Empowered by the Spirit: Witnessing Today
Summary
In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist speaks of the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, highlighting the transformative power of Jesus Christ's ministry. This power, as seen in the early church, is crucial for Christians today, especially in a world filled with challenges and a church that often seems weak. The early apostles, despite their simplicity, profoundly impacted their world through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This power is not just historical but is essential for witnessing and glorifying Jesus Christ.
The gifts of the Spirit, though sometimes controversial, are vital for empowering believers to witness effectively. It's important to approach these gifts with a scriptural understanding, avoiding shortcuts or simplistic answers. Some argue that these gifts were only for the early church, but the New Testament and church history suggest otherwise. Miracles and spiritual gifts were not just for the Jews but were evident among Gentiles as well, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles.
The argument that these gifts ceased with the apostolic age is challenged by historical evidence of their persistence. The church's institutionalization and quenching of the Spirit, rather than a divine withdrawal, likely led to the decline of these manifestations. The gifts of the Spirit are under the sovereignty of the Spirit, given as He wills, and are not to be claimed or demanded. They are always possible, especially in times of spiritual decline, and should be tested and proven when they appear.
Key Takeaways:
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for empowering believers to witness and glorify Jesus Christ. This power, evident in the early church, is not just historical but necessary for today's church to impact the world effectively. [03:28]
- Spiritual gifts, including miracles, are given by the Holy Spirit as He wills. They are not to be claimed or demanded but are under the Spirit's sovereignty, highlighting the importance of submission and seeking the Spirit's fullness. [25:42]
- The argument that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostolic age is challenged by historical evidence and the New Testament. The decline in manifestations is more likely due to the church's institutionalization and quenching of the Spirit. [43:45]
- The gifts of the Spirit are always possible, especially in times of spiritual decline. They are not guaranteed to be always present but should be tested and proven when they appear, emphasizing the need for discernment and scriptural grounding. [45:17]
- The church's role is to seek a true understanding of spiritual gifts in light of scriptural teaching, avoiding extremes and recognizing the Spirit's sovereignty. This understanding is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission effectively. [05:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to John the Baptist's Message
[00:49] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[01:39] - The State of the Church and the World
[02:58] - Witnessing Through the Spirit
[04:31] - Spiritual Gifts and Their Controversy
[06:23] - Arguments Against Continuation of Gifts
[09:37] - Miracles Among Gentiles
[13:36] - The Argument from Silence
[19:33] - Epistles and Their Context
[22:01] - Miraculous Healing and Its Purpose
[26:13] - Higher Criticism and Dispensationalism
[29:23] - Historical Evidence of Gifts
[33:32] - The Need for Spiritual Power Today
[36:07] - The Opposite Argument: Gifts Always Present
[39:19] - The Sovereignty of the Spirit
[45:17] - Conclusion: Testing and Proving Gifts
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26, 33 - "John answered them saying, I baptize with water but there standeth one among you whom ye know not... upon whom Thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
2. Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John the Baptist indicate about the ministry of Jesus in John 1:26, 33, and how does this relate to the baptism of the Holy Spirit? [00:49]
2. How did the early apostles, despite their simplicity, manage to impact their world according to the sermon? [02:43]
3. What are some of the arguments mentioned in the sermon against the continuation of spiritual gifts, and how are they challenged? [06:23]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in giving spiritual gifts? [25:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that the baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and glorify Jesus Christ? [03:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon challenge the belief that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostolic age? [07:47]
3. How does the sermon explain the decline in manifestations of spiritual gifts in church history? [43:45]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between spiritual gifts and the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit? [25:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness or glorify Jesus. How did that experience impact your faith journey? [03:28]
2. The sermon challenges the idea that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostolic age. How open are you to the possibility of spiritual gifts manifesting today, and how might this openness affect your spiritual life? [07:47]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit's sovereignty in your life. How can you practice submission to the Spirit's will in your daily decisions? [25:42]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of testing and proving spiritual gifts when they appear. How can you develop discernment to recognize genuine spiritual gifts in your community? [45:17]
5. How can you seek a deeper understanding of spiritual gifts in light of scriptural teaching, and what steps can you take to avoid extremes in your beliefs? [05:34]
6. Reflect on the current state of your church and community. In what ways can you contribute to a revival of spiritual power and witness in your context? [33:32]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually weak. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in that area this week? [33:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a transformative power that empowers believers to witness and glorify Jesus Christ. This power was evident in the early church, where the apostles, despite their simplicity, profoundly impacted their world. This same power is not just a historical phenomenon but is necessary for today's church to effectively impact the world. In a world filled with challenges and a church that often seems weak, the Holy Spirit's empowerment is crucial for Christians to live out their faith boldly and authentically. [03:28]
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel powerless or ineffective? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in these areas today?
Day 2: The Sovereignty of Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts, including miracles, are given by the Holy Spirit as He wills. They are not to be claimed or demanded but are under the Spirit's sovereignty. This highlights the importance of submission and seeking the Spirit's fullness. Believers are encouraged to approach these gifts with a scriptural understanding, avoiding shortcuts or simplistic answers. The gifts of the Spirit are vital for empowering believers to witness effectively, and they should be sought with humility and discernment. [25:42]
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: Are there spiritual gifts you have been hesitant to explore or accept? How can you open yourself to the Spirit's leading in this area?
Day 3: The Continuation of Spiritual Gifts
The argument that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostolic age is challenged by historical evidence and the New Testament. The decline in manifestations is more likely due to the church's institutionalization and quenching of the Spirit rather than a divine withdrawal. The gifts of the Spirit are always possible, especially in times of spiritual decline. They are not guaranteed to be always present but should be tested and proven when they appear, emphasizing the need for discernment and scriptural grounding. [43:45]
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate an environment in your life that welcomes the Spirit's gifts? What steps can you take to ensure you are not quenching the Spirit?
Day 4: The Possibility of Spiritual Gifts in Times of Decline
The gifts of the Spirit are always possible, especially in times of spiritual decline. They are not guaranteed to be always present but should be tested and proven when they appear. This emphasizes the need for discernment and scriptural grounding. Believers are encouraged to seek a true understanding of spiritual gifts in light of scriptural teaching, avoiding extremes and recognizing the Spirit's sovereignty. This understanding is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission effectively. [45:17]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you? How can you fan these gifts into flame in your current context?
Day 5: Seeking a Scriptural Understanding of Spiritual Gifts
The church's role is to seek a true understanding of spiritual gifts in light of scriptural teaching, avoiding extremes and recognizing the Spirit's sovereignty. This understanding is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission effectively. Believers are encouraged to approach spiritual gifts with humility, discernment, and a desire to glorify God. By doing so, the church can be a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [05:34]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your spiritual gifts to serve others and glorify God? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of these gifts through Scripture?
Quotes
The early apostles, despite their simplicity, profoundly impacted their world through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This power is not just historical but is essential for witnessing and glorifying Jesus Christ. [00:02:58]
The gifts of the Spirit, though sometimes controversial, are vital for empowering believers to witness effectively. It's important to approach these gifts with a scriptural understanding, avoiding shortcuts or simplistic answers. [00:04:31]
The argument that these gifts ceased with the apostolic age is challenged by historical evidence of their persistence. The church's institutionalization and quenching of the Spirit, rather than a divine withdrawal, likely led to the decline of these manifestations. [00:43:45]
The gifts of the Spirit are under the sovereignty of the Spirit, given as He wills, and are not to be claimed or demanded. They are always possible, especially in times of spiritual decline, and should be tested and proven when they appear. [00:45:17]
The church's role is to seek a true understanding of spiritual gifts in light of scriptural teaching, avoiding extremes and recognizing the Spirit's sovereignty. This understanding is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission effectively. [00:05:34]
The New Testament nowhere tells us that sickness must always be healed and always be healed miraculously. There are people who have taught that they've fallen into this error on both sides. [00:22:01]
The Apostle almost invariably did with Jews this thing it was what our Lord himself had done you remember after his resurrection with the disciples themselves they had been stumbled by the cross so our Lord took them through the scriptures. [00:11:39]
The history of the church has been the history of revivals now there have always been people who have always thought that you can get a Revival whenever you like all you do is this you pray or you do certain things and you can get Revival. [00:38:07]
The Apostle says himself quite clearly in 1 Corinthians 14 I would that ye all spake in tongues now that's not permissible that's desirable I would I wish says the apostle that you all spoke in tongues. [00:25:42]
The New Testament Church was a pneumatic church they filled with the spirit and these things were happening the whole of the New Testament Church was in that condition. [00:29:23]
The scriptures which we have are scriptures which deal with the New Testament Church and therefore if they have any relevance to us we must be essentially in the same position as the New Testament Church itself. [00:39:19]
The Apostle statement in 2 Corinthians 12 where he deals with this whole question of his own thorn in the body the Apostle himself tended to fall into this error he's taken ill he can't do his work so he prays to God take his away but it isn't taken away. [00:26:13]
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