Empowered by the Holy Spirit: The Acts of the Church

Devotional

Day 1: The Unstoppable Expansion of the Early Church

The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, illustrating the remarkable expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome. This expansion is a testament to the power of God working through a group of people who, humanly speaking, had nothing going for them. Despite lacking resources, leadership, and facing persecution, the early Christians were driven by the Holy Spirit to spread the message of Jesus Christ. This historical account is not just a story of the past but a powerful reminder of what God can accomplish through those who are willing to be used by Him. The Holy Spirit's work in the early church is a model for believers today, encouraging them to rely on God's power rather than their own abilities. [04:24]

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: In what ways can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own abilities to share the message of Jesus in your community today?

Day 2: The Promise of the Holy Spirit

The promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, is essential for doing anything significant for God. This promise is reliable and belongs to all His children, and it must be received by faith. Waiting for the Holy Spirit is not a passive act but one filled with anticipation and trust in God's timing. The early disciples were instructed to wait for this promise, understanding that without the Holy Spirit, their efforts would be in vain. This waiting period was a time of preparation and expectation, knowing that God would fulfill His promise in His perfect timing. Believers today are encouraged to wait on the Lord with the same anticipation, trusting that He will empower them for His work. [21:10]

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: How can you cultivate a heart of anticipation and trust as you wait for God's promises to be fulfilled in your life?

Day 3: Redirected Focus to the Holy Spirit's Power

The disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel was rooted in their understanding of the new covenant. Jesus redirected their focus to the power they would receive from the Holy Spirit, which was not for speculation about times and seasons but for being witnesses to the ends of the earth. This redirection was crucial, as it shifted their attention from earthly concerns to the spiritual empowerment necessary for their mission. Jesus emphasized that the Holy Spirit's power was given for a purpose: to enable them to be effective witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection. This same power is available to believers today, calling them to focus on their mission rather than getting caught up in distractions. [29:03]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: What distractions in your life are keeping you from focusing on the mission God has given you? How can you redirect your focus to rely on the Holy Spirit's power?

Day 4: The Ascension and Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

The ascension of Jesus marked the transition from His physical presence to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. This pivotal moment signified that Jesus' work on earth was complete, and the Holy Spirit would now empower believers to continue His mission. The promise of Jesus' return fills believers with hope and anticipation, knowing that the same Jesus who ascended will come back in like manner. This hope is not passive but active, motivating believers to live in a way that reflects their anticipation of His return. The Holy Spirit's presence is a constant reminder of Jesus' promise and empowers believers to live out their faith boldly. [41:10]

Acts 1:11 (ESV): "And said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence the way you live your life today? In what ways can you actively prepare for His return?

Day 5: The Power to Be Witnesses

The power of the Holy Spirit is promised to all who are children of God. It is not about receiving new information but about receiving power to be witnesses of Jesus. This power begins with what Jesus did on the cross and is for those who want to receive His work in their lives. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out their faith and share the message of Jesus with others. This empowerment is not limited to a select few but is available to all who believe and are willing to be used by God. The call to be witnesses is a call to action, inviting believers to participate in God's work in the world. [42:35]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you be a witness of Jesus' love and power in your daily interactions with others? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in these moments?

Sermon Summary

The Book of Acts is a thrilling journey that speaks powerfully to the church today. As we embark on this series, we begin by understanding the significance of Acts as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, both written by Luke, an associate of the Apostle Paul. These two volumes were originally intended to tell one continuous story, with Acts detailing the remarkable expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome. This expansion is not just a historical marvel but a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through a group of people who, humanly speaking, had nothing going for them. Despite having no money, no proven leaders, and facing intense persecution, Christianity spread and dominated the world.

Luke's account is not just about the apostles' acts but the acts of the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit through His church. The book of Acts is a Holy Spirit-inspired slice of what God was doing in the world at that time, and it continues to be written today through the ongoing work of God in the world. The disciples were instructed to wait for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, which was essential for them to do anything significant for God. This waiting was not passive but filled with anticipation, as the promise of the Father is reliable and belongs to all His children.

The disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel was not foolish but rooted in their understanding of the new covenant. Jesus' response was not a rebuke but a redirection of their focus to the power they would receive from the Holy Spirit. This power was not for speculation about times and seasons but for being witnesses to the ends of the earth. The ascension of Jesus was a pivotal moment, marking the transition from His physical presence to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The same Jesus who ascended will return in like manner, a promise that fills us with hope and anticipation.

Key Takeaways

1. The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, detailing the remarkable expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome, driven by the Holy Spirit. This expansion is a testament to the power of God working through a group of people who, humanly speaking, had nothing going for them. [04:24]
2. The promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, is essential for doing anything significant for God. This promise is reliable, belongs to all His children, and must be received by faith. Waiting for the Holy Spirit is not passive but filled with anticipation and trust in God's timing. [21:10]
3. The disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel was rooted in their understanding of the new covenant. Jesus redirected their focus to the power they would receive from the Holy Spirit, which was not for speculation but for being witnesses to the ends of the earth. [29:03]
4. The ascension of Jesus marked the transition from His physical presence to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. This same Jesus who ascended will return in like manner, a promise that fills us with hope and anticipation. [41:10]
5. The power of the Holy Spirit is promised to all who are children of God. It is not about receiving new information but about receiving power to be witnesses of Jesus. This power begins with what Jesus did on the cross and is for those who want to receive His work in their lives. [42:35]
** [42:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to the Book of Acts
[01:10] - The Journey Through Acts
[02:00] - Luke's Former Account
[03:33] - The Importance of Acts
[05:14] - Who Was Luke?
[06:03] - Who Was Theophilus?
[07:50] - The Purpose of Luke and Acts
[08:20] - The Continuation of Jesus's Work
[09:09] - The Acts of the Holy Spirit
[10:32] - The Scope of Acts
[12:17] - Jesus's Ascension
[14:09] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[16:42] - The Promise of the Father
[19:08] - The Significance of Waiting
[21:10] - The Promise of the Father
[23:19] - Baptism in the Holy Spirit
[26:01] - The Disciples' Question
[29:03] - Jesus's Response
[33:05] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[36:08] - Jesus's Ascension
[39:03] - The Promise of Jesus's Return
[42:35] - The Need for the Holy Spirit's Power

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Book of Acts

Bible Reading:

Acts 1:1-11
Luke 24:49
1 Corinthians 15:6

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Observation Questions:

What is the significance of the Book of Acts being a continuation of the Gospel of Luke? How does this connection influence our understanding of the early church's expansion? [02:18]
According to the sermon, what were some of the challenges faced by the early Christians as they spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome? [04:35]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts, and what is meant by the "promise of the Father"? [21:10]
What was the disciples' question to Jesus before His ascension, and how did Jesus redirect their focus? [29:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

Why might Luke have chosen to write both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as a continuous narrative? How does this structure help convey the message of the early church's mission? [02:18]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the power of the Holy Spirit was essential for the early church, and how is this relevant to believers today? [17:35]
How does the sermon interpret the disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, and what does this reveal about their understanding of Jesus' mission? [29:03]
What is the significance of Jesus' ascension and the promise of His return, as discussed in the sermon? How does this promise impact the hope and anticipation of believers? [41:10]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea that the Book of Acts is a continuation of Jesus' work through the Holy Spirit. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? [09:09]
The early church faced many challenges without resources or proven leaders. What challenges do you face in your faith journey, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome them? [04:35]
Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Are there areas in your life where you need to practice patient waiting for God's timing? How can you cultivate anticipation and trust during this waiting period? [19:32]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being witnesses to the ends of the earth. Who in your life can you be a witness to, and what steps can you take to share your faith with them? [33:05]
Consider the promise of the Holy Spirit as the "promise of the Father." How does this promise encourage you in your relationship with God, and how can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's power in your life? [21:10]
Jesus' ascension marked a transition to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. How can you embrace this transition in your own spiritual journey, and what changes might you need to make to rely more on the Holy Spirit? [41:10]
The sermon suggests that what we often need is not more information but more power from the Holy Spirit. In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's power rather than just answers? [42:35]

