Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:3–8 NIV84

3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1. The promise of power

Available to all believers

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We are all baptize by one Spirit into one body

Same Spirit to drink 1 Cor 12:13 “13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

God’s promises are yes and amen

If God promised it, nothing will be able to stop it

We need to drink of the Spirit

2. There is power in unity

Ps 133:1-3 “1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

There is power in unity

Blessings flow in unity

Power for a blessing

Jesus said, Mt 18:20 “20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.””

When Jesus is with us, we have victories

There is freedom in unity 2 Cor 3:17 “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The Spirit of God sets the captives free

Unity brings freedom

3. We have power to proclaim the Gospel

The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus is coming back

We must proclaim the gospel, Acts 5:42 “42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

You have a task to be witnesses

You have been sent with authority, Rom 10:15 “15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

The angels brought the good news not fear

Lk 2:10-11 “10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

We don’t need to scare people into Heaven

The Lord is Good

Show others He is Good

Don’t be ashamed, Rom 1:16 “16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

4. There is power in purpose

We need to be in the same cord, Ecc 4:12 “12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Purpose brings power

Acts 2:42-47 “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

We must learn to speak the same language

God is moving in this place

God is renewing our language

We must be of one purpose, “Authentic Faith. Real Transformation.”

5. The Power of the Holy Spirit

When we are in the Power of the Spirit, news will reach everyone Lk 4:14 “14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.”

We have power to overcome, Lk 10:19 “19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Here is the power we have, Mt 11:5 “5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

Our message must be accompanied with signs and wonders

1 Cor 2:4 “4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,”

1 Cor 4:20 “20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

God is the God of sings and wonders

He led the Israelites out of Egypt with signs and wonders

Heb 2:4 “4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”