POWER UP | Experiencing The Spirit | Jacob Arreola

Devotional

Day 1: A Phone Without Power Is Just Potential

A fully charged phone does everything it’s designed to do, but at 0% battery, it becomes useless. Like that phone, believers have divine purpose and capability, but without the Holy Spirit’s power, they remain limited. Jesus didn’t save us to leave us drained—He promised permanent access to supernatural energy for daily life. The frustration of trying harder in relationships, habits, or callings reveals our need for heaven’s power. God’s strength isn’t earned through effort but received through dependence. The difference between exhaustion and breakthrough isn’t talent—it’s whose battery you’re running on. [05:48]

“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: Where have you been relying on your own “battery life” instead of plugging into the Holy Spirit’s power? What practical step can you take today to depend on His strength rather than yours?

Day 2: Responding to Nudges Builds Spiritual Muscle

Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit grows through obedience, not theory. Every ignored prompting—a conviction to apologize, a nudge to pray, or a whisper to serve—dulls our ability to hear Him. Like a friendship that fades without engagement, our connection to the Spirit weakens when we dismiss His guidance. But each “yes” to His direction strengthens discernment. The Spirit never stops speaking, but our responsiveness determines whether His voice becomes background noise or a lifeline. [03:48]

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
(John 10:27, ESV)

Reflection: What recent prompting from the Spirit have you hesitated to obey? How might saying “yes” today deepen your ability to recognize His voice tomorrow?

Day 3: Dressed for the Divine Assignment

No one leaves home naked—we clothe ourselves for the day’s purpose. Jesus told disciples to wait until “clothed with power,” because human talent alone can’t fulfill divine missions. This power isn’t a temporary adrenaline rush but a permanent wardrobe for spiritual warfare, bold witness, and supernatural endurance. Just as clothes shape how others perceive us, the Spirit’s power makes Christ visible through ordinary lives. Without this covering, we minister in embarrassing inadequacy. [14:49]

“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
(Luke 24:49, ESV)

Reflection: What “outfit” of self-reliance have you been wearing instead of the Spirit’s power? How would approaching your current challenges clothed in His strength change your perspective?

Day 4: From Campfire Denial to Pentecost Boldness

Peter’s transformation from cowardice to courage wasn’t personality development—it was Pentecost power. The same man who denied Christ to a servant girl later preached to thousands because the Spirit rewired his fears. This power doesn’t erase our humanity but amplifies our redeemed identity. Our quirks, past failures, and perceived weaknesses become platforms for God’s glory when surrendered. The Spirit doesn’t need perfect vessels—just available ones. [25:46]

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
(Acts 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: What part of your story feels too broken or ordinary for God’s use? How might the Spirit want to transform that weakness into a testimony of His power?

Day 5: Power Tools, Not Trophies

Spiritual gifts aren’t badges of holiness but rescue equipment for a dying world. The Holy Spirit’s power flows through believers to heal marriages, free addicts, and comfort mourners—not to inflate egos. Like a firefighter’s hose, this power exists for others’ survival, not the hose’s admiration. When we hoard spiritual experiences as personal blessings, we bypass their purpose. True Pentecost power always points to Jesus, not the vessel. [32:58]

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

Reflection: When has seeking spiritual experiences become more about your comfort than others’ freedom? Who in your circle needs you to wield the Spirit’s power on their behalf today?

Sermon Summary

The Holy Spirit is not a temporary visitor who comes and goes based on a believer’s performance. Jesus promised that the Spirit would be with His people forever, guiding them, helping them, and speaking direction into everyday life. The Spirit’s voice becomes clearer as believers respond to the last thing He said instead of ignoring His nudges, convictions, and promptings.

Acts 1 shows that Jesus never sent His disciples into their assignment on natural strength alone. Jesus gave them a mission, but He also told them to wait for the promise of the Father: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” The Christian life cannot run on trying harder, doing more, white knuckling habits, carrying anxiety, fixing relationships, and fulfilling callings through human ability. A supernatural assignment needs supernatural power.

Jesus describes that power as being “clothed with power from on high.” Clothing is put on before stepping out, and the Spirit gives believers something they do not naturally possess. This is not charisma, positive thinking, talent, or personality. This is heaven’s power for ordinary life: power for the home, the job, the school, the hard conversation, the hurting friend, and the calling God placed in a believer’s hands.

Acts 1:8 also joins the purpose of power to the gift itself. The Holy Spirit gives power so that ordinary people can reveal an extraordinary Jesus. Peter proves the point. Before Pentecost, Peter denied Jesus before a servant girl. After Pentecost, Peter stood before thousands and boldly proclaimed Christ. The Spirit did not erase Peter’s personality and make him somebody else. The Spirit clothed Peter with power to become everything Jesus created him to be.

First Corinthians 12 says the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Spiritual gifts are not trophies. They are tools. Power is not about platform. Power is about people. Grace should produce a real heart for the lost, the wounded, the difficult coworker, the addicted, the ashamed, the broken family, and the person who thinks church is not for them anymore. The Spirit glorifies Jesus, and a life empowered by the Spirit should make Jesus clearer to the people around it.

Acts 2 declares that the Spirit is poured out on all people, not an elite spiritual class. Moses wished for it, Joel prophesied it, Jesus promised it, and the early church received it. The posture for power is not achieving, striving, or proving. The posture is receiving.

##

Key Takeaways

1. Supernatural life needs supernatural power [08:47] The Christian life cannot be sustained by willpower alone. Natural ability can carry a person only so far before exhaustion, frustration, and limitation set in. The Holy Spirit supplies strength for what human effort cannot fix, carry, or accomplish. God does not shame weakness; He meets weakness with His power. [08:47]
2. Power is given to reveal Jesus [24:20] The Holy Spirit does not empower believers so they can look impressive, deep, or unusually spiritual. His power gives boldness, clarity, compassion, and authority so that Jesus becomes visible through ordinary people. A Spirit-filled life points beyond itself. The goal is not attention for the believer but awakening to Christ. [24:20]
3. Spiritual gifts are tools for people [32:39] The gifts of the Spirit belong to the common good, not personal status. Grace changes the way believers see difficult, wounded, and far-from-God people because Christ loved them before they ever loved Him. A church stays alive by caring about people outside the room. The Spirit empowers believers to serve, invite, pray, and make room. [32:39]
4. The posture for power is receiving [50:18] Jesus says believers receive power; they do not achieve it. Receiving requires surrendering self-reliance and trusting that the Father is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Hunger for more of God is not spiritual immaturity when it is rooted in dependence on Him. The open hand is stronger than the clenched fist.

## [50:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - Experiencing the Holy Spirit
[03:33] - Responding to the Spirit’s Voice
[05:01] - Power for Everyday Life
[06:41] - The Phone Battery Illustration
[09:12] - Jesus Commands the Disciples to Wait
[12:24] - The Promise of Power
[14:11] - Clothed With Power From on High
[17:51] - The Father Gives the Holy Spirit
[22:42] - The Purpose of Spiritual Power
[24:50] - Peter Before and After Pentecost
[32:24] - Power Is for People
[39:26] - Making Room for Those Far From God
[46:24] - The Posture of Receiving
[57:33] - Prayer for the Infilling of the Spirit

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 1:8
“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.” [10:45]

Luke 24:49
“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” [14:23]

1 Corinthians 12:7
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” [32:45]

Observation questions

In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say believers will receive when the Holy Spirit comes on them, and what are they empowered to become?
What instruction does Jesus give the disciples before they begin the mission He has given them? [09:18]
In Luke 24:49, what picture is used to describe the power believers will receive from on high? [14:23]
According to 1 Corinthians 12:7, who benefits from the manifestation of the Spirit? How does that shape the way spiritual gifts are viewed? [32:45]

Interpretation questions

Why might Jesus have told the disciples to wait for the Father’s promise instead of sending them out immediately in their own experience, training, and passion? [10:52]
What does it mean that believers are “clothed with power” rather than simply encouraged to try harder? What kinds of natural strengths can be mistaken for the Spirit’s power? [15:25]
Acts 1:8 connects receiving power with being witnesses for Jesus. What would it look like for a believer’s boldness, compassion, and words to make Jesus clearer rather than draw attention to themselves? [24:20]
If spiritual gifts are given for the common good, how should that change the way a church serves wounded, difficult, and far-from-God people? [33:13]

Application questions

Where are you most tempted to run a supernatural assignment on natural strength—at home, work, school, in a relationship, or in a personal struggle? What would relying on the Holy Spirit look like in that situation this week? [07:34]
Is there a recent nudge, conviction, or direction from the Holy Spirit that you have ignored or delayed? What would a simple, faithful response look like now? [03:43]
Peter did not become a different person; he was empowered to become who Jesus created him to be. Where do comparison, insecurity, or fear keep you from offering God your own voice, story, and gifts? [26:03]
Who in your life might need to see the grace of Jesus through practical care—a difficult coworker, hurting neighbor, struggling family member, or someone far from God? What is one specific way you could serve, pray for, invite, or encourage that person? [36:03]
When you think about spiritual power, do you usually think more about personal experiences or about helping people? What might need to change so that the gifts God gives you become tools for serving others? [32:58]
Receiving the Spirit’s power requires an open, dependent posture rather than striving to earn it. What would you like to ask the Father for—boldness, wisdom, healing, strength, clarity, or compassion—and what makes it difficult to receive it? [50:24]

Sermon Clips

43s

“What's the spirit given for? What's the power given for? The common good. So spiritual gifts aren't trophies. Right. They're tools. Right. They're not given so that I can prove myself, prove to myself something about myself, prove to others how deep I am. They're given so I can serve other people. The gift of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit are given so that I can serve other people. Power is not about platform. Power is about people.”

62s

“So there's the purpose to the power. The purpose of power is attached in the same breath. You'll receive power. Holy ghost comes upon you. And as a result, the byproduct will be, you'll be my witnesses. There's a purpose attached to the power. I said there's a purpose attached to the power that's on the inside of you. Jesus didn't say that you'd receive power so that everybody would think you're super spiritual or so that you could impress people. No. He said you'll receive power to be my witness, to represent me, to speak with boldness and clarity and authority. And when someone hears you, they want what you have. That's the entire point of the power of god. The holy spirit empowers ordinary people to reveal an extraordinary Jesus.”

46s

“Trying to fix yourself, trying to change the people you love, trying to fulfill a calling you know came from God, but you're doing it all on your own. If that's you this morning, I just wanna let you know you are not lazy, and you are not weak. You've just been trying to run a supernatural assignment on natural ability. And I know you're gifted, and I know you're talented, and I know you can make things happen. But without the power of God working in and through your life, you will only get so far, and you'll live limited and frustrated because you were never designed to live the Christian life in your own strength.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Awaken Church Fort Worth This sermon · AI assistant

What is the purpose of spiritual power?

Why can’t natural strength fulfill supernatural assignments?

What posture enables believers to walk in power?

POWER UP | Experiencing The Spirit | Jacob Arreola | Awaken Church Fort Worth