Growth in the Holy Spirit

Living the Mission: The Power of the Holy Spirit

Text: Acts 1:6-8

Introduction: A Recap of the Mission So Far

As we continue in our Living the Mission series, we have already covered two crucial foundations:

1. Praying for the Harvest (Matthew 9:35-38) – We saw that Jesus calls us to pray for laborers in the harvest. Before we step into the mission, we must be on our knees, seeking God’s direction and asking Him to move in the hearts of those around us.

2. Abiding in the Vine (John 15:1-8) – We learned that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Our effectiveness in God’s mission is not about working harder but staying connected to Jesus, drawing from His life and strength.

But here’s the next critical piece: Even if we are praying and abiding, we still need power to do the work God has for us…And that power comes from the Holy Spirit.

Today, we will be reading from Acts 1:1-11, where Jesus makes this incredible promise:

The promise of the Holy Spirit.

This will be the the catalyst of how God empowers mankind to do the work He has for us.

1. The Promise of the Spirit (Acts 1:1–5)

Passage Context: Luke wrote Acts to show Theophilus (and all readers) how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit, by way of the Church (Capital C).

We’re only going to read the opening, but this opening sets up the point of today’s message:

The Holy Spirit is WHO empowers believers to be On Mission for God by spreading the Gospel to all who will hear!

Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1–5 NLT

In my first book* I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with* water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

KEEP FOLLOWING NOTES ON vs4-5 SLIDE

Luke writes of the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, just before He ascended into Heaven.

Luke continues to elaborate on how Jesus was not only seen & heard, but went so far as to prepare them to receive the source of the power they would need for their mission ahead.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. He didn’t command them to start the mission immediately—why? Because the mission was impossible without the Spirit’s power.

Just as Jesus promised, the Spirit connects us to His presence and purpose. This means our personal growth and effectiveness in ministry do not depend on our abilities but on the Spirit’s work within us.

Application:

• Are you trying to grow or serve in your own strength?

• Have you intentionally waited on the Spirit and sought His guidance in your daily walk?

2. Purposeful Expectation Acts 1:6–11

Acts 1:6–11 NLT

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

The disciples were eager to know when Jesus would establish His kingdom, but He redirected them to their mission:

Focus:

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.”

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in expectation of Christ’s return by shaping our daily lives to reflect His kingdom now. We are not just waiting—we are being transformed and called into action through the Spirit.

Application:

• Are you living in anticipation of Christ’s return, allowing the Spirit to shape your character and purpose each day?

• Does your life reflect an urgency to grow in Christ and reach others?

These verses reveal that the Holy Spirit empowers us for mission, but that power is not just about miracles or boldness—it’s also about our transformation. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, making us more Christlike, so that we are truly prepared to represent Jesus in the world.

1. The Holy Spirit’s Power Begins with Transformation

Many people think of the Holy Spirit’s power only in terms of outward miracles—healings, prophecies, bold preaching. While the Spirit certainly does work in miraculous ways, His primary work in a believer is internal transformation.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, shaping us to become more like Christ. Why is this important for mission? Because the world doesn’t just need our words—it needs to see Christ in us.

The more Christlike we are, the more effective we will be in our witness.

• A gospel preached with love, joy, and patience is compelling.

• A message spoken with self-control, kindness, and faithfulness has credibility.

• If we lack the character of Christ, we undermine the mission before we even begin.

2. The Fruit of the Spirit: Evidence of Transformation

One of the clearest indicators that the Holy Spirit is at work in someone’s life is the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Why is the Fruit of the Spirit Essential for Mission?

• Love – We can’t reach the lost without genuine love for them.

• Joy – A joy-filled life testifies that Jesus is enough.

• Peace – In a chaotic world, people are drawn to those who live in supernatural peace.

• Patience – Not everyone will receive the gospel right away; patience is crucial.

• Kindness & Goodness – Our actions must reflect the message we preach.

• Faithfulness – The mission requires endurance; we can’t quit when it gets hard.

• Gentleness – Harshness repels people, but a gentle spirit opens doors.

• Self-Control – A disciplined life keeps us from hypocrisy.

The fruit of the Spirit is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. Without this transformation, we might have the right words but the wrong heart—and that can push people away instead of drawing them to Christ.

3. Seeking Growth in the Spirit (Rather than Waiting)

Some believers think that spiritual growth just happens over time, like waiting for a tree to grow. But the Bible teaches us that we must actively seek to grow in the Spirit.

• Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 NLT

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

The phrase “be filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18 is in the present continuous tense in Greek. It means “keep on being filled”—it’s not a one-time event, but an ongoing pursuit.

• 2 Timothy 1:6-7

2 Timothy 1:6–7 NLT

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Fanning into flames is an action, not a description.

It is with intent we are to seek the growth of whatever the Holy Spirit blesses us with.

How Do We Grow in the Spirit

1. Prayer – Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your heart and empower your mission. 2. Surrender – Let go of sin and distractions that hinder His work in you. 3. The Word – The Spirit speaks through Scripture; saturate yourself in it. 4. Obedience – Step out in faith and let the Spirit guide your actions. 5. Fellowship – Grow with other believers who are seeking the Spirit’s power.

Application Question:

• Are you passively waiting for the Spirit to change you, or are you actively seeking His work in your life?

4. The Spirit Empowers Us to Live on Mission

Transformation leads to mission. The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more naturally we will step into God’s calling.

Acts 1:8 doesn’t just say “you will receive power”—it says “you will be my witnesses.”

How the Holy Spirit Empowers us:

The Holy Spirit:

✔ Makes us Christlike, so we reflect Jesus to the world.

✔ Fills us with boldness, so we speak the truth in love.

✔ Gives us wisdom, so we know when and how to share the gospel.

✔ Leads us to opportunities, just as He led Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29).

Acts 8:29 NLT

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

The Spirit doesn’t just work in us—He also works through us to reach others.

Tease for Next Week: Mission in the Everyday

As we close, we must recognize that the power of the Spirit isn’t just for Sundays—it’s for our everyday lives. Next week, we will explore how we can live on mission in our daily routines, bringing the love and truth of Christ into our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and families.

Colossians 3:17 NLT

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Living on mission isn’t just for pastors or missionaries—it’s for all of us, every day. And the Holy Spirit equips us to make every moment count for the kingdom.

Conclusion & Call to Action

• Are you actively growing in the Spirit, or just waiting for change to happen?

• What fruit of the Spirit is most evident in your life right now? What needs to grow?

• Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to shape you, so you are ready to be used for mission?

Final Challenge: This week, pray every morning:

“Holy Spirit, fill me today. Shape me into the image of Christ. Lead me into opportunities to live and share the gospel.”

When we abide in the Spirit, we will walk in power—and the world will see Christ in us!