There is Power

It was the mighty power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him by which Jesus overcame the world—and that same quiet power, if it dwells in us, will make us win the same victory by faith. Good Cheer From Christ’s Victory Over The World, Volume 58, Sermon #3285 -John 16:33

Charles Spurgeon

Last week, we discussed how the Holy Spirit came down with a roaring wind, came upon the 120 disciples with fiery tongues, and that they were able to speak other languages.

We also went into detail the sermon Peter gave at that time and what we could learn from it.

This week we will be looking through Acts 3 thru 5 to see how the power of the Holy Spirit guided and used Peter to enlarge the kingdom. Hopefully, we learn something about the Holy Spirit and the use of the name above all names, Jesus Christ.

Now today, I will be jumping around a bit, so your homework for this week is to read Acts 3 thru 5.

Insert picture of the temple beautiful.

This is where we are for the start of today.

Let’s Pray!

There is Power:

Wants/Needs

I want to take a minute here to describe the difference between wants versus needs.

Think of needs as 4 walls around you. You need food, you need water, you need air, you need shelter, and the roof on the top of those four walls is you need Jesus.

With those four things, you can live. Everything else is wants.

I want to have the money from the powerball. I want a wife that is nice to me.

Before I get in more trouble, let’s look at where we are for today.

Insert picture of the temple beautiful.

This is where we are for the start of today message.

Let’s go into our first verses.

Acts 3:1–7 CSB

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried there. He was placed each day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so that he could beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked for money. Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong.

Needs versus wants. The man thought he needed money that day, but what he actually needed was to know the name of Jesus Christ and to be restored.

There is power in allowing the Holy Spirit to provide the understanding of needs vs wants.

Philippians 4:19 CSB

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

In our society, we keep thinking we need to keep up with what people have.

I know I fall into that trap. I see someone with one of those cool side by sides, and think to myself “I need one of those.”

I see someone with a metal roof and think I need one of those.

Very rarely do we see someone that says, I see this person is content with what the Lord has provided for them and look how happy they are...i need one of those!

True power comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is needed, and not giving power to selfish wants.

Needs vs wants...our next point today is

There is Power:

2. Boldness

I want to start this point by bursting your bubble...Boldness is not you being a sarcastic smart butt. That just makes you mean and arrogant.

The biblical definition of boldness is this...

Boldness:

is a Spirit-empowered, confident, and outspoken courage to share the Gospel and act on faith, regardless of fear, opposition, or risk of persecution. It is not arrogance, but rather reliance on God—a "fearless confidence" rooted in Christ to preach, pray, and live truthfully. 

And this is what Peter showed when he had to face the Jewish Leadership after his arrest with John for preaching at the gate beautiful.

Let’s look at what the Jewish Leaders said about them...

Acts 4:13–14 CSB

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

When you move out the way and let the Holy Spirit guide your tongue, you may have some upset people, but there will not be any opposition.

But what happens all too often, is that we allow our emotions to guide us and not the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jacob from Our Savior’s Church stated in one of his messages and it rings true here.

When emotions run high, wisdom is at it’s lowest.

Boldness does not come from your strength, it comes only from the Lord Himself. Peter understood this and prayed for even more boldness.

Acts 4:29–30 CSB

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

And I am saying this with all boldness, the Holy Spirit provides this boldness in abundance.

Acts 4:31 CSB

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

So far we have seen that removing your self will give access for the Holy Spirit to allow you to see the difference between needs and wants and give you the ability to speak the word of God with Boldness...now let’s look at our last point for today.

There is Power:

3. Discernment

Now you may be saying...is that not the same as distinguishing between needs and wants.

No it is a bit different.

Biblical discernment is the God-given ability to distinguish truth from error, good from evil, and to make godly, wise decisions.

I will be the first to admit, I struggle in this department. I end up making quick decisions and not giving the Holy Spirit time to show me what is truth from fiction.

I have made many a dumb decision here at NEC. I am grateful that all of you have shown me grace in my stupidity.

Let’s look at where the Holy Spirit gave Peter discernment

Acts 5:1–4 CSB

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”

The Holy Spirit gave Peter discernment over this matter.

All too often, people feel like they are getting away with something when they lie to the Lord.

Before you say I don’t, let me give you an example.

Have you ever said, Lord I can’t pay my tithes this week, but I will catch it up next week....next week comes and goes...and you didn’t.

You are not lying to the church, you are lying to God.

Kind of hits home doesn’t it.

Let’s get back to discussing Discernment and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The best way to have discernment is to be in the Word daily.

This will give you the ability to distinguish between truth and error.

2 Timothy 4:3 CSB

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear.

Notice it goes full circle. Explain the full circle in this verse.

Peter gives us an example that if someone gives themselves fully to the Lord, they will be used by the power of the Holy Spirit.