Empowered by the Spirit: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

 

Summary

In this Palm Sunday message, we explore the profound significance of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and its connection to the power and authority bestowed upon believers through the Holy Spirit. As we commemorate this pivotal week in the Christian calendar, we are reminded of the transformative work of Jesus, who not only changed our status with God but also empowered us with the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to experience God's power in our lives today.

The narrative of Palm Sunday is a powerful reminder of the initial enthusiasm and subsequent disillusionment of the crowds. Many who praised Jesus with palm branches later retreated in discouragement. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, where only those empowered by the Holy Spirit can persevere through trials. Our identity in Christ grants us authority, but it is the Holy Spirit that provides the power to live out that identity, especially in times of crisis.

The message emphasizes the extensive and intensive nature of the Holy Spirit's work. Unlike the Old Testament, where the Spirit was given to select individuals, the New Testament promise is for all believers. This promise is both wide-reaching and deeply transformative, offering a continuous flow of divine power to those who remain connected to Christ.

We are encouraged to move beyond self-reliance and embrace the Holy Spirit's provision. Spiritual burnout occurs when we expend more than we receive, highlighting the necessity of regular spiritual replenishment. The story of Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4 illustrates that it is not by human might or power but by God's Spirit that we overcome obstacles. This narrative reassures us that God's grace and power are sufficient to turn our "day of small things" into a day of great victory.

Finally, the posture of praise is highlighted as a key to unlocking the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's sovereignty, enabling us to walk in the fullness of His power. As we hold onto our spiritual "palms," we are reminded that our praise should be unwavering, even in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for living out our identity in Christ. It is not enough to know our position; we must also experience the power that comes from the Holy Spirit to navigate life's challenges and crises. [03:06]

2. Extensive and Intensive Promise: The promise of the Holy Spirit is both extensive and intensive, available to all believers and deeply transformative. This promise is a continuous flow of divine power that equips us for every good work. [12:24]

3. Overcoming Spiritual Burnout: Spiritual burnout occurs when we rely on our own reserves rather than the Holy Spirit's power. Regular spiritual replenishment is necessary to maintain vitality and effectiveness in our Christian walk. [19:37]

4. Zerubbabel's Lesson: The story of Zerubbabel teaches us that it is not by human might or power but by God's Spirit that we overcome obstacles. God's grace and power are sufficient to turn our "day of small things" into a day of great victory. [27:09]

5. The Posture of Praise: Praise is a powerful posture that shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's sovereignty. It opens us up to the power and possibilities of God in our lives, enabling us to walk in the fullness of His power. [41:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:48] - Palm Sunday and Authority
- [01:36] - The Crisis After the Praises
- [02:19] - Identity and Authority in Christ
- [03:06] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [03:44] - Jesus as Our Passover Lamb
- [04:23] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
- [05:03] - Experiencing the Holy Spirit's Power
- [06:36] - Believing in God's Willingness
- [07:23] - The Day of Pentecost
- [08:49] - The Last Days and the Holy Spirit
- [10:50] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- [12:24] - Extensive and Intensive Promise
- [13:44] - Paul's Prayer in Ephesians
- [18:50] - Identifying with Your Identity
- [27:09] - Zerubbabel's Lesson
- [41:31] - The Posture of Praise

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Palm Sunday and the Power of the Holy Spirit

Bible Reading:
1. Zechariah 4:6 - "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty."
2. Acts 2:17-18 - "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
3. Ephesians 3:16-19 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and how did their attitude change later? ([01:36])
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming our condition and empowering us? ([03:06])
3. What is the significance of the story of Zerubbabel in the context of relying on God's Spirit rather than human strength? ([27:09])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of spiritual burnout, and what is suggested as a remedy? ([19:37])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit being "extensive and intensive" impact the way believers should view their spiritual journey? ([12:24])
2. In what ways does the story of Zerubbabel serve as a metaphor for overcoming personal challenges through the Holy Spirit? ([27:09])
3. How does the sermon suggest that praise can shift our focus and unlock the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives? ([41:31])
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between our identity in Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? ([02:19])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually burned out. What steps can you take to ensure regular spiritual replenishment through the Holy Spirit? ([19:37])
2. How can you actively rely on the Holy Spirit rather than your own strength when facing a current challenge in your life? ([27:09])
3. Identify a situation where you have been relying on self-reliance. How can you shift your focus to embrace the Holy Spirit's provision? ([03:06])
4. Consider the role of praise in your spiritual life. How can you incorporate a posture of praise to experience more of God's power? ([41:31])
5. How does understanding the extensive and intensive promise of the Holy Spirit change your perspective on your spiritual journey? ([12:24])
6. In what ways can you hold onto your spiritual "palms" and maintain unwavering praise, even in the face of adversity? ([54:01])
7. How can you better identify with your identity in Christ to access the authority and power available through the Holy Spirit? ([02:19])

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing the Holy Spirit's Power
The Holy Spirit is essential for living out our identity in Christ. It is not enough to know our position; we must also experience the power that comes from the Holy Spirit to navigate life's challenges and crises. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out their faith with boldness and resilience. This empowerment is not a one-time event but a continuous experience that transforms our daily lives. As we face trials and uncertainties, the Holy Spirit provides the strength and guidance needed to persevere and remain faithful. The power of the Holy Spirit is a present reality that invites us to experience God's presence and work in our lives today. [03:06]

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: Identify a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this situation today?


Day 2: The Transformative Promise of the Holy Spirit
The promise of the Holy Spirit is both extensive and intensive, available to all believers and deeply transformative. This promise is a continuous flow of divine power that equips us for every good work. Unlike the Old Testament, where the Spirit was given to select individuals, the New Testament promise is for all believers. This wide-reaching promise ensures that every believer has access to the Holy Spirit's transformative power, enabling them to live a life that reflects Christ's love and grace. The Holy Spirit's work is not only extensive but also deeply personal, transforming our hearts and minds to align with God's will. [12:24]

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt the Holy Spirit's transformative power in your life. How can you remain open to this ongoing transformation?


Day 3: Avoiding Spiritual Burnout
Spiritual burnout occurs when we rely on our own reserves rather than the Holy Spirit's power. Regular spiritual replenishment is necessary to maintain vitality and effectiveness in our Christian walk. When we attempt to live out our faith through our own strength, we quickly become exhausted and discouraged. The Holy Spirit offers a continuous source of renewal and strength, enabling us to persevere and thrive in our spiritual journey. By prioritizing time with God and seeking His presence, we can avoid burnout and experience the fullness of life that He offers. [19:37]

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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: Consider your current spiritual practices. What changes can you make to ensure you are regularly replenished by the Holy Spirit?


Day 4: Zerubbabel's Lesson of Divine Empowerment
The story of Zerubbabel teaches us that it is not by human might or power but by God's Spirit that we overcome obstacles. God's grace and power are sufficient to turn our "day of small things" into a day of great victory. Zerubbabel faced significant challenges in rebuilding the temple, yet he was reminded that success would come through God's Spirit, not human effort. This lesson encourages us to rely on God's power rather than our own abilities, trusting that He will accomplish His purposes in and through us. [27:09]

Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of Grace, grace to it!'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are relying on your own strength. How can you shift your focus to depend on God's Spirit instead?


Day 5: The Power of Praise
Praise is a powerful posture that shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's sovereignty. It opens us up to the power and possibilities of God in our lives, enabling us to walk in the fullness of His power. When we choose to praise God, even in difficult times, we acknowledge His authority and invite His presence into our situation. Praise is not just an expression of gratitude but a declaration of faith in God's goodness and power. By maintaining a posture of praise, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience His transformative work in our lives. [41:31]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate praise into your response to this situation today?

Quotes


On Palm Sunday, we know or some of us know it speaks of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where suddenly the multitudes of people begin to throng him. They pull branches from the trees, waving them and strewing them in his path. The praises ascend as the crowd swells. It's momentous, it's magnificent, it's awesome, it's powerful, it's beautiful. He's worthy of it. That's Palm Sunday. The praises were raised, but then if you follow the story, many hearts failed. Many hearts went through crisis after that, right? The crucifixion of Jesus. Things did not go as planned or as they thought they should go, and many lost heart. [00:00:43]

For several weeks, we've been talking here about our identity in Christ, our union with him, what he has miraculously done by the work of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to join us to himself and transform us in our status and our position and our relationship with him. We have a new identity in Christ, and out of that identity, we are given authority. We've been talking a lot about our position, our posture, or our position in Christ, but today I want to move into more speaking more about the power that comes from that. [00:02:14]

This is the week that we commemorate and we celebrate everything Jesus came to do. It's not by chance that this all happens in the Passover season because Jesus is our Pascal lamb. He's our Passover sacrifice. He's the one who bore our sins. Everything Jesus came to do comes to a climax in this special week that we celebrate where he comes and he finishes his work here on the earth, and he takes on our sufferings on that cross, but he goes to the grave, and the grave cannot hold him. He rises again. [00:03:40]

The major reason most people don't experience the power of the Holy Spirit is that they don't think they can. They're either hung up with their difficulties around them or they're hung up with their difficulties within them. There are obstacles in ourselves, you know, our own knowledge of our own sinfulness and our unworthiness. It could become so self-absorbing, it could become so surmounting in our lives, it could mount up so strong in our hearts that it creates a blockade. Jesus came to change your status, your position, so that he could change your condition. [00:05:28]

When you get these two thoughts together and that God is willing, God is willing, and you are qualified through Christ, God is willing, and you are qualified through Christ, that'll posture you, that'll set you up for his activity and his action and his coming and his strength in your life. I remind you that in Acts chapter 2, when it's all complete, it's all done, Jesus has risen from the dead, he's walked the earth for 40 days, he appears to people, so on and so forth, he showed himself alive, and then he ascends to heaven. [00:07:04]

The two notable things about the New Testament promise of the Holy Spirit is this: how extensive it is. They were all filled, sons and daughters, maid servants and men's servants, slaves, no matter what condition in society, no matter who they were, they were all filled. How extensive it was. In the Old Covenant, it was on a select few. It was here and there sporadically. In the New Testament, it is extensive. Not only is it extensive, it's intensive. He pours out his spirit, not a drizzle, not a little bit here or a little bit there. [00:12:41]

The story of Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4 teaches us the Holy Spirit is God's answer to our inadequacy and our insufficiency. Everything that we are not, he becomes for us and to us and in us. He is so wonderful. You know, his story starts, and let me give you this background real quick and then read these scriptures to you and move this right along. In 538 BC, after 70 years of captivity in Babylon, 70 years of captivity where they thought they'd never get out, nothing was ever going to change, they were just kind of stuck there. [00:27:47]

After building the altar, laying the foundation, 16 years go by. 16 years of lackluster living, 16 years of nothing great happening, 16 years of no real changes, 16 years of struggle, 16 years where their strength within them was dissipating, and they were trying their best, living on their reserves, and they weren't making it, and they were getting heavily discouraged and disheartened, as some of us do. And with that, that 16 to 18 years where it seemed like forever, and they went from wow wee to oh me, and then all of that began to happen in their hearts. [00:31:46]

When circumstances come our way, they either crush us or they posture us. They either crush us or they posture us in position. If you identify your adversity with God's displeasure, it'll work against you and be a great hindrance. If you think somehow, well, God must be punishing me, I'm getting what I deserve, even all this unfairness, it's because of something in me. If you identify your adversity with God's displeasure, it'll work against you and be a great hindrance. But there's not a New Testament gospel story where Jesus ever identified somebody's adversity with God's displeasure. [00:36:29]

The posture of praise changes so much. It sets us up. See, on Palm Sunday, they praised superficially. They praised circumstantially. He praised because they praised like Zechariah did, you know, when he laid the foundations or Zerubbabel when he built the altar and laid the foundations. No opposition, unbelievable. God was pro, and then problems came, and what happened? He stopped. And some of us stop praising just when we need to start. Some of us stop praising just when we need to get it going because praise doesn't just rejoice in what it sees. [00:42:55]

The vision is candlesticks and attached to those candlesticks are pipes. Those pipes go to bowls, one on each side, seven candles here, seven candles here, pipes going to bowls, two olive trees on both sides supplying oil to the bowls. The olive trees are the source. The olive trees speak of a forever flow. The olive trees speak of divine supply. The olive tree speaks of the Holy Spirit and the outpouring thereof. The olive tree speaks of the heavenly provision, the God who stands on your side, the God who stands beside you. [00:44:48]

The Lord Jesus Christ is here today to pour out oil. He's here today to pour out oil. He's here today to pour out his spirit. He's here today to give you power. He's here today to touch your life. He's here today to do the miraculous. He's here today to cure the incurable. He's here today to deliver the desperate. He's here today to minister to lives. He's here today to make a difference. He's here today to win and not lose. He's here today to pronounce himself King of Kings and Lord of Lords. [00:51:02]

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Transcript
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