Empowered by the Spirit: From Fear to Faith
Summary
There is a way that seems right to us, but in the end, it leads to death. Yet, Jesus offers a way that leads to life—a life empowered by His Spirit, not by our own strength. God’s heart is to seek and save the lost, to breathe new life into what is dead and dry, just as He showed Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones. That same breath, that same Spirit, is what Jesus promised and delivered to His followers, transforming them from fearful, ordinary people into a bold, unified army for His kingdom. The story of Pentecost in Acts 2 is not just a historical event; it is the fulfillment of God’s promise to put His Spirit within us, to empower us to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
We cannot fulfill our calling or the Great Commission in our own strength. Like Peter, who once denied Jesus but then stood boldly before thousands, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to move from fear to faith, from ordinary to extraordinary. The Spirit is not just with us—He is in us, transforming and empowering us daily. This is not a one-time event but a continual filling, like charging a phone each night so it can function as intended. When we are filled with the Spirit, being a witness for Christ becomes natural; what fills us spills out of us, and if we are filled with God’s presence, His love and truth will overflow into every area of our lives.
The gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are still active and available to the church today. They are not requirements for salvation, nor are they the only evidence of being filled with the Spirit, but they are gifts meant to edify both the individual and the body. We are called to be open to all that God has for us, seeking Him with a humble and willing heart. God desires to give good gifts to His children, and as we ask and seek, He promises to fill us afresh with His Spirit, equipping us for every good work. Our prayer is that God would breathe afresh on us, uniting us as a vast army empowered to draw others to Him and to fulfill His purposes in our generation.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Way Leads to Life, Not Death
There is a way that seems right to us, but it ultimately leads to emptiness and spiritual death. Only by surrendering to Jesus and following His way do we find true life. This surrender is not just a one-time decision but a daily posture of letting God lead, trusting that His path is always better than our own. The invitation is open for anyone who feels lost to step into the life that Jesus offers. [44:33]
- The Holy Spirit Transforms Ordinary People into Bold Witnesses
Peter’s transformation from a fearful denier to a courageous preacher is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit. God delights in using ordinary, even insecure, people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom. When we are filled with the Spirit, our weaknesses become opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed, and our lives point others to Him rather than to ourselves. The Spirit’s empowerment is the difference between striving in our own strength and walking in supernatural boldness. [01:04:28]
- Continual Filling is Essential for Spiritual Effectiveness
Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process, much like charging a phone daily to keep it functioning. As we spend time in God’s presence—through prayer, worship, and the Word—we are continually empowered to live out our calling. When we neglect this connection, we quickly find ourselves running on empty, unable to fulfill the purposes God has for us. The Spirit’s filling is both the source and the sustenance of our effectiveness as witnesses. [01:15:32]
- The Gifts of the Spirit, Including Tongues, Are for Today
The gifts of the Spirit, such as tongues, prophecy, and healing, are still active and available to the church. They are not prerequisites for salvation, nor are they the only evidence of being filled with the Spirit, but they are given for the edification of both individuals and the body. We are called to be open and eager for all that God wants to give, seeking understanding and clarity rather than confusion or skepticism. God’s gifts are meant to build up the church and draw us closer to Him. [01:20:15]
- Openness and Seeking Unlock the Fullness of God’s Empowerment
God desires to give His Spirit and His gifts to those who ask and seek with humble hearts. Sometimes, this means unlearning misconceptions or letting go of past disappointments. The promise is that our heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children, and as we seek Him, He will fill us afresh, equipping us for every good work. Our role is to remain open, eager, and willing to receive all that He has for us, trusting that His empowerment is essential for fulfilling our calling. [01:30:47]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[44:33] - The Way That Leads to Life
[45:33] - Our Value in the Body of Christ
[48:21] - God’s Heart to Seek and Save the Lost
[51:01] - Ezekiel’s Vision: Hope for the Hopeless
[53:02] - The Breath of God Brings Life
[54:20] - God’s Plan for Redemption
[55:46] - Jesus Breathes on His Disciples
[57:10] - Pentecost: The Spirit Poured Out
[58:22] - Peter’s Boldness and the Birth of the Church
[01:01:47] - The Power Needed to Fulfill Our Calling
[01:04:28] - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Boldness
[01:07:34] - The Spirit of God in Us
[01:15:32] - Continual Filling and Spiritual Effectiveness
[01:16:47] - What Fills Us Spills Out
[01:18:41] - Understanding the Gift of Tongues
[01:20:15] - Tongues: Edification and Clarity
[01:23:21] - The Gift of Tongues in Practice
[01:27:07] - Edification Through Private Prayer
[01:29:05] - Being a Natural Witness
[01:30:47] - Openness to the Spirit’s Gifts
[01:32:21] - A Prayer for Fresh Empowerment
[01:34:38] - Jesus Ascends, the Spirit Descends
[01:35:26] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Discussion Guide
---
### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Valley of Dry Bones – God breathes life into what is dead)
- Acts 2:1-21 (Pentecost – The Holy Spirit fills the believers)
- John 20:21-22 (Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Ezekiel 37, what does God ask Ezekiel to do in the valley of dry bones, and what happens as a result?
[53:02]
2. According to Acts 2, what were the signs that the Holy Spirit had come upon the believers at Pentecost?
[57:10]
3. What transformation do we see in Peter before and after being filled with the Holy Spirit?
[01:04:28]
4. In John 20:22, what does Jesus do for His disciples, and what does He say to them?
[55:46]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 teach about God’s ability to bring hope and new life to seemingly hopeless situations?
[54:20]
2. Why was it necessary for the early believers to wait for the Holy Spirit before fulfilling the Great Commission?
[01:00:34]
3. How does the continual filling of the Holy Spirit compare to the analogy of charging a phone every night? What does this say about our daily spiritual needs?
[01:15:32]
4. The sermon mentions that the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are for today but are not requirements for salvation. Why is it important to understand the purpose of these gifts in the life of the church?
[01:20:15]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “There is a way that seems right to us, but in the end, it leads to death. Only by surrendering to Jesus and following His way do we find true life.” Is there an area in your life where you are still trying to do things your own way? What would it look like to surrender that area to Jesus this week?
[44:33]
2. Peter went from denying Jesus to boldly preaching to thousands after being filled with the Holy Spirit. Is there a place in your life where you feel fear or insecurity about sharing your faith? What is one step you could take to invite the Holy Spirit’s boldness into that area?
[01:04:28]
3. The sermon compares being filled with the Spirit to charging your phone every night. What are some practical ways you can “plug in” to God’s presence daily? Are there habits you need to start or stop to make this a reality?
[01:15:32]
4. “What fills us spills out of us.” When you are under stress or pressure, what tends to spill out of you? How can you be more intentional about being filled with God’s Spirit so that His love and truth overflow in those moments?
[01:16:47]
5. The gifts of the Spirit are described as tools to build up both individuals and the church. Are you open to receiving all that God has for you, even if it stretches your comfort zone or challenges your past experiences? What might be holding you back from seeking more of the Spirit’s gifts?
[01:30:47]
6. The sermon encourages us to ask and seek for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. What is one specific area in your life or ministry where you need God’s empowerment right now? How can your group pray for you in this?
[01:31:42]
7. Think about someone in your life who seems spiritually “dry” or far from God. How can you pray for them this week, asking God to breathe new life into their situation? Is there a way you can be a witness to them, empowered by the Spirit?
[54:20]
---
Close in prayer, asking God to fill each person afresh with His Spirit, to empower boldness, and to make the group open to all He wants to do in and through them.
Devotional
Day 1: God Breathes Life into Dry Bones
God specializes in bringing hope and new life to what seems dead and hopeless. Just as He breathed life into the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, God promises to restore and revive those who feel spiritually dry or far from Him. No matter how lifeless or discouraged you may feel, God’s Spirit can fill you with hope, purpose, and vitality, raising you up to be part of His people and His mission. Trust that even in your driest seasons, God’s breath can bring you back to life. [54:20]
Ezekiel 37:4-11 (ESV)
Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel spiritually dry or hopeless? Ask God today to breathe His Spirit into that area and bring new life.
Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit to Fulfill God’s Mission
We cannot accomplish God’s calling in our own strength; we need the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses and to fulfill the Great Commission. Just as the early church waited for and received the Spirit at Pentecost, we too are invited to seek God’s empowerment daily. The Spirit gives us boldness, wisdom, and the ability to do what we could never do on our own, transforming ordinary people into powerful witnesses for Christ. [01:03:23]
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: What is one area where you feel inadequate to serve God? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you specifically in that area today.
Day 3: The Holy Spirit Makes Us Bold Witnesses
The Holy Spirit transforms fearful, ordinary people into bold witnesses for Jesus. Peter, who once denied Christ, stood before thousands and proclaimed the gospel with courage after being filled with the Spirit. God delights in using everyday people who are willing to be filled and led by Him, so that His power and glory are made known through their lives. When we spend time with Jesus and are filled with His Spirit, we too can walk in confidence and boldness, no matter our background or limitations. [01:07:34]
Acts 4:13 (ESV)
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Reflection: Think of a situation where you’ve been hesitant to share your faith. How might the Holy Spirit help you step out in boldness this week?
Day 4: The Gifts of the Spirit Are for Today
God still gives spiritual gifts—including tongues, prophecy, serving, teaching, and more—to build up the church and strengthen believers. These gifts are not just for the early church or a select few, but are available to all who are open and seeking what God has for them. The gifts of the Spirit, when rooted in love, bring edification, unity, and power to the body of Christ, helping us to serve one another and fulfill God’s purposes together. [01:22:34]
1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 12 (ESV)
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Reflection: Are you open to receiving and using any spiritual gifts God wants to give you? Ask God to reveal and activate His gifts in your life for the good of others.
Day 5: Seek and Receive All God Has for You
God is a loving Father who desires to give the Holy Spirit and every good gift to His children who ask and seek Him. We are invited to pursue all that God has for us—not just for our own benefit, but so we can be empowered to serve, love, and witness to others. As we seek God with open hearts, He promises to fill us, equip us, and use us for His glory. Don’t settle for less than God’s best; ask Him today for a fresh filling of His Spirit and a willingness to receive all He wants to give. [01:30:47]
Luke 11:11-13 (ESV)
“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Reflection: What is one thing you need to unlearn or surrender in order to be fully open to all God wants to give you? Take a moment to ask God for a fresh filling of His Spirit today.
Quotes
Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. The Holy Spirit is God in us. The Holy Spirit is God in us. John chapter 14, let's listen to what Jesus says to his disciples in verse 15 through 17. [01:07:58] (21 seconds)
But that is the exact people that God wants to use. That is the exact kind of people because you want to know what happens when somebody thinks they have it all together and then something good happens. Who gets the praise? They do. But when people like you or I, God uses our life to further his kingdom and we're sitting here like, man, I'm just this ordinary, like, normal person, we give the glory to God. [01:06:47] (28 seconds)
The church, empowered by the Spirit, has been growing God's kingdom. They have been a vast army marching, taking ground from the enemy because the Holy Spirit empowers us to be His witnesses, to share what God has done, to share what we have experienced with Him. [01:03:59] (19 seconds)
The spirit of Christ, the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives inside of believers and his desire is to transform your life and to empower your life to be part of that vast army that rises up and is used to build his kingdom. [01:08:47] (20 seconds)
A witness is someone who simply shares with others what they have seen or experienced. And we can all do that. You guys have experienced a great restaurant. What do you do? You tell someone about your experience. You see a good movie. You share your experience with someone else. How much more should we share what Christ has done in our life? But we need boldness, and the Spirit can give us that. [01:29:17] (29 seconds)
How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who seek him, to those who ask him? See, we have to ask, and we have to seek. And sometimes in order to do that, we have to unlearn some things that we've held on to. And we have to say, Lord, reveal what your scripture teaches me. [01:31:19] (23 seconds)
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