Empowered by the Holy Spirit: A Journey of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrate the five-year anniversary of Paradox Church, reflecting on God's faithfulness and the mission He has given us. Our journey has been marked by challenges, but through prayer and unity, we have seen God's dreams unfold through us. As we embark on a new series called "Empowered," we will explore the book of Acts, focusing on the power of the Holy Spirit. The early church's impact on history was not due to their own strength but through their reliance on the Holy Spirit. This same power is available to us today, but it often comes in unexpected ways and requires us to wait and receive rather than act out of our own strength.
We often feel powerless in various aspects of our lives, much like the experience of being in an airport where we have no control. Yet, Acts 1:8 promises that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. This power is not for our own agendas but to be witnesses for Christ. Jesus teaches us that there is power in waiting, as it shifts us from a mode of doing to a mode of receiving. This waiting is not passive but an active dependence on God, preparing us to receive His power.
Prayer is a crucial aspect of this empowerment. It acknowledges our powerlessness and our need for God's intervention. James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. However, our righteousness does not come from ourselves but from Jesus, who makes us righteous through His sacrifice. This righteousness for us and in us enables us to pray powerful prayers that align with God's will.
We are called to move from "me-ing" prayers, focused on our own needs, to "being" prayers, focused on being witnesses for Christ. This shift in focus allows us to see God's power working through us. Practical steps to pray with power include prioritizing prayer, praying with others, praying through our worries, praying expectantly, and praying for our responsibilities. As we do this, we will see God's kingdom advance and His power manifest in our lives and the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Unity and Mission: In a world filled with disunity, a multi-generational family united in God's mission is a powerful force. When we say "yes" to God's dreams and allow Him to lead us, we become instruments of change, impacting our communities and the world. This unity and mission are sustained by prayer and the faithfulness of those who support the church. [13:23]
2. The Paradox of Power in Waiting: Jesus teaches us that there is great power in waiting. This waiting is not passive but an active dependence on God, shifting us from our natural inclination to act and control to a posture of receiving. In waiting, we prepare ourselves to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to fulfill God's mission. [22:25]
3. Righteousness and Effective Prayer: Our prayers become powerful and effective not because of our own righteousness but because of the righteousness of Jesus. When we acknowledge our powerlessness and depend on His righteousness, our prayers align with God's will and become instruments of His power. This righteousness is both for us and in us, transforming our desires and actions. [26:54]
4. From "Me-ing" to "Being": True empowerment in prayer comes when we shift our focus from our own needs to being witnesses for Christ. This shift allows us to see God's power working through us, impacting the world around us. Our prayers become less about what we want and more about aligning with God's mission and desires. [42:56]
5. Practical Steps to Powerful Prayer: To pray with power, we must prioritize prayer, pray with others, pray through our worries, pray expectantly, and pray for our responsibilities. These practices help us to regularly and intentionally seek God's power, aligning our hearts with His and allowing His Spirit to work through us. [45:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:23] - Celebrating Five Years of Paradox Church
[16:58] - Introduction to the Empowered Series
[18:41] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[20:15] - Feeling Powerless and the Need for God's Power
[22:25] - The Paradox of Power in Waiting
[25:25] - The Role of Prayer in Empowerment
[26:54] - Righteousness and Effective Prayer
[29:24] - The Gospel and Righteousness for Us
[32:10] - God's Power for Us and In Us
[42:56] - From "Me-ing" to "Being"
[45:28] - Practical Steps to Powerful Prayer
[55:08] - Prayer and Surrender
[01:16:45] - Closing and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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."
2. James 5:16 (ESV) - "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
3. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV) - "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Acts 1:8 say about the source of power for believers and their mission? How does this relate to the early church's impact on history? [20:15]
2. According to James 5:16, what makes the prayer of a righteous person powerful and effective? How does this align with the sermon’s message about righteousness? [26:18]
3. In Romans 5:1-5, what are the steps that lead from suffering to hope? How does this passage describe the role of the Holy Spirit in this process? [29:24]
4. How does the sermon describe the paradox of power in waiting, and what biblical example is given to illustrate this concept? [22:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of receiving power from the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 challenge our natural inclination to act out of our own strength? [20:15]
2. What does it mean to move from "me-ing" prayers to "being" prayers, and how does this shift impact our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ? [42:56]
3. How does the concept of righteousness for us and in us, as explained in Romans 5:1-5, change our approach to prayer and our expectations of its power? [29:24]
4. Why is waiting described as an active dependence on God rather than a passive state, and how does this prepare us to receive the Holy Spirit’s power? [22:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt powerless in your life. How did you respond, and how might you approach it differently now with the understanding of Acts 1:8? [20:15]
2. In what areas of your life do you need to shift from "me-ing" prayers to "being" prayers? How can you start making this shift today? [42:56]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of waiting on God into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to actively depend on Him rather than acting out of your own strength? [22:25]
4. Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you turn this into a prayer, acknowledging your powerlessness and seeking God’s intervention? [50:10]
5. Think of a person or group you are responsible for (e.g., family, coworkers, church members). How can you start praying for them regularly and intentionally? [54:02]
6. How can you prioritize prayer in your life? What changes will you make to ensure that prayer becomes a regular and intentional part of your daily routine? [45:28]
7. Reflect on the concept of righteousness for us and in us. How does this understanding affect your confidence in approaching God in prayer? How will you remind yourself of this truth in your daily life? [29:24]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of the sermon, encouraging both personal reflection and communal growth in prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Unity and Mission
When a community unites under God's mission, it becomes a powerful force for change. In a world often marked by disunity and division, a multi-generational family that says "yes" to God's dreams can impact communities and the world. This unity is not just about being together but about being united in purpose and mission. Through prayer and the faithfulness of those who support the church, we can see God's dreams unfold through us. This unity and mission are sustained by our collective commitment to prayer and our reliance on God's faithfulness. [13:23]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced unity in a group setting. How did it impact the group's ability to achieve its goals? How can you contribute to fostering unity in your church community today?
Day 2: The Paradox of Power in Waiting
Jesus teaches us that there is great power in waiting. This waiting is not passive but an active dependence on God. It shifts us from our natural inclination to act and control to a posture of receiving. In waiting, we prepare ourselves to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to fulfill God's mission. This paradox of power in waiting challenges us to trust in God's timing and His ways, even when they differ from our own plans. [22:25]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you had to wait for something important. How did that waiting period shape your faith and dependence on God? What is one area of your life where you need to practice active waiting today?
Day 3: Righteousness and Effective Prayer
Our prayers become powerful and effective not because of our own righteousness but because of the righteousness of Jesus. When we acknowledge our powerlessness and depend on His righteousness, our prayers align with God's will and become instruments of His power. This righteousness is both for us and in us, transforming our desires and actions. It is through Jesus' sacrifice that we are made righteous, enabling us to pray prayers that are powerful and effective. [26:54]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Consider your current prayer life. Are there areas where you rely on your own strength rather than God's righteousness? How can you shift your focus to depend more on Jesus' righteousness in your prayers?
Day 4: From "Me-ing" to "Being"
True empowerment in prayer comes when we shift our focus from our own needs to being witnesses for Christ. This shift allows us to see God's power working through us, impacting the world around us. Our prayers become less about what we want and more about aligning with God's mission and desires. This transformation from "me-ing" to "being" helps us to become more effective instruments of God's will, allowing His power to manifest in our lives and the lives of others. [42:56]
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: Think about your recent prayers. How much of your prayer time is focused on your own needs versus God's mission? What is one specific way you can shift your prayers to be more about "being" a witness for Christ?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Powerful Prayer
To pray with power, we must prioritize prayer, pray with others, pray through our worries, pray expectantly, and pray for our responsibilities. These practices help us to regularly and intentionally seek God's power, aligning our hearts with His and allowing His Spirit to work through us. By incorporating these practical steps into our daily lives, we can experience the transformative power of prayer and see God's kingdom advance in and through us. [45:28]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: Evaluate your current prayer habits. Which of the practical steps to powerful prayer do you need to incorporate more into your daily routine? How can you start implementing one of these steps today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We want you to know that we have a God who gives, who is good, who is faithful. And every time we say yes to him in any area of our life, we see more and more of his goodness. That's what we're celebrating today." [15:36] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Whether or not you believe, whether or not you care, whether or not you think it's a good thing, it is an undeniable fact that the early church, the message of Jesus, has changed the course of history. And it happened through the power of the Holy Spirit, as we see in the book of Acts." [17:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says, are you tired? Are you worn out? Are you frustrated, exhausted, burnt out even on religion from doing, doing, and it feels empty and powerless? Jesus says, then come to me. Come to me. I'll teach you how to take a real rest. I'll teach you the unforced rhythms of grace. You'll receive power in my ways and through my spirit." [21:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need power in these powerless places. But it often comes in unexpected times, in unexpected places, in unexpected ways. We're tempted as humans to want to do something about these. I have a bias. It's called a bias towards action. When I feel powerless, I want to do something. I want to act. I'm going to say something. Sometimes that can be a good thing. Often, it's not." [20:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need power to do that. It's a heavy cross. Burden is great. In fact, our sin is too much to handle. Where does power come from to do that? In the Holy Spirit. God's righteousness for us. He's working righteousness in us. And the Spirit helps us in our weakness." [40:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We get to have the opportunity to welcome new people into this family, this body, and see the world change through what God does in your life and through your life. So I just wanted to celebrate that. Would you celebrate with me? Five-year anniversary today." [14:17] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer is actually recognizing that we are powerless. We're powerless. And that the power that we need comes from somewhere outside of us. It's not in our strategies. It's not in our budget. It's not in our good ideas. It's not in our good efforts. The power that we need comes from outside of us. That is what's at the heart of prayer." [25:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We all want to see God move powerfully through us, but this is the hard part. Very few of us really and truly want to see God work in us because that's painful. That's hard. That sometimes hurts. God just wants to do something for you and in you first." [33:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need righteousness for us by the one who was righteous. Jesus. He's the only one that did it all right. That lived in perfect, right relationship with God. And when he died and rose on the cross, he gave that to us. He opened that up so that we could be made righteous. It's righteousness for us. That's what we need first." [30:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need God's power for us and in us before we will ever see God's power working through us. For you, in you, before it comes through you. believe this. Every single one of us wants to see God work powerfully through us. We want to see God heal. We want to see people come to know Him. We want to see injustice made right." [32:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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