Spirit Empowerment

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Last First Wednesday Prayer of School Year!

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

New Series: Our Distinctives (Our Guides For Our Faith Community)

Spirit Empowerment, Sound Doctrine, Family Relationships, Empowering Leadership, Kingdom Partnership, Shared Mission

We believe the Church isn’t defined by a building or a brand—it’s defined by Jesus, His practices, and His mission. In this series, Our Distinctives, we’ll explore the beliefs that make SVC who we are: Spirit Empowerment, Sound Doctrine, Family Relationships, Empowering Leadership, Kingdom Partnership, Shared Mission

These beliefs are more than just statements—they’re guides. They determine what we do and what we don’t do, where we focus our energy and where we don’t, what we say yes to—and just as importantly—what we say no to. They shape our priorities, our culture, and our vision.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How Does SVC Do Ministry?”—this is the series for you. Because clarity brings unity. And unity brings the power of God.

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

We cannot fulfill a supernatural mission without supernatural power

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Spirit Empowerment

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Opening Scripture:

Spirit Empowerment:

Acts 1:8 “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.””

Spirit Empowerment Is…

1. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1–4 “1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Ephesians 5:18 “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

2. Being Led by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16–25 “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with…”

3. Utilizing The Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 “7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

Utilized not “idealized”

The Gifts are not to operate independent of the FRUIT

Conclusion/Reflection:

It’s a lifestyle:

Filled → Led → Empowered to Serve

Purpose: To be witnesses in our city, our region, and the world.

We are not Christ’s lawyers; we are his witnesses.

Anonymous

Response: Let’s open our hearts to be filled, our steps to be led, and our hands to be used.

The same Spirit is still moving—He wants to move through SVC and through you.

Talk It Over

What does the sermon say about the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for service?

How can understanding the fruits of the Spirit impact your behavior and choices?

How can you actively practice being led by the Spirit in your daily interactions?