Empowered by the Spirit: Witnessing God's Transformative Power

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit Has Come to Stay

The Holy Spirit is not a fleeting presence but God’s enduring gift to every believer, promised by Jesus to remain with us forever. Unlike in the Old Testament, where the Spirit would come and go based on God’s specific purposes or human obedience, Jesus assures His followers that the Spirit will now dwell with them continually, guiding, empowering, and comforting them through every season of life. This abiding presence is not dependent on our perfection but on God’s faithfulness, and it is the source of our strength and hope as we walk with Christ each day. [36:47]

John 14:16 (ESV)
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be reminded today that God’s Spirit is with you to stay, no matter your circumstances or failures?

Day 2: God’s Power Transforms, Not Destroys

The world’s power is often destructive, seeking control and dominance, but God’s power—manifested through the Holy Spirit—brings transformation, healing, and new life. While empires and authorities may wield force to shape the world in their image, the power of God works in unexpected ways, restoring brokenness, reconciling relationships, and bringing hope where there was despair. This is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and now works in and through the church to accomplish God’s purposes, even in the most unlikely times and places. [42:57]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Where have you seen God’s transforming power at work in your life or in the lives of others, and how can you open yourself to that power today?

Day 3: Expectation Without Assumption—Trusting God’s Timing

It is good to have expectations of God’s faithfulness, but we must guard against assuming glory without effort or presuming to know God’s timing. The disciples longed for restoration and the fulfillment of God’s promises, but Jesus corrected their focus, reminding them that the “how” and “when” belong to the Father alone. Our role is to trust, obey, and remain faithful in the work God has given us, even when we do not see immediate results or understand the full picture. [47:40]

Acts 1:6-8 (ESV)
"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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: Is there an area where you are impatiently waiting for God to act? How can you shift your focus from the timing to the task He has given you today?

Day 4: The Gospel Triumphs Wherever It Goes

Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, it brings change—sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle, but always according to God’s purpose. Not everyone will respond the same way, but the message of Jesus always accomplishes what God intends, overcoming obstacles and transforming lives. Even in the face of opposition, persecution, or indifference, the gospel’s power is undiminished, and God continues to build His church and fulfill His promises through His people. [25:33]

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the hope of the gospel today, and how can you be a witness to them in word or deed?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Mission

The Holy Spirit is given not just for personal comfort but to empower believers to be witnesses of Jesus to all people, near and far. This mission extends beyond our comfort zones, calling us to reach those who are different from us, even those we might find difficult to love. God’s heart is for all people, and He equips us with His Spirit so that we can carry the message of Christ’s love, grace, and salvation to the ends of the earth, trusting that He will work through us as we step out in faith. [49:45]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Reflection: What step can you take today to move beyond your comfort zone and share Christ’s love with someone who may be outside your usual circle?

Sermon Summary

There is something truly powerful about the name of Jesus—a name that transcends time, kingdoms, and circumstances. As we gather in worship, we are reminded that our God is worthy of praise not because of our own merit, but because of His unmerited grace and mercy. Many times, God delivers us from dangers we see and those we never even recognize, and for that, gratitude should overflow from our hearts. As we stand at the halfway point of the year, we look back and see God’s faithfulness, not just to us, but to generations before us. We are here by divine appointment, called to this moment to hear and respond to God’s word.

Today, we begin a journey through the book of Acts, a book that serves as a bridge between the gospel story and the birth and growth of the early church. Acts is not just a chronicle of individuals, but a testimony to what God is doing through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not a luxury for “deluxe Christians,” but an absolute necessity for the life and mission of the church. Too often, we operate on autopilot, neglecting the Spirit’s presence and power, but Acts calls us back to dependence on God’s Spirit for everything of true significance.

The Holy Spirit’s role has shifted from the Old Testament to the New. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon individuals for specific tasks and could be withdrawn. But now, through Christ’s promise, the Spirit has come to stay—dwelling permanently within all who believe. This is a fulfillment of God’s ancient promises, and it means that God’s power is not just beside us, but within us, enabling us to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Acts also challenges us to avoid the assumption of glory without effort. The disciples wanted the kingdom restored immediately, but Jesus redirected them: the timing belongs to the Father, but their task was to receive the Spirit and become witnesses. God’s power is not like the world’s power; it is a power that transforms, heals, and brings new life. As we embark on this study, we are called to become a church that truly knows and depends on the power of the Spirit, ready to be used by God in ways beyond our imagination.

Key Takeaways

1. The Name and Presence of Jesus Transcend All Circumstances There is a unique power and comfort in the name of Jesus that outlasts every earthly kingdom and personal trial. Even when we are unaware of the dangers or challenges we face, God’s grace and mercy sustain us. Our worship and gratitude should flow not from entitlement, but from a deep awareness of God’s undeserved goodness in our lives. [01:32]
2. The Holy Spirit Is Not a Luxury, but a Necessity The church often operates as if the Spirit is optional, relying on routines and programs rather than the living presence of God. Yet, without the Spirit, our efforts are hollow and powerless. The Spirit is essential for true spiritual life, unity, and mission—without Him, we cannot accomplish anything of eternal value. [13:23]
3. God’s Power Is Displayed in His Timing and Methods, Not Ours We often become anxious about how and when God will fulfill His promises, trying to predict or control His work. Acts reminds us that God’s ways are not bound by our expectations or timetables. Our role is to trust, obey, and remain attentive to the Spirit, knowing that God’s plans unfold in ways that surpass our understanding. [19:35]
4. The Spirit Has Come to Stay—A New Covenant Reality Unlike in the Old Testament, where the Spirit could be given and withdrawn, believers now have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a radical shift: God’s presence is no longer conditional or temporary, but a constant source of power, guidance, and assurance for every follower of Jesus. The Spirit’s presence is the guarantee of God’s ongoing work in and through us. [36:25]
5. True Power Is Measured by Transformation, Not Domination The world’s power is often destructive and self-serving, but God’s power, through the Spirit, brings healing, reconciliation, and new life. The church is called to embody this power—not to control or coerce, but to witness to the transforming love of Christ. When we depend on the Spirit, we become instruments of God’s redemptive work in the world, shining light where it is most needed. [42:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Worship: The Power of Jesus’ Name
[03:06] - God’s Unseen Deliverance and Grace
[06:07] - Opening Prayer and Reflection
[08:25] - Introducing the Book of Acts
[10:34] - The Spirit Has Come to Stay: Series Overview
[12:09] - The Holy Spirit: Necessity, Not Luxury
[14:20] - Acts: Purpose, Structure, and Themes
[17:10] - Acts: More Than Individuals—God’s Work in Community
[19:09] - Trusting God’s Methods and Timing
[22:16] - God’s Promises: Old and New
[27:33] - The Spirit’s New Role in the New Covenant
[34:00] - Jesus and the Spirit: Fulfillment and Mission
[39:00] - Why Acts Matters for Us Today
[42:42] - God’s Power vs. Worldly Power
[48:25] - Receiving Power to Be Witnesses
[53:04] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 1:6-8 — So when they had come together, they began asking him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time that you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" But he said to them, "It is not for you to know the periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and as far as the remotest part of the earth."

Observation Questions

According to Acts 1:6-8, what question did the disciples ask Jesus, and how did He respond?
What does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples?
In the sermon, what examples were given of how the Holy Spirit operated differently in the Old Testament compared to after Jesus’ resurrection? [[27:33]]
What is the difference between the power (authority) that belongs to the Father and the power (ability) given to the disciples, as explained in the sermon? [[48:44]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the disciples were so focused on the timing of the kingdom being restored? What does this reveal about their expectations of Jesus? [[43:46]]
The sermon says the Holy Spirit is not a “luxury” but a “necessity” for the church. What does it mean for a church or a Christian to operate “on autopilot” without the Spirit? [[13:23]]
The pastor described God’s power as being different from the world’s power. In what ways does God’s power “transform, heal, and bring new life” rather than dominate or control? [[42:42]]
The sermon highlights that the Spirit now “has come to stay” and will not be withdrawn from believers. How does this new reality affect the way Christians should view their relationship with God? [[36:25]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared a personal story about God’s unseen deliverance and grace in his own life. Can you think of a time when God protected or provided for you in ways you didn’t realize until later? How does remembering these moments affect your gratitude and worship? [[03:06]]
The sermon warns against “operating on autopilot” and relying on routines instead of the Spirit. Are there areas in your spiritual life or church involvement where you’ve been coasting or depending on your own strength? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit into those areas this week? [[13:23]]
The disciples wanted the kingdom restored immediately, but Jesus redirected them to focus on receiving the Spirit and being witnesses. Are there areas in your life where you are impatient for God to act? How can you shift your focus from “when” God will move to “how” you can be faithful in the meantime? [[43:46]]
The Spirit’s presence is now permanent for believers. How does this truth challenge the way you approach prayer, decision-making, or facing difficult situations? [[36:25]]
The sermon says true power is measured by transformation, not domination. In your relationships, workplace, or community, are there ways you can demonstrate God’s transforming power rather than trying to control outcomes? [[42:42]]
The early church sometimes got comfortable and needed a “push” to move out in mission. Is there a place or group of people God might be nudging you to reach out to, even if it feels uncomfortable? What step could you take this week? [[25:52]]
The pastor said, “Our worship and gratitude should flow not from entitlement, but from a deep awareness of God’s undeserved goodness.” What is one practical way you can express gratitude to God this week, especially for things you may have taken for granted? [[05:16]]

