Empowered by the Holy Spirit: A Transformative Experience
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk to you about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a subject that has been on my heart for a while. I believe that God has power available for us, and He wants us to experience and encounter this power in our lives. I was raised Baptist, and for the longest time, I didn't believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I thought that when you got saved, you received all of God that you were ever going to get. This was the mindset I had, and it was a common belief among many Baptists. However, the Scriptures teach us that there is more to experience beyond salvation.
Let's look at Luke 24:48-49 and John 20:19-22. In these passages, Jesus tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with power from on high. This power is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is different from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that we receive at salvation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an additional experience where the Holy Spirit comes upon us, empowering us for service and ministry.
I want to share my personal journey with you. I was pastoring a Southern Baptist church, and everything was going well. But I got hungry for more of God. I wanted to experience what the apostles and disciples experienced. So, I attended a Pentecostal prayer meeting, even though it was against everything I had been taught. During that meeting, I felt a constriction in my throat and neck, and I was told to repent for teaching and believing wrong things. As I repented, the constriction released, and I was filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues for the first time.
This experience changed my life and ministry. I began to teach about the baptism of the Holy Spirit in my Baptist church, and many people started to experience it as well. However, it wasn't without challenges. Some people were skeptical, and there were even meetings with the deacons questioning what was happening. But I continued to preach and teach about the Holy Spirit, and many lives were transformed.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time event. It is an ongoing experience that we can tap into repeatedly. Just as the day of Pentecost was a one-time historical event, the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit can and should be repeated over and over again. This power is available to all believers, and it is essential for living a victorious Christian life.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This power is not just for the early church; it is for us today. The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to pray in tongues, which is a powerful tool for personal edification and spiritual warfare. It is a gift that God wants all of His children to have.
I encourage you to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit if you haven't already. It is a life-changing experience that will empower you to live a victorious Christian life. If you have received the baptism but haven't released your prayer language, I encourage you to step out in faith and begin to speak in tongues. It may feel awkward at first, but as you yield to the Holy Spirit, it will become more natural.
Today, as we close, I want to invite anyone who wants to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to come forward. If you have already received it but haven't spoken in tongues, come forward as well. God is ready to fill you with His Spirit and empower you for service. Let's pray together and believe for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is Essential for Empowerment: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from salvation. While the Holy Spirit indwells us at the moment of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an additional empowerment for service and ministry. This experience allows us to tap into a greater dimension of God's power, enabling us to live a victorious Christian life. [01:13]
2. Personal Testimony of Transformation: My journey from skepticism to experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit was life-changing. Despite my Baptist background and initial resistance, my hunger for more of God led me to a Pentecostal prayer meeting where I was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. This experience not only transformed my personal life but also revolutionized my ministry. [24:00]
3. The Ongoing Nature of the Holy Spirit's Work: The day of Pentecost was a one-time historical event, but the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit is ongoing. We can and should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit repeatedly. This continuous filling empowers us to live out our faith with boldness and effectiveness, just as the early disciples did. [19:50]
4. The Power of Speaking in Tongues: Speaking in tongues is a significant aspect of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a powerful tool for personal edification and spiritual warfare. When we pray in tongues, our spirit is praying, and it bypasses our mind, allowing us to connect with God on a deeper level. This gift is available to all believers and should be eagerly desired and practiced. [22:37]
5. Encouragement to Seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: If you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to seek it earnestly. It is a life-changing experience that will empower you for service and deepen your relationship with God. If you have received it but haven't spoken in tongues, step out in faith and begin to speak. God is ready to fill you with His Spirit and give you this powerful gift. [52:59]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Introduction to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
[03:38] - Common Misconceptions in Baptist Teaching
[06:00] - When Did the Disciples Get Born Again?
[08:01] - The Promise of the Father
[10:21] - The Greek Word "Enduo"
[11:45] - Instructions from Jesus
[13:39] - Baptism vs. Indwelling
[15:33] - Receiving Power from the Holy Spirit
[17:11] - Removing Limitations
[18:00] - Addressing Cessationist Views
[19:50] - The Ongoing Experience of the Holy Spirit
[21:02] - Knowing You've Been Baptized
[22:37] - The Power of Speaking in Tongues
[24:00] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
[26:01] - Experiencing Pentecostal Prayer
[28:44] - Repenting for False Teaching
[30:26] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[32:24] - Challenges and Skepticism
[34:34] - Communicating the Experience
[36:27] - Teaching on the Holy Spirit
[38:46] - Open Ministry in the Church
[40:46] - Dealing with Opposition
[42:50] - Encouragement for Skeptics
[44:51] - Karen's Journey to Receiving the Holy Spirit
[52:59] - Invitation to Receive the Holy Spirit
[57:04] - Prayer and Impartation
[01:04:35] - Closing Remarks and Prayer for Gloria
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 24:48-49: "You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
2. John 20:19-22: "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"
3. Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 24:49, what were the disciples instructed to do before they received the power from on high?
2. In John 20:22, what did Jesus do to the disciples after saying, "Peace be with you"?
3. What is the significance of the word "endued" in Luke 24:49, as explained in the sermon? [10:21]
4. How did the pastor describe his initial experience at the Pentecostal prayer meeting? [24:26]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the baptism of the Holy Spirit mean in the context of Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8? How is it different from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit received at salvation?
2. How did the pastor's personal journey from skepticism to experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit impact his ministry and personal life? [24:00]
3. Why is the ongoing experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit important for believers today, according to the sermon? [19:50]
4. How does speaking in tongues serve as a tool for personal edification and spiritual warfare, as mentioned in the sermon? [22:37]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own beliefs about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever sought this experience? If not, what has held you back? [52:59]
2. The pastor shared his journey of moving from skepticism to experiencing the Holy Spirit. Have you ever had a similar experience where you had to challenge and change a long-held belief? How did it affect your faith?
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit repeatedly. How can you make seeking the Holy Spirit a regular part of your spiritual practice? [19:50]
4. Speaking in tongues was highlighted as a powerful tool for personal edification. If you have this gift, how often do you use it? If not, are you open to seeking it? Why or why not? [22:37]
5. The pastor mentioned the challenges and skepticism he faced when introducing the baptism of the Holy Spirit to his Baptist church. How do you handle skepticism or opposition when sharing your faith experiences? [32:24]
6. The pastor encouraged those who haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit to seek it earnestly. What steps can you take this week to seek a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit? [52:59]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt a hunger for more of God, similar to the pastor's experience. What actions did you take, and what was the outcome? How can you cultivate that hunger again? [24:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is Essential for Empowerment
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience from salvation. While the Holy Spirit indwells believers at the moment of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an additional empowerment for service and ministry. This experience allows believers to tap into a greater dimension of God's power, enabling them to live a victorious Christian life. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high, signifying the importance of this empowerment. This power is not just for the early church; it is available to all believers today. [01:13]
Luke 24:48-49 (ESV): "You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
Reflection: Have you ever sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If not, what is holding you back from seeking this empowerment today?
Day 2: Personal Testimony of Transformation
The journey from skepticism to experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be life-changing. Despite initial resistance and a background that may not support such beliefs, a hunger for more of God can lead to transformative experiences. Attending a Pentecostal prayer meeting, even against previous teachings, can result in being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. This experience not only transforms personal lives but can also revolutionize ministries, leading to the empowerment of others within the church. [24:00]
Acts 19:6 (ESV): "And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone in your faith journey. How did that experience transform your relationship with God?
Day 3: The Ongoing Nature of the Holy Spirit's Work
The day of Pentecost was a one-time historical event, but the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit is ongoing. Believers can and should seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit repeatedly. This continuous filling empowers them to live out their faith with boldness and effectiveness, just as the early disciples did. The Holy Spirit's work is not limited to a single event but is an ongoing process that believers can tap into repeatedly for renewed strength and guidance. [19:50]
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you make seeking the Holy Spirit's filling a regular part of your spiritual practice? What steps can you take to ensure you are continually empowered by the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: The Power of Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in tongues is a significant aspect of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a powerful tool for personal edification and spiritual warfare. When believers pray in tongues, their spirit is praying, and it bypasses their mind, allowing them to connect with God on a deeper level. This gift is available to all believers and should be eagerly desired and practiced. It serves as a means of building oneself up in faith and engaging in spiritual battles with divine strength. [22:37]
1 Corinthians 14:4 (ESV): "The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church."
Reflection: Have you ever prayed in tongues? If not, are you willing to ask God for this gift and step out in faith to practice it?
Day 5: Encouragement to Seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
If you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is encouraged to seek it earnestly. It is a life-changing experience that will empower you for service and deepen your relationship with God. If you have received it but haven't spoken in tongues, stepping out in faith and beginning to speak is encouraged. God is ready to fill you with His Spirit and give you this powerful gift. This empowerment is essential for living a victorious Christian life and fulfilling the calling God has placed on your life. [52:59]
Acts 2:38-39 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.'"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How can you prepare your heart and mind to receive this gift from God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you get born again, the Holy Spirit comes inside of you. He becomes your teacher, your comforter. Come on now. Your guide. He's with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He's present with you at all times. You can never, ever escape from the Holy Spirit. When you get born again, he lives and takes up residence inside of you. I love that. I think that is glorious to know that the comforter is constant. He's constantly comforting us. That the helper is always helping us. That the teacher is always teaching us. He lives on the inside of us." [08:43]
2. "I want to talk to you today about the baptism with the Holy Spirit. I have been in this vein for now forever. Three weeks. But I keep hearing the Lord telling me, tell my people that I have power available for them. And in the midst of the power, I have a lifestyle that I want them to experience and to encounter." [01:13]
3. "When you get saved, you're not baptized with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes to take abode inside of you. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is likened to Luke 24, verse 49, of when the Holy Spirit enduos you and comes upon you. When you and I are baptized in these immersion tanks, we don't drink the water. We don't drink, thank God, we don't drink the water. We had to raise you from the dead. We don't drink the water. But we go through an immersion, a baptism, a baptizo, and our bodies is submerged in water, and water surrounds us." [13:39]
4. "When did the disciples have their new birth experience? I believe it is in John chapter 20, verse 21, when they see Jesus resurrected and they believe on him. I mean, he shows them his scars, his side, and his wounds. Three days earlier, or I should say earlier, because now we're in the post-resurrection, Jesus had already appeared to them. Are you with me? Talk to me. And they see that earlier he was crucified, placed in a tomb, and now he's walking. You tell me in your mind, when did they get born again? I believe they got born again at this moment. Because they believed." [06:00]
5. "When the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you have that encounter with him, you know it. Now, you can step into that encounter, and then you can also walk away from that encounter. You can have that encounter and begin to experience a power and walk in that power and then that dimension, and because you perhaps get distracted, we can slip away from that experience and lose the power, not the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit." [21:37]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Come on now, somebody. Listen, this is one of the doctrines that will receive greater and greater attention in the end times. We're not going to back up, and we're not going to slow down, simply because cessationist reformed theologians and others want to throw at us a dispensational, if you will, compartmentalized, doctrine. They will throw at us that this gift is no longer available and this experience is no longer valid. They're going to tell you that this is no longer useful for this generation. Why? Because you got it all when you got saved." [18:00]
2. "I used to tell people that the day of Pentecost was a one-time event and never to be repeated again. And I backed it up by saying it was the initial coming of the Holy Spirit to the church. Most of that is correct. It was the initial coming of the Holy Spirit to the church. And the day of Pentecost can never be repeated again. Because it was one day in history. It was one time. Just as Calvary can never be repeated again. Jesus' death on the cross was a one moment. It was a one day. It was one crucifixion. But how many of us know that Jesus set something into motion 2,000 years ago?" [19:18]
3. "It can never be repeated again, but the experience can. Does that make sense? That's gonna happen today. Well, I don't know if I've been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Well, that's like saying I don't even know if I'm married. That's like saying I don't know if I've ever been water baptized. Now, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you have that encounter with him, you know it. Now, you can step into that encounter, and then you can also walk away from that encounter." [21:02]
4. "It's under us, it's beside us, and it's upon us. The language Jesus used here is significant. He could have used any word, but he used the word baptized. John the Baptist in the book of Matthew said there's one coming after me that's going to baptize me. He's going to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus is initiating that encounter in Luke 24 and in Acts chapter 1, verses 4, 5, and 6. Are you tracking with me so far?" [14:42]
5. "When you get saved, you're not baptized with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes to take abode inside of you. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is likened to Luke 24, verse 49, of when the Holy Spirit enduos you and comes upon you. When you and I are baptized in these immersion tanks, we don't drink the water. We don't drink, thank God, we don't drink the water. We had to raise you from the dead. We don't drink the water. But we go through an immersion, a baptism, a baptizo, and our bodies is submerged in water, and water surrounds us." [13:39]
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