Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Transformative Power Unleashed
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound and transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 promises that the Holy Spirit will come upon us, seizing us with power, not weakness. This power is essential for performing miracles, signs, and wonders, and for preaching the gospel to the nations. The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just speaking in tongues but manifesting this divine power in our lives. We explored how the Holy Spirit transformed Peter from a man who denied Jesus to a bold preacher who led 3,000 people to Christ in one day.
The Holy Spirit is not something to be feared or misunderstood. It is a vital part of God's character and role in our lives. Just as we play multiple roles in our own lives, God is multifaceted, and the Holy Spirit is an essential aspect of His being. We should desire to walk with the Holy Spirit, welcoming Him into our homes, workplaces, and daily lives. This relationship with the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the fear of man and to walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.
Speaking in tongues, often misunderstood and feared, is a powerful gift that edifies us, charging us like a battery. It is a supernatural way of communicating with God, a language the enemy cannot understand. This gift is not weird or outdated; it has been practiced for thousands of years and is a crucial part of our spiritual arsenal. Praying in tongues allows us to pray God's perfect will, even when we don't know what to pray for ourselves.
We also discussed the importance of not picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to believe. The Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings are as relevant today as they were in the early church. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot hope to reach the lost or perform the greater works that Jesus promised we would do. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to effect change in our culture and to bring people to Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit seizes us with power, not weakness. This power is essential for performing miracles, signs, and wonders, and for preaching the gospel. The transformation of Peter from a denier of Christ to a bold preacher is a testament to this power. [01:12:55]
2. Holy Spirit as Part of God's Character: The Holy Spirit is an integral part of God's character and role in our lives. Just as we play multiple roles, God is multifaceted, and the Holy Spirit is essential for our spiritual growth and empowerment. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into every aspect of our lives. [01:21:16]
3. Speaking in Tongues: This gift is not to be feared or misunderstood. It edifies us, charging us like a battery, and allows us to communicate with God in a language the enemy cannot understand. Praying in tongues is a powerful way to pray God's perfect will. [01:23:06]
4. Biblical Relevance: We cannot pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe. The Holy Spirit and His gifts are as relevant today as they were in the early church. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot hope to reach the lost or perform the greater works that Jesus promised. [01:27:40]
5. Overcoming Fear of Man: Walking with the Holy Spirit helps us overcome the fear of man and walk in the fear of the Lord. This is crucial for performing the works God has called us to do. We need to be bold and unafraid to look different or be misunderstood. [01:19:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:09:34] - Introduction to the Holy Spirit
[01:11:02] - Power of the Holy Spirit
[01:12:55] - Evidence of the Holy Spirit
[01:14:30] - Gifts of the Holy Spirit
[01:16:18] - Greater Works Through the Holy Spirit
[01:17:59] - Holy Spirit in Action
[01:19:30] - Overcoming Fear of Man
[01:21:16] - Understanding the Holy Spirit
[01:23:06] - Speaking in Tongues
[01:24:48] - The Power of Tongues
[01:26:15] - Personal Testimonies
[01:27:40] - Biblical Relevance of the Holy Spirit
[01:29:16] - Daily Practice of Praying in the Spirit
[01:30:44] - Battle of the Mind
[01:32:16] - Commission and Baptism
[01:33:57] - Conviction and Repentance
[01:35:20] - Call to Action
[01:36:40] - Invitation to Prayer
[01:38:56] - Closing Remarks and Prayer Requests
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 (Passion Translation): "But I promise you this. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be seized with power. You will be my messengers to Jerusalem throughout Judea, the distant provinces, even to the remotest places on earth."
