Overflowing Power

1. We have talked about mission, values, and vision. We can do none of these things without the Holy Spirit empowering us to reach out to a lost world.

2. The early church was a group of mission-minded, values-driven, fellowshipping, loving, truth-telling, transforming people—empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded his disciples not to do anything until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit ().

1. Scientists took the dinosaurs’ DNA and altered it to fit their needs. As a result, bloodthirsty super raptors left a swath of devastation and destruction through the theme park where they’d been penned up. Jurassic Park is ultimately a moral tale about not interfering with nature. But we can be just as arrogant and misguided with our spiritual DNA. When we take our strength, ambition, and effort, and throw that into the DNA we have in Christ, we can create monstrous issues.

2. Sometimes church mission statements, values, vision, and strategies fail because they are not empowered and guided by the Spirit of God himself. But the church in the book of Acts influenced and changed their communities through the Holy Spirit.

We have a strategy that we will be using beginning this year and onward to fulfill our Mission, Run after our Vision and carry out the Great Commission.

Our strategy is:

BASIC STRATEGY FOR ACCOMPLISHING OUR MISSION

1.Create opportunities to invite people to Church

2.Work with people to identify & heal spiritual wounds [through our Soul Clinic classes ]

3.Pray for people to connect to Jesus through our worship services (and small groups)

4.Lead people to experience life change through our spiritual discipleship process

But again, without the empowering Holy Spirit, none of these things will be possible and we will find ourselves turning like hamsters on a wheel instead of moving forward.

The Text

But again, I submit to you this morning that every strategy, every program, every ministry, every project in both the Believers’ life and in the life of the church MUST be done through the Power of the Holy Spirit.

[POINT] NO SUSTAINING POWER = NO SUSTAINING PROGRESS

In the beginning of the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke starts of by (1:1–5) the words “former treatise” or book. Luke was referring back to his gospel. He was now writing to the same man to whom he had written his gospel, Theophilus.

(1:1–5) Introduction: note the words “former treatise” or book. Luke was referring back to his gospel. He was now writing to the same man to whom he had written his gospel, Theophilus. He was reminding Theophilus that in his gospel he had covered the life and the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. Note the word “began.” Jesus’ life and work on earth was only the beginning. Although He is in heaven, He continues to work and minister through the presence of the Spirit in the hearts and lives of believers. The book of Acts could well be called …

He was reminding Theophilus that in his gospel he had covered the life and the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth.

Note the word “began.” Jesus’ life and work on earth was only the beginning. Although He is in heaven, He continues to work and minister through the presence of the Spirit in the hearts and lives of believers. The book of Acts could well be called …

•the acts (works and teachings) of believers; or

•the acts (works and teachings) of Christ; or

•the acts (works and teachings) of the Holy Spirit.

Very briefly, Luke was saying that the life of Jesus Christ continues on. The book of Acts is the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. Verses 1–5 are a summary of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth:

1. Luke summarized and reminded Theophilus of Jesus’ ministry (v.1).

2. Jesus’ work and teaching (vv.1–2).

3. Jesus’ death and resurrection (v.3).

4. Jesus’ promise of the kingdom (v.3).

5. Jesus’ promise of the Spirit (vv.4–5).

But for the rest of our time this morning let’s focus on v.3-5:

v.3 - appearing for 40 days & speaking about the Kingdom of God

`Jesus Christ, Resurrection: Jesus’ ministry on earth was climaxed in His passion and resurrection (see ; ). The word “passion” (pathein) means suffering; it refers to the sufferings or death of Christ. His death and resurrection assured the salvation of man.

The Acts of the Apostles (King James Version) A. Jesus’ Ministry on Earth, 1:1–5

By death He paid the penalty for man’s sin.

1 Peter 2:24 AV

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The Acts of the Apostles (King James Version) A. Jesus’ Ministry on Earth, 1:1–5

By arising from the dead He conquered death for man and now makes available a new life of power for the believer.

Romans 6:4 AV

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Note the two proofs of salvation.

1. Jesus showed (paristemi), presented Himself alive. There are ten resurrection appearances of Jesus recorded in the New Testament

2. Jesus gave many infallible proofs of His resurrection.

v. 4 - Not to depart from Jerusalem (the house of bread).

Jesus is the Bread of Life

John 6:35 AV

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

We should never depart from the THE BREAD, He who makes sure we’re never hungry, never thirsty, never in need.

He then commanded us to ‘wait for the promise of the Father.’ That’s what we all should do.

