Empowered by the Spirit: Living Boldly for Christ
Summary
Today, we gathered to explore the profound ways in which the Holy Spirit moves in our lives and how we can be more attuned to His guidance. We began by reflecting on the importance of our worship and the declarations we make through song. As we sang, "I won't bow to idols. I'll stand and worship you," we were reminded to make this our heart's prayer and commitment to Christ.
We then transitioned to discussing the significance of Pentecost Sunday, emphasizing that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-led. However, many Christians today live as though they are powerless, lacking the boldness that comes from relying on the Holy Spirit. This led us to consider the contrast between those who live with the power of the Holy Spirit and those who do not. We shared the story of Todd Bentley, an evangelist who experienced great moves of the Spirit but also faced significant personal failures. This highlighted the need for good theology and character alongside spiritual empowerment.
We delved into the story of Gideon from the book of Judges, illustrating how God often calls us to tasks that seem impossible. Gideon, despite his initial fear and doubt, followed God's guidance and saw miraculous victories. This story served as a reminder that God's plans often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear.
We also examined the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus instructed His disciples to feed the crowd despite the apparent impossibility. This story teaches us that a closed door doesn't always mean "no" and that we must seek God's guidance and confirmation before moving forward.
We then discussed the importance of confirming that a word is from God. Using examples from Scripture and personal experiences, we emphasized the need to seek wise Christian counsel, align our actions with Scripture, and be open to the Holy Spirit's leading. We shared practical steps for receiving and obeying God's guidance, including submitting to God's will, receiving a personalized word, confirming that word, asking God to reveal how and when to act, and ultimately obeying His direction.
The sermon concluded with a powerful call to action, inviting those who are not following Jesus to give their lives to Him. We emphasized that God's love is unconditional and that He calls us to a new life in Christ. We prayed together, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance and committing to live as Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-led followers of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Commitment in Worship: Our worship is not just about singing songs but making declarations of our commitment to Christ. As we sing, "I won't bow to idols. I'll stand and worship you," let this be a true reflection of our hearts. Worship is a powerful act of aligning ourselves with God's will and declaring our loyalty to Him. [21:33]
2. Living Spirit-Empowered Lives: Many Christians live as though they are powerless, lacking the boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit. We must strive to be Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-led, just as the early apostles were. This requires a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to living out our faith boldly. [37:42]
3. Confirming God's Guidance: It's crucial to confirm that a word is from God before acting on it. This involves aligning our actions with Scripture, seeking wise Christian counsel, and being open to the Holy Spirit's leading. By doing so, we ensure that we are truly following God's will and not our own desires. [01:08:09]
4. Obedience and Timing: Obedience to God's guidance is paramount, and this includes waiting for His timing. Gideon's story teaches us that God's plans often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear. We must be patient and trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to us. [01:11:19]
5. Invitation to New Life in Christ: God's love is unconditional, and He calls us to a new life in Christ. No matter our past, we are invited to give our lives to Jesus and receive His transformative love. This new life begins with a simple act of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [01:23:11]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:33] - Commitment in Worship
[36:55] - Introduction and Pentecost Sunday
[37:42] - Living Spirit-Empowered Lives
[38:25] - The Story of Todd Bentley
[39:11] - Gideon's Story
[01:08:09] - Confirming God's Guidance
[01:09:45] - Gideon's Obedience
[01:11:19] - Obedience and Timing
[01:23:11] - Invitation to New Life in Christ
[01:24:48] - Prayer and Commitment
[01:26:37] - Closing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Judges 6:11-16 (NIV)
> The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
2. Acts 8:26-40 (NIV)
> Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
3. John 6:1-14 (NIV)
> Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and how did he initially respond to the angel's message? (Judges 6:11-13)
2. How did Philip respond to the angel's instruction to go south on the desert road, and what significant encounter did he have there? (Acts 8:26-29)
3. In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, what did Jesus ask Philip, and how did Philip respond? (John 6:5-7)
4. What were the practical steps mentioned in the sermon for confirming that a word is from God? [01:01:10]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Gideon's initial reaction to the angel's message reflect common human doubts and fears when called by God? (Judges 6:11-16)
2. What does Philip's immediate obedience to the angel's instruction teach us about responding to God's guidance? (Acts 8:26-29)
3. How does the story of the feeding of the 5,000 illustrate the concept that a closed door doesn't always mean "no"? (John 6:1-14) [01:06:42]
4. Why is it important to confirm that a word is from God before acting on it, and what are some ways to do this according to the sermon? [01:01:10]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to do something that seemed impossible. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Gideon's story encourage you in similar situations? (Judges 6:11-16)
2. Philip was open to the Holy Spirit's leading and had a significant impact on the Ethiopian eunuch. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? (Acts 8:26-40) [50:18]
3. Jesus asked Philip a question to test him before feeding the 5,000. How can you seek God's guidance and confirmation when faced with seemingly impossible tasks? (John 6:1-14) [01:06:42]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of confirming that a word is from God. Have you ever acted on something you thought was from God but later realized it wasn't? What steps can you take to ensure you are truly following God's will? [01:01:10]
5. Reflect on the practical steps for receiving and obeying God's guidance mentioned in the sermon. Which step do you find most challenging, and why? How can you work on this area in your spiritual life? [01:01:10]
6. The sermon concluded with an invitation to new life in Christ. If you have not yet made a commitment to follow Jesus, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen your relationship with Him and live a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-led life? [01:23:11]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking wise Christian counsel into your decision-making process? Can you identify someone in your life who could provide this counsel? [01:04:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment in Worship
Our worship is not just about singing songs but making declarations of our commitment to Christ. As we sing, "I won't bow to idols. I'll stand and worship you," let this be a true reflection of our hearts. Worship is a powerful act of aligning ourselves with God's will and declaring our loyalty to Him. Worship is more than a ritual; it is a profound expression of our devotion and commitment to God. When we sing songs of praise, we are not merely reciting words but making heartfelt declarations of our faith and loyalty to Christ. This act of worship serves as a reminder to keep our hearts aligned with God's will and to reject anything that might take His place in our lives.
In our daily lives, we encounter numerous "idols" that vie for our attention and devotion—whether they be material possessions, personal ambitions, or societal pressures. By consciously choosing to worship God and declare our commitment to Him, we are making a powerful statement of our priorities and values. Let our worship be a true reflection of our hearts, continually reminding us to stand firm in our faith and devotion to Christ. [21:33]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Reflection: What are some "idols" in your life that you need to reject in order to fully commit to worshiping God? How can you make your worship a true reflection of your heart's devotion to Christ today?
Day 2: Living Spirit-Empowered Lives
Many Christians live as though they are powerless, lacking the boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit. We must strive to be Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-led, just as the early apostles were. This requires a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to living out our faith boldly. The early apostles demonstrated what it means to live a Spirit-empowered life. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, which gave them the boldness and courage to proclaim the gospel and perform miracles. However, many Christians today live as though they are powerless, lacking the same boldness and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
To live a Spirit-empowered life, we must cultivate a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit, seeking His guidance and empowerment in all aspects of our lives. This involves daily prayer, reading Scripture, and being open to the Holy Spirit's leading. By doing so, we can experience the same boldness and power that the early apostles did, enabling us to live out our faith with confidence and impact. [37:42]
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: In what areas of your life do you feel powerless? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you and give you the boldness to live out your faith more fully?
Day 3: Confirming God's Guidance
It's crucial to confirm that a word is from God before acting on it. This involves aligning our actions with Scripture, seeking wise Christian counsel, and being open to the Holy Spirit's leading. By doing so, we ensure that we are truly following God's will and not our own desires. Discerning God's guidance can be challenging, but it is essential to ensure that we are truly following His will. One way to confirm that a word is from God is by aligning our actions with Scripture. The Bible serves as our ultimate guide, and any word from God will never contradict His written Word. Additionally, seeking wise Christian counsel from trusted mentors and friends can provide valuable insights and confirmation.
Being open to the Holy Spirit's leading is also crucial. The Holy Spirit can speak to us in various ways, including through prayer, circumstances, and inner convictions. By remaining sensitive to His promptings and seeking confirmation through Scripture and wise counsel, we can confidently move forward in obedience to God's guidance. [01:08:09]
Proverbs 11:14 (ESV): "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. Did you seek confirmation from Scripture, wise counsel, and the Holy Spirit? How can you improve your process of discerning God's guidance in the future?
Day 4: Obedience and Timing
Obedience to God's guidance is paramount, and this includes waiting for His timing. Gideon's story teaches us that God's plans often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear. We must be patient and trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to us. Gideon's story in the book of Judges is a powerful example of obedience and faith. Despite his initial fear and doubt, Gideon followed God's guidance and saw miraculous victories. This story reminds us that God's plans often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear or seems impossible.
Obedience to God's guidance also involves waiting for His perfect timing. It can be challenging to be patient, especially when we are eager to see results or when God's timing doesn't align with our own expectations. However, trusting in God's timing is crucial, as His plans are always for our good and His glory. By remaining obedient and patient, we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and purposes in our lives. [01:11:19]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to wait for God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 5: Invitation to New Life in Christ
God's love is unconditional, and He calls us to a new life in Christ. No matter our past, we are invited to give our lives to Jesus and receive His transformative love. This new life begins with a simple act of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. God's love for us is unconditional, and He extends an invitation to everyone to experience a new life in Christ. No matter what our past looks like or the mistakes we have made, God's grace is sufficient to cover all our sins and give us a fresh start. This new life in Christ is marked by transformation, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God's will.
Accepting this invitation begins with a simple act of faith—acknowledging our need for a Savior and committing to follow Jesus. As we surrender our lives to Him, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers us to live out our faith. This new life is not without challenges, but with the Holy Spirit's help, we can overcome obstacles and grow in our relationship with Christ. [01:23:11]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Have you fully accepted God's invitation to a new life in Christ? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you continue to grow in your relationship with Jesus and live out your faith more fully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God loves you. None of us deserves his love. None of us deserves his grace or his mercy. You may think that you're the best person ever to walk the face of this earth, but when the standard is absolute and utter perfection, you fall short. You might think I'm too bad for God to love me. I'm too bad for God to forgive me. But the good news says that Jesus loves and accepts you just as you are. But the truth of the gospel is that you're not alone. The truth of the gospel is that he loves you too much to leave you there. And he is calling you to take his hand and to be lifted up into this new life, to give your life to him and receive something so much greater, the life of Jesus who is resurrected and Lord over all the universe." [01:23:11]
2. "I just want to share with you that I understand where you're coming from, but those things pale in comparison with the true experience and revelation of the spirit-filled life. And so I hope that you will lean in today. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for every single person here, every person online, every person watching or listening later, even anybody that ends up catching one of our social media posts, our little reels or shorts. I thank you so much, God, for the way that you can use even a brief moment to connect with people's hearts." [47:22]
3. "So there was this guy named Philip. He's in the Bible, okay? And Philip, after a whole lot of stuff went down in the early church and the Christians all ran for their lives because bad things were happening, Philip goes into one area and of course, I don't have it in my notes. I believe it was Samaria. He goes into this area. He begins to preach the good news of Jesus because that's what Christians did. He says, I'm in danger. I can't be here anymore. So I'm going to go to the next town over where there's still danger. And I'm going to tell people about Jesus, right? That's why the church was spreading so quickly back then is because everywhere the Christians went, they're like, yeah, someone could kill me for saying this, but you need Jesus." [48:38]
4. "I think oftentimes when we're praying about a decision, we're really hoping that we're going to have a moment like Philip, where an angel of the Lord appears to us and says, this is exactly what I want you to do, so go do that. But let me share how it usually happens, okay? Probably the most common way that this happens is you're looking for guidance from the Lord, and you're reading the Bible, which I hope that you're reading the Bible on a regular basis. It's a very foundational. Fundamental practice. Read your Bible. Pray every day. It's Sunday school, right? Have you ever been reading your Bible, and you're reading some verse that honestly probably doesn't even have anything to do with what you're asking about, and all of a sudden, it's like someone filled a bag full of oranges or bricks or something like that and just went whap to your gut." [56:47]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Break through the door. So there's some stuff on how to confirm the word is from God. Okay? Don't just go, hmm, yeah, that felt right. And then just move forward. Confirm, confirm, confirm. And once you have confirmed that that word that you heard is from God, here's the next step. Ask God to reveal how." [01:08:09]
2. "And sometimes how doesn't make sense to us because you know how? For those of you that weren't raised in church, here's how. I want you to grab some torches and some clay jars and some trumpets and you're going to light the torches and stick the jars over top. Can we have a chat? Do you know how war works? Am I going to like... Is this going to result in something? I don't get it, right? All right. And actually, he asked them how and God, in fact, then gives Gideon, a sign to encourage him, shows that he's at work behind the scenes, right? And then the fifth one is ask God for his timing." [01:11:19]
3. "You can be the most Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered person imaginable, but if you don't have good theology and good character, you're going to have issues, and then on top of that, beyond that foundation of a good theology, a good understanding of what the Bible says, and good character, being able to stand up for what is right, and knowing what is right, are you Spirit-led? Can you say, I feel like this is where the Spirit is leading? Can you say, I've been on my knees, and I feel the prompting of the Spirit to step out in faith here?" [41:16]
4. "Will you submit to God's will? Will you receive, a personalized word from God? Are you willing to receive one? Will you take the time and effort to confirm it? Will you ask God to reveal how he wants it to happen? Will you ask him to reveal his timing? And then will you step out and will you obey? Obedience is paramount." [01:19:20]
5. "And so in submission and obedience to the will of the father, God, the son came to earth, not as, as a, a, a king, an earthly king with lavish living and, and riches and comfort and all of that. But we're told in scripture that he came in a humble form, looking in a way that no one would look at him and go, oh, wow. And we're told that in his submission, in his obedience, submission to God where he was like, I will humble myself and be born as a human being in his perfect life. He was so obedient to the will of the father that he was obedient to the point which called even to death on a cross, the most brutal instrument of torture and death ever devised by humanity." [01:21:22]
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