Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Embracing Our Limitations
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by sharing a personal anecdote about my experience joining a CrossFit gym and the realization that I lacked the strength to do even the basic exercises, which led to an injury. This served as a metaphor for the spiritual truth that in various aspects of our lives, we often find ourselves lacking the necessary power to accomplish what we need to do, whether it's in our marriage, parenting, or personal challenges.
I then transitioned to discussing the early disciples' experiences after Jesus' ascension. They were instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, despite their high motivation to immediately spread the gospel. This waiting was crucial because Jesus promised that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. I emphasized that we cannot live life effectively in our own strength, ability, or power; we need God's power, which comes through the Holy Spirit.
I addressed misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, clarifying that the Holy Spirit is not weird, but rather mysterious and supernatural. I also stressed that the Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force, and is indeed God Himself. Understanding the Holy Spirit's personhood is essential because there is no power of God without the presence of God, and there is no presence of God without the person of God.
I then spoke about the importance of structure and order in the church, using the example of the early church in Acts, which, while waiting for the Holy Spirit, took the time to restructure their leadership. I dispelled the myth that structure and the Spirit are at odds, explaining that structure actually makes room for the Holy Spirit to move.
I shared a personal testimony about receiving a word of knowledge, a spiritual gift, which at first seemed unclear and led to a messy process of understanding and praying. This culminated in a powerful encounter where I was able to minister to a friend who was contemplating suicide, showing that God works through our obedience, even when we don't fully understand.
I also addressed the importance of gathering together as a church, both online and in person. While online church is a blessing, it cannot replace the experience of in-person fellowship. I outlined five levels of community within the church, from attending services to continuous community involvement, and encouraged everyone to engage more deeply in church life.
Lastly, I spoke about the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, emphasizing that we cannot make the Holy Spirit move, but we can make room for Him. I shared my hope that everyone could sense the presence of God during our worship and encouraged openness to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing our own limitations is the first step toward relying on God's strength. Just as I realized my lack of physical strength at the CrossFit gym, we must acknowledge our spiritual need for God's power in every area of our lives. [03:14]
2. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person who is God Himself. Understanding His personhood changes how we relate to Him and opens us up to experiencing His power and presence in a more intimate way. [10:21]
3. Structure and order in the church are not contrary to the movement of the Holy Spirit; they provide the framework within which the Holy Spirit can operate. Just as the early church structured their leadership while waiting for the Holy Spirit, we too must embrace order as a means to facilitate God's work among us. [12:26]
4. The process of walking in the Spirit can be messy and uncertain, but God honors our obedience and uses our willingness to step out in faith. My experience with the word of knowledge demonstrates that God's ways are not always straightforward, but He is faithful to guide us as we seek to follow Him. [22:30]
5. Gathering together as a church is crucial for spiritual growth and experiencing God's presence. While online church has its place, it cannot replace the transformative power of in-person fellowship and the continuous community that God desires for us. [16:53]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:4-5, 8 (NIV)
> "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' ... '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.'"
2. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)
> "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
3. Acts 19:13-16 (NIV)
> "Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus command the disciples to do before they received the Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:4-5)
2. Describe the events that took place on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4.
3. What happened to the seven sons of Sceva when they tried to drive out evil spirits in Acts 19:13-16?
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of structure and order in the church? [12:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their ministry? How does this apply to our lives today? (Acts 1:4-5)
2. How does the event of Pentecost demonstrate the power and presence of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:1-4)
3. What can we learn from the story of the seven sons of Sceva about the importance of having a genuine relationship with God? (Acts 19:13-16)
4. How does the pastor's personal testimony about receiving a word of knowledge illustrate the process of walking in the Spirit? [22:30]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or powerless in a situation. How did you handle it, and how might relying on God's strength have changed the outcome? [03:14]
2. The sermon emphasized that the Holy Spirit is a person and not an impersonal force. How does this understanding change the way you relate to the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [10:21]
3. In what ways can you make room for the Holy Spirit to move in your life? Are there specific areas where you need to create more structure or order to facilitate this? [12:26]
4. The pastor shared a story about a messy process of understanding a word of knowledge. Have you ever experienced a similar situation where you felt uncertain but chose to step out in faith? What was the outcome? [22:30]
5. How can you engage more deeply in church life beyond just attending Sunday services? Consider the five levels of community mentioned in the sermon. [16:53]
6. What steps can you take this week to be more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life? How can you cultivate a sense of openness to His guidance and power? [19:07]
7. Think of a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you and provide wisdom in this situation? [07:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Spiritual Need
We often pride ourselves on self-sufficiency, but there comes a point when we must confront our limitations. Just as physical challenges can reveal our lack of strength, our spiritual lives frequently expose our need for a power beyond ourselves. In marriage, parenting, or personal struggles, we encounter situations that are beyond our ability to handle alone. It is in these moments that we must recognize our need for divine strength. This acknowledgment is not a sign of weakness but an invitation to depend on God's power, which is made perfect in our weakness.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26 ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently experiencing weakness, and how can you invite God's strength into that situation today? [07:40]
Day 2: The Holy Spirit: God's Personal Presence
The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood, sometimes feared as a strange force or reduced to an impersonal power. However, the truth is that the Holy Spirit is a person—the very presence of God Himself. Understanding the Holy Spirit's personhood transforms our relationship with Him. It allows us to experience His power and presence in a more intimate and real way. As we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we become more attuned to His guidance, comfort, and the transformative work He wants to do in and through us.
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26 ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit as a person, not just a power, in your daily spiritual practices? [10:21]
Day 3: Structure as a Vessel for the Spirit
The notion that structure and the Holy Spirit are in opposition is a misconception. In reality, structure provides the necessary framework for the Holy Spirit to move effectively within the church. The early church, under the guidance of the apostles, established order while awaiting the Holy Spirit's arrival. This structure did not inhibit the Spirit but rather facilitated the growth and spread of the gospel. Similarly, our lives require a balance of order and spontaneity to create space for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully and purposefully.
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42 ESV)
Reflection: What structures can you implement in your own spiritual life to create more room for the Holy Spirit to move? [12:26]
Day 4: Obedience in the Unfamiliar
Walking in the Spirit can lead us through uncertain and messy situations, but it is in these moments that our faith is stretched and our obedience is tested. When we step out in faith, even without full understanding, we open ourselves to the possibility of God working through us in profound ways. Our willingness to follow the Spirit's prompting, despite the unclear path, can lead to life-changing encounters and divine appointments that we could never have orchestrated on our own.
"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia." (Acts 16:6 ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a time when following the Holy Spirit's prompting led to an unexpected but significant outcome? How might this encourage you to trust in His guidance today? [22:30]
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Community
While technology has provided new ways to connect, such as online church services, it cannot replace the unique and transformative experience of in-person fellowship. The early church thrived on communal worship, prayer, and support. There are levels of community engagement that can only be experienced through physical presence—sharing in the joys, burdens, and spiritual growth of one another. Engaging deeply in church life is not just about attendance but about being an active part of the body of Christ.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to move from passive attendance to active participation in your church community? [16:53]
Quotes
"At the beginning of this year, I experienced something that probably every single person over the age of 30 has experienced at some point in their life. I was getting ready in the morning and I looked in the mirror and this thought occurred to me. I used to be in better shape than I am right now... I signed up for this CrossFit membership and... very quickly I realized that I did not have the power to do what I wanted to do. What I know that I needed to do." [03:14]
"There's a decision that you and I need to make. We can either live life in our strength or we can live life in God's strength. We can live life in our ability or we can live life in God's ability. We can live it in our power or you and I can live life in God's power... The disciples go from being afraid, scared, weak, to all of a sudden, they go out boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus." [04:44]
"Let's go. Spread out all across the city. Everybody needs to know this. That's what you would expect would happen. In the book of Acts, but that's not what they do. Because right before Jesus ascended, he said this, while being together and eating with them, Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait... for what the father has promised... you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." [07:47]
"The Holy Spirit is not weird... He's supernatural. He may not move exactly how we expect... The other thing is that the Holy Spirit is a he... The Holy Spirit is God... You cannot make the Holy Spirit move, but what you can do is you can make room for the Holy Spirit to move." [09:31]
"There is a big lie in the church today that structure and spirit are at odds with one another... That if the Holy Spirit's moving, there can't be any structure. If there's structure, there can't be any structure. Then the Holy Spirit is not going to have any part of it. And that is the absolute lie from the pit of hell... All throughout the Old Testament, you have the temple, meticulous guidance, structure, processes, systems for how the temple or the tabernacle are to be built." [12:26]
"I kind of think about it as like five levels of community. The lowest level, level one, is attending in person on Sundays... The second is when you start jumping in, jumping into a community group... The third is when you start developing friendships and relationships... Level four is when you start serving... And the last is continuous community or fellowship." [17:44]
"Every time you and I gather together, in person, the Holy Spirit is here. Jesus is here in spirit form. He is here because we've gathered together in person. The question is not, is God here? The question is, are you aware of the reality that he is here?... The Holy Spirit was poured out and they were filled. They made room for the Holy Spirit to move and God showed up." [19:07]
"I never grew up in church. I didn't know anything about the Holy Spirit or the Bible... And I remember when I first gave my life to Jesus and someone prayed for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit... There's oftentimes in church environments we share the highlight reel, but we don't share the actual process itself." [21:13]
"I used to hear stories like that all the time. And I'd go, oh my gosh, good for you. That's not going to happen for me... The problem is you're getting someone else's highlight reel. You're not getting the messiness of the process... God is just as much involved in your life as he is in anybody else's. I think often we think we have to do all the right things to earn the Holy Spirit." [26:34]
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