Empowered by the Spirit: Bold Witness in Faith

Summary

As we gather at the start of Vacation Bible School, it’s easy to see this week as just another tradition, a fun event for our kids and families. But it’s so much more than that. This is a unique opportunity to be on mission, to pour the love of Christ into children—some of whom may never have heard the gospel before, and who may come from homes where faith is not present. Just as the first disciples waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit before Pentecost, we too must recognize that all our efforts—our decorations, our planning, our energy—are empty unless the Holy Spirit fills and empowers them. Only the Spirit can open hearts, convict, and bring true transformation.

Pentecost marks the birth of the Church, the moment when the Holy Spirit was poured out and ordinary people became bold witnesses. The disciples didn’t get to choose how the Spirit would move; they simply made themselves available, and God used them in ways they never expected. Peter, who had denied Jesus weeks before, stood up and proclaimed the truth with courage, even when some in the crowd mocked and ridiculed. There will always be those who scoff at faith, but our calling is to speak the truth in love, trusting the Spirit to do what only He can do.

We live in a world that is increasingly skeptical, distracted, and often hostile to the gospel. Many see religion as a set of rules or as something irrelevant. Yet, the need for truth and hope is greater than ever. The Holy Spirit is still being poured out in these “last days,” and God is still calling us to be His witnesses. Our responsibility is not to build a big church or win popularity, but to faithfully share the message of repentance and new life in Christ, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly.

It’s tempting to shy away from hard conversations, to water down the gospel, or to let fear of rejection silence us. But to deny the power of the Holy Spirit—to say “no” when He prompts us—is to grieve Him. Instead, we must be sensitive to His leading, ready to speak, and persistent in pleading with those who are lost. The gospel came to us because it was on its way to someone else. May we be faithful ambassadors, allowing the Spirit to work through us, so that lives are changed and the Church continues to grow in power and love.

Key Takeaways

- The Holy Spirit is the essential power behind all true ministry. No amount of planning, creativity, or tradition can substitute for the Spirit’s presence. We must pray earnestly for His filling, recognizing that only He can open hearts and bring conviction, whether in a church event or a daily conversation. [04:56]

- Faithful witness often invites ridicule or misunderstanding. Just as the crowd at Pentecost mocked the disciples, we too may face scorn or dismissal when we speak about Christ. Yet, our calling is to speak anyway, trusting that the Spirit can turn even our simple words into life-changing truth. [12:03]

- The Spirit gives us opportunities in unexpected ways, and we must be attentive and responsive. Whether it’s a sudden prompting to call someone, a chance encounter, or a moment of crisis, God orchestrates these moments for us to share His love and truth. Our role is to act in obedience, not to control the outcome. [18:31]

- We are living in the “last days,” a time marked by both spiritual outpouring and great need. The world is full of distractions, falsehoods, and superficiality, but the Spirit is still at work, calling people to repentance and new life. Our task is to speak the truth boldly, even when it’s unpopular or difficult, and to trust God with the results. [28:06]

- To deny the Spirit’s power is to grieve Him and miss our calling. It’s not enough to have a form of godliness; we must allow the Spirit to use us, even in hard conversations and uncomfortable moments. The gospel is meant to move through us to others, and we must persist in sharing, pleading, and praying for those who are lost, knowing that God’s Word never returns void. [34:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:06] - The True Purpose of Vacation Bible School
[04:56] - The Necessity of the Holy Spirit’s Power
[06:30] - Good Events vs. Spiritual Impact
[07:58] - Pentecost: The Birth of the Church
[09:31] - Facing Ridicule for Faith
[12:03] - The Cost and Courage of Witness
[14:45] - Missed Opportunities and Regret
[17:21] - Seizing Spirit-Led Opportunities
[18:31] - Obedience in Unexpected Moments
[21:37] - Peter’s Bold Proclamation
[24:50] - Our Responsibility to Engage
[28:06] - The Challenge of a Distracted World
[30:16] - Relying on the Spirit, Not Ourselves
[34:51] - Grieving the Holy Spirit
[36:58] - The Call to Repentance and New Life
[42:06] - Persistent Pleading and the Mission Forward
[44:13] - Sensitivity to the Spirit in Everyday Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

- Acts 2:1-41 (The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter’s sermon, and the response of the crowd)
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (“In the last days… having a form of godliness but denying its power”)
- Philippians 3:8 (“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 2, what were the disciples doing before the Holy Spirit came, and how did the Spirit’s arrival change their actions?
2. According to the sermon, what was the crowd’s first reaction to the disciples when the Holy Spirit was poured out? ([09:31])
3. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some of the characteristics Paul says will mark people in the “last days”?
4. What does Philippians 3:8 say about what Paul values most, and how does that relate to sharing the gospel? ([16:38])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Holy Spirit waited until the disciples had spent time in prayer before coming at Pentecost? What does this suggest about our own preparation for ministry? ([04:56])
2. The sermon mentions that Peter, who had denied Jesus, became a bold witness after being filled with the Spirit. What does this transformation tell us about the Spirit’s power in ordinary people? ([18:31])
3. The crowd mocked and ridiculed the disciples, saying they were drunk. Why is ridicule or misunderstanding a common response to faithful witness, and how should believers respond? ([12:03])
4. What does it mean to “have a form of godliness but deny its power,” and how might this look in a church or in our own lives? ([33:36])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that all our planning and creativity for ministry is empty unless the Holy Spirit fills and empowers it. How can you personally pray and prepare to be more dependent on the Spirit, not just your own efforts, in your service or daily life? ([04:56])
2. Have you ever felt the Spirit prompting you to speak or act, but you hesitated out of fear of ridicule or rejection? What happened, and what could you do differently next time? ([14:45])
3. The pastor shared a regret about not sharing his faith with a close friend. Is there someone in your life right now who needs to hear the gospel from you? What is one step you can take this week to reach out to them? ([15:32])
4. The sermon challenges us not to “water down” the gospel or avoid hard conversations. Are there topics or truths you tend to avoid when talking about faith? What would it look like to speak the truth in love, even when it’s uncomfortable? ([34:51])
5. The world is full of distractions and falsehoods. What is one specific distraction or “superficial” thing in your life that keeps you from being a bold witness? How can you address it this week? ([28:06])
6. The pastor said, “The gospel came to you because it was on its way to someone else.” Who might God be wanting to reach through you? How can you be more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in your everyday interactions? ([42:47])
7. Persistent pleading and prayer were emphasized as part of sharing the gospel. Is there someone you’ve given up praying for or talking to about Jesus? What would it look like to persist in love and prayer for them? ([42:06])

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Devotional

Day 1: The Power and Necessity of the Holy Spirit
Nothing we do for God—no event, no program, no act of service—has lasting spiritual impact unless it is filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our best efforts, creativity, and planning are empty unless the Spirit Himself moves, convicts, and opens hearts to the truth of the gospel. As we serve, teach, or reach out, we must pray for the Spirit to unleash His presence, to fill our words and actions with divine power, and to bring true transformation in the lives of those we encounter. [04:56]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: In what area of your life or ministry have you been relying on your own strength instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s power? Will you pause today and ask the Spirit to fill and use you in that area?


Day 2: Expect Ridicule, But Witness Anyway
There will always be those who mock, ridicule, or dismiss your faith when you boldly live for Christ or speak about Him. Some will try to deflect, make jokes, or even shame you for bringing Jesus into conversations. Yet, the call remains: do not let fear of others’ opinions silence your witness. The Holy Spirit uses your words, even in the face of ridicule, to bring conviction and truth to those who hear. [13:07]

Acts 2:13-15 (ESV)
But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.”

Reflection: Who in your life have you hesitated to share your faith with because you fear their reaction? What would it look like to trust the Holy Spirit and speak anyway?


Day 3: Seize Every Opportunity the Spirit Gives
The Holy Spirit orchestrates moments—sometimes unexpected or inconvenient—where you are given the chance to speak truth, offer prayer, or show Christ’s love. These opportunities may come through a conversation, a sudden prompting, or a chance encounter. Our responsibility is to be sensitive and obedient, not choosing the method or timing, but responding when the Spirit draws someone near and opens a door for the gospel. [18:31]

Acts 2:16-22 (ESV)
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—”

Reflection: Can you recall a recent moment when you sensed the Spirit prompting you to reach out to someone? How can you be more attentive and ready to act the next time He gives you an opportunity?


