Empowerment Of The Holy Spirit Series

EMPOWERMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

By Ng Wah Lok

Introduction.

What in the world is Pentecost???

The word “ Pentecost” designates the 50th day after Passover, which was a Feast Day. Also known as the Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest.

It was on this day, in the Book of Acts, that the Holy Spirit was poured out on 120 Followers of Christ who were gathered in an Upper Room in Jerusalem. It was on this day that the Church was born in a Blaze of Glory.

Acts 1:8 – Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4 – Fulfillment at the day of Pentecost

The primary reason why God gave us the Holy Spirit is to empower us to serve Him.

1. JESUS WAS EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHILE HE WAS IN HUMAN FORM

In Luke 3:22, we see Jesus baptized in water and filled with the Holy Spirit at the same time.

Luke 3:21- 22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

In Luke 4:14 we Jesus returning in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Then in Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quotes Isa 61:1-2 and claims that verse for Himself. He was going to work miracles, heal the blind, lame, deaf ie. He will begin a miraculous ministry.

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

It is interesting to note that in the Old Testament, they are no records of miracles like healing of blind, lame, dumb, casting out of spirits. When Jesus performed this miracles, it was sign that He is the Messiah, the Anointed One prophesied in the Old Testament.

An interesting thing to note is that John the Baptist himself was not sure if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. So he sent his disciples to check out if Jesus was the Messiah.

Luke 7:20-23 When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ’Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’" At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

Remember that Jesus worked all these miracles only after He was filled with the Holy Spirit. For the first 30 years of his life, there are no record in the Bible that Jesus healed the sick.

2. JESUS PROMISED THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES

Jesus promised that He will send the Holy Spirit to us in John 14:12-21 and John 14:26-27 . The Holy Spirit will become our counselor.

Jesus also promised that we will do greater things than these – v12

John 14:15-19

15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:26-27

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

3. JESUS GAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES BEFORE PENTECOST

John 20 records for us the resurrection of Jesus after his death. Here is the chronology of the events.

a) First day – Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb. The stone was rolled away and tomb is empty. – V1