Sermon Central
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Jesus Our Baptiser: Empowered To Live And Serve Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 11, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Following Jesus is not something we can do in our own strength. Good intentions are not enough. Willpower is not enough. Enthusiasm is not enough. Jesus did not simply call us to follow—He equipped us to follow.
JESUS OUR BAPTISER: EMPOWERED TO LIVE AND SERVE
INTRODUCTION — DISCIPLES NEED POWER, NOT JUST INTENTION
Following Jesus is not something we can do in our own strength.
Good intentions are not enough.
Willpower is not enough.
Enthusiasm is not enough.
Jesus did not simply call us to follow—He equipped us to follow.
Before His ascension, He told His disciples not to go, not to preach, not to serve, until they received the power of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot live the Christian life without the Spirit of Christ.
We cannot serve with fruitfulness without the Spirit’s enabling.
We cannot witness with boldness without the Spirit’s anointing.
Today we look at Jesus as our Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, the One who empowers us to live and serve.
KEY TEXTS — THE PROMISE AND THE POWER
Acts 1:4–5 (NLT): “Once when he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’”
Acts 1:8 (NLT): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere… to the ends of the earth.”
This is not optional.
This is not for a select few.
This is Jesus’ plan for every disciple.
1. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT
The Father promised; the Son fulfils.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit was not a new idea introduced in Acts.
It was a long-promised gift.
Joel 2:28–29 (NLT): “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people… In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”
Not “some”, but all.
Not elite prophets, but everyday people.
Young and old.
Men and women.
Servants and leaders.
Jesus affirmed this promise and commanded His followers to wait for it.
Luke 24:49 (NLT): “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here… until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The Greek word for “promise” is epangelia, meaning a guaranteed pledge from a trustworthy giver.
The Father promised.
The Son confirmed.
The Spirit fulfilled.
This is empowerment—not elitism.
Spirit baptism is not a badge of superiority.
It is fuel for discipleship.
R.T. Kendall: “The Holy Spirit came not to make us proud, but to make us powerful.”
Disciples need the Spirit because disciples are called to spiritual work.
2. THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
Dynamis — power, might, ability.
Jesus said, “You will receive power.”
The Greek word is dynamis, meaning:
supernatural ability
divine strength
God-given capacity
The Spirit empowers disciples to:
1. Witness boldly
Fear melts.
Courage rises.
The Gospel advances.
2. Live holy
The Spirit produces purity where the flesh produces weakness.
3. Love deeply
He pours God’s love into our hearts.
4. Serve boldly
He equips us with gifts, passion, and divine enablement.
Acts 2:1–4 (NLT): “Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit… and everyone… began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
The same Spirit who empowered the early church empowers us today.
Illustration — The powerless lamp
A lamp may look perfect—
beautiful design, polished metal, expensive shade—
but without connection to electricity, it cannot shine.
Likewise, a Christian without the Spirit remains powerless.
The Spirit is our source, our energy, our light.
Charles Stanley: “The Holy Spirit’s power is available to every believer, but not every believer lives plugged into that power.”
Disciples need to be connected to the Spirit daily.
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT
Mission. Character. Ministry.
The Spirit does not fill us to give goosebumps—
He fills us for purpose.
1. Mission: to make disciples
“You will be my witnesses.”
Spirit power always points outward—to people who need Jesus.
2. Character: the fruit of the Spirit
The Spirit produces what we cannot produce ourselves:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
3. Ministry: the gifts of the Spirit
Teaching, prophecy, service, healing, encouragement, leadership, discernment—
all empowered by the Spirit to build the church.
Ephesians 5:18 (NLT): “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This means:
Be continually filled.
Be daily surrendered.
Be constantly empowered.
APPLICATION — SEEK THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT
Ask God for a fresh filling.
Not a one-time event, but a lifestyle.
Surrender control.
The Spirit fills what we yield.
Live dependent, not self-reliant.
Ministry without the Spirit is motion without impact.
Use your gifts.
Step out, serve boldly, witness courageously.
A Spirit-filled disciple is a Christ-exalting disciple.
THE GOSPEL — THE SPIRIT POINTS US TO JESUS
The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself.
He always points to Christ.
Jesus died for our sins.
