Empowered for a Purpose

Here’s a 7-point sermon on Acts 1:8, rich with illustrations and additional scriptures to reinforce the message:

Title: "Empowered for a Purpose"

Key Scripture: Acts 1:8 - "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me..."

Introduction:

Begin with a story or illustration about empowerment, e.g., a flashlight needing batteries to shine in the darkness. Without power, it cannot fulfill its purpose. Similarly, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to fulfill God's mission.

Point 1: The Promise of Power

Illustration: Think about a young child waiting eagerly for their birthday gift. They know the gift is coming because their parents promised, but they must wait patiently. Similarly, the disciples waited in the upper room, trusting Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. When the gift came, it was beyond what they could imagine—just like the joy of receiving a long-awaited gift.

Scripture:

Luke 24:49 - "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." God doesn't call us without equipping us. The disciples had the promise of power before they received it.

John 14:16-17 - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth."

Joel 2:28-29 - "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."

Illustration: A gift card only has value when activated. The Holy Spirit activates us for God’s work.

Illustration: Share a story about a gift that requires activation (e.g., a credit card that needs activation before use). The Holy Spirit activates us for God’s work.

Point 2: The Source of Power

Power comes from the Holy Spirit, not human strength or effort.

Illustration: During the 2011 blackout in the northeastern U.S., millions of people experienced life without electricity—no lights, no phones, no heat. It was a reminder that power is essential to operate. The Holy Spirit is the "electricity" that powers the believer's life. Without Him, we cannot function effectively in our calling.

Scripture:

Zechariah 4:6 - "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts.

Ephesians 3:16 - "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."

John 15:5 - "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Illustration: A dead phone is useless until plugged into a power source. The Holy Spirit is our source of spiritual energy.

Illustration: A branch disconnected from the vine cannot bear fruit. Similarly, without the Holy Spirit, we lack the source of true spiritual power.

Point 3: The Purpose of Power

The purpose is to be witnesses for Christ, not to glorify ourselves.

Illustration: Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian during World War II, hid Jews from the Nazis. She shared the gospel with prisoners even while suffering in a concentration camp. The Holy Spirit empowered her to witness in the darkest circumstances, fulfilling God's purpose for her life even in unimaginable hardship.

Scripture:

Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us."

Illustration: A megaphone amplifies a message, not its own design. The Holy Spirit amplifies the message of Christ through us.

Point 4: Witnessing Begins at Home

“Jerusalem” represents your immediate community or family. Start where you are.

Illustration: Billy Graham often shared how his mother prayed fervently for her children. She started her "witnessing" at home by living out her faith and planting seeds of the gospel in their lives. Billy’s global ministry began with a faithful mother witnessing to her family.

Mark 5:19 - "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

Proverbs 11:30 - "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."

Illustration: The ripple effect of a pebble thrown into a pond starts small but expands outward. Witnessing starts with those closest to us.

Illustration: A drop of water in a pond creates ripples that expand outward. Similarly, our witness starts small and grows.

Point 5: Witnessing Expands to All Nations

The progression: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. God’s plan is global, and we are His ambassadors.

Illustration: William Carey, known as the "Father of Modern Missions," began his ministry in a small English village as a shoemaker. Despite criticism, he felt called to share the gospel overseas. His obedience led to a lifelong mission in India, where he translated the Bible and established schools, impacting thousands.

Revelation 7:9 - "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."

Psalm 96:3 - "Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples."

Illustration: A missionary’s testimony shows how one act of obedience can lead to global impact.

Illustration: Share the story of a missionary who impacted a nation or how a small act of faith spread far beyond its origin.

Dr. Nelson Bell (1894-1973)

Dr. Nelson and Virginia Bell worked in China for 25 years, serving the people’s spiritual and physical needs. Dr. Nelson kept a busy schedule as a doctor and surgeon in the clinic in which they served, and used every opportunity to let Jesus shine through his love and care for his patients. Ruth Bell Graham was their second child, and her parents’ example of faithful ministry and loving obedience to Christ obviously shaped her life and ministry.

Point 6: The Cost of Witnessing

Witnessing involves sacrifice and courage, often in the face of opposition.

Illustration: In 2015, 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians were martyred by extremists. These men refused to renounce Christ, even when facing death. Their bold faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, became a testimony to the world, inspiring many to deeper commitment and courage in their faith.

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:7-8 - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..."

John 16:33 - "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:17 - "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Illustration: Share the story of Stephen in Acts 7 or a modern-day Christian who endured persecution for their faith.

Illustration: Refer to the testimony of a modern or biblical figure who endured persecution for Christ, like Stephen in Acts 7.

Point 7: The Results of Witnessing

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lives are transformed.

Illustration: D.L. Moody, a 19th-century evangelist, was once an ordinary shoe salesman. After someone shared the gospel with him, he surrendered his life to Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Moody preached to millions, and thousands gave their lives to Jesus. His life illustrates how the Holy Spirit transforms and multiplies our witness.

Acts 2:41 - "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."

Isaiah 55:11 - "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please."

Illustration: Talk about the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41), when Peter, once fearful, preached boldly, and 3,000 were saved in a single day.

Conclusion:

The central message of Acts 1:8 is that believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit not for personal gain or status but to carry out God's mission: to be witnesses of Christ's love, truth, and salvation locally and globally. The empowerment is both a promise and a purpose, equipping believers to fulfill their calling boldly and effectively.

Call to Action: Invite the congregation to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples waited in the upper room.

Closing Illustration:

End with a powerful story, e.g., a candle lighting another candle. As we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we pass the light of Christ to others, illuminating the world around us.

This structure ensures the message is clear, relatable, and rooted in Scripture while inspiring the audience to action.