[point]WHEN WE LEARN TO STAY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, HE WILL GIVE US THE PATIENCE TO WAIT ON THE PROMISES OF GOD!

Isaiah 40:31 AV

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Christ worked and taught “through the Holy Spirit.” While He was on earth in the flesh, Christ was totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit. He had to surrender Himself and to make Himself available to the Spirit.

Thought 1. Just think! If Christ was so dependent upon the Spirit of God, how much more are we! How much more do we need to make ourselves available to Him, available for His gifts and power!

v.5 - Water Baptism

Water baptism represents your position in Christ (no longer the old creature, now a child of God

no longer a sinner but now a saintno longer a whore monger but now a worshipperno longer a gossiper but now carrying the gospelno longer a liar but now a living witness

And so water baptism speaks of our position in Christ

BUT HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM SPEAKS OF THE POWER IN CHRIST!

Power to say no to the devil

Power to tread on serpents

Power to put demons to flight

Power to walk in this world as Overcomers and not be overcomePower to stand tall when the enemy tries to make you fall

Power to live right, act right, talk right, walk right and let the world know I’m a child of God!

V. 6 - Come Together = Fellowshipping w/ Jesus. Eating a meal and being filled.

v. 7

v.8 - POWER, HOLY SPIRIT, WITNESSES

An aside on BalaNce between PRAYER AND STUDYING THE WORD

ALL PRAYER AND NO BIBLE MEANS HEAT BUT NO LIGHT BUT ALL BIBLE AND NO PRAYER MEANS KNOWLEDGE WITH NO ACTION!

GOD GIVES US THE SCRIPTURES SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HE GIVES US PRAYER SO WE HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT! BLESSED ARE THE BALANCED MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD!

v. 8 - will receive power WHEN the Holy Spirit comes upon you. So in other words, if you have not the Holy Spirit you are powerless to be a witness in:

Jerusalem = your home

Judea = your community

Samaria = to strangers

farthest parts = all over the world

is a key verse. To begin with, it explains that the power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man (see ).

Brother Zechariah said in - …Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts!!

Zechariah 4:6 AV

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

IN THEY ARE SEEN HUDDLED TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS “FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS.” THAT VERY SAME GROUP OF MEN COULD NOT BE KEPT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ()

WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE POWER?

`1. POWER FOR SERVICE

Luke 4:18 AV

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

`THE DISCIPLES WERE TRANSFORMED INTO DIFFERENT MEN AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON THEM AT PENTECOST.

IN THEY ARE SEEN HUDDLED TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS “FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS.” THAT VERY SAME GROUP OF MEN COULD NOT BE KEPT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ()

`2. POWER FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The fight we fight is not in this world. We fight a spiritual fight!

Ephesians 6:12 AV

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

- “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ!

Foundations of Pentecostal Theology C. The Purpose and Necessity of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit

There is no substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. He who refuses or resists Him is helpless: “… Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).

`There is no substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. “… Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” ().

`3. Power for “overflow.”

`Jesus challenged, “… If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Notice He said OUT OF....The power is to flow “out of” the believer. It is not enough that the Lord has the power, the individual worker must have it too. An outflow can only be an overflow. God’s servants are more than empty channels. They are vessels. The Lord is looking for those whom He can so fill with His presence and power that they will flow over to others.

`The only real blessing one can bring to others is that which is the overflow of his own experience with God. It is not how much he can hold, but how much he can overflow.

Note the GREAT PROMISE IN

Ephesians 3:20 AV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 3:20–21 AV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 AV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

OVERFLOWING POWER!

[ILLUSTRATION] PIPE VS. PITCHER

EVERYTHING RUNS THROUGH A PIPE BUT A PITCHER HAS TO STAY FILLED FOR THEIR TO BE OVERFLOW!!!!

FILL US UP GOD, FILL US UP!!!

BUT SEE THE CLOSING STATEMENT: “ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.”

IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT GOD HAS ALL THIS EXCEEDING, ABUNDANT POWER; THE BELIEVER MUST WALK IN THAT SAME POWER BEFORE HE CAN BE MIGHTILY USED OF GOD.

JESUS GAVE HIS DISCIPLES POWER TO HEAL THE SICK AND TO CAST OUT DEMONS ().

IT WAS HIS POWER, TO BE SURE, BUT HE BESTOWED IT ON THEM. BELIEVERS TODAY MAY HAVE THE SAME POWER THROUGH THE FULLNESS OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT.

POWER TO CAST OUT DEVILS

POWER

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