriptures and growing in grace and godliness.