IN THE SPIRIT

Text: Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10  I WAS IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD'S DAY, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Introduction: The day and time when he had this vision was the Lord's day, the Christian sabbath, the first day of the week, observed in remembrance of the resurrection of Christ. Let us who call him "Our Lord," honour him on his own day. The name shows how this sacred day should be observed; the Lord's day should be wholly devoted to the Lord, and none of its hours employed in a sensual, worldly manner, or in amusements. HE WAS IN A SERIOUS, HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL FRAME, UNDER THE GRACIOUS INFLUENCES OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Those who would enjoy communion with God on the Lord's day, must seek to draw their thoughts and affections FROM earthly things. And if believers are kept on the Lord's holy day, from public ordinances and the communion of saints, by necessity and not by choice, they may look for comfort in meditation and secret duties, from the influences of the Spirit; and by hearing the voice and contemplating the glory of their beloved Saviour, from whose gracious words and power no confinement or outward circumstances can separate them. An alarm was given as with the sound of the trumpet, and then the apostle heard the voice of Christ.

WE CAN BE IN THE SPIRIT …..

I.                   AS WARRIORS (Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.)

II.                AS REDEEMED ONES (Gal.  3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?) 

III.             AS SUPPLIANTS (Eph.  6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;)

IV.              AS WORSHIPPERS (Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.) 

V.                 AS BRETHREN (Colossians 1:8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.)

VI.              AS UNITED ONES (Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father)

VII.           AS OBEDIENT ONES (Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.)

Conclusion—In the Spirit, means in a rapt, contemplative, absorbed state of mind; but such a state of mind may be well thought of as wrought by the indwelling Holy Ghost. It is the mood of mind which prepares us for spiritual visions.

In order to know God’s will for your life and understand how to perform it, you must be in the spirit. Pray and ask God for a filling of his spirit. Do it tonight.