We need guidance

Paul & his companions were deciding where to work next.
The Spirit wouldn’t let them go to places where others were already working. So they needed guidance as to what to do.
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16v9-10)
So the gospel of Jesus came “officially” to Europe (although no doubt unrecognised individuals had shared their faith there).

We need enlightenment

Paul shared the good news of Jesus with people gathered at the riverside. But it required God to help his hearers to understand and respond to the message.
The Lord opened Lydia's heart to respond to Paul's message. (Acts 16v14)
We need God to enable us to see the truth instead of being blinded by our selfishness.

Jesus brought guidance & God’s perspectives to his disciples
He depended on God for what he did
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5v19)
He was empowered by the Holy Spirit

Jesus explains his relationship with us

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. (John 14v23-24)
Obedience flows from love. The desire to be guided and instructed by Jesus depends on out sharing a relationship of love with him. Otherwise it becomes another burdensome list of rules.
The heart of Christianity is the good news that the Father & Jesus come to live with us through the Spirit.

Jesus promises the Spirit

The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14v26)
He makes God’s & Jesus’ presence real to us
He continues Jesus work of guiding & teaching
He convicts us of the truth
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16v8)

Fruit of the Spirit

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14v27)
Jesus wants us to have deep within us his peace
He lived life to the full
Nothing could shake his love
To have God in our lives brings true peace and fulfilment
Our Church's logo (see our web home page) underlines that we believe fulness of life comes through relationships of love shared with God, with one another and with those we meet day by day. The initiative for this comes from God, who has shown his love to us in Jesus. As we open our lives to his presence & love, we can respond in ove to him and to others.