Sermon Clips

Our God is truly worthy of worship. The God that we serve has done so much for us. And um we talk about all the time um how he has taken us through danger seen and unseen. And um some sometimes we don't always know what God delivers us from. Um and um there have been many times in my life where maybe I found out later. [00:03:00]

And so every time I get a chance to worship, I I don't need a sanctuary. I love coming in here, but those who know me, I I'll break out into praise and worship at home all by myself because the name of Jesus is worthy to be praised. [00:04:28]

And so, how dare we not say thank you? I I understand some of us are going through some things and you wish things were better, but we know things are not as bad as they could be. And so our God is worthy of praise. [00:05:51]

In worship songs, churches mostly sing about Jesus. That's worthy. 68% of the time with occasional references to the Father 7% and few if any mentions of the Holy Spirit 5%. The relationships within the Godhead only rarely make an appearance in the 30 most popular hymns or the 30 most popular worship songs that we sing today. [00:10:57]

In many Christian circles, the Holy Spirit is either neglected, forgotten or misguided. One given to unite the body. The Holy Spirit is of Christ is at the center of controversy. In this little nestle, it ought to be firmly grasped. So often does the Christian work so rigidly and programmed that it seems as if we no longer need or depend on him. [00:12:31]

Yet Jesus said that this is the spirit that I will send and without me you can do nothing. Again, this author quotes the late Awtoer and says, "If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference." [00:13:00]

The church has become so autonomous apart from the spirit. We have become so automatic that we feel many times that we don't need the spirit. We put things on autopilot. And so what we have to understand is that this is deletterious to church health and disciplehip. It's not just business as usual. [00:13:41]

If we did not have Acts, we wouldn't know a lot about how God did what he did. So in Acts, we are shown how God accomplishes what he promises to do. And this saints is a blessing within it itself because sometimes God tells us simply to trust him and not worry about how he will do what he says he will do. [00:18:40]

There are some disciples that expected much more and then there are some disciples that that believe but as we looked at in previous weeks they are wondering what's next. So while the followers of the way and they were later called Christians but Acts originally calls them the way that's what Christians were called before Christians followers of the way were not trying to create a new group or religion that was not their intent. [00:20:30]

We got to be careful when we start saying, "God, don't do that no more." We got to we got to be careful when we start saying, "God, don't work like that anymore." Because God says, "If I've done it before, I can do it again." And so if I've used various ways and methods uh in my old covenant and testament, don't count me out that I cannot and will not do some of the same things just because you haven't seen it in a while or just because you haven't experienced it in America. [00:22:41]

The spirit in the Old Testament as we look back it was given to individuals for special assignments by God. Where my Old Testament students at? So that if you look, you'll notice that most people in the Old Testament, the Bible doesn't tell us that they start out from birth with his spirit. But that when now even David does, but but when God chose to use them, when God chose to press them into service, when God chose now to um have them prophesy or lead or whatever it was, then they got his spirit. [00:27:44]

But then there is a little bit, don't have time to exhaust it, but Jesus's relationship with the spirit. Do you all remember that after uh actually at Jesus's baptism, what do you remember? You you remember, of course, that John didn't want to do it, right? He didn't want to do it because he understood who Jesus was and that Jesus was higher um in stature and of course being God of uh the creator of the universe he he said man no I need to be baptized by you but he says suffer it to be so that's King James suffer it to be so right for this particular occasion and so but you also notice and remember that you had the trinity all three on display you had the father speaking from heaven this is my well-beloved son in whom I'm well pleased. [00:33:16]

He says, "No, the spirit of the Lord is upon me." Why? To proclaim the good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim release to the captives, regain sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, another sermon for another day. [00:35:09]

No longer coming to you and then leaving. Right? Watch this. No longer coming to you and then be being taken because you disobey, right? No, no longer coming to you and then you're not have him because well, you've messed up. No, to be with you who God's disciples, his true followers forever. [00:36:44]

And so what he says and now you see how I got my title that the spirit has come to stay. Amen. God, the third person of the Trinity himself, the Holy Spirit has come to stay and to be with you and I. If we have confessed the name of Jesus and professed and he's not going anywhere, just a quick moment, it doesn't matter how bad um I stand up here a and and flub up uh whatever God has to say. It doesn't matter how bad you and I go out into the world and maybe not do it exactly like God says do it. It doesn't matter how bad we falter and fall. Yeah, we can get back up. But God promises that as long as I'm his, his spirit is here to stay. [00:36:55]

The assumption of glory without effort is something that you and I never want to copy. God says, "No, no cross, no crown." There's always work for you and I to do that. When God says, "Okay, it's time for us to come home." Then yeah, that's when we come home. But until then, you and I work until he returns. [00:45:39]

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