Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Our Mission Today

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of the Holy Spirit's Availability

The era we live in is marked by the unprecedented availability of the Holy Spirit to all believers, a privilege that was rare in the Old Testament. This accessibility calls us to recognize and embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, ensuring that we do not take this gift for granted. The Holy Spirit is not just a passive presence but an active force that empowers and guides us in our spiritual journey. As believers, we are invited to experience the fullness of life that comes from living in the Spirit, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and purpose. [06:55]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively acknowledge and embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life today?

Day 2: The Heart's Transformation Through the Spirit

Receiving God's Word is not just an intellectual exercise but a spiritual one. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in moving the Word from our minds to our hearts, transforming it into a living truth that guides our actions and decisions. This transformation is essential for genuine spiritual growth, as it allows us to internalize God's teachings and live them out authentically. By inviting the Holy Spirit to work within us, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding and application of God's Word, leading to a life that reflects His love and truth. [13:47]

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:14-16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform your understanding of God's Word into actionable steps today?

Day 3: Empowerment Through Waiting

Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before fulfilling their mission, teaching us the importance of relying on the Spirit's power rather than our own strength. This waiting period underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit's empowerment in carrying out God's will effectively. Even with the knowledge of God's instructions, we cannot rely solely on our strength. The Holy Spirit empowers us to carry out God's work, ensuring that our efforts are not in vain. By waiting on the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's timing and purpose, allowing His power to work through us. [39:10]

"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." (Isaiah 40:31, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to wait on the Holy Spirit's empowerment before taking action?

Day 4: Witnessing Through the Spirit's Power

Our mission as Christians is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world, a task that requires the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This empowerment enables us to boldly proclaim the Gospel and participate in the restoration of God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit equips us with the courage, wisdom, and strength needed to share the message of Christ effectively. As we rely on the Spirit, we become vessels through which God's love and truth are revealed to others, fulfilling our calling to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. [39:10]

"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." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can share the message of Jesus with today, relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength?

Day 5: Active Engagement in God's Mission

We are called to actively engage in the mission of witnessing Jesus Christ, rather than passively waiting for His return. The Holy Spirit equips us to fulfill this purpose, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's will and His kingdom's advancement. This active engagement involves being intentional about living out our faith, seeking opportunities to serve others, and sharing the hope we have in Christ. By allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions, we become active participants in God's redemptive work in the world. [39:10]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively engage in God's mission today, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your efforts?

Sermon Summary

In today's service, we explored the profound privilege and responsibility of living in the era of the Holy Spirit. We began by reflecting on the rarity of receiving the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, where only a select few were granted this gift. In contrast, we now live in a time where the Holy Spirit is available to all believers, a privilege that should not be taken lightly. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we truly feel the difference the Holy Spirit makes in our lives and how we can live empowered by it.

The book of Acts serves as a guide for understanding how to live with the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a record of the apostles' actions but a testament to the acts of the Holy Spirit through them. Jesus, after His resurrection, instructed His disciples through the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of receiving divine guidance in our spiritual journey. Listening to God's Word requires more than just our ears and minds; it demands the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, transforming knowledge into heartfelt conviction.

Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before embarking on their mission to spread the Gospel. This waiting period underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit's power in fulfilling God's will. Even with the knowledge of God's instructions, we cannot rely solely on our strength. The Holy Spirit empowers us to carry out God's work, ensuring that our efforts are not in vain.

The disciples' question about the restoration of Israel's kingdom reveals a common misunderstanding. Jesus clarified that the timing of God's kingdom is not for us to know, but our role is to be His witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to the ends of the earth. This mission is not about building a kingdom of man but participating in the divine restoration of God's kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As believers, our purpose is to witness Jesus Christ to the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is not a task we can accomplish on our own; it requires the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength. We must continually seek the Holy Spirit, allowing it to work in our hearts and lives, enabling us to fulfill the Great Commission. Let us not stand idly by, looking to the sky, but actively engage in the mission God has entrusted to us, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

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Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Opening Prayer
[01:15] - Introduction to Acts 1:1-11
[03:00] - The Privilege of the Holy Spirit
[06:55] - The Era of the Holy Spirit
[09:30] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Acts
[13:47] - Listening Through the Holy Spirit
[17:00] - Waiting for the Holy Spirit
[21:30] - The Disciples' Question
[25:00] - Jesus' Response and Our Mission
[30:00] - Empowerment Before Action
[34:00] - Witnessing Through the Holy Spirit
[39:10] - Active Engagement in God's Mission
[43:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Sermon Clips

"Lord, what is your will for us after receiving the Holy Spirit? We want to meditate on this so that in our life that we can truly be impacted by the power of the Holy Spirit. Please guide us, empower us through your word. May your truth write your will into our hearts that we will follow you in this life." [00:00:27] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

"So last week we looked at how we receive the Holy Spirit. So when you look at the Old Testament, when you look at the whole Old Testament, is that in the Old Testament, not many people receive the Holy Spirit. Very few people actually could receive the Holy Spirit. Every, you know, once every few hundred years, perhaps there's one prophet who can receive the Holy Spirit." [00:02:57] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

"But do we feel the difference between having the Holy Spirit and not having the Holy Spirit? I read this quote from A .W. Tozer. It was actually posted on our church's page that, you know, I'm paraphrasing here, that, you know, the church today, he said, A .W. Tozer said, the church today is so..." [00:04:40] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

"So from the beginning, so from the beginning of the book of Acts, this is something that we can see, and I hope to see this for a couple of weeks from here. Okay, so let's get into the passage today. Okay, so in Acts chapter 1, verse 1 to 3, In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven." [00:07:49] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

"Why is it that we have to listen to the Word of God, listen to the instruction of God through the Holy Spirit? So the Holy Spirit, more than the body, which is like our ear, our brain, you know, more than the mind, which is our brain, more than the body and the mind, the Holy Spirit works on our heart. The Holy Spirit stirs our heart." [00:11:43] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

"We need the Holy Spirit. That's why, you know, prayer and preparation is so important. We have to prepare. We have to pray to God. We have to welcome the Holy Spirit, yeah? Ask the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts. We have to ask the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts, to come and work inside of our heart." [00:12:34] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

"Now this, this, you understand the oddity of this if you knew how the Gospels ended, how the Gospels concluded. So how did the Gospels conclude? When you look at Matthew chapter 28, there is the Great Commission. Jesus says, go, right? That's the word he says. That's the word he uses. Go. Go make disciples of all nations." [00:15:22] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

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