Day 4: Don’t Deny the Power of the Holy Spirit
It is possible to have a form of godliness—attending church, doing good deeds, knowing the right words—yet deny the true power of the Holy Spirit by refusing to let Him work through you. Fear, insecurity, or tradition can cause us to shut ourselves off from the Spirit’s leading, but we are called to address hard truths, speak boldly, and trust that God can do the unimaginable through us if we do not say “no” to Him. [33:36]

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Reflection: Is there a step of faith or obedience you have been resisting because it feels too hard or uncomfortable? What would it mean for you to stop denying the Spirit’s power and say “yes” to Him today?


Day 5: The Gospel Is Meant to Flow Through You to Others
The message of Jesus is not just for your own salvation, but is meant to be shared, pleaded, and lived out so that others may be saved. The Holy Spirit convicts hearts, but He uses your words, your witness, and your persistence. Don’t be content with a single conversation or a passive faith—let your life and your lips continually point others to Christ, trusting that God is reaching through you to those who need Him most. [42:47]

Acts 2:36-41 (ESV)
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reflection: Who is one person God has placed in your life that needs to hear the gospel? How can you intentionally reach out and share Christ with them this week?

Quotes

But really, and honestly, what was the, at the foundation, what was at the core of this is that they weren't able to do this until the Holy Spirit came. And that was something that we've been looking at for the last couple of weeks as well as we've been going through these first couple of chapters in Acts, is that Jesus told them to go back to Jerusalem and to pray. They went back to Jerusalem and to pray. It took a couple of weeks of this time of prayer when the Holy Spirit finally fell upon them and enabled them to be able to do this marvel, to be able to do this draw that brought everybody together and now giving them that opportunity to be able to preach the gospel. [00:04:02] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

Nothing that we do this week is to be looked at as, as, as, you know, we got the great decorations, we, we've got the literature that, that Lifeway put together for us. We have all.this stuff, but all of it is meaningless. All of it is senseless. All of it is nothing unless the Holy Spirit not just backs it up, but fills it up. [00:05:30] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

But let me tell you something. That doesn't win souls. Putting on a good event doesn't win souls. Sharing the gospel, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you, allowing the Holy Spirit to take that audible tone that comes out of your mouth as you are speaking to that other person, and be able to turn that into a convicting thought, a convicting message. [00:06:38] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

I mean, I can speak till I'm blue in my face to a lot of you all, but it isn't unless the Holy Spirit takes what comes out of my face and into your ear hole, and turn that into a convicting thought in your life doesn't mean anything. I can stand up here and teach a good message, but it's the Holy Spirit that makes it preaching. [00:07:08] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Philippians 3 .8 says, I count everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I consider everything garbage that I may gain Christ. [00:16:05] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

We need to learn to take advantage of any opportunity the Holy Spirit gives us. That's my next point. The Holy Spirit gave this opportunity for Peter and the disciples. Peter and the disciples did not get to choose how they were going to draw man's attention. The Holy Spirit did. [00:17:38] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

As a church, we are not trying to gain friends, we're not trying to gain church members, we're not trying to build our budget, we're not trying to build a big church. Our responsibility is to preach repentance and get out into our community and do so. Whether we remain 90 or we become 900, that's up to the Holy Spirit. That's up to a movement of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibilities remain true. To our responsibility. [00:29:37] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

We have a form of godliness but we're denying its power. It's talked about that the unpardonable sin is grieving the Holy Spirit. If I were to ask what the unpardonable sin was you would probably say grieving the Holy Spirit. Well, what is grieving the Holy Spirit? And that's where people have difficulty unless you've studied it. You have difficulty answering what grieving the Holy Spirit is. You know what the grieving of the Holy Spirit actually is? It's telling the Holy Spirit no. [00:34:16] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't deny the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Holy Spirit that's living in you. The Holy Spirit that has promised you. The Holy Spirit that can do the unimaginable the unthinkable. Don't shy away. Don't water down the gospel. Don't say no. Don't decline what the Holy Spirit said he will do. It is sinful. [00:35:24] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

There is something that takes effect whenever we have given ourselves fully to the gospel there is something that the Holy Spirit takes and transforms may that be us may that be this church may that be all that we do all that we claim to be true all that we claim to be important may that be every conversation every interaction every interaction every time a path crosses every time a waiter or waitress serves us every time we find ourselves in a waiting room any time we find ourselves in a place where we're being served may it be in any place at any time be sensitive to the Holy Spirit may he speak through you. [00:44:13] (70 seconds) Edit Clip