Empowered To Live: The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Life Of The Disciple Series

Empowered to Live: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Disciple

Doctrinal Focus: The Holy Spirit – His deity, His work in conviction, repentance, regeneration, sanctification, and empowerment for ministry through the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4–8 (NLT): Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Introduction: The Power We Need

Imagine a lamp in a room, connected to a power source. Without electricity, the lamp stands as a beautiful object, yet it cannot shine. Beloved, the Christian life is no different. We can study the Bible, pray, and attend church—but without the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, our faith will remain dim, and our witness limited.

The doctrinal statement we are unpacking today reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not merely an influence or force. He is fully God—co-equal, co-eternal with the Father and the Son—and He comes to work in our lives, convicting of sin, leading to repentance, regenerating hearts, and equipping believers for holy living and service.

Today, we will explore who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how He empowers us as followers of Jesus Christ.

1. The Deity and Divine Mission of the Holy Spirit

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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will receive baptism with the Holy Spirit.’"

Here, Jesus clearly distinguishes between water baptism, a symbolic act of repentance, and Spirit baptism, the promised divine empowerment. The Greek word for “gift” here is d?µa (dóma), meaning a freely given divine endowment. The Spirit is presented as a gift from the Father, yet promised through the Son, emphasising the Trinitarian relationship: Father, Son, and Spirit working in perfect unity.

Theologically, this affirms the deity of the Holy Spirit. He is not a created being or an abstract force. He is fully God, co-equal with the Father and the Son, sent to fulfil God’s redemptive plan.

John Piper said, “The Spirit does not come to make Jesus optional. He comes to make Jesus known and to empower us to obey Him.”

Notice Piper’s point: the Spirit’s role is not independent of Christ. True discipleship depends on both recognising Jesus as Lord and walking in the Spirit’s power.

In our 21st-century context, many Christians live in passive faith—attending church, reading the Bible, yet lacking the dynamic power of the Spirit. The call today is to expect the Spirit to work in us—convicting, regenerating, and empowering for holy living.

2. Conviction, Repentance, and Regeneration

John 16:8–11 (NLT): "And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. He will convict the world of its sin, because people are unwilling to believe in me. He will convict the world of righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer. He will convict the world of judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."

The Greek term ?????? (elengcho), translated as “convict,” literally means to expose or reprove. The Spirit’s work begins with revealing sin, righteousness, and judgment. Conviction is not condemnation; it is the loving work of God’s Spirit drawing the sinner to Christ.

Imagine a sculptor chiselling away at a block of marble. The block may appear rough and unformed, yet beneath the surface lies a masterpiece. The Spirit’s conviction chisels away the sin and self-reliance, revealing a heart ready for God.

R.T. Kendall wrote, “Conversion is always preceded by conviction. You cannot become what you cannot see.”

Kendall reminds us that without the Spirit revealing our need, repentance and regeneration remain impossible.

In daily life, modern believers face moral and ethical compromises, cultural pressures, and self-dependence. Spirit-led conviction calls us to repent, turn from sin, and trust Christ afresh.

3. Sanctification and the Ongoing Work of the Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT): "And we should always thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth."