Empowered by the Spirit: Foundations of the Early Church
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embarked on a journey through the book of Acts, focusing on the foundational aspects of the early church and the role of the Holy Spirit. We began by reflecting on the significance of Calvary and the resurrection, which are central to our faith. The book of Acts, written by Luke, serves as a historical account of the early church and the work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. We emphasized the importance of returning to the roots of the church, as Billy Graham once said, aiming to set the church back 2,000 years to its original foundation.
We discussed the timeline for our study, which will span from now until the end of November, covering the 28 chapters of Acts. The focus will be on understanding the early church's mission and how it was empowered by the Holy Spirit. We highlighted the importance of waiting on God, as the apostles did, and the role of prayer in preparing us for action. The early church's success was not due to their own wisdom but because they followed the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Acts 1:8 was identified as a key verse, emphasizing the power that comes from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to be witnesses for Christ. We were reminded that the church's mission has not changed since Acts 1, and it is still our responsibility to act out the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to seek a greater burden for the Spirit of God to work through us and to be active in our faith, sharing the gospel and living out the teachings of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Foundation of the Church: The early church was built on the teachings and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Returning to this foundation is crucial for the modern church. We must focus on the core mission of spreading the gospel and living out the teachings of Jesus, just as the early church did. [38:06]
2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for the church's mission. Acts 1:8 emphasizes that we receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ. This power enables us to carry out God's work effectively, and we must rely on it rather than our own wisdom. [42:05]
3. The Importance of Waiting and Prayer: Waiting on God is not passive but an active preparation through prayer. The apostles waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit, which empowered them to turn the world upside down for Jesus. We must also wait on God and seek His guidance through prayer. [41:05]
4. Living Out Our Faith: Being a Christian means being a witness for Christ in our daily lives. This involves not just talking about Jesus but living in a way that reflects His teachings. Our actions should demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus to those around us. [46:42]
5. The Urgency of the Mission: We are living in times that may be close to the return of Jesus. This urgency should drive us to be more committed to our mission of spreading the gospel. We must be found faithful, actively serving and following God, ready for His return. [52:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:40] - Praise and Worship
[34:09] - Introduction to Acts
[35:34] - God's Sovereign Plan
[36:03] - Timeline for Study
[38:06] - Importance of Acts
[39:05] - Billy Graham's Vision
[41:05] - Waiting and Prayer
[42:05] - Power of the Holy Spirit
[46:42] - Living Out Our Faith
[52:28] - Urgency of the Mission
[55:01] - Acts of the Holy Spirit
[56:04] - Call to Action
[59:42] - Ministry and Outreach
[01:25:53] - Invitation and Prayer
[01:36:20] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:1-8 (NIV)
### Observation Questions
1. What command did Jesus give to the apostles while He was eating with them in Acts 1:4? ([41:05])
2. According to Acts 1:8, what will the apostles receive when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and what will this enable them to do? ([42:05])
3. How long did Jesus appear to the apostles after His resurrection, and what did He speak about during this time? ([41:05])
4. What was the response of the apostles when Jesus ascended into heaven, and what did the angels tell them? ([51:27])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit? How does this reflect on the importance of waiting on God in our own lives? ([41:05])
2. Acts 1:8 emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit. How does this power differ from human wisdom and strength, and why is it essential for the church's mission? ([42:05])
3. The sermon mentioned that the early church's success was due to following the Holy Spirit's guidance. How can modern churches ensure they are following the Holy Spirit rather than their own plans? ([45:04])
4. The urgency of the mission was highlighted in the sermon. How does the potential nearness of Jesus' return impact our commitment to spreading the gospel? ([52:28])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God for direction. How did you handle the waiting period, and what did you learn from it? How can you apply this lesson to your current situation? ([41:05])
2. Acts 1:8 speaks about receiving power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own abilities? ([42:05])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer in preparing for action. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek God's guidance? ([41:05])
4. Being a witness for Christ involves both words and actions. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus to someone in your life this week. ([46:42])
5. The urgency of the mission was a key point in the sermon. What steps can you take to be more committed to sharing the gospel, considering the potential nearness of Jesus' return? ([52:28])
6. The early church was built on the teachings and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How can you return to this foundation in your personal faith journey and in your involvement with the church? ([38:06])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to action. What specific action can you take this week to be more active in your faith and share the gospel with others? ([56:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Returning to the Foundation of the Church
The early church was built on the teachings and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Returning to this foundation is crucial for the modern church. We must focus on the core mission of spreading the gospel and living out the teachings of Jesus, just as the early church did. The book of Acts provides a historical account of how the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, carried out this mission. By studying Acts, we can learn valuable lessons on how to align our lives and our church with the original foundation laid by Jesus and His apostles. [38:06]
Acts 2:42-43 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles."
Reflection: How can you devote yourself more fully to the teachings of Jesus and the fellowship of believers in your daily life?
Day 2: The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is essential for the church's mission. Acts 1:8 emphasizes that we receive power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ. This power enables us to carry out God's work effectively, and we must rely on it rather than our own wisdom. The early church's success was not due to their own abilities but because they followed the Holy Spirit's guidance. We, too, must seek the Holy Spirit's power and guidance in our lives to fulfill our mission as witnesses for Christ. [42:05]
Zechariah 4:6 (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.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of seeking the Holy Spirit's power and guidance?
Day 3: The Importance of Waiting and Prayer
Waiting on God is not passive but an active preparation through prayer. The apostles waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit, which empowered them to turn the world upside down for Jesus. We must also wait on God and seek His guidance through prayer. This period of waiting and prayer prepares us for the work God has for us and aligns our hearts with His will. By prioritizing prayer, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit's leading and empowerment. [41:05]
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 incorporate more intentional times of waiting and prayer into your daily routine to seek God's guidance and empowerment?
Day 4: Living Out Our Faith
Being a Christian means being a witness for Christ in our daily lives. This involves not just talking about Jesus but living in a way that reflects His teachings. Our actions should demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus to those around us. The early church lived out their faith in such a way that it attracted others to Christ. We are called to do the same, showing the world the transformative power of the gospel through our lives. [46:42]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live out your faith and demonstrate the love of Jesus to those around you?
Day 5: The Urgency of the Mission
We are living in times that may be close to the return of Jesus. This urgency should drive us to be more committed to our mission of spreading the gospel. We must be found faithful, actively serving and following God, ready for His return. The early church lived with a sense of urgency, knowing that their time was limited. We, too, must live with this urgency, making the most of every opportunity to share the gospel and serve others. [52:28]
1 Peter 4:7-8 (ESV): "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of urgency in your life to be more committed to spreading the gospel and serving others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's no accident you're here this morning. It's on God's timeline and His sovereign plan for you to be in the service this morning and hear what the Holy Spirit wants to say to you. You may not hear David well, but I pray to God you would hear the Holy Spirit well this morning as He's going to speak into your life." [35:34] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The real focus of the work on the work of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit is to change people's lives. And that's the work of the Holy Spirit." [39:05] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If Hollywood Baptist Church will come back to Acts chapter 1 and 2 and say we operate on the power of the Holy Spirit. We operate through the presence of God in prayer. We operate through what the Holy Spirit leads and directs us and tells us is important for us to do as a church. We will do great things for God." [47:12] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Being with God always moves us to action on behalf of God. Being with God leads to action for God. Being, acting. Being, acting. And that's what you see here in the Bible. Man, they're being with God so God can use them to act out what he's given the church to do. And that's what we ought to be doing." [09:09] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You know what it means to be a Christian? It means to be a little, small Christ. Not in stature. I'm never going to be what Christ is. But I can be Christ-like in the way I live. And people see Jesus and the way I talk." [01:16:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The real direction of the church is in these early verses of Acts to tell us this is how the church is supposed to function. And the reason it can do all the things that happens in the book of Acts is because of what happens back here in Acts chapter 1 and 2." [46:42] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's more concerned about you being with Him and for Him and allow Him to work in you than He is what you can do on your own. God can do a million times more through the Holy Spirit in and through you than you just running off doing it on your own." [08:08] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can't live the life of a disciple, a follower of Jesus outside of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Can't be done. You can be a church member, but you know what you'll probably be? You'll probably be a disgruntled church member because you ain't going to like where church is going if you ain't following the Holy Spirit." [01:18:38] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The power of the Holy Spirit that has begun this work in us will carry out that work through Hollywood Church, through the pastor, through the elders, through the deacons, through the group leaders, through every member we would go out of here to carry out the work God's given the church." [01:19:41] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The church can only be the church when we are acting in faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit of God can we really be the church that God's called us to be." [01:20:08] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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