Embracing God's Power Through the Holy Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. During worship, I felt a strong image of Jesus standing close to us, inviting us to let Him in and embrace us. If you feel like you've been keeping God at arm's length, be encouraged that He is near and wants to be more involved in your life. Today, we are starting a new series called "Powered Up," which follows our previous series. The focus is on understanding that God always has more to offer us and that we should remain open to His gifts and guidance.
I shared a bit about my journey with God, emphasizing that it took me years to fully commit to a daily relationship with Him. Once I did, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, which brought clarity and deeper understanding to my faith. Our prayer today is that you will see what God has promised you through the life of Paul and understand what it means to serve and share Jesus powerfully in your daily life.
We then delved into who the Holy Spirit is, starting from Genesis, where the Spirit of God was present at creation. The Holy Spirit is real, relevant, and essential for our lives. Baptism in the Holy Spirit equips us to serve Jesus more effectively and to witness powerfully to others. The Greek word for power, "dunamis," signifies dynamic ability, which God promises to give us.
We explored the gifts of the Holy Spirit, focusing on three revelation gifts: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the distinguishing of spirits. These gifts reveal God's wisdom and knowledge to us at the right moments, helping us serve and share Jesus more effectively. We looked at examples from Paul's ministry in Acts, where these gifts were in action, and I shared personal testimonies of how these gifts have manifested in my life and ministry.
In conclusion, living a life "powered up" means using these spiritual gifts to serve and share Jesus. Reflect on how you are serving and sharing Jesus in your life. If you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit, consider seeking that today. God has more for you, whether you've been a Christian for years or just a few minutes. Embrace His promise to empower you and let your belief turn into powerful experiences for His greater purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Nearness and Invitation: God is always close to us, inviting us to let Him in and embrace His presence. If you feel like you've been keeping Him at arm's length, know that He desires a deeper relationship with you. Accept His invitation to be more involved in your life and experience His love and guidance. [03:58]
2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Being baptized in the Holy Spirit equips us with dynamic power to serve Jesus and witness to others effectively. This empowerment brings clarity and deeper understanding to our faith, enabling us to live powerfully every day. Seek this baptism to experience the fullness of God's promises. [07:36]
3. Revelation Gifts of the Spirit: The gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the distinguishing of spirits, reveal God's wisdom and knowledge to us at the right moments. These gifts help us serve and share Jesus more effectively, providing illumination, direction, and spiritual safety. [10:10]
4. Discerning Spirits: The gift of discerning spirits allows us to see behind the scenes in the spiritual realm, distinguishing between what is of God and what is not. This discernment ensures our spiritual safety and helps us navigate spiritual challenges with divine insight. [13:59]
5. Living a Powered-Up Life: To live a life "powered up" means to actively use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve and share Jesus. Reflect on how you are currently doing this and seek God's guidance to recognize and seize opportunities to serve and share Him more effectively. [23:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:58] - God's Nearness and Invitation
[04:48] - Introduction to "Powered Up" Series
[05:41] - Personal Journey with God
[06:44] - Who is the Holy Spirit?
[07:36] - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[08:27] - CRC Churches International
[09:14] - Serving and Sharing Jesus
[10:10] - Gifts of the Holy Spirit
[11:06] - Word of Wisdom
[12:03] - Word of Knowledge
[13:08] - Distinguishing of Spirits
[15:35] - Paul's Ministry in Acts 16
[17:36] - Testimony from India
[19:05] - Paul's Ministry in Acts 13
[21:15] - Personal Testimony of Spiritual Warfare
[22:31] - Living a Powered-Up Life
[23:54] - Invitation to Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[24:32] - Embrace God's Promise
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1-2: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
3. Acts 16:16-18: "Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.' She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her."
