Introduction

Good morning, church family! I have a message for you today that will empower and encourage you, one that I believe will light a fire in your hearts. It's all about the promise of God's provision, the power of the Holy Spirit, and our call to receive and act. Today, we're going to dig deep into the book of Acts, specifically Acts 1:3-8.

But before we do, let me share a quote with you from A.W. Tozer. He once said, "God wants the whole person and He will not rest till He gets us in entirety. No part of the man will do." That's what we're talking about today, giving ourselves fully to God, trusting His provision, and stepping out in faith.

So, let's read our scripture for today, Acts 1:3-8,

"After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. 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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' Then they gathered around him and asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.'"

Let's pray together as we dive into God's Word today.

Heavenly Father, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your Word today. Help us to understand and apply this scripture in our lives. May we fully trust Your provision and be empowered by Your Holy Spirit to be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Now, let's get into this, shall we?

The Power of the Holy Spirit

The power of the Holy Spirit is the power that raised Jesus from the dead, the power that enables us to live a victorious Christian life, and the power that empowers us to be witnesses for Christ. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but a personal being who indwells believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering us.

Verse 8: Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This power is not merely for personal edification or spiritual self-improvement. Rather, it is power for service, power for mission, power to be Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth. The Greek word for power used here is "dunamis," from which we get our English word "dynamite." This is explosive power, transformative power, power that changes lives and shakes the world.

A continual, ongoing reality in the life of the believer: It is not something we earn or achieve, but a gift that we receive by faith. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He fills us with His power, enabling us to live the Christian life and to serve God effectively. This power is not dependent on our abilities, our strength, or our resources. It is entirely dependent on God and His limitless power.

It’s transformative: It changes us from the inside out, making us more like Christ. It produces in us the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). It also equips us with spiritual gifts for service in the body of Christ and for mission in the world.

For all believers: In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the disciples, not just the apostles. This was a fulfillment of the prophet Joel's prophecy that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all people, regardless of age, gender, or social status (Joel 2:28-29). This means that every believer has access to this power, and every believer is called to be a witness for Christ.

It’s missional: It empowers us to be Christ's witnesses, to share the good news of His death and resurrection, and to make disciples of all nations. It gives us boldness to speak the truth, wisdom to answer objections, and love to reach out to the lost. It also equips us to endure persecution, to stand firm in the face of opposition, and to persevere in the mission God has given us.

A vital aspect of our Christian life and mission: It is the power that enables us to live a victorious Christian life, to serve God effectively, and to be Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth.

The Promise of God's Provision

The promise of God's provision a promise that God will provide for our needs, not necessarily our wants, but certainly our needs ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO