Empowered by the Spirit: Living as God's Temples

Summary

The day of Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in the Christian faith, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus, transforming them into living temples of God. This event, as described in Acts 2, is not an isolated incident but part of a larger biblical narrative that connects to the Old Testament. Throughout scripture, fire and wind symbolize God's presence and the creation of a temple. From the burning bush that spoke to Moses to the fire on Mount Sinai, these elements have consistently marked God's dwelling places. In Acts 2, the tongues of fire resting on each believer signify that God's presence now resides within His people, making them His living temples.

This transformation is not just a historical event but a present reality for all followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that filled Jesus, now dwells within us, empowering us to live like Christ. This indwelling Spirit is not just about personal transformation but also about community. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, exemplified a Spirit-filled community, marked by unity, generosity, and a shared life of worship and prayer. This is the vision for the church today—a community where God's Spirit is alive and active, bringing healing, justice, and love.

The journey with the Holy Spirit is one of continual awakening and transformation. It requires us to move beyond our comfort zones, to risk vulnerability, and to embrace the fullness of what God offers. The Spirit invites us to a deeper intimacy with God, a greater conformity to Christ's character, and a more effective witness to the world. This journey is not without challenges, as it often confronts our fears and our need for control. Yet, it is through surrendering to the Spirit's leading that we find true freedom and fulfillment.

In our modern context, we are often tempted to limit the Holy Spirit's work to what is comfortable and predictable. However, the Spirit's power is creative and transformative, capable of bringing order out of chaos and life out of death. As we open our imaginations to the Spirit's possibilities, we can envision a church and a world transformed by God's love and power.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Holy Spirit as God's Presence: The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost signifies God's presence dwelling within His people, transforming them into living temples. This echoes the Old Testament themes of fire and wind as symbols of God's presence and the creation of a temple. [05:59]

2. Empowerment for Witness: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses of Christ, both in their personal lives and within their communities. This empowerment is not just for personal transformation but for the collective mission of the church. [09:04]

3. A Spirit-Filled Community: The early church exemplified a Spirit-filled community marked by unity, generosity, and shared life. This is the vision for the church today, where the Spirit's presence brings healing, justice, and love. [20:05]

4. The Journey of Awakening: Walking with the Holy Spirit involves a continual awakening to His presence and work in our lives. It requires vulnerability, surrender, and a willingness to move beyond our comfort zones to experience the fullness of God. [18:27]

5. Expanding Our Imagination: The Holy Spirit invites us to expand our imagination beyond the present reality to envision what is possible. This requires a spirit-shaped imagination that sees beyond limitations and embraces the creative power of God. [30:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Pentecost
- [01:45] - The Significance of Fire and Wind
- [05:59] - God's Presence in the Old Testament
- [07:18] - The Temple and God's Dwelling
- [09:04] - Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
- [11:12] - Jesus as the Living Tabernacle
- [13:38] - The Spirit's Indwelling in Believers
- [14:44] - The Church as God's Temple
- [16:03] - The Healing Path and the Spirit's Work
- [18:27] - Awakening to the Holy Spirit
- [20:05] - A Spirit-Filled Community
- [22:42] - Personal Testimony of Spirit's Filling
- [24:52] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [27:15] - Miracles and Faith
- [30:58] - Expanding Our Imagination
- [31:45] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:1-4
- Exodus 19:18
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event took place on the day of Pentecost according to Acts 2:1-4, and how did it manifest among the followers of Jesus? [05:59]
2. How does the sermon describe the symbolism of fire and wind in the context of God's presence and the creation of a temple? [07:18]
3. According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers, as illustrated by the early church in Acts 2:42-47? [20:05]
4. What does 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 say about the believer's body in relation to the Holy Spirit, and how is this concept expanded in the sermon? [14:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost connect to the Old Testament themes of God's presence and temple creation? [05:59]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for both personal transformation and community mission? [09:04]
3. What does the sermon imply about the challenges and rewards of walking with the Holy Spirit, particularly in terms of vulnerability and surrender? [18:27]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to expand their imagination regarding the Holy Spirit's work in their lives and communities? [30:58]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did it change your perspective or actions? [13:38]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of moving beyond comfort zones. What is one area in your life where you feel called to step out in faith, and how can the Holy Spirit assist you in this? [18:27]
3. Consider the description of a Spirit-filled community in Acts 2:42-47. How can you contribute to fostering such a community within your church or small group? [20:05]
4. The sermon challenges us to expand our imagination about what the Holy Spirit can do. What is one specific area in your life or community where you need to envision greater possibilities? [30:58]
5. How can you practice surrendering control to the Holy Spirit in your daily life, especially in areas where you tend to hold on tightly? [17:11]
6. Identify a personal fear or hesitation about embracing the Holy Spirit's work. What steps can you take to address this fear and open yourself to the Spirit's leading? [18:27]
7. The sermon highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. What is one specific change you desire in your character or actions, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to facilitate this transformation? [24:52]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence Within Us
The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks a transformative moment where God's presence comes to dwell within His people, making them living temples. This event is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where fire and wind have consistently symbolized God's presence, from the burning bush that spoke to Moses to the fire on Mount Sinai. In Acts 2, the tongues of fire resting on each believer signify that God's presence now resides within His people, transforming them into living temples. This transformation is not just a historical event but a present reality for all followers of Jesus, as the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that filled Jesus, now dwells within us, empowering us to live like Christ. [05:59]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life, and how does this awareness influence your actions and decisions today?

Day 2: Empowered for a Purpose
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses of Christ, both in their personal lives and within their communities. This empowerment is not just for personal transformation but for the collective mission of the church. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, exemplified a Spirit-filled community, marked by unity, generosity, and a shared life of worship and prayer. This is the vision for the church today—a community where God's Spirit is alive and active, bringing healing, justice, and love. The Spirit's empowerment enables believers to live out their faith boldly and to be effective witnesses of Christ's love and truth in the world. [09:04]

"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." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your community to reflect the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and be a witness of Christ's love today?

Day 3: Unity in the Spirit
The early church exemplified a Spirit-filled community marked by unity, generosity, and shared life. This is the vision for the church today, where the Spirit's presence brings healing, justice, and love. The journey with the Holy Spirit is one of continual awakening and transformation, requiring believers to move beyond their comfort zones, to risk vulnerability, and to embrace the fullness of what God offers. The Spirit invites believers to a deeper intimacy with God, a greater conformity to Christ's character, and a more effective witness to the world. This journey is not without challenges, as it often confronts fears and the need for control. Yet, it is through surrendering to the Spirit's leading that true freedom and fulfillment are found. [20:05]

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to foster unity and generosity within your church community, reflecting the Spirit-filled life of the early church?

Day 4: Awakening to the Spirit's Work
Walking with the Holy Spirit involves a continual awakening to His presence and work in our lives. It requires vulnerability, surrender, and a willingness to move beyond our comfort zones to experience the fullness of God. The Spirit invites believers to a deeper intimacy with God, a greater conformity to Christ's character, and a more effective witness to the world. This journey is not without challenges, as it often confronts fears and the need for control. Yet, it is through surrendering to the Spirit's leading that true freedom and fulfillment are found. The Spirit's power is creative and transformative, capable of bringing order out of chaos and life out of death. [18:27]

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control to the Holy Spirit, and how can you begin to do so today?

Day 5: Envisioning the Spirit's Possibilities
The Holy Spirit invites believers to expand their imagination beyond the present reality to envision what is possible. This requires a spirit-shaped imagination that sees beyond limitations and embraces the creative power of God. In our modern context, we are often tempted to limit the Holy Spirit's work to what is comfortable and predictable. However, the Spirit's power is creative and transformative, capable of bringing order out of chaos and life out of death. As believers open their imaginations to the Spirit's possibilities, they can envision a church and a world transformed by God's love and power. [30:58]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you expand your imagination to see beyond your current circumstances and embrace the possibilities that the Holy Spirit offers for your life and community?

Quotes

The stories involving Moses and the burning bush, Mount Sinai, the tabernacle, and the temple, all feature fire as a sign of God's presence and his dwelling space or temple. Now, in Acts 2, Luke, the writer of this book, connects the Pentecost story to these earlier events. The divine fire has previously rested on God's temple spaces, and so where does it rest in this scene that we see in Acts 2? Here's what it says. It says, they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [00:07:35]

Before this amazing event, Jesus told his disciples in Acts chapter 1 verse 8, he says, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Some of those filled on the day of Pentecost with the Holy Spirit eventually scattered outside of Jerusalem to share this good news. Remember, there were 120 in the upper room when the sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven, and then it goes on to tell us that Peter addressed the crowd, and 3,000 people decided to follow Jesus. [00:08:30]

The story tells us that God now dwells within the community of Jesus' followers. These living temples are made of people who look like Jesus. Romans 8, 29 reads, God has predestined his people, you and me, to be conformed to the image of his Son. That is, to become like Jesus. Conformity to the image of God means to become like Jesus. It is by the indwelling Spirit himself that we are being changed from glory to glory. It is. It is amazing. It is a magnificent vision. [00:09:17]

The very spirit that filled Jesus, the spirit of fire and wind has now come to fill, to make a home within all who follow Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have been filled. You have been filled with the very power that brought form to God's creation, that parted the Red Sea. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have been tabernacled by the very same spirit that made a home in Jesus. [00:13:45]

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. You, your individual physical body is filled with fire and wind that filled the Exodus tabernacle and that filled Jesus. You are the here and now dwelling place of God. You are a walking, talking tabernacle. [00:15:13]

No one is going to make you walk the plank so that you'll dive into the deep end. Grace abounds to all. So, what transpires for some is an awakening to the Holy Spirit, to his comfort, his transforming their hearts, his empowering to truly love God and others, his leaving them into memories they've been afraid to speak of, his healing as he leads them to renounce some of their negative memories, some mental strongholds that have kept them bound for years. [00:18:40]

It is their desire for more that drives them towards the cross of Jesus, to die to the old self, and then be resurrected to stand in their true selves. We need this awakening to the Holy Spirit to heal us of our need to control, our need to perform for the affections of others. We need this for a renewed hope and joy to those of us wrestling with our faith. We need the Holy Spirit to come into our lives so that we can pour into our families and pour out beyond the walls of this church to the lost, the houseless, the hurting, those that have suffered injustice. [00:19:19]

This, what I've just read to you, is what a Spirit-filled community looks like. This is why we need the Holy Spirit, dear ones. Because without Him, we will not bring justice to those that have suffered injustice. Without Him, we will want to hoard our money rather than freely give to the needs in this church. Because without Him, we won't see people healed from their painful childhoods of neglect and abuse. Because without Him, we will not love well. [00:21:01]

Billy Graham, famous evangelist, he says, Everywhere I go, I find that God's people lack something. They are hungry for something. Their Christian experience is not all they expected. And they often have recurring defeat in their lives. Christians today are hungry for spiritual fulfillment. The most desperate need of the nation today is that men and women who profess Jesus be filled with the Holy Spirit. [00:21:55]

Many, many of these people, many of that have been through our Healing Path group, have been healed of significant father wounds, mother wounds, tapped into grief and loss that have been buried for years. They've been empowered to forgive their abusers, to forgive their bullies. They've overcome their self-hatred, their shame and fears, and learned how to accept themselves as the beloved of God. You know, I tell my leaders, it's not us, it's the Holy Spirit. [00:29:11]

Our Western culture has kept us fearful of experience. We get into cognitive ruminations about the Holy Spirit and his presence in our lives. The power of the Holy Spirit should first change our imagination to one that is redeemed. It means seeing beyond the present reality to what is possible. This requires a spirit-shaped imagination to envision what can happen if the Holy Spirit fills our daily lives, including the chaos. [00:30:37]

If we opened our imaginations to the holy spirit who is active and creative today as ever we can see greater possibilities and so what are you aiming for what are you aiming for that is too small the same spirit that challenges our limited visions can also expand our imaginations if we let go and we surrender i'm almost done i was mindful of the laodicean church i think it's in revelation 3 and they believed i am rich i've acquired wealth and i do not need a thing but they did not realize they were wretched pitiful poor blind and naked let us not make that mistake hopefully we will become a church compelled by love instead of fear the world we live in creates enemies and divides people it's an election year folks falsely claiming that some are lovable and others are throwaways but not so in the kingdom of god in god's empire all people mutually love one another without partiality there is no favoritism in god's kingdom amen [00:31:52]

Chatbot

Transcript

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