Empowered by the Spirit: Service Over Self-Promotion

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of the Holy Spirit Is for Every Believer

The Holy Spirit is not just a fleeting presence or a momentary experience, but the very power of God given to dwell within every believer. Unlike in the Old Testament, where the Spirit would come upon individuals for specific tasks, now the Holy Spirit lives inside us, empowering us daily to live holy lives, to love beyond our own strength, and to serve others selflessly. This power is not for show or personal gain, but for service and transformation, equipping us to fulfill God’s purposes in our lives and in the world around us. [38:13]

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 area of your life do you feel powerless or stuck, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power today?

Day 2: Waiting on the Holy Spirit Before Acting

There are times when we are tempted to act in our own strength, making decisions or moving forward without waiting for God’s direction. The early disciples were told by Jesus to wait for the Holy Spirit, but they quickly tried to solve problems on their own. True spiritual effectiveness comes not from our own plans, but from waiting on and being led by the Holy Spirit, even when waiting feels uncomfortable or counterintuitive. [42:52]

Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)
"And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'"

Reflection: Is there a decision or situation in your life where you need to pause and wait for the Holy Spirit’s guidance instead of rushing ahead?

Day 3: The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence of God’s Presence

The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is not just in supernatural gifts, but in the transformation of our character. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the markers of a life surrendered to God. We don’t get to pick and choose which fruit we display; the Spirit produces all of them in us as we yield to Him, and they serve as a measure of our relationship with God. [46:23]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to grow that fruit in you today?

Day 4: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

The gifts and power of the Holy Spirit are not given for our own fame or self-promotion, but to serve others and build up the body of Christ. In a world obsessed with self and recognition, we are called to steward God’s power with humility, focusing on service rather than spotlight. Just as Peter Parker was behind the camera, not in the shot, we are to pursue the ministry of the click—pointing to Jesus, not ourselves. [58:16]

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: How can you use the gifts and opportunities God has given you this week to serve someone else without seeking recognition?

Day 5: Bold Witnesses Empowered by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses for Jesus, not just in distant places but right where we are—at home, at work, in our communities. Before Pentecost, the disciples were fearful and hidden, but after receiving the Spirit, they became courageous and unstoppable in sharing the gospel. We are called to share what God has done in our lives, trusting that our story and God’s power are enough, even if we don’t have all the answers. [01:04:42]

2 Timothy 1:7-8 (ESV)
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God."

Reflection: Who is one person you can share your story of God’s work in your life with this week, trusting the Holy Spirit to give you boldness?

Sermon Summary

There is a movement rising—a people empowered not to conquer others, but to pursue them with the love of God. The evidence of God’s hand is clear as new families are drawn in, hearts are stirred, and lives are changed. This is not about building our own name, but about bankrupting hell and making heaven crowded. The journey we’re on is not one of self-promotion, but of selfless service, fueled by a power greater than any superhero’s: the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the cultural fascination with superheroes, especially Spider-Man’s famous line, “With great power comes great responsibility,” we see a parallel in the Christian life. Jesus, after His resurrection, redirected His disciples’ expectations from political power to spiritual empowerment. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come, not just for a moment as in the Old Testament, but to dwell within us, guiding, comforting, and empowering us for holy living and bold witness.

The Holy Spirit is not an accessory to our faith, but its very engine. In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come upon individuals for specific tasks, but now, post-Pentecost, He lives within every believer. He is our counselor, comforter, and the Spirit of truth, convicting us of sin and leading us into righteousness. Yet, we often struggle to wait on His leading, preferring to act in our own strength. True spiritual power is found in surrender and waiting for the Spirit’s direction.

The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not optional extras, but the evidence of His presence. These are not separate “fruits” to pick and choose, but a singular fruit that should be growing in every area of our lives. The Spirit also lends us supernatural gifts, not for our own glory, but to build up others and advance God’s kingdom.

It’s possible to do all the right religious activities and still lack the power of the Spirit. Like an elevator without power, we can be in the right place but remain stuck. The Spirit’s power is not for show, but for service. In a world obsessed with self-promotion, we are called to the ministry of the “click,” not the “flash”—to point others to Jesus, not ourselves.