2. Acts 2:1-4 (Message Version): "When the feast of Pentecost came, they were all in one place together. Without warning, there was a sound like a strong wind, a gale force wind. No one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread in their ranks and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV): "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 1:8, what will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers? ([01:09:34])
2. In Acts 2:1-4, what were the signs that the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples? ([01:11:02])
3. What transformation did Peter undergo after being filled with the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in the sermon? ([01:12:55])
4. What are some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the power of the Holy Spirit enable believers to perform miracles, signs, and wonders? ([01:12:55])
2. Why is it important to understand the Holy Spirit as an integral part of God's character and role in our lives? ([01:21:16])
3. What are the benefits of speaking in tongues, and why might some people fear or misunderstand this gift? ([01:23:06])
4. How does walking with the Holy Spirit help believers overcome the fear of man and walk in the fear of the Lord? ([01:19:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. How did it change your actions or decisions? ([01:12:55])
2. In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit into your daily life, such as your home, workplace, or personal time? ([01:21:16])
3. Have you ever felt hesitant or fearful about speaking in tongues or other spiritual gifts? What steps can you take to overcome these fears? ([01:23:06])
4. How can you ensure that you are not picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to believe and follow? ([01:27:40])
5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with the fear of man. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this fear? ([01:19:30])
6. Think of a specific situation where you need the power of the Holy Spirit to effect change. How can you seek and rely on the Holy Spirit in this situation? ([01:16:18])
7. How can you make praying in the Spirit a regular part of your daily routine? What changes do you expect to see in your spiritual life as a result? ([01:29:16])
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit seizes us with power, not weakness. This power is essential for performing miracles, signs, and wonders, and for preaching the gospel. The transformation of Peter from a denier of Christ to a bold preacher is a testament to this power. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to step out in faith and accomplish things that are beyond human capability. This divine power is not just for the early church but is available to us today to bring about God's kingdom on earth. [01:12:55]
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: Think of a situation in your life where you feel powerless. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area today?
Day 2: Holy Spirit as Part of God's Character
The Holy Spirit is an integral part of God's character and role in our lives. Just as we play multiple roles, God is multifaceted, and the Holy Spirit is essential for our spiritual growth and empowerment. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our workplaces. This relationship with the Holy Spirit helps us to walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. [01:21:16]
John 14:26 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you not welcomed the Holy Spirit? How can you start inviting Him into those areas today?
Day 3: The Gift of Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in tongues is a powerful gift that edifies us, charging us like a battery, and allows us to communicate with God in a language the enemy cannot understand. This gift is not weird or outdated; it has been practiced for thousands of years and is a crucial part of our spiritual arsenal. Praying in tongues allows us to pray God's perfect will, even when we don't know what to pray for ourselves. [01:23:06]
1 Corinthians 14:2 (ESV): "For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit."
Reflection: Have you ever felt hesitant or fearful about the gift of speaking in tongues? What steps can you take to explore and embrace this gift?
Day 4: The Relevance of the Holy Spirit Today
We cannot pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe. The Holy Spirit and His gifts are as relevant today as they were in the early church. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot hope to reach the lost or perform the greater works that Jesus promised. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to effect change in our culture and to bring people to Christ. [01:27:40]
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life and community today? What can you do to be more open to His guidance and power?
Day 5: Overcoming the Fear of Man
Walking with the Holy Spirit helps us overcome the fear of man and walk in the fear of the Lord. This is crucial for performing the works God has called us to do. We need to be bold and unafraid to look different or be misunderstood. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to stand firm in our faith and to be witnesses for Christ in a world that often opposes Him. [01:19:30]
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where the fear of man is holding you back? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome this fear and walk in boldness?