### Observation Questions
1. What image did the pastor see during worship, and what was its significance? [[03:58]]
2. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of being baptized in the Holy Spirit? [[07:36]]
3. What are the three revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the sermon? [[10:10]]
4. How did Paul use the gift of discerning spirits in Acts 16:16-18? [[16:21]]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in Genesis 1:1-2 establish the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? [[06:44]]
2. In what ways do the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, equip believers to serve and share Jesus more effectively? [[10:10]]
3. How can the gift of discerning spirits, as demonstrated by Paul in Acts 16:16-18, provide spiritual safety and guidance in our daily lives? [[13:59]]
4. What does it mean to live a "powered-up" life according to the sermon, and how can this be practically applied in our daily routines? [[23:12]]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Have you been keeping Him at arm's length? What steps can you take this week to let Him in and embrace His presence more fully? [[03:58]]
2. Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? If not, what is holding you back from seeking this empowerment? If you have, how has it impacted your ability to serve and share Jesus? [[07:36]]
3. Think of a recent situation where you needed wisdom or knowledge. How might the gifts of the Holy Spirit have helped you in that moment? [[10:10]]
4. Can you recall a time when you felt the need to discern the spiritual nature of a situation or person? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? [[13:59]]
5. How are you currently serving and sharing Jesus in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can improve or expand your efforts this week. [[23:12]]
6. The pastor shared a personal testimony of spiritual warfare and deliverance. Have you experienced something similar? How did it affect your faith and understanding of spiritual gifts? [[21:15]]
7. What practical steps can you take to create space in your daily routine for the Holy Spirit to speak and guide you? How can you be more attentive to His promptings? [[22:31]]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Nearness and Invitation
God is always close to us, inviting us to let Him in and embrace His presence. If you feel like you've been keeping Him at arm's length, know that He desires a deeper relationship with you. Accept His invitation to be more involved in your life and experience His love and guidance. This nearness is not just a comforting thought but a powerful reality that can transform your daily life. When you open your heart to God, you allow His love and wisdom to guide you through every situation, providing peace and direction.
The image of Jesus standing close to us is a reminder that God is not distant or detached. He is intimately involved in our lives and wants to be even more so. Whether you have been a believer for many years or are new to the faith, God's invitation remains the same: to draw closer to Him and experience His presence in a more profound way. Take a moment today to reflect on how you can let God into the areas of your life where you may have been keeping Him at a distance. [03:58]
Psalm 145:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been keeping God at arm's length? How can you invite Him into that area today?
Day 2: Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit equips us with dynamic power to serve Jesus and witness to others effectively. This empowerment brings clarity and deeper understanding to our faith, enabling us to live powerfully every day. The Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept but a living presence that transforms our lives. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we receive the "dunamis" power, which is a dynamic ability to live out our faith in impactful ways.
This baptism is a gift that God wants to give to all believers. It is not reserved for a select few but is available to anyone who seeks it. The Holy Spirit brings clarity, guidance, and a deeper understanding of God's will for our lives. If you haven't experienced this baptism, consider seeking it today. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to fill you with His power and presence. [07:36]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Have you experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit? If not, what steps can you take to seek this empowerment today?
Day 3: Revelation Gifts of the Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the distinguishing of spirits, reveal God's wisdom and knowledge to us at the right moments. These gifts help us serve and share Jesus more effectively, providing illumination, direction, and spiritual safety. The Holy Spirit equips us with these gifts to navigate the complexities of life and ministry, ensuring that we are aligned with God's will.
These revelation gifts are not just for personal edification but are meant to be used in service to others. They provide us with the insight and understanding needed to minister effectively and to discern God's direction in various situations. By being open to these gifts, we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in powerful ways, impacting those around us with God's wisdom and knowledge. [10:10]
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV): "For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues."
Reflection: How can you be more open to the revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What steps can you take to seek and use these gifts?
Day 4: Discerning Spirits
The gift of discerning spirits allows us to see behind the scenes in the spiritual realm, distinguishing between what is of God and what is not. This discernment ensures our spiritual safety and helps us navigate spiritual challenges with divine insight. In a world where spiritual deception is prevalent, the ability to discern spirits is crucial for maintaining spiritual integrity and safety.
This gift helps us to identify the true nature of spiritual influences, whether they are from God, human, or demonic. It provides us with the insight needed to make wise decisions and to protect ourselves and others from spiritual harm. By cultivating this gift, we can navigate the spiritual landscape with confidence, knowing that we are guided by the Holy Spirit. [13:59]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you need greater spiritual discernment? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to develop this gift?
Day 5: Living a Powered-Up Life
To live a life "powered up" means to actively use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve and share Jesus. Reflect on how you are currently doing this and seek God's guidance to recognize and seize opportunities to serve and share Him more effectively. Living a powered-up life is about being intentional in using the spiritual gifts God has given you to make a difference in the world.
