Empowered by the Spirit: A Call to Serve
Summary
When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we are empowered to be witnesses for Christ, as described in Acts 1:8. This divine empowerment is not just a passive experience but an active call to make disciples and impact the world around us. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us should drive us to serve and use our God-given gifts for the common good. This is not something that should require coaxing or pleading from church leaders; rather, it should be a natural outflow of the Spirit's work in our lives.
Reflecting on my own journey, when I became a Christian, the realization that the Holy Spirit would possess my body and grant me a gift to bless others was exhilarating. It was not something I needed to be convinced of; it was a desire that burned within me. Today, however, it seems that many need to be begged to serve, to participate in the life of the church, and to manifest the Spirit's power. This is a stark contrast to the early church's understanding of being filled with the Spirit.
Imagine the shock and awe if a demon were to possess someone and control their actions. Yet, the possession by the Holy Spirit should be even more profound and transformative. When the Spirit manifests through us, it should penetrate the hearts of others, bringing about real change. This is not merely about speaking words but allowing the Spirit of God to work through us for the benefit of all.
The church becomes weak and ineffective when its members do not allow the Holy Spirit to work through them. We should not need to be begged to rid ourselves of sin, to spend time alone with God, or to make disciples. If the Spirit truly dwells within us, these should be our deepest desires. We are called to live lives that reflect the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, impacting the world for the glory of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Christ, driving us to make disciples and impact the world. This empowerment is not passive but an active call to serve and use our gifts for the common good. [00:16]
2. Natural Desire to Serve: When truly filled with the Spirit, there should be an innate desire to serve and bless others. This desire should not require external prompting but should flow naturally from the Spirit's work within us. [01:00]
3. Manifestation of the Spirit: The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives should be as profound and transformative as any supernatural event. It should penetrate hearts and bring about real change, not just through words but through the Spirit's power. [02:39]
4. The Church's Strength: The strength and effectiveness of the church depend on its members allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them. Without this, the church remains weak and ineffective. [03:15]
5. Desire for Holiness and Discipleship: If the Spirit truly dwells within us, there should be a deep desire to rid ourselves of sin, spend time with God, and make disciples. These should be our natural inclinations, driven by the Spirit. [03:29]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[00:38] - The Drive to Make Disciples
[01:00] - Natural Desire to Serve
[01:18] - Gifts for the Common Good
[01:33] - The Call to Serve
[01:52] - The Shock of Spiritual Manifestation
[02:17] - The Profound Impact of the Spirit
[02:39] - Manifestation of the Spirit
[02:55] - The Church's Strength
[03:15] - The Need for Spiritual Manifestation
[03:29] - Desire for Holiness and Discipleship
[03:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 12:7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of the power given by the Holy Spirit?
2. How does the sermon describe the natural response of someone who has the Holy Spirit within them? [00:38]
3. What does 1 Corinthians 12:7 say about the manifestation of the Spirit and its purpose?
4. In the sermon, what comparison is made to illustrate the impact of the Holy Spirit's possession? [01:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the empowerment by the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 relate to the call to make disciples and impact the world? [00:16]
2. What might it mean for the church to be "weak and ineffective" if its members do not allow the Holy Spirit to work through them? [03:15]
3. How does the sermon suggest that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit should be as profound as any supernatural event? [02:39]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between the Holy Spirit's presence and the desire to serve and bless others? [01:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. How did it drive you to make a difference in someone else's life? [00:16]
2. The sermon mentions a natural desire to serve when filled with the Spirit. What are some ways you can serve in your church or community without needing external prompting? [01:00]
3. Consider the idea of the Holy Spirit's manifestation being transformative. How can you allow the Spirit to work through you in a way that impacts others deeply? [02:39]
4. The sermon challenges us to not be begged to rid ourselves of sin. What is one sin or habit you feel called to address, and how can you take steps to overcome it? [03:29]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to ensure that your actions are driven by the Spirit's presence within you? [03:29]
6. Identify a gift or talent you believe the Holy Spirit has given you. How can you use this gift for the common good in your church or community? [01:18]
7. The sermon speaks about the church's strength being tied to the Spirit's work in its members. What role can you play in strengthening your church through the Spirit's empowerment? [03:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Empowered to Witness
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to actively witness for Christ, driving them to make disciples and impact the world. This empowerment is not a passive experience but an active call to serve and use God-given gifts for the common good. When the Holy Spirit enters a believer's life, it should naturally lead to a desire to serve others and share the message of Christ. This empowerment is described in Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This divine empowerment is a call to action, not something that should require coaxing or pleading from church leaders. It should be a natural outflow of the Spirit's work in our lives. [00:16]
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: Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you actively witness to them this week, relying on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?
Day 2: Innate Desire to Serve
When truly filled with the Holy Spirit, there should be an innate desire to serve and bless others. This desire should not require external prompting but should flow naturally from the Spirit's work within us. Reflecting on the early church, believers were eager to serve and use their gifts for the common good without needing to be convinced. Today, however, it seems that many need to be begged to serve and participate in the life of the church. This is a stark contrast to the early church's understanding of being filled with the Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us should drive us to serve and use our God-given gifts for the benefit of others. [01:00]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve others in your church or community this week?
Day 3: Profound Manifestation of the Spirit
The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives should be as profound and transformative as any supernatural event. It should penetrate hearts and bring about real change, not just through words but through the Spirit's power. Imagine the shock and awe if a demon were to possess someone and control their actions. Yet, the possession by the Holy Spirit should be even more profound and transformative. When the Spirit manifests through us, it should penetrate the hearts of others, bringing about real change. This is not merely about speaking words but allowing the Spirit of God to work through us for the benefit of all. [02:39]
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV): "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you relied on your own strength rather than the Spirit's power. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work through you in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: Strength of the Church
The strength and effectiveness of the church depend on its members allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them. Without this, the church remains weak and ineffective. The church becomes weak and ineffective when its members do not allow the Holy Spirit to work through them. We should not need to be begged to rid ourselves of sin, to spend time alone with God, or to make disciples. If the Spirit truly dwells within us, these should be our deepest desires. We are called to live lives that reflect the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, impacting the world for the glory of God. [03:15]
Ephesians 4:16 (ESV): "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the strength and effectiveness of your church community this week by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you?
Day 5: Desire for Holiness and Discipleship
If the Spirit truly dwells within us, there should be a deep desire to rid ourselves of sin, spend time with God, and make disciples. These should be our natural inclinations, driven by the Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us should drive us to serve and use our God-given gifts for the common good. This is not something that should require coaxing or pleading from church leaders; rather, it should be a natural outflow of the Spirit's work in our lives. We are called to live lives that reflect the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, impacting the world for the glory of God. [03:29]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: What is one specific area of sin in your life that you need to address? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome it and pursue holiness this week?
Quotes
When the spirit entered into me I wanted to make disciples like like it drives me crazy if I'm having no impact on people because the Spirit in me is like man you were made for this man I can't just play all day that drives me crazy again it's the Holy Spirit entering into us. [00:20:04]
The Bible says that that if you really have the Spirit in you then the Bible says that you have a gift from God in fact it says a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good that's why when I became a Christian no one had to beg me to serve in the church. [00:46:44]
I read this passage I go men are you telling me the Holy Spirit will possess my body and I will have a gift that will actually bless other people give it to me I want this and nowadays I'm hearing people just beg please serve you know 10 minutes a week be a greeter. [00:70:89]
Man think about this what if right now you guys have heard of demon possession what if right now don't get excited about it yeah okay what what if right now a demon took over my body and I started talking and he was controlling my actions that would freak you out right. [01:05:36]
You would remember my talk more than anyone else is right cuz you go I saw Francis possessed by a demon you guys so when the holy spirit possesses us shouldn't be it it shouldn't be equally as shocking like or I'm going right now I go God can you have your holy spirit manifest through me. [01:39:61]
Where I talk and it gets into the core of your being into your hearts and it somehow changes you because it's not another person giving a bunch of words but it's a spirit of God manifesting through me for the common good and the Bible says that's possible for all of us. [01:64:78]
And the church is going to be lame literally lame weak and crippled if you don't manifest the Holy Spirit for the common good man why are pastors begging you to serve in the church why are they begging you to get rid of the sin in your life why are they begging you to get alone with God. [01:85:93]
Why are they begging you to make disciples if the Spirit is in you this should be your very desire I can't live without this I have to have this. [02:09:36]
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