Quotes
1. "So when the Holy Spirit comes, you will be seized with power. Seized is an adjective that means taken hold of, possessed or controlled, or, um, as by force or legal authority, compensated, captured, or taken over. And it's not just, it's not just a, a word appropriated. So taken hold of, you'll be seized. You'll be taken hold of. We don't lose control of ourselves, but we'll be taken hold of. We'll be seized with power. Okay. It doesn't say seized with weakness. It says when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you'll be seized with power." [01:09:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So when you're filled with Holy Spirit, you should have power. That is biblical. A lot of places teach that the only way you know that you're filled with Holy Spirit is if you're speaking in other tongues, but I'm sorry to tell you, I don't agree because it says you will be seized with power. And then Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians to say, here's all the gifts that can come with it. You may not get the gift of interpreting tongues. You may not get the gift of healing. And maybe some people don't get the gift of praying in tongues, but I will tell you praying in tongues is incredible." [01:12:55] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is no other way to walk in power other than with the Holy Spirit, period. There is no other way to walk in power other than with the Holy Spirit. It is what it is. You can argue it, but I'm not going to argue the word with you, because that's what it says. You will be seized with power when you have the Holy Spirit. It's the next part after salvation. Remember, salvation is a free gift God just gives you. But transformation, which starts with being filled with the Holy Spirit, comes with us doing something, okay?" [01:14:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So Jesus said in John 14, 12, which I did not give Scotty, which is fine. He said, Jesus said, we can do everything He did and even greater works. How is that going to happen without Holy Spirit? He said, I'm leaving so Holy Spirit can come because we need to do the greater works. He raised people from the dead. He likely walked through walls when He showed up after He was raised. He raised people from the dead. He likely walked through walls when He showed up after He was resurrected. He said, we can do greater things than He did. He had to leave so the Holy Spirit could come." [01:16:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want fearless confidence. We have to walk and spend time with Holy Spirit. There's no other way. Our region extends beyond Berrien County, and we've not done all the numbers for this, but in Berrien County alone, there's 153,000 people. Over 50% of them, so more than 75,000 people in Berrien County do not know Jesus or affiliate with some form of faith. That's a lot of people walking to hell. They're not walking to heaven. If you don't know Jesus, you don't go to heaven. You can argue that, but He is the way, the truth, then the life. Not a way. He is the way. The only way. And I'm sorry if that hurts your feelings. It is the truth." [01:17:59] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. You know why I know it's fear, man? Because the Methodist church started out with power, with miracle signs and wonders, people getting saved, people getting healed, legs growing out, eyes seeing, deaf ears hearing. And you know what happened? Fear of man came in because they started calling the shouting Methodist. And some of them, I don't want to be called the shouting Methodist. People might think I'm weird. That's fear of man. If you're worried about people thinking you're weird, you have fear of man more than you have fear of the Lord. Is that a problem? That's a problem. You will not do anything great for the Lord if you are too afraid of man and don't have fear of him." [01:19:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So when we pray in the Spirit regularly, like every day, regularly, like every day, it helps us. It makes us stronger. It charges us. It helps us become more aware of God's presence in our lives. And when we are consistently and ever aware that He is with us, the words that come out of our mouth are different. The temper tantrums that we used to throw are less. The impatience, the criticalness, all of that lessens, because we're more and more aware of His presence in our lives. We're more and more aware that He's with us. We feel Him more and more and more. Praying in the Spirit helps us become increasingly aware of His presence." [01:29:16] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We all want God's will, but we don't always know what that is. Our spirit knows. And when our spirit prays for God's will over our life, it'll happen. Matthew 28, 18 to 20. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge. God authorized and commanded me to commission you. Go out and train everyone you meet. Hey, we have a training center. Go out and train everyone you meet far and near in the way of life. Jesus marking them by baptism in the threefold. Now, did he say twofold? He said threefold. Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus said that himself. It's not made up. It's in the word." [01:32:16] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Holy Spirit is what convicts us of sin, okay? And there's a, sin is running rampant in the world. I mean, it's unleashed. If we're not walking with Holy Spirit ourselves, the conviction that people need to feel, repent of their sin and be saved won't happen and that 75,000 people in Bering County alone will continue walking to hell I cannot live with that can you can you live with that 75,000 people walking to hell we need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to reach them for Jesus or we'll be held accountable we cannot just sit back on our laurels and expect somebody else to do it every person in this room should have the power charged by speaking in tongues to go out and do what he said to do baptize him in the name of Father Son and Holy Spirit." [01:33:57] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Holy Spirit convicts we have to go out with kindness kindness the kindness of God leads people to repentance along with conviction of their sins not condemnation Holy Spirit just about to close is a gift we can choose to or or not to receive from the Lord he's not gonna make you do it just like we can choose to be saved or not saved to be filled or not filled to be healed or not there are gifts from the Holy Spirit he has things he has put inside of you gifts that he wants to activate gifts that he wants you to use because you're here on purpose for a purpose not by luck or coincidence and not by accident he has something for you Holy Spirit inside of you can reveal that but you have to choose to not worry what the world says to not care if they think you look foolish to go after it anyway because I'm telling you it's worth it." [01:35:20] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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