This involves being open to the Holy Spirit's leading and being willing to step out in faith to serve others. It means recognizing the opportunities around you to share Jesus and to minister to those in need. By living a powered-up life, you become a vessel through which God's power and love can flow, impacting those around you in meaningful ways. [23:12]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How are you currently using the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve and share Jesus? What steps can you take to live a more powered-up life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "And it was just like Jesus was standing where this pulpit is. And these people were standing about this far away. Just kind of keeping Him at arm's reach. And I really felt the heart of God just saying, I'm so close to you. Just let me embrace you. I'm so close to you. Let me in. I'm so close to you. Let me help you. So I'd really like to, if that resonates with you. If you feel like you've kind of been. Leaving your relationship with God just at an arm's reach. Just to be encouraged that He is close to you today. And to accept the invitation of Him wanting to be more for you." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. And in Genesis 1, right at the beginning, it says, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And now that the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. So from the very beginning of creation, we know that the Holy Spirit is real. The Holy Spirit is God. And the Holy Spirit is relevant." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Holy Spirit, baptism in the Holy Spirit equips us to serve Jesus with greater effectiveness in order to powerfully witness to people. The Greek word for power here is dunamis, which literally just means dynamic or power to achieve or the ability. And we see that in Luke and Acts. And it's a promise of God's dynamic power to be given to... to born-again Christians. And with the aim to equip us to serve God in the manner that we found... that we find in the book of Acts as the church was beginning and... and rolling out." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To live and love like Jesus is to serve Jesus. So if we look at 1 Corinthians 12, a few of you may know that that gives a bit of a detail of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Have we got it up? Awesome. Thanks, Matt. So to each is given a manifestation of the Spirit, for the common good. All of these are empowered by the one and the same Spirit who apportions to each individually as He wills." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To live a life powered up is to serve and share Jesus using these gifts of the Spirit. I want to ask you, how are you serving Jesus? How are you sharing Jesus in your week? Can you think of examples like maybe the ones I've shared or your own unique experiences where you've had that opportunity? And if perhaps not, then maybe you can share it with others. And maybe this week you can ask God to help you recognize that." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So a word of wisdom is the utterance or the word of wisdom imparted in pieces or in measureless resources of wisdom that is in Christ. You can read about that in Colossians 2 or James 1. And it's given at the right time, at the specific moment that we need to meet a need. It's the gift of the Spirit where a single word or small portion of God is given to us. God's wisdom is revealed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to help us. And its basis is always biblically revealed wisdom." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A word of knowledge is an utterance or a word of specific detail, so fairly similar, a fact, a knowledge given by the Spirit as the occasion requires as well. But 1 Corinthians chapter 13 refers to this one as the divine mystery. And this knowledge is not knowledge that we have gained by knowing someone, doing life with them, having already met them. It's not something that we can gain by doing a quick social media search and finding out their favorite cafe or how many dogs they have or whatever. It's something that the Holy Spirit has entrusted with us and has imparted knowledge into us so that we can then help them." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The distinguishing or discerning of spirits is different to the normal gift of discernment as it is the gift given by the Holy Spirit to the believer in the time needed when they need to discern or thoroughly assess the spirits. Often when a person is motivated by the Spirit of God or by the Holy Spirit, they're motivated by the Spirit of God. Or if you need to assess whether they're motivated by earthly motivations of themselves or by Satan even. This discernment basically helps us see behind the scenes in the spiritual realm." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The distinguishing of spirits enables the born-again, the believer to know the nature of what's happening. Perhaps even names or numbers or the strengths of demons or spirits that are lingering. If we look at Paul's example as well, in Acts 13, we see more of this. 13 verses 4 to 12. If you've got that one. We read of Paul traveling again and ministering in multiple places, being summoned by a governor or a priest, a proconsul, to share the word of God with him. And they were opposed in that process. They were opposed by a false prophet named Elimus. And the Holy Spirit aided Paul here by distinguishing spirits." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Seven years or so ago, I was struggling with really horrible waking nightmares that were just lingering in my spirit hours and days after I had been physically awake. And so after some time, I sought out some wisdom from some mentors. And they were like, awesome, let's pray about this. We'll sit together and do that. And so we did that. And they instantly said, there's more here than what the eye can see. It's more than just bad dreams. There's something going on. And so we sat together and prayed. And then one of my mentors stood up right in front of me, and she just sternly said, reveal your name. She wasn't talking to me, but she was looking towards me. And she said, reveal your name. You are not Bethany. You do not belong here. And instantly this deep, husky, hesitant voice came out of my mouth. And I'm just aware of what's going on, but it's not actually me, you know, speaking. And this voice said its name. And so my mentor knew this name because she'd already heard from the Lord, from the Spirit of God that that was right. And so she continued just declaring in Jesus' name, good, now go away, stop tormenting, leave in Jesus' name. And since this day, I've never had dreams like that. I've never had that torment, where you're in the night and you can see what's going around you. I've greater understood the power of the authority in Jesus. When we speak his name, we can have peace. We can be freed. And I've greater understood how to act when we hear the word of God. Through that example of my mentor, hearing and discerning the word of God. And then we can do the same." (106 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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