Reidhead Sermon Report
Sermon Name:
An Evaluation of the Wakening Interest in the Holy Spirit
Among Denominational Groups
Theme:
Scripture:
Pneumatology
1 Corinthians 12; 1 John 4:1-3
Tip: You can read the Transcript while listening to the sermon
Sermon Overview
Reidhead provides a balanced look at the "charismatic" movements and the renewed focus on the Holy Spirit within traditional denominations. He cautions against both a "spiritless" orthodoxy and an "unbiblical" emotionalism, emphasizing that any genuine work of the Spirit must align with the Scriptures and glorify Jesus Christ. The sermon highlights the need for the Spirit's power to fulfill the Great Commission.
Key Principles
Sovereignty of the Spirit: Acknowledge that the Spirit can move across any tradition; don't "box" God into your group.
Biblical criteria: Use 1 John 4 and 1 Corinthians 12 as the "plumb line" for every spiritual experience.
Christ-centeredness:Test every movement by this: Does it magnify Jesus Christ or the experience itself?
Avoiding extremes:Reject both "dead tradition" and "sensationalist fire"; seek the balanced life of the Spirit.
Relationship: Spirit & Word: Never separate the Spirit from the Word; test every "prophecy" or "lead" by the text.
Power for witness:Seek the filling of the Spirit specifically to be an effective witness for the Great Commission.
Discerning true fruit:Look for long-term character changes rather than temporary emotional excitement.
Maintaining unity:Refuse to let spiritual gifts become a source of division; use them to edify the whole Body.