Holy Spirit Empowered Ministers

Read Acts 9:1-22

1. Paul’sSufficiency Is From God

Paul speaks of what makes all ministers competent & capable.

2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (NKJV)

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Qualified To Be Partakers Of The Inheritance

Colossians 1:12 (NKJV)

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Sufficient- adequate, able, competent, capable

Paul faced many difficulties but God brought him through them all.

2. Jesus Is Paul’s Lord. Paul Is Later Baptized In Holy Spirit

Acts 9:5 (NKJV)

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Baptism of salvation / Baptism of Spirit

3. Holy Spirit Empowered Paul

Acts 9:17–20 NKJV

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

What is Paul filled with? Holy Spirit

When does Paul preach Christ? Immediately

4. Paul Amazed All And Increased In Strength

Acts 9:21–22 (NKJV)

Then ALL who heard were AMAZED, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

But Saul INCREASED all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Why Are Believers Empowered?

Luke 4:18 (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Why Has He Empowered Believers?

Preach the gospel to the poor

Heal the broken hearted

Proclaim liberty to the captives

Recovery of sight to the blind

Free the oppressed

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Who? You

What?Be His witnesses

When? The Holy Spirit has come upon you

Where? Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth

Conclusion - Paul was given the Holy Spirit to take him past what limited him before. God equips those He calls to service.