Empowered by the Spirit: Living Out Our Mission
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound workings of the Holy Spirit as depicted in Acts 16 and 17. The Holy Spirit is not just a historical figure in the early church but remains the driving force behind the church's mission today. We explored the necessity of being attuned to the Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to orchestrate our lives, just as He did with Paul and Silas. Their journey, marked by divine direction, led them to unexpected places, such as Macedonia, where they were instrumental in spreading the gospel. This journey was not without adversity, yet each challenge was an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and purpose.
The Holy Spirit's role is pivotal in guiding, protecting, and empowering believers. We are reminded that the church's mission is not confined to the walls of a building but extends to our communities, workplaces, and beyond. The Spirit's guidance is not exclusive to church leaders but is available to every believer willing to listen and obey. Our call is to be a Spirit-filled church, moving beyond traditions and embracing the dynamic, transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
As we reflect on the early church's experiences, we are challenged to examine our own lives. Are we making room for the Holy Spirit to move through us? Are we praying with boldness and seeking God's will with fervor? The call is clear: to be a church that not only celebrates the resurrection of Jesus but also lives out the gospel with power and purpose, impacting the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the church's mission, guiding and empowering believers to fulfill God's purpose. We must be open to His direction, allowing Him to orchestrate our lives in ways that may be unexpected but are always for His glory. [42:34]
- Adversity is not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His power. Like Paul and Silas, we should view challenges as moments for God to show His greatness through us, using our trials to further His kingdom. [01:10:12]
- Prayer is essential for spiritual protection and growth. It is the covering that shields us from the enemy's attacks and aligns us with God's will. We are called to pray with boldness, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in every aspect of our lives. [45:34]
- The church's mission extends beyond its walls. We are called to reach our communities, demonstrating God's love and sharing the gospel with those who do not know Him. Our gatherings are a preparation for the work God has for us in the world. [55:44]
- The Holy Spirit's guidance is available to every believer. We are all called to be led by the Spirit, not just church leaders. This requires a willingness to listen, obey, and step out in faith, trusting that God will use us for His purposes. [01:03:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:58] - Introduction and Greetings
[05:59] - Importance of Prayer
[08:46] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[42:34] - Following the Spirit's Guidance
[45:34] - Power of Prayer in the Church
[47:40] - The Church's Mission
[48:56] - Celebrating the Resurrection
[50:51] - Understanding the Holy Spirit
[52:29] - Paul's Missionary Journey
[55:44] - The Church's Role in the Community
[58:08] - Divine Direction and Protection
[01:00:35] - Overcoming Disagreements
[01:02:18] - Responding to the Spirit's Call
[01:03:28] - Personal Reflection and Commitment
[01:31:41] - Closing and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 16:6-10
- Acts 16:25-34
- Acts 17:22-31
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did the Holy Spirit play in guiding Paul and Silas during their missionary journey, as described in Acts 16:6-10? [52:29]
2. How did Paul and Silas respond to their imprisonment in Acts 16:25-34, and what was the outcome of their actions? [01:11:43]
3. In Acts 17:22-31, how did Paul use the cultural context of Athens to introduce the concept of the "unknown God"? [01:21:54]
4. What was the significance of the vision Paul received in Troas, and how did it influence their mission? [58:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that adversity can be an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and purpose? [01:10:12]
2. What does the sermon imply about the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in our daily lives? [01:02:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the church's mission beyond its walls, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this mission? [55:44]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge traditional views of church practices, and how does it encourage a Spirit-filled approach? [48:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might viewing it as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power change your perspective? [01:10:12]
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel resistant to the Holy Spirit's guidance? What steps can you take to be more open to His direction? [01:02:18]
3. How can you actively participate in the church's mission to reach your community, as described in the sermon? What specific actions can you take this week? [55:44]
4. The sermon encourages moving beyond traditions to embrace the Holy Spirit's work. What traditions or routines in your spiritual life might need reevaluation? [48:56]
5. Consider your prayer life. How can you incorporate more boldness and intentionality in seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance? [45:34]
6. Identify a person or group in your community who may not know God's love. How can you demonstrate and share the gospel with them this week? [55:44]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit's leading. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can this experience inform your future decisions? [01:03:28]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit as the Church's Navigator
The Holy Spirit is the guiding force behind the church's mission, leading believers to fulfill God's purpose in unexpected ways. Just as Paul and Silas were directed to Macedonia, believers today are called to be open to the Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to orchestrate their lives for His glory. This requires a willingness to listen and obey, trusting that the Spirit's direction, though sometimes surprising, is always aligned with God's greater plan. The Spirit's guidance is not limited to church leaders but is available to every believer who seeks to follow His lead. [42:34]
Acts 16:6-10 (ESV): "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is nudging you to take a step of faith? How can you respond to His guidance today?
Day 2: Adversity as a Platform for God's Power
Adversity is not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His power. Paul and Silas faced numerous challenges, yet each trial became a moment for God to show His greatness through them. Believers are encouraged to view their own challenges as opportunities for God to further His kingdom, using their trials to reveal His strength and purpose. This perspective transforms adversity into a platform for witnessing God's power in action. [01:10:12]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you invite God to demonstrate His power through this situation?
Day 3: The Essential Role of Prayer
Prayer is essential for spiritual protection and growth, serving as a covering that shields believers from the enemy's attacks and aligns them with God's will. It is through prayer that believers seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in every aspect of their lives, praying with boldness and fervor. This practice not only strengthens their relationship with God but also empowers them to live out their faith with confidence and purpose. [45:34]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and protection?
Day 4: The Church's Mission Beyond Its Walls
The church's mission extends beyond its walls, calling believers to reach their communities and demonstrate God's love to those who do not know Him. Gatherings are a preparation for the work God has for believers in the world, equipping them to share the gospel and impact their surroundings. This mission requires believers to be active participants in their communities, living out their faith in tangible ways that reflect God's love and grace. [55:44]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate God's love in your community this week?
Day 5: The Universal Call to Be Spirit-Led
The Holy Spirit's guidance is available to every believer, not just church leaders. This universal call requires a willingness to listen, obey, and step out in faith, trusting that God will use each believer for His purposes. Being Spirit-led involves a commitment to seeking God's will and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct one's path, resulting in a life that reflects God's love and power to the world. [01:03:28]
Galatians 5:25 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be more open to the Holy Spirit's leading? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?
Quotes
1. "When's the last time you heard the Holy Spirit speak to you? When's the last time that you said, I will follow the Holy Spirit of God as he directs my life? When's the last time you made room in your life for the Holy Spirit to move in and through your life? That's what we find over and over again in the book of Acts, over and over again. I keep coming back to that. It's the Acts of the Holy Spirit. It's not just what the church did. It's not just what the people did. It's not just what the apostles, John and Simon Peter and all the others did, James and all the others. It's not just what they did. It's what the Holy Spirit did through the people. And that's still what the church is supposed to be today." [42:34] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer is the covering. Prayer is the protection of God coming over you. Prayer is what God uses to plant those seeds that Gary and Regina were talking about it. And it keeps the devil from planting the bad seeds in our lives. And in this church, when we pray and have that covering and that protection over us, we call it a prayer covering. It's like an umbrella over us. Really, it's like a force shield over the church and over God's people when we pray. And it's so important that we pray. And not just, now lay me down to sleep. And not just pray over your food and thank God for the food. But it's important that you pray the will of God would be done. The Holy Spirit would speak to you. And God. God would guide you." [45:34] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's to reach the community. It's to tell people about Jesus that don't know. It's to tell them that this church cares about them. That we don't just care about the people in the building. And we don't just care about the building. We care about the community. We care about this city, this county, the people that are here with us. That's the call on the church. That was the call. That was the call on the church in the book of Acts. And that's the call on us. The church in Jerusalem began to spread. We've talked about this. They began to spread. We look back into the early parts of the book of Acts. In Acts 2, Pentecost comes and the Holy Spirit falls on the church and the church begins to automatically, when the Spirit comes, the people move out to share what God's doing in their lives and the gospel moves out because they're moved out by the power of the Holy Spirit." [47:40] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to get back to being a New Testament, Holy Spirit -filled church. Would you say amen? That's where we need to be. By the way, that's where we've got to be as a church. And I think as our world gets darker and as things get harder in the United States, as it seems like the darkness is closing in all around us, it's more important. It's more important than ever for the church to pray and walk and live and conduct ourselves by the power of the Holy Spirit. And can I say to you, don't be afraid of the Holy Spirit. Some of you think, well, if I get too, I'll jump up and down and jump over a pew and turn a back flip and say some things nobody understands or bark like a dog or laugh out loud. That's not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will point you to Jesus." [50:51] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Look at what the Holy Spirit is doing. Look at what the Holy Spirit is doing behind the scenes. Look at how the Holy Spirit is orchestrating the moments. I want you to hear me. I believe today the Holy Spirit wants to orchestrate things in your life and in my life if we'd let him. I believe God would orchestrate things at your school. He would orchestrate things on your job. He would orchestrate things in your neighborhood. He would orchestrate things around your family. If you would walk in his power and his direction, he will give direction to your life. Do you believe that? Do you believe that? Do you really believe that? Then why don't we live it? Let's live that out." [52:29] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "This is like the pep rally before the game. The pep rally doesn't change anything about the game. The pep rally gets you focused towards there is a game. And we need to be ready for it. And we need to be up for it and walk out of here for it. The game's out there. The game's on your job. The game's in your neighborhood. The game's in your school. The game's in your family. The game's in your neighborhood. It's where we all are. Where you go shop. That's where we go. That's where we need. We need the Holy Spirit to direct us out there even more than we need to direct it in here." [55:44] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When's the last time you felt like the Holy Spirit directed you? Because I don't think it ought to be. Well, that's Paul. That's Paul. Paul gets directed by the Holy Spirit. I don't get directed by the Holy Spirit. Says who? Says you? That's not what I understand. That's not what I understand this book to teach through the book of Acts. The whole church was being directed by the Holy Spirit. It wasn't just Paul. It wasn't just the preacher. See, again, that's one of those Baptist traditions. The preacher gets up and he tells us what we're supposed to do. And then we're just supposed to go do it and we follow that tradition. No, you're supposed to be led by the Holy Spirit just like I'm supposed to be led by the Holy Spirit. Amen?" [01:03:28] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Quit looking at your adversities as they're problems from the devil, or God's mad at you, or something bad's happened to you. Look at your adversities and say, what opportunity is God trying to give me in this moment? What opportunity? What opportunity is God trying to give me in this moment? What opportunity is God giving me? What opportunity is God going to show off through me in this moment? Paul and Silas, they are beaten. They're bloody. They didn't put any bandages on them. They left them bloody and beaten. They lock them to the floor. They take them to the dungeon of the jail. Literally, their ankles are chained to the floor. Their arms are chained to the wall. They're sitting in this cold, damp, dark, bloody dungeon, and what do they do? It says at midnight, they what? Cryed because they were hurting? Bad -mouthed God because, God, how could you let this happen to me? I've been out here. I mean, I've been on missionary journeys. I've been sharing the gospel. I've been doing all these great things for you, and you let me get beat up and put in jail? That's not what they did, was it? Well, take lessons. They begin to sing and praise God." [01:11:43] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You and I, I don't think we have a clue. Listen, I don't think we have a clue what the Holy Spirit could do with us if we would just obey him. If we walked with him and obeyed him, I don't think we have a clue what God could do through this church and through you and me if we followed God. I think it'd make a difference. I'm asking you this week. This week, tune in to the Spirit of God and see what he will do through you." [01:27:19] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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