Sermon Clips

The book of Acts is extremely important. Imagine what it would be like if the book of Acts was ripped out of your Bible if it didn't even exist in there. You'd pick up the Bible and you'd read the thrilling ministry of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and you just thrilled to and then you'd be finished with that and then you'd turn over to the next book in your New Testament it would be the book of Romans. [00:03:33]

The expansion from Jerusalem to Rome is a remarkable story really just historically speaking, even if you were to take sort of the spiritual equation out of it just historically it's a fascinating story because here you have this group of people... Christianity had nothing going for it. It had no money, no proven leaders, no technological tools for propagating the gospel, and it faced enormous obstacles. [00:04:24]

The book of Acts is just one Holy Spirit-inspired slice of what God was doing in the world at that very time, over this period of about 30 years. By the way, I want to remind you that now remind you that frequently as we make our way through the book of Acts, that the book of Acts concerns a period of about 30 years. [00:10:32]

Jesus had nothing else for the disciples to do at this point other than for them to return to Jerusalem and to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus calls here the promise of the Father. You see Jesus had one letter of instruction one thing for them to do, guys here's your to-do list it's one box wait for the Holy Spirit. [00:17:10]

To wait also means that they had a promise that it would come. Would it not have been cruel of Jesus to tell them to wait for something that would never come? That's torture but she said no wait guys because my command to you to wait is actually an invitation a promise to you that it will come. [00:19:08]

The promise of the Father, it shows that it belongs to all his children because it is the promise of the Father. What right do you and I have to boldly come before God and say Father fill me with your Holy Spirit, according to your promise? What right do we have to say that if you are a child of God you have that. [00:21:10]

Jesus warned his disciples against inquiring into aspects of the timing of God's kingdom because those were things that were reserved for the wisdom of God the Father alone. Guys don't worry about that. By the way don't you think that it was very wise for Jesus to not outline his plan for the next two thousand years to the disciples? [00:29:03]

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Now Jesus warned his disciples against inquiring into aspects of the timing of God's kingdom because those were things that were reserved for the wisdom of God the Father alone. [00:30:03]

The progress and the spread of the gospel to all of these places becomes the outline of the book of Acts. I mean Acts chapters one through seven describes the gospel in Jerusalem and then Acts 8 through 12 speaks of the gospel in Judea and Samaria and then Acts 13 through 28 tells of the gospel going to the ends of the earth. [00:36:08]

This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. This same Jesus, the same Jesus of the gospels that the same Jesus of love and grace and goodness and wisdom and care this same Jesus who ascended up into heaven he's going to come back in the same way. [00:39:03]

What they thought they needed from Jesus was new information right Jesus give us some information. What did Jesus know that they really needed? Power, power from the Holy Spirit and I cannot help but think that that may be the exact situation with many of you you think that what you need from God is some new information. [00:42:35]

The power of the Spirit begins with what Jesus did on the cross. You see it's a dangerous thing to forget that he is the Holy Spirit and he comes into those who have been made holy by the work of Jesus on the cross. We're not talking about power in some detached sense, we're talking about the power of God as it enters in to his holy vessels. [00:44:35]

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Empowered by the Holy Spirit: The Acts of the Church

Devotional

Day 1: The Unstoppable Expansion of the Early Church

Day 2: The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Day 3: Redirected Focus to the Holy Spirit's Power

Day 4: The Ascension and Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

Day 5: The Power to Be Witnesses

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Empowered by the Holy Spirit: The Acts of the Church

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