To encourage believers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to step out of their comfort zones and urgently share the Gospel to all corners of the earth.
Good morning, Church family! Today we're diving deep into the book of Acts, specifically Acts 1:8. In this passage, we find a powerful message about the Holy Spirit, stepping out of our comfort zones to witness, and the urgency of our witnessing. Someone once said, “The world is not moved by love for Jesus; it is moved by the power of His Spirit.” It's that same Holy Spirit that empowers us to share the Gospel, even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Opening Scripture Reading – Let me read the full Scripture passage to you: "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" (Acts 1:8, NIV).
Opening Prayer – Let's pray together before we delve into this Scripture. Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you to open our hearts and minds as we delve into Your Word today. We pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Help us to break out of our comfort zones and have the courage to be Your witnesses in our world. We recognize the urgency of our task, Lord, and we ask for Your strength and guidance to fulfill it. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The power of the Holy Spirit is the first point we're going to explore today. The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is God - omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He did not leave His followers alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, to empower them, to guide them, and to comfort them.
In the passage we're studying today, Jesus tells His disciples, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." This power is not a mere human ability. It's divine power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It's the power to transform lives, to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to prophesy, to speak in tongues, and to perform miracles. It's the power to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, to endure the unendurable. It's the power to overcome sin, temptation, and all the schemes of the devil. It's the power to live a victorious Christian life.
A. But the power of the Holy Spirit is for both our personal benefit and others. It's for the advancement of God's kingdom. It's for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Jesus said, "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This is the mission of the Church, and this mission cannot be accomplished without the power of the Holy Spirit.
B. The power of the Holy Spirit is not something we can earn, deserve, or achieve. It's a gift, a grace, a blessing. It's given freely to all who believe in Jesus, who repent of their sins, who are baptized, and who seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. It's not a one-time event, but a continuous experience. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day, every moment. We need to walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and worship in the Spirit.
C. The power of the Holy Spirit is not a theory, a doctrine, or a theology. It's a reality, an experience, a lifestyle. It's not just for the apostles, the prophets, the pastors, or the missionaries. It's for all believers, regardless of their age, gender, race, or social status. It's for you and me.
D. The power of the Holy Spirit is a necessity, a requirement, a priority. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we are weak, helpless, and ineffective. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are strong, capable, and fruitful.
E. The power of the Holy Spirit is a promise, a guarantee, a certainty. Jesus promised it, the apostles experienced it, the Church witnessed it, and we can have it.
Pastor – Share a personal story about how the power of the Holy Spirit has been manifested in your life or ministry, to illustrate this point better.
Leaving our comfort zone to witness is a call to step out of our familiar territories, our routines, and our comfort zones to share the love of Christ with others ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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