Introduction

Good morning, church family. We're here today to dive into an incredibly powerful passage from Acts, one that shows us the sheer might and love of our God. The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." Today, we're going to see that truth in action.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

The Promise of the Holy Spirit is vividly portrayed in the book of Acts. This promise is not just a mere assurance, but it is a guarantee from God Himself. It is a promise that was first given to the prophets of the Old Testament, reiterated by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, and finally fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as we see in Acts 2:1-4.

A. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a testament to God's faithfulness. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God promising to pour out His Spirit upon His people. In the book of Joel, God declares, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people" (Joel 2:28). This promise was not just for the prophets, priests, and kings, but for all people, regardless of their social status, age, or gender. This was a radical promise, one that would change the dynamics of spiritual leadership and personal relationship with God.

B. Jesus Himself reiterated this promise during His earthly ministry. In John 14:16, Jesus promised His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth." Jesus knew that His physical presence on earth would be temporary, but He assured His followers that they would not be left alone. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, would come to guide, comfort, and empower them.

C. The promise of the Holy Spirit is also a promise of power. In Acts 1:8, just before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples, "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." The Holy Spirit was not just a comforting presence, but a powerful force that would enable the disciples to carry out the Great Commission.

D. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a promise of transformation. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a person, they are not the same. The Holy Spirit brings about a radical change in a person's life, enabling them to live a life that glorifies God. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in a believer's life - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not just moral virtues, but the very character of God Himself being manifested in a believer's life.

E. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a promise of God's indwelling presence. In the Old Testament, God's presence was confined to the tabernacle or the temple. But with the coming of the Holy Spirit, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical location. God now dwells in the hearts of His people. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?"

The Fulfillment of the Promise

The fulfillment of the promise is the moment when the disciples, who had been waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them, received the Holy Spirit ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO