Filled with Power

The New Testament church was going through a lot of changes at this time! With Jesus they had seen miracles, wonders, dead brought back to life. They had seen groups in the thousands listen to Jesus.

On “Palm Sunday” they saw the whole city of Jerusalem welcome Jesus there. Then they went through change when Jesus was crucified peter said he never met Jesus and cursed him, now Jesus arose from the grave. There were only a few that hadn’t fallen away because of fear. But Jesus showed them there was nothing to fear! 

Acts 1:3-11 (KJV)

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1. Wait for the promise

a.       The promise of the father

John 14:25-26 (KJV)

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

b.       Baptized in the Holy Ghost!

John baptized with water a lot of us were baptized with water

Matthew 3:11 (KJV)

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

c.        Not many days from now!

Acts 1:5 (KJV)

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

2. The disciples were looking for something else

a.       They were looking for the return of the empire

Acts 1:6 (KJV)

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

b.       A lot of people are looking for something else in church! Today there are a lot of churches out there that have forgotten the promise of the father! They want to teach his power was for yesterday!

c.       While people are too concerned with times and seasons Jesus told us:

Acts 1:7 (KJV)

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

3. The promise is for you!

a.       You are going to receive power!

Acts 1:8 (KJV)

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.

b.       But after you have been filled

Acts 2:1–4 (KJV)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

c.        Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit?