Hi Citylife,
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SUNDAY MESSAGE SUMMARY
40 Days In Christ - Week 5: Holy Spirit
Ron Thomas
To live in Christ is to live in the Holy Spirit. You cannot be in Christ without the work of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he sent forth the Holy Spirit on the earth to minister amongst people. If you're in relationship with God, if you're living in Christ, then the operative element of that is the Holy Spirit.
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is now living and dwelling inside of you, right now, to do the purpose of God.
When I got saved, the overwhelming thing that marked my life was the peace that passes all understanding. As he worked on my character, as he worked on who I was, it was the Spirit at work in me. Scripture says we move from one glory to another. That’s the Spirit.
Born of the Spirit
If we’re going to live in the Spirit, you’ve got to be born of the Spirit. You can hang around church and not be saved. John chapter 3 tells the story of Nicodemus. “How can a man be born when he is old?” Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God… That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
I grew up in church, but it was only as a teenager that I came to a realisation: I need to be born of the Spirit. When I opened my heart, I walked out of that service and had to grab the handrailing because I was shaking like a leaf. I knew: that was the presence of God. Are you born of the Spirit?
Baptised in the Spirit
Then there’s being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4–8 says, “Wait for the promise of the Father… you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit… You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”
You can do religious stuff without the Spirit, but you cannot be empowered without the Spirit. Acts chapter 2 the Holy spirit came. They got empowered. It was through the empowerment of the Spirit that they preached the gospel, people got saved, and the church spread.
Filled With the Spirit
Thirdly, you need to be filled with the Spirit. And this is not a “once only” thing.
We all know we need to drink more water – but it’s not a one time thing. You can take one drink and put the lid back on, or—you can keep drinking. You can drink continuously. Being filled with the Spirit is continuous. God is pouring out his Spirit. The question is: are you drinking?
Some people drink once and walk away. Others keep drinking. Keep being filled. Keep receiving. Keep letting the Spirit work.
To live in Christ is to live in the Spirit. Born of the Spirit. Baptised in the Spirit. Filled with the Spirit.
THE INVITATION
[1] Write down your prayer requests
- Personal needs
- Friends and family who are yet to discover Christ
[2] Join us in a daily 8am prayer call on WhatsApp
[3] Attempt a fast. This could involve giving up one meal a week or one meal each day, fasting for one day a week, or undertaking an extended fast at various times during the forty days. There is no pressure or expectation on anybody. This is simply an invitation to respond as you feel led by the Spirit.
At the end of the forty days, I will be asking us to reflect on what God has done. My hope is that all we are seeking from God is found in Christ.
CATCH UP ON YOUTUBE
40 Days In Christ: Week 5 - Ron Thomas [ 16.11.2025 ]
CELL CONTENT
Discovery Bible Study
Ephesians 5:15-21
Discussion Questions
Share testimonies of being filled with the Spirit.
What could you do this week to be more open to the Spirit’s infilling?
Pray to be filled!
COMING UP
40 Days In Christ
Series continues this Sunday 23rd November.
40 days of prayer and fasting continues.
8am prayer calls on WhatsApp. Link here.
Christmas Hampers for Families at Corrimal High School
Please bring donations of non-perishable food items, canned goods,
sweet holiday treats, hygiene items, snacks.
Drop off at Corrimal High School Front office by 26th November,
or at Church by this Sunday 23rd November.
Fill the Table
Bring a plate of food to share after the service.
Sunday 30th November.
Friday Nights
Young Adults at 6:30pm.
Citylife Christmas Celebration Service
Join us for our Christmas Celebration Service on Sunday 21st December from 5 pm.
CELLS
Here is a list of Discipleship Cells at Citylife. If you aren’t in one yet, reach out to the leader to find out more. Remember, disciples are in community, so we encourage you to join one!
Adrian
Men’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings in Unanderra.
Liz
Women’s Cell
Fortnightly on Thursday evenings, 6:15pm in Figtree.
Hengki
Men’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm in Fairy Meadow.
Ron
Men’s Cell (Business professionals)
Fortnightly on Friday mornings, 7am in Wollongong.
Edith
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm on a group phone call.
Denise
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Monday nights in Fairy Meadow and online.
Ros & Dave
Intercessors Cell for anybody
Weekly on Tuesdays, 10am at Citylife.
David
Young Adult Men’s Cell
Weekly on a Wednesday or Friday evening in Cordeaux Heights or Fairy Meadow.
Alicia & Celine
Young Adult Women’s Cell
Weekly on Monday nights, 7pm in Keiraville
GIVING DETAILS
General Giving
Name: Citylife Church Inc
BSB: 062-528
Account: 1008 1253
When giving online, write in the description “tithe”, “general”, or what you are specifically giving to.
Global Giving
Name: Citylife Global Inc
BSB: 062-531
Account: 1040 3316
When giving online, write in the description “Global”.
Thank you for your generous and faithful giving.