With the Spirit’s power comes the responsibility to be witnesses—those who have been close to Jesus and can testify to His work. This boldness is not about having all the answers, but about sharing what God has done in our lives. The greatest miracle is salvation, and the greatest work is to be a witness, starting where we are and extending to the ends of the earth. The Spirit is being poured out on all people, and we are invited to walk in that power and responsibility, making room for God to move through us.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of the Holy Spirit Is for Service, Not Show The Holy Spirit’s power is not given for personal glory or spiritual theatrics, but to enable us to serve others and fulfill God’s mission. True spiritual power is measured not by outward displays, but by the inward transformation and the willingness to love, serve, and witness to those around us. The gifts and presence of the Spirit are meant to build up the body and reach the lost, not to elevate ourselves. [56:01]
2. Waiting on the Spirit Is an Act of Trust and Obedience The early disciples were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit before acting, yet they struggled to do so, preferring to take matters into their own hands. This tendency persists today; we often rush ahead with our own plans rather than waiting for God’s direction. True faith is demonstrated in our willingness to pause, listen, and allow the Spirit to lead, even when waiting feels uncomfortable or unproductive. [42:52]
3. The Fruit of the Spirit Is the Evidence of His Presence The singular “fruit of the Spirit” encompasses all the qualities of Christlikeness—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We cannot pick and choose which to display; the Spirit’s work is holistic, transforming every part of our character. If these qualities are lacking, it’s a call to examine whether we are truly allowing the Spirit to fill and lead us. [46:23]
4. Authentic Witness Flows from Proximity to Jesus, Not Knowledge Alone Being a witness for Christ is not about having all the theological answers, but about having a real, personal encounter with Him. The disciples moved from fear to boldness after receiving the Spirit, not because they gained new information, but because they had been with Jesus and were empowered by His presence. Our testimony is most powerful when it springs from genuine relationship and transformation, not mere head knowledge. [63:50]
5. With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility—To Point Others to Christ The Spirit’s empowerment brings with it a sacred responsibility: to use our gifts, influence, and opportunities to make Jesus known. In a culture obsessed with self, we are called to humility, to keep ourselves out of the spotlight and direct attention to God’s work. The Spirit’s gifts are not for our fame, but for the good of others and the glory of God, requiring us to walk differently, love sacrificially, and witness boldly. [58:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:25] - Celebrating God’s Work in Our Church
[34:00] - Spider-Man, Superheroes, and Spiritual Power
[35:14] - “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”
[37:01] - Jesus Redirects Our Expectations
[38:13] - The Holy Spirit in Creation and the Old Testament
[39:45] - The Spirit’s Indwelling After Pentecost
[41:24] - Waiting for the Holy Spirit
[42:52] - Acting in Our Own Strength vs. Waiting on God
[46:23] - The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence
[47:57] - The Spirit’s Gifts and True Power
[49:51] - More Than Theatrics: The Reality of the Spirit
[52:24] - Religious Activity vs. Spiritual Power
[54:11] - The Elevator Analogy: Stuck Without Power
[56:01] - Power for Service, Not for Show
[58:16] - The Ministry of the Click, Not the Flash
[59:11] - The Holy Spirit’s Metaphors and Walking Differently
[61:43] - What It Means to Be a Witness
[63:50] - Sharing Your Story, Not Just Answers
[66:38] - Being a Witness Where You Are
[68:17] - The Spirit’s Power for God’s Glory
[69:28] - The Last Words of Jesus: Power to Win People
[70:18] - The Outpouring of the Spirit in the Last Days
[72:04] - What Was It Like? The Spirit in Every Believer
[72:47] - Responding: Seeking the Power and Responsibility of the Spirit

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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."

Observation Questions

According to Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of the power the disciples will receive from the Holy Spirit?
In the sermon, what examples were given of the Holy Spirit’s role in the Old Testament compared to after Pentecost? [39:45]
What does the pastor say is the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a believer’s life? [46:23]
How did the disciples’ behavior change before and after receiving the Holy Spirit, according to the sermon? [01:02:18]

Interpretation Questions

The disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit before acting. Why might Jesus have wanted them to wait instead of acting immediately? What does this reveal about the nature of spiritual power? [41:24]
The sermon says the fruit of the Spirit is a singular fruit, not multiple fruits. Why is this distinction important for how believers view spiritual growth and character? [46:23]
The pastor uses the analogy of an elevator without power to describe religious activity without the Holy Spirit. What does this analogy suggest about the difference between outward activity and inward transformation? [54:11]
The sermon emphasizes that the Holy Spirit’s power is for service, not for show. How does this challenge common ideas about spiritual gifts and influence in today’s culture? [56:01]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that we often rush ahead with our own plans instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Can you think of a recent decision where you acted before seeking God’s guidance? What would it look like to “wait” on the Spirit next time? [42:52]
The fruit of the Spirit is described as evidence of the Spirit’s presence. Which aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) do you find most challenging to display? What is one practical step you can take this week to let the Spirit grow that area in your life? [46:23]
The sermon warns against self-promotion and encourages us to pursue the “ministry of the click, not the flash.” In what ways are you tempted to seek recognition for your service or gifts? How can you intentionally point others to Jesus instead of yourself? [58:16]
The pastor said, “You can be a witness for Jesus if you don’t ever spend any time with Jesus.” How can you make space in your daily routine to be close to Jesus so your witness is authentic? [01:01:43]
The greatest work of the Spirit is to make us bold witnesses, not just to give us spiritual experiences. Who is one person in your life you feel prompted to share your story or faith with? What is one step you can take this week to be a witness to them? [01:03:50]
The sermon mentioned that the Holy Spirit’s gifts are for building up others, not for our own fame. Is there a way you can use your gifts or influence this week to serve someone else in your church, family, or community? [56:01]
The pastor challenged the church to “walk differently” if we want to keep the Holy Spirit close. Is there a habit or attitude you sense the Spirit prompting you to change? What support or accountability do you need to take that step? [59:11]

Sermon Clips

There is an army that's rising up. We are an army that is rising up. And we're not coming to defeat our neighbor. We're not coming to defeat somebody that may disagree with us. No, we're in fact pursuing them with the same love of God that we have received. We are an army that is coming to bankrupt hell and to make heaven crowded. [00:30:14] (21 seconds) #ArmyOfLoveAndVictory

We're not talking about those kind of superpowers. We're talking about a power even greater, the power of the Holy Ghost in our life. The Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the third man of the Trinity, God the Father, Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit being the one that a lot of other denominations tend to forget about. But we can't forget about the power of the Holy Ghost in our life. [00:38:13] (27 seconds) #PowerOfTheHolyGhost

The Holy Spirit is there. And he's there here with us today to help govern us and to subdue our flesh so that the man or woman that you were created to be, that you were called to be, and that Jesus sacrificed himself for, for that man or woman that God has called you to be, so those versions of us will be actually what people see and experience in our daily life. [00:45:53] (25 seconds) #SpiritTransformsUs

The Holy Ghost moving in our life, that is real power. Power, empowering us to live holy lives, to speak with boldness, and to love beyond our own limitations. To serve without always having to be seen and recognized. This is real power. [00:48:54] (21 seconds) #HolySpiritEmpowers

We were inside the elevator. We had gone to the place that we needed to be. I had pointed my life to the direction of where I wanted to be. I wanted to go to my car. I had gone to the elevator, but without power, I was stuck. And there are people who live their life coming into the right place, trying to point their life in the right direction, but you've got no power, and that's why you're stuck. We need power, real, authentic, heavenly power, and God wants to fill you with that and release His giftings of the Holy Spirit in your life. [00:55:28] (43 seconds) #SpiritDwellsWithin

The Holy Spirit comes upon you. It's not for show. It's for service. What does He say? With great power comes great responsibility. There is a responsibility. There is a calling. There is an expectation. There is something that we should treat the power of God. If He's going to, if Jesus is going to go away and send the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead to live inside of us, if that same Spirit is going to rest within us in our daily life, there is an expectation and a responsibility for us to properly handle that power. [00:56:18] (39 seconds) #StuckWithoutPower

We are called to be witnesses when the Holy Spirit is with us. What is a witness? Witnesses are individuals who have actively participated or been in close enough proximity to that person or situation in question. If you've got a situation that comes up and someone says, I witnessed that, but they weren't there. They were far away from it and they don't know the details. They're a terrible witness. But if someone can say, I witnessed that, why? Because I was there. I saw, whatever that is, I saw it take place. We're called to be witnesses and you can't be a witness if you aren't close to what's going on. You can't be a witness for Jesus if you don't ever spend any time with Jesus. [01:01:26] (52 seconds) #LoveTheHolySpirit

You're not responsible for having the answer to every question that someone would have about God. There are mysteries of God that if anybody could say, I could answer any question you ever have, they'd be lying. But you know what they can't argue with? What God's done in your life. [01:03:31] (22 seconds) #BeAWitnessForJesus

The greatest miracle is salvation. But the greatest work is to be a witness. The greatest work that the Holy Spirit can do in your life is not just to give you the ability to speak in tongues. It's not just the ability to operate in this one thing, in this one moment. No, it's to give you boldness as a witness. Because at that point, it's not about you anymore. It's about others. [01:05:29] (32 seconds) #FaithOverAnswers

Are you walking in the power that God gave you? This is you saying I'm an open vessel God. Fill me up with your presence and your power. [01:10:07] (15 seconds) #HandlePowerResponsibly

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