Preparation and guidance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit will guide you to the right person
(Acts 8:26-35 NIV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road–the desert road–that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” {27} So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, {28} and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. {29} The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” {30} Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. {31} “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. {32} The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. {33} In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” {34} The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” {35} Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Philip would never have brought the Eunuch to Christ if he had not been sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Christians should listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us and be obedient to the call of the Spirit.
Throughout the book of Acts, we see how the apostles were guided by the Spirit. Without the Spirit’s guidance, the apostles would have encountered much more dangers and ministered to less people.
(Acts 10:19-22 NIV) While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. {20} So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” {21} Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” {22} The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
(Acts 16:6-7 NIV) Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. {7} When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
(Acts 22:17-18 NIV) “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance {18} and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ he said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts for the ministry
(Acts 8:30-35 NIV) {30} Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. {31} “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. {32} The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. {33} In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” {34} The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” {35} Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
It is so easy for Philip to lead the conversation towards the gospel message because the eunuch was reading the relevant scripture. It is so obvious that the Holy Spirit went before Philip and prepared both the heart of the eunuch as well as the conditions to make it possible for Philip to share the gospel.
We should also ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of those we want to evangelize to so that our effort will be easy and effective.
Ask God to give you the boldness to proclaim Him
(Acts 4:18-31 NIV) {18} Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. {19} But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God… {29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness… {31} After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The apostles were so effective in spreading the gospel because they were not afraid; they had the boldness of the Holy Spirit. If they had been timid, the gospel would never had carried on after Jesus’ death.
The Holy Spirit will teach us what to say.
(Luke 12:11 NIV) “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,
(Mat 10:18-20 NIV) On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
(Acts 6:8-10 NIV) Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. {9} Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)–Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, {10} but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
We need to speak not on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit. Only He can empower us to speak with such authority that no one is able to refute.
“I will give you words and wisdom that not one of your opponents will be able to meet or refute “, Luke 21 : 15
Ask for God’s special revelation
The Bible teaches that salvation is impossible except by the help of God. Even believing is impossible if God doesn’t intervene and assist us.
Matthew 19:2526 (NIV) When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV) Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
A good example is that of Paul. Would any kind of evangelism work on him? Nobody dared to try for fear of being put in prison. When God knows that human effort is difficult or impossible, He intervenes directly and supernaturally.
Acts 9:35 (NIV) As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
One encounter with the Lord was enough. In the presence of the Almighty God, Paul had no choice but to believe. Likewise, we may encounter someone who is so steeped in cults that reasoning from scripture cannot work. The only thing we can hope and pray for is God’s special revelation.
When we cannot find a suitable way to witness to a person, we have to leave it entirely up to God and prayer that God will find some ways to minister to this person through supernatural means.
The words have to reach them with the power of the Holy Spirit.
(1 Thessalonians 1:5 NIV) because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Warfare in evangelism
Spiritual forces are hindering our evangelism efforts
(Eph 6:12 NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) The god of this age (ie Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NIV) For we wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, did, again and again but Satan stopped us.
Matthew 13:19 (NIV) When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
Acts 26:18 (NIV) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Different types of strongholds
Physical obstacles to the gospel
(Acts 12:6-8 NIV) The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. {7} Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. {8} Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
It seems like victory for the devil when the apostles were put in chains. How can they preach the gospel when they are in prison? But the Holy Spirit would not let the gospel be obstructed. The apostles were set free miraculously.
You may not be put in prison so that you cannot preach the gospel. There may be other means that the devil is obstructing you. Ask God to remove any hindrance and obstacle.
Territorial strongman
Jesus teaches the importance of binding the strong man (the demons) before stealing their possessions (souls).
Matthew 12:29 (NIV) “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
Studying maps
Where is the power base of Satan? Where are the temples, mosques?
Strongholds of the mind
2 Corinthians 10:35 (NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(1 Cor 1:19-20 NIV) For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” {20} Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Identifying strongholds through spiritual mapping
Why do we need spiritual mapping?
Spiritual mapping is nothing more than a method to allow us to pray more specifically.
Before we pray for someone, we usually ask: “Is there anything you would like me to pray for?” We should also be asking the same question before we pray for a community.
Studying history
Some of the strongholds the enemy was using was deeply rooted in the actions of past generations.
Studying the map
Mark on the map locations of non-Christian religious activity such as temples, mosques, etc.
Mark out areas of demonic activities.
Mark out areas of “sinful” places.
Tearing down strongholds
We have a mandate to tear down strongholds and remove obstacles to the gospels
Jeremiah 1:10 (NIV) See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Physical removal of demonic artefacts
(Acts 19:19-20 NIV) A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. {20} In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Demonic forces inhabit many of these objects of demonic worship and can prevent people from seeing the truth. When these are gotten rid of, many people can come to know Christ. That is why it is necessary to explain to our friends who do not know Jesus that some practices are occultic and they should rid themselves of demonic objects. In this way they can be free to see the truth.
Identificational repentance
When a people renounce their ties to false gods, they make it exceeding undesirable for the enemy to remain in the community.
Humans are given dominion over the land.
(Gen 1:27-28 NIV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. {28} God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
We have a choice to turn this dominion over to either God or the demons.
Proclamation of freedom
(Luke 4:18-19 NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Ministry of Jesus involves warfare evangelism
Jesus’ ministry is one of releasing souls from the grip of Satan.
Luke 4:1621 (NIV) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Through signs and wonders
John 14:11 (NIV) Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
John 9:3033 (NIV) The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
Acts 9:3642 (NIV) In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
When someone is in need of a miracle, it often provides a very good opportunity to ask God to prove himself real through the miracle. Many who will not believe through other means will readily believe if they experience the miracle for themselves.
This may also backfire if we have prayed for the person and still nothing happens. Therefore, we have to take such opportunities seriously. Get as many people to pray as possible. Go on a fast. Treat this as a serious opportunity to win or lose the person.
(Acts 2:43 NIV) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
(Acts 3:1-9 NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon. {2} Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. {3} When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. {4} Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” {5} So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. {6} Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” {7} Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. {8} He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. {9} When all the people saw him walking and praising God…
(Acts 14:3) The apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. The Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.
The ministry of the disciples were filled with signs and wonders. They healed many people in Jesus’ name. Naturally people came to believe in Jesus because of that. It is one thing to argue about the authenticity of Jesus and another thing to demonstrate that through healing. People believed because they could experience the power of God and the love of God as their needs are being met.
Christians today should also demonstrate the reality of God through signs and wonders and miraculous healing. These phenomena is not only for the early church. Jesus told us that those who minister in His name would be able to do all these things as well.
(Mark 16:17-18 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; {18} they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Acts 13:612 (NIV) They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named BarJesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul (ie governor), Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.