Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Embracing God's Plan
Summary
### Summary
Today, we are reminded of the incredible power and presence of God in our lives. We serve an amazing God who continues to confirm His word with signs and wonders. The kingdom of God is advancing, and we are privileged to be part of this divine movement. As disciples, we must approach the Scriptures and sermons with fresh eyes and open hearts, ready to receive new revelations from God.
From the beginning, God had a plan for humanity, even after the fall of Adam and Eve. This plan, often referred to as the "final solution," is rooted in the blood covenant that spans from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world to redeem us. His sacrifice allows us to stand righteous and clean before God. The tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death symbolizes our direct access to God through His blood.
Jesus' Great Commission calls us to preach the gospel to all creation, promising that signs will follow those who believe. The early disciples took this to heart, and God confirmed their message with miraculous signs. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, first poured out on the day of Pentecost, is essential for empowering believers to be effective witnesses. This baptism is not a one-time event but a continual need for refreshing and empowerment.
Baptism is a significant act of faith, symbolizing our identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. It covers our shame and empowers us to live a victorious life. Immediate baptism, as seen in the early church, is crucial for new believers. The story of Paul and Silas in prison illustrates the power of worship and the immediacy of baptism.
We are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit continually, to pray in the Spirit, and to seek a fresh outpouring of God's power. This enables us to be bold witnesses and to accomplish all that God has called us to do. Today, we invite everyone to receive a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, to speak in new tongues, and to embrace all that God has for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Approach the Scriptures with Fresh Eyes: Every time you read the Bible, approach it as if it's your first time. This mindset allows God to pour out new and greater revelations of who He is and what He is about. By doing so, you open yourself to continuous spiritual growth and deeper understanding. [01:49]
2. The Power of the Blood Covenant: From Genesis to Revelation, the blood covenant is central to God's plan for humanity. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world to redeem us. His sacrifice allows us to stand righteous and clean before God, symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain. [05:24]
3. Immediate Baptism and Its Significance: Baptism is not just a ritual but a powerful act of faith that identifies us with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. The early church practiced immediate baptism, emphasizing its importance in the believer's journey. It covers our shame and empowers us to live a victorious life. [09:41]
4. The Necessity of the Holy Spirit: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for empowering believers to be effective witnesses. This baptism is not a one-time event but a continual need for refreshing and empowerment. The early disciples waited for this gift, and it transformed their ministry. [19:54]
5. Boldness Through the Holy Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus and to perform signs and wonders. The early church prayed for boldness, and God answered by filling them with the Holy Spirit again. We, too, need this continual infilling to accomplish all that God has called us to do. [21:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:49] - God's Plan from the Beginning
[03:48] - The Blood Covenant
[05:24] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Our Righteousness
[06:05] - The Great Commission
[07:32] - Baptism as a Wedding Ceremony
[08:21] - Repent and Be Baptized
[09:41] - Immediate Baptism in the Early Church
[10:12] - Paul and Silas in Prison
[12:26] - The Significance of Baptism
[14:17] - Identifying with Jesus' Death and Resurrection
[15:27] - Re-baptism and the Holy Spirit
[17:33] - Call to Baptism
[19:12] - The Day of Pentecost
[21:19] - Boldness Through the Holy Spirit
[22:34] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[23:21] - The Power of Praying in the Spirit
[24:35] - Hunger for the Holy Spirit
[25:12] - Yielding to the Holy Spirit
[26:37] - Fresh Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
[27:11] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 14:24-27 - "The Lord of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.' This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?"
2. Mark 16:15-18 - "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.'"
3. Acts 2:1-4 - "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 14:24-27 reveal about God's plan and purpose for the whole earth?
2. According to Mark 16:15-18, what signs will follow those who believe and proclaim the gospel?
3. Describe the events that took place on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4.
4. In the sermon, what is the significance of the tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death? ([05:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "final solution" in Isaiah 14:24-27 relate to God's overarching plan for humanity as discussed in the sermon? ([01:49])
2. What is the importance of immediate baptism as practiced by the early church, and how does it relate to the story of Paul and Silas in prison? ([09:41])
3. How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit empower believers to be effective witnesses, according to the sermon and Acts 2:1-4? ([19:54])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the continual need for refreshing and empowerment by the Holy Spirit? ([21:56])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your approach to reading the Bible. How can you cultivate a mindset of reading the Scriptures with fresh eyes, as suggested in the sermon? ([01:49])
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of the blood covenant from Genesis to Revelation. How does understanding this covenant impact your view of Jesus' sacrifice and your relationship with God? ([05:24])
3. Have you been baptized? If so, how did it impact your faith journey? If not, what steps can you take to understand and possibly pursue baptism? ([09:41])
4. The sermon calls for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. How can you seek and prepare for this in your daily life? ([19:54])
5. Boldness through the Holy Spirit is highlighted as essential for proclaiming the gospel. What are some practical ways you can pray for and exhibit this boldness in your interactions with others? ([21:56])
6. The sermon mentions the importance of worship and prayer in difficult times, as illustrated by Paul and Silas in prison. How can you incorporate worship and prayer into your response to challenging situations? ([10:12])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. How did it change your actions or perspective? How can you seek similar empowerment in your current circumstances? ([19:54])
Devotional
Day 1: Fresh Eyes for New Revelations
Approach the Scriptures with Fresh Eyes: Every time you read the Bible, approach it as if it's your first time. This mindset allows God to pour out new and greater revelations of who He is and what He is about. By doing so, you open yourself to continuous spiritual growth and deeper understanding. [01:49]
When we approach the Scriptures with fresh eyes, we allow ourselves to be open to new insights and deeper understanding. This practice is not just about reading the words on the page but about engaging with the living Word of God. Each time we read the Bible, we should do so with an expectation that God will reveal something new to us. This mindset helps us to grow spiritually and to see God's hand in our lives more clearly.
By approaching the Bible as if it's our first time, we can break free from preconceived notions and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. This practice encourages us to be lifelong learners, always seeking to know God more intimately. It also helps us to apply the Scriptures to our lives in fresh and relevant ways, making our faith dynamic and alive.
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: What new revelation or insight has God shown you recently through your Bible reading? How can you apply this to your life today?
Day 2: The Power of the Blood Covenant
The Power of the Blood Covenant: From Genesis to Revelation, the blood covenant is central to God's plan for humanity. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world to redeem us. His sacrifice allows us to stand righteous and clean before God, symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain. [05:24]
The concept of the blood covenant is a thread that runs throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It signifies God's unbreakable promise to humanity, a promise that was ultimately fulfilled through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world to redeem us from sin and death. His blood was shed to establish a new covenant, one that allows us to stand righteous and clean before God.
The tearing of the temple curtain at the moment of Jesus' death symbolizes our direct access to God through His blood. No longer are we separated from God by our sins; we can now approach Him with confidence, knowing that we are covered by the blood of Jesus. This covenant is a powerful reminder of God's love and commitment to us, and it calls us to live in a way that honors that sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:14-15 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."
Reflection: How does understanding the blood covenant deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? What changes can you make in your life to honor this covenant more fully?
Day 3: Immediate Baptism and Its Significance
Immediate Baptism and Its Significance: Baptism is not just a ritual but a powerful act of faith that identifies us with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. The early church practiced immediate baptism, emphasizing its importance in the believer's journey. It covers our shame and empowers us to live a victorious life. [09:41]
Baptism is a significant act of faith that goes beyond a mere ritual. It is a public declaration of our identification with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. When we are baptized, we symbolically die to our old selves and are raised to new life in Christ. This act of faith is a powerful reminder of the transformation that takes place in our lives when we accept Jesus as our Savior.
The early church understood the importance of baptism and practiced it immediately upon a person's confession of faith. This urgency underscores the significance of baptism in the believer's journey. It is not something to be delayed or taken lightly but an essential step in our walk with Christ. Baptism covers our shame and empowers us to live a victorious life, free from the bondage of sin.
Acts 22:16 (ESV): "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."
Reflection: Have you been baptized? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you live out the significance of your baptism in your daily life?
Day 4: The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
The Necessity of the Holy Spirit: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for empowering believers to be effective witnesses. This baptism is not a one-time event but a continual need for refreshing and empowerment. The early disciples waited for this gift, and it transformed their ministry. [19:54]
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a crucial aspect of the Christian life. It is through the Holy Spirit that we receive the power to be effective witnesses for Christ. This baptism is not a one-time event but a continual need for refreshing and empowerment. Just as the early disciples waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit, we too must seek this empowerment to fulfill the mission God has given us.
The Holy Spirit transforms our ministry and enables us to do things we could never do in our own strength. It gives us boldness, wisdom, and the ability to perform signs and wonders in Jesus' name. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for living a victorious Christian life and for advancing the kingdom of God.
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: How often do you seek the filling of the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to ensure you are continually empowered by the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
Day 5: Boldness Through the Holy Spirit
Boldness Through the Holy Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus and to perform signs and wonders. The early church prayed for boldness, and God answered by filling them with the Holy Spirit again. We, too, need this continual infilling to accomplish all that God has called us to do. [21:56]
Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us the boldness we need to proclaim the name of Jesus and to perform signs and wonders. The early church understood this and prayed for boldness, and God answered by filling them with the Holy Spirit again. This boldness is not something we can muster up on our own; it is a gift from God that comes through the Holy Spirit.
We, too, need this continual infilling to accomplish all that God has called us to do. Whether it's sharing the gospel with a friend, standing up for our faith in a challenging situation, or stepping out in faith to serve others, the Holy Spirit gives us the courage and strength we need. By continually seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit, we can live bold and victorious lives for Christ.
Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV): "And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need more boldness? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to step out in faith today?
Quotes
1. "I would just encourage us as disciples that every time you get into the scriptures and you read the bible read it like it's the first time you've ever seen it if you position your heart that way god will continue to pour out new and greater revelation of who he is and what he's about and every time you listen to a sermon don't just say i've heard that stuff before because there will be something new and fresh in it for each and every one of us." [01:49] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When Jesus gave the great kingdom, the great commission in Mark chapter 16, after he rose from the dead, he said, go into all the world and preach the good news of the gospel of the kingdom to all creation. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. And these signs will follow those that believe. In my name they will cast out devils. They will speak with new tongues. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. And with that, Jesus ascended into heaven, and his disciples were foolish enough to believe him, and they went everywhere preaching the good news of the gospel of the kingdom and proclaiming the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord confirmed the word with signs following." [06:05] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In the last days, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. And that word called upon means to be surnamed the name of the Lord. When there's a wedding that takes place, the bride takes on the name of the groom. And we, as the bride of Christ, take upon his name. So baptism is kind of like a wedding ceremony, where we, as the bride, take upon ourselves his name. And so he said, this Jesus that God gave you was crucified by you, but God raised him from the dead. And when the people heard that, they were convicted in their hearts, and they said, well, what must we do? And Peter said this. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise is unto you and your children, and all to afar off, even as many as the Lord our God will call." [07:32] (87 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Well, what does baptism do? What does baptism do for you? Well, glad you asked. In Galatians 3, 26 and 27, it talks about the fact that you are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. And when we are baptized into Jesus, we put on Christ. And it brought me back to thinking about what happened in the garden when the Lord killed the lamb and put the animal skins on him. When we are baptized, the Lord covers our nakedness. He covers our shame. And it's gone. And we can walk totally clothed in the presence of the Lord. We take on his anointing. We take on his name. We take on his cause. We take on his mission. And he empowers us to do the work." [13:15] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In Romans chapter 6, it says, Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. God forbid. He said, don't you realize that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. And so it is in baptism we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. How many of you know that's kind of an important thing? And so when we're baptized, we identify with the fact that we have been crucified with Christ. And in our burial, we bury the old man of sin. And when we come out of the water, we come out with the resurrection power of a brand new life. So it's so important. And then he says, consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God. We identify with the fact that we've been resurrected to new life through the power of Jesus Christ." [14:17] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When Jesus rose from the dead, he met with his disciples for 40 days and he taught them about the kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit. And while he was teaching, he spoke to the disciples and said, don't leave here, but wait for the gift my Father has promised that you've heard me talk about. For you will be baptized with water, but also you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Not many days from now. And 120 believed what Jesus said. They went into an upper room and they waited for the gift of promise, the Holy Spirit. And the Bible said on the day of Pentecost, they were all in one place and one accord. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them divided tongues like as of fire. And it rested upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the utterance." [19:12] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So if the disciples on the day of Pentecost needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they could be filled with power to be effectively ministering and witnessing to the others, how much more do we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit today? The kingdom of God is not diminishing but it's advancing and growing in power. Lord, we declare today that we need all the power that you have for us. All the power that you have for us. And Lord, we thank you today that there's going to be a fresh outpouring." [20:35] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John had gotten in trouble because they had prayed for a man who was crippled to be healed. He was actually begging. And they said, we don't have any silver or gold but what we do have we give to you in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk. They were threatened. Don't you ever talk anymore. In the name of Jesus. And they said, we ought to obey God rather than men. And then they spoke and said, if you want to know how this man was healed and is standing before you, we want you to know it's through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that he was healed and he stands before you whole. They would not be intimidated by what they were told. And so the church prayed. And they prayed this, Lord, we ask you that you fill us with boldness so that we can proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in power. And the Lord heard their prayer and the Lord shook their place where they were and they were filled with the Holy Spirit." [21:19] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "In Romans chapter 8 it says that there'll be times when you don't know what to pray for. But the Holy Spirit will pray through you. 1 Corinthians 14 says, I will pray with the Spirit, but I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the Spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also. I can't tell you how many times in my life that I've been in challenging situations, sometimes dangerous situations, and I didn't know what to do. But I began just to pray in the Spirit, and then the Lord drew me in. He dropped into my heart what to say and what to do. I remember one time, I was called out in the middle of the night to cast the devil out of someone. So I drove over, I just began to speak with tongues, and the Lord told me exactly what to do and what to say when I got there." [23:21] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When I was in Russia the first time, and it was like a vacuum. They had been told that God is dead for 70 years, and now we were bringing the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so I had an invitation. I just asked anybody that wanted to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to come forward. And they had a culture hall with a high stage, so I was like down here against the wall, and I asked people to come up. Anybody want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? I thought they were going to crush me against the wall. They were that hungry for the things of the Spirit. That's how hungry we need to be. We want to receive everything our Rabbi Jesus has for us. Jesus told them, don't leave until you get it. And so we're going to ask the Lord to baptize us fresh and new in the Holy Spirit. And it says, the Holy Spirit gave them the utterance, but how many of you know the people had to cooperate?" [24:35] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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