Empowered

The Promise Announced

Acts 1:1–5 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Do not depart but wait … (why)

This should be a warning sign for every church in the world!

We are called to do something that ONLY God can finish.

We can draw a crowd with the Holy Spirit, but we cannot build a church.

If those who lived with Jesus for 3 years cannot do this without the Holy Spirit (neither can we).

John baptized with water, BUT you will BE baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 ESV

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.”

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,

Receive: focuses on the receiving instead of the giving.

Tempting to focus on the WHERE (Jerusalem, Judea …)

But we a miss out on the WHAT (will receive power of Holy Spirit)

We have been given something… WE HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED

When God calls it power …. ITS POWER

And you will be my witness …

Our gift of the Holy Spirit DIRECTLY tied to our mission to spread Gospel

And our mission is worldwide.

The Promise Applied

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

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

The official entry of the Holy Spirit

Active at different times throughout History

This can be considered the birth of the NT church

It started with the entry of the Holy Spirit

His entry perfectly fits with why we are told He came

There is a visible and audible evidence of the Holy Spirit moving

Initially and most powerfully witness be those in Christ

Holy Spirit also touches interest of those outside of the church

Those we are send to witness to

Peter, speaks up and shares the Gospel where the Spirit is at work

Peter here – Represent all of us and any of us

He was filled with the Holy Spirit

HE was witness to the Holy working in others

He obediently joined the Holy Spirit at work (and spoke up)

He shared the gospel with amazing clarity

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(~10 day s before – THE GREAT COMMISSION)

Now this BEAUTIFUL experience of how it works time and again.

The Promise Continued

Pentecost saw thousand come to know Christ and receive the Holy Spirit

Massive growth soon saw immense persecution – dispersed

We find out (unsurprisingly) It’s all a part of Gods plan.

The rest of the Acts detail the spread of the gospel (as was told in )

One of those stories is again involves Peter and UNEXPECTED recipients.

(Tell story of Peter and Cornelius - Act chapter 10)

Peter has some explaining to do with some Jewish critics

He gives full explanation of what happened – then listen to this

Acts 11:15–16 ESV

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

“We just covered that. There no new information here.”

Holy Spirit moved in them (Gentiles) just as on us (Jews)

JUST HAS HE HAS MOVED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD SINC THEN

And still does today

It could have talked about so many ways that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit

Assurance of salvation

Discernment of truth

Giver of our Spiritual Gift

ALL ARE TRUE AND MORE

Could there be any more important truth?

WE ARE EMPOWERED TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AND JOIN THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK TO BRING PEOPLE FROM DEATH TO LIFE.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .