Author name: Pastor Babatope Aguntasolo

Introduction Imagine a smartphone that has all the latest technology, features and functions, yet it remains uncharged. No matter how advanced it is, if it doesn’t connect to a power source, it cannot perform its intended functions. Similarly, as believers, we are designed to operate in the fullness of the Spirit, but we often find ourselves disconnected from the true source of our power, the Holy Spirit.  Consider a plant that is rooted in good soil but is not watered regularly. Over time, it begins to wilt and struggle to thrive. Just as a plant requires consistent nourishment and care to flourish, our spiritual lives need the constant flow of the Holy Spirit to grow and thrive. Scripture References Ephesians 2:6: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Why Must We Ascend to Higher Dimensions? Power of God: When believers progress from the flesh to the Spirit, they open themselves to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This divine empowerment enables believers to overcome challenges, resist temptations, and live lives that fulfill God’s purpose. Acts 1:8 affirms this: ‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Presence of God: Progressing into higher spiritual dimensions fosters a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. This closeness allows for more profound revelations, answers to prayers, and divine guidance—crucial for navigating life’s challenges. James 4:8 encourages us: ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’ The higher we ascend, the nearer we are to His presence. Purpose of God: Spiritual growth is vital for fulfilling God’s purpose on Earth. As believers transition into living in the Spirit, they become vessels through whom God can work, manifesting His love, grace, and truth to the world. Ephesians 2:10 states: ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ Our higher spiritual dimensions enable us to fulfill the divine purpose for which we were created. Position in Christ: Through salvation, believers are spiritually seated in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6 declares, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This means that, in God’s perspective, we are already elevated above our circumstances—seated with Christ in authority and divine influence when we ascend in higher dimensions in the Spirit. To truly ascend to higher realms in the Spirit, we first need to understand what spiritual dimensions are. These are levels of spiritual experience and influence that believers can operate in as they grow in Christ. Think of them as floors in a building; each higher level grants greater access to divine realities and supernatural capabilities. With this understanding, we can now explore the symbols that represent these levels: the Lake, Well, the River, and the Rain, each illustrating a different dimension of our spiritual journey. 1. The Lake(Spirit with Us): The lake level symbolizes the active manifestation of God’s Spirit, empowering old testament`s prophets and kings to perform miracles regardless of their personal spiritual maturity. Even when individuals like Samson were flawed, God’s Spirit could still work through them, demonstrating that divine power is sovereign and not limited by human shortcomings. 2. The Well(Spirit in Us): Salvation Definition: Represents our initial encounter with salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Bible Verse: John 4:14: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Example: The woman at the well (John 4:1-42) received living water, symbolizing salvation and new life in Christ. Contemporary Example: Think of someone who has just accepted Christ—much like a new parent experiencing the joys and challenges of bringing a new life into the world. Their initial joy is evident, but they need support to mature in faith. Vulnerabilities at the Well: Spiritual Drought: Lack of prayer and Bible study can lead to dryness. Isaiah 41:17: “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” External Pressures: Trials and societal pressures weaken faith. 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Distractions: Busyness hampers spiritual growth. Luke 8:14: “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” 3. The River(Spirit On Us): Baptism in the Spirit Definition: Signifies the baptism in the Holy Spirit, empowering us for supernatural living and ministry. Bible Verse: John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Example: The disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), who experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in tongues and perform miracles. Contemporary Example: A team of athletes training together, pushing each other, like believers in unity empowered by the Holy Spirit. Quote: “Thou art willing to follow the Holy Spirit; you cannot be led where you are not willing to follow.”

Text: Matthew 28:18-20, John 10:10 Introduction: As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be evangelists, spreading the Good News of salvation to a lost and dying world. Building capacity in evangelism requires intentionality, dedication, and a clear understanding of our role in fulfilling the Great Commission. In this sermon, we’ll explore the 5 F’s of evangelism, equipping us to effectively share the Gospel and make disciples. The 5 F’s: God’s Heart for UsAs we serve God and share the Gospel, remember: Conclusion: As we conclude this sermon, let us remember that building capacity in evangelism requires a commitment to the 5 F’s: finding the lost, feeling for them, feeding the flock, fostering fervent disciples, and bearing fruit. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission, making disciples of all nations and bringing glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us go forth and share the Gospel with compassion, love, and purpose, trusting in the One who has called us to this great task.

The Holy Spirit is our divine Helper, empowered by God to assist us in every aspect of our spiritual journey. One of His primary functions is to empower our understanding of the Scriptures, enabling us to live impactful lives. As Jesus taught in the parable of the sower, the spiritual understanding we receive determines the level of fruitfulness and influence we command (Matthew 13:23). The Holy Spirit helps us access divine revelation of God’s Word, making it alive and applicable to our circumstances. Through Him, we are not only able to comprehend divine truths but also to walk in the fullness of the Covenant, positioning ourselves in command of the affairs of life (John 14:26; Hebrews 9:1-4). The level of spiritual enlightenment we attain influences the glory we can command, as our walk in revelation directly impacts our spiritual authority (2 Corinthians 3:18). The first help of the Holy Spirit is for spiritual understanding and revelation. He assists us in comprehending divine truths, revealing God’s Word to us, and helping us walk in the light of divine mysteries (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12). This understanding empowers us to access the covenant promises and command authority over our circumstances. The second help is for sanctification and living holy. The Spirit refines us as fire, helping us to live righteous lives amidst the chaos of these end times (Malachi 3:1-4; Romans 8:13). He is the Spirit of holiness, enabling us to remain unshakable and pure, especially as iniquity abounds. The third help is for divine health and vitality. The Spirit energizes our mortal bodies, ensuring we walk in divine health and vitality. Sickness and disease are not part of God’s plan for His redeemed, and the Spirit helps us walk in divine health through the light of God’s Word, faith, joy, and quickening power (Romans 8:11; John 1:5). Declaring faith-filled words also becomes a powerful weapon to ward off infirmity. The fourth help is for an effective prayer life. The Spirit empowers our spirit man, making our prayers fervent and impactful. He reveals the will of God concerning our prayer requests, helping us pray according to divine purposes (Jeremiah 29:13; Isaiah 43:26). Praying in the Spirit stirs up faith and connects us directly to divine wisdom, ensuring our prayers produce answers (Jude 20; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13). The fifth help is for operating in the supernatural. The Holy Spirit is the source of signs, wonders, and miracles in these last days (Joel 2:28-29; Mark 16:17-20). The Word and the Spirit work together to produce supernatural results, and the right words spoken under His influence command divine power to transform situations (Isaiah 11:1-2; Hebrews 11:1). The sixth help is for vengeance and divine judgment. The Spirit is also the Spirit of vengeance, helping us silence enemies and execute God’s judgment on wickedness (Isaiah 61:1-3; Acts 13:8-11). Through His help, wickedness is overthrown, and we are empowered to flourish and reach new heights (Psalms 7:9-11; Isaiah 61:2-7). The seventh help is for divine guidance and leading. The Spirit guides us into our divine destiny, leading us into realms of fulfillment and success. Learning to be led by the Spirit ensures we make wise decisions and avoid pitfalls (Romans 8:14; Psalm 23:1-6). Trusting His leadership results in divine breakthroughs and generational blessings. In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is our divine Helper in every aspect of life. Accessing these seven helps—spiritual understanding, sanctification, health, prayer, operating in the supernatural, vengeance, and guidance which equips us to walk victoriously, fulfill God’s purpose, and live impactful lives. As we continually seek His help, we position ourselves to become more than conquerors in Christ, to access the help of the Holy Spirit, we must: Be Born Again and Live a Holy Life:Genuine salvation and holiness are the foundation for divine help to manifest fully in your life.John 3:3 – “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Engage in Persistent Prayer and Worship:Consistently pray in the Spirit and cultivate a lifestyle of praise to invite the help and presence of the Holy Spirit.Jude 20 – “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”Psalm 22:3 – “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Study and Obey the Word of God:Meditate on and obey God’s Word, as it attracts divine guidance, power, and assistance.Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.”John 15:7 – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Operate in Faith and Expectation:Trust God’s promises and expect His help, activating His assistance through your faith.Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Obey the Holy Spirit’s Leading:Be sensitive to His voice and follow His guidance, unlocking divine support and direction.John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”Isaiah 1:19 – “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Therefore, you need to play your own part if you want to access these 7 Helps as the provision is available the Kingdom by being a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to

In Luke 17:26-30, Jesus warns that the last days will be like the days of Noah and Lot, where people were consumed by everyday activities, leaving no room for God. These activities weren’t inherently sinful, but they distracted people from their spiritual lives. The Danger of Busyness Today, many are too busy to listen to God. Despite advancements in technology and time-saving devices, people find themselves rushed and preoccupied. Our priorities are often misplaced, and we neglect our spiritual lives. The Importance of Listening To be effective witnesses for our Lord, we must spend time at His feet, listening to His voice. Many are ambitious to preach, but they haven’t developed the habit of listening to God daily. This results in a lack of spiritual depth and an abundance of empty words. Examples from the Bible Moses, Joshua, and Samuel are examples of men who listened to God and spoke His words to others. Jesus Himself received daily guidance from His Father, and His words were filled with power and authority. The Art of Listening Listening to God involves more than just reading the Bible; it requires meditation and obedience. Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet teaches us the importance of rest, humility, and subjection in our walk with God. A Sign of a Spirit-Filled Life Hearing God’s voice clearly is a vital sign of being in the Spirit (Revelation 1:10). When we’re filled with the Spirit, we can discern God’s voice with precision. A Call to Reflection Do you hear God’s voice daily? If not, what is hindering you? Let’s pray Samuel’s prayer, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” and seek God’s face with earnestness in Jesus name, Amen.