Big Idea: When a person commits their life to Jesus Christ something happens to them, they have an eternal secure destination and are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This filling opens the door to enormous amount of potential and that potential provides us with purpose. Today and for the next few Sundays we will be exploring the Power, Potential and Purpose for our lives as committed believers and followers of Jesus.
Context: Our text is fundamental to understanding what happened when you committed your life to Jesus. When we become a part of the body of believers, we must understand that our power as a Christian only come from the indwelling of the Holy Spirt.
Acts 1:8 is a key verse for the early day church and for the church today. The church was unable to face the persuasion and with the task of being witnesses. Jesus said that they (church) would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses in the world. As believers are to represent Jesus Christ wherever we are. They were to tell all they met what they had heard, seen and experienced to all who would hear. They had been with Him in His work, had seen His miracles, had heard His teaching, had been taught by Him in private for years, witnessed His death, and resurrection, and witness His ascension; in all of that they still lack the power of God. They were well prepared for the task ahead, well equipped. They may be compared to a fine automobile equipped with all the tools to take the Gospel to the world, but their spiritual tank was empty.
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. NIV
As believers we are commanded to take the not just Gospel next door to the farthest reaches of the earth. We must not fail and but when you look at this task it seems to be humanly impossible. And you would be correct but when we are given a task by God, he provides all the necessary tools to completed. Thus those early day Christian and we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This infilling of the Holy Spirit meant that ordinary people like you and I could do extraordinary task because the power of God had been infused into our lives. I discovered that the word “can’t” and “cannot” is not found in the Bible. When Moses made excesses why he could not lead the