Power: Heman & Hercules Series

Me, My Church, & I

Power: Heman & Hercules

Acts 2:14-21

Introduction: Images of power

Power Puff Girls

Heman & Hercules

These are fantasy, but some misconceptions do exist concerning the "Power" of God and what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

What it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit

Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."

This morning we look at the nature of this power.

For those who have been following our series you remember that Vision, that is our "God sight" arises from our Purpose, which we studied last week, it focuses our Power, and it enables us to see our Potential.

The question of what this Power is has already been answered. It is the infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit active in our body and mind.

The first thing we notice about this power is that ...

I. It Is A Work Of God

Acts 2:1-2 "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

Spirit filled Tabernacle Exodus 40:34 "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."

Numbers 9:15-16 "On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony; and at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. So it was continually; the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night."

Temple II Chronicles 7:1 "When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire cane down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple."

Priests Numbers 11:24-25 "So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and placed them round about the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did so no more."

Occurs when, where, and how God sees fit for God’s own purposes.

Jesus-like a dove

Disciples-tongues of fire

Gentiles-it fell upon them

Paul-something like scales fell from his eyes

O.T. Prophets-filled with Spirit to prophecy

Spirit gave some visions -Isaiah, Ezekiel

Jonah was led by the Spirit

Judges-empowered by the Spirit

Formula oriented-if you follow these steps, if you pray in this manner for this extended amount of time, if you pray these words, or grovel in this position, then you will receive the Holy Spirit.

II. It Was A Promise From God (vss17-21)

Joel 2:28-32 Prophesied judgement and punishment upon Judah for their sins. They were to be severely punished and conquered by a foreign nation.

Joel 2:3 "Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but after them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them."

But in the midst of this prophecy of doom and destruction is hope.

Joel 2:13 "Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil."

And Joel prophesies that Judah will be cleansed by this fire and afterwards God will restore Judah’s fortunes-her life, her health. And once these fortunes have been restored Joel prophesies that, "God will pour out His Spirit."

III. It Is A Gift For All People

Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:17 "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh."

No social distinctions

class, or economic

IV. It Identifies Us With God

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

I am now marked as a child of God when I am filled with His Spirit.

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses."

God’s purposes become my purposes.