Walk in the Spirit

8-24-25

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

By Pastor Gary Wayne

In the four gospels, we have four different eyewitnesses giving their take on what happened. Consequently, as you read, the same happening, there are different nuggets added by their personal perspective.

Context of chapter Luke 24 – Right after His resurrection, Jesus walked with two of His followers on the road going to Emmaus – they didn’t know who He was, but when they got where they were going, Jesus indicated he would keep going. They urged him to stay with them, so he agreed to have a meal with them. Ver.31, 35 says when He took the bread, blessed and broke it, their eyes were opened, then he vanished from their sight.

Text: Galatians 5:16-17, John 20:19-20, Lk.24:33-45
Ver.45 “He supernaturally unlocked their understanding to receive the revelation of the Scriptures.” (PT)

Jn.20:19-20
Notice this tells us when Jesus first appeared to them, He said: “Peace be with you.”
Then He shows them His hands and side. “Then the disciples were glad…”

Why were they not glad the first time Jesus declared peace over them?
For fear of the Jews.
Because they thought they were seeing a spirit.
Because their hearts were still holding onto the fear and trauma they had experienced.

Ver. 21a Notice – Jesus said to them again, “Peace..”
They finally had let go of fear.

Ver.21b “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” What is Jesus saying here?

What was Jesus sent to do? I believe His main purpose was to show us who the Father was – and to release the Holy Spirit.

What are we assigned to do? Reveal the Father and release the Holy Spirit.

A huge key here is ver.22 “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
God’s first created people, and now His new creations come alive with His breath of the Holy Spirit.
Even thought this was not the “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” – that is a 2nd baptism we all have been promised and is NEEDED – but having the Holy Spirit leading me is VITAL.
For me to be alive unto God, to fulfill my purpose, I NEED the Holy Spirit.

Gal.5:16-17
v.17 lusts = to set the heart upon, to long for.
It can be a sexual thing, but this word is much more that sexual.
The word emphasizes the intensity of the desire rather than the object desired.

English Standard Version
Ver.17 “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other…”

These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so I am not free to carry out what I want.

Passon Translation
Ver.17 “When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit, you hinder Him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.

Down deep, I really want to fulfill what Jesus said was my assignment.
But too often fear rules my heart, and the trauma I hold onto doesn’t allow the fullness of the Holy Spirit to lead me.
Even though Jesus speaks peace over me, I can end up feeling like attending church is fulfilling my mission – believe in the right doctrine.
And I get close but miss the leading of Holy Spirit.
My intensity of the desire to follow my flesh is at war with following the Spirit.

As a result, I miss His peace.

I want the fullness of the Holy Spirit – whatever that looks like.
Not sidetracked by tongues, or the different manifestations of power, but His presence – to where He chooses to use me in whatever manifestation He know will fulfill my calling.