Empowered by the Spirit: Living Boldly in Community
Summary
In today's exploration of the book of Acts, we delve into the dynamic and transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Acts, often referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, beginning with Jesus' ascension and chronicling the spread of the Gospel through the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul. This book is not merely a historical account but a vivid narrative of action, mission, and the unstoppable movement of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
The book of Acts reveals the essence of being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-strong. The early church was marked by a profound reliance on the Holy Spirit, which empowered them to perform miracles, endure persecution, and spread the Gospel with boldness. This same Spirit is available to us today, inviting us to live lives of purpose and mission. The Holy Spirit is not just a historical figure but an active presence in our lives, guiding, empowering, and transforming us.
Acts challenges us to move beyond complacency and isolation, urging us to engage in community, share our testimonies, and be part of a movement that brings hope and salvation to a world in need. The early church's commitment to small groups, prayer, and communal living serves as a model for us to follow. We are reminded that the Holy Spirit is not just for the first-century church but is a vital part of our lives today, empowering us to overcome challenges and live out our faith boldly.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The book of Acts demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the spread of the Gospel. It is not through human wisdom or strength but through the Spirit's power that the apostles were able to accomplish their mission. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to live out our faith with boldness and courage. [47:07]
- Community and Mission: The early church thrived on community and mission. They met in homes, shared meals, and supported one another in their faith journey. This model of community is essential for us today, as we are called to live out our faith in fellowship with others, encouraging and strengthening one another. [45:51]
- Spirit-Filled Living: Being Spirit-filled means allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. It is not about having more of the Spirit but about the Spirit having more of us. This requires surrendering control and allowing the Spirit to guide our decisions and actions. [56:02]
- Perseverance in Persecution: The early church faced severe persecution, yet they remained Spirit-strong. Their strength came from their reliance on the Holy Spirit, who empowered them to endure and even rejoice in suffering. This challenges us to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of trials. [01:08:16]
- Forgiveness and Freedom: Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees us from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. The story of Stephen, who forgave his persecutors even as he was being stoned, exemplifies the Spirit's work in enabling us to forgive and find freedom. [01:09:21]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Introduction to Influence Church
[05:30] - Overview of the Old Testament
[08:30] - Understanding the Four Gospels
[11:30] - Diving into the Book of Acts
[14:30] - The Mission of the Apostles
[17:30] - The Spread of the Gospel
[20:10] - Paul's Letters and Imprisonment
[23:10] - The Role of Small Groups
[26:10] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[29:10] - Spirit-Filled, Spirit-Led, Spirit-Strong
[32:10] - The Importance of Community
[35:10] - Perseverance in Persecution
[38:10] - The Story of Stephen
[40:13] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:8 (NIV) - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) - The account of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost.
3. Acts 7:55-60 (NIV) - The story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
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Observation Questions:
1. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the spread of the Gospel according to Acts 1:8? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit's power? [47:07]
2. In Acts 2:1-4, what were the visible and audible signs of the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost? How did this event transform the early believers? [51:28]
3. How did Stephen demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit during his persecution, as described in Acts 7:55-60? What was his response to his persecutors? [01:08:16]
4. According to the sermon, what were some of the key activities of the early church that demonstrated their reliance on the Holy Spirit? [45:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of receiving power from the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 challenge the notion of relying solely on human strength and wisdom in spreading the Gospel? [47:07]
2. What does the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 teach us about the nature of being Spirit-filled? How does this relate to the idea of the Holy Spirit having more of us rather than us having more of the Spirit? [56:02]
3. In what ways does Stephen's story in Acts 7:55-60 illustrate the concept of being Spirit-strong in the face of persecution? How does this challenge modern perceptions of persecution? [01:08:16]
4. How does the early church's commitment to community and mission, as described in the sermon, serve as a model for contemporary believers? [45:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Acts 1:8. How can you personally rely more on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life and witness? What specific steps can you take to be more Spirit-led? [47:07]
2. Considering the transformation at Pentecost, what areas of your life need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit? How can you create space for the Holy Spirit to work in and through you? [51:28]
3. Stephen forgave his persecutors even as he was being stoned. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can the Holy Spirit help you in this process? [01:09:21]
4. The early church thrived on community and mission. How can you engage more deeply with your church community to support and encourage one another in your faith journey? [45:51]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of being Spirit-strong in the face of trials. What current challenges are you facing, and how can you draw strength from the Holy Spirit to persevere? [01:08:16]
6. How can you incorporate regular prayer and communal living, as practiced by the early church, into your life to foster a Spirit-filled environment? [45:51]
7. Reflect on the idea that the Holy Spirit needs more of us. What areas of your life are you holding back from the Holy Spirit's influence, and how can you surrender them? [56:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unstoppable Power of the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts vividly illustrates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as the driving force behind the spread of the Gospel. The apostles, ordinary individuals, were able to accomplish extraordinary feats not through their own wisdom or strength, but through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This same power is available to believers today, inviting them to live out their faith with boldness and courage. The Holy Spirit is not a distant historical figure but an active presence in the lives of believers, guiding, empowering, and transforming them to fulfill their God-given mission. [47:07]
"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: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you today?
Day 2: Community as a Catalyst for Mission
The early church thrived on a strong sense of community and mission, meeting in homes, sharing meals, and supporting one another in their faith journey. This model of community is essential for believers today, as they are called to live out their faith in fellowship with others, encouraging and strengthening one another. The communal living and commitment to small groups seen in Acts serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of community in the life of a believer. It challenges individuals to move beyond complacency and isolation, engaging in a movement that brings hope and salvation to a world in need. [45:51]
"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." (Acts 2:42-43, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to building a stronger sense of community within your church or small group? What steps can you take this week to connect with others in meaningful ways?
Day 3: Living a Spirit-Filled Life
Being Spirit-filled means allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through believers. It is not about having more of the Spirit but about the Spirit having more of them. This requires surrendering control and allowing the Spirit to guide decisions and actions. The early church's reliance on the Holy Spirit empowered them to perform miracles, endure persecution, and spread the Gospel with boldness. This same Spirit invites believers today to live lives of purpose and mission, transforming them from the inside out and enabling them to overcome challenges and live out their faith boldly. [56:02]
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." (Ephesians 5:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to the Holy Spirit? What would it look like to fully surrender this area to Him today?
Day 4: Perseverance Through Persecution
The early church faced severe persecution, yet they remained Spirit-strong, drawing strength from their reliance on the Holy Spirit. This empowered them to endure and even rejoice in suffering, serving as a powerful example for believers today. The story of the early church challenges individuals to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of trials and opposition. It reminds them that the Holy Spirit is a vital part of their lives, empowering them to overcome challenges and live out their faith boldly, regardless of the circumstances they face. [01:08:16]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you find joy and strength in the midst of trials and persecution? What practical steps can you take to rely on the Holy Spirit during difficult times?
Day 5: The Freedom of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees individuals from the bondage of bitterness and resentment. The story of Stephen, who forgave his persecutors even as he was being stoned, exemplifies the Spirit's work in enabling believers to forgive and find freedom. This challenges individuals to extend forgiveness to others, recognizing that it is through the Holy Spirit's empowerment that they can truly forgive and experience the freedom that comes with it. Forgiveness is not just a historical concept but a vital part of the believer's life today, inviting them to live in the freedom and peace that comes from letting go of past hurts. [01:09:21]
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Quotes
1. "Influence Church exists to help you know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and influence your world. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. Nice, nice. It's an honor to be part of Influence Church, and a shout-out to our amazing worship team and our amazing tech team back there. You have no idea how much work they put back there during the week and testing equipment and practicing and on and on." ([00:39:16] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Two weeks ago, we went through the Old Testament in probably roughly around 30 minutes or so and discovered how the Old Testament was built, what type of books, what types of writings, how long it took to be written. Also, we learned that the Old Testament was written to guide us, to lead us to Jesus in the New Testament." ([00:40:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "This book is an incredible book, very powerful book. It's showing us that with God, with God, all things are possible. The book was written by Luke, as you know, the writer of the Gospel of Luke. Think about the book of Acts like a sequel from the Gospel of Luke. In the Gospel of Luke, Luke ends with Jesus' ascension, and the book of Acts is actually starting with Jesus' ascension." ([00:41:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Reading the book of Acts should motivate us and help us understand that we cannot stay still. We cannot do nothing. We should be on a mission. We should be part of the movement that inspires people to be part of something bigger than just staying home and being isolated." ([00:45:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "The mission is to take the good news to people out there that need a savior in their life, that need hope in their life, that need direction in their life, that need other people in their lives. We live in a culture where it's saying that, no, just be by yourself." ([00:46:16] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "When Jesus is in you, everything is possible through you. Let me say it one more time. When Jesus is in you, everything is possible through you. Jesus, in fact, told the disciples that it is good for him to go away, to leave them, to go to the Father." ([00:48:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "We need more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need more of the Holy Spirit in the world. We need more of the Holy Spirit and God in the government, in the justice system, and so on and on and on." ([00:49:56] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "To be able to have a life and life abundantly, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Because what dominates us, directs us. What we are full of, chooses where you go. What you are full of, is going to choose where you go. So, I encourage you. Be full of the Holy Spirit, because Holy Spirit has good plans for us." ([00:59:41] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "When Holy Spirit lead us, he pull us. I'm not sure about you, but instead of pushing, I prefer to be pull. Especially by the Holy Spirit. Because he's going to take me exactly where I supposed to be or he will empower me and lead me to do exactly what I supposed to do." ([01:02:56] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "You might face struggle, you might face disappointments, and without realizing, you lay down. Maybe you face some persecution and you lay down. Maybe marriage is struggle and you lay down. Maybe relationships and you lay down. Maybe sickness and you lay down. Today, I want you to know that you can be Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-strong." ([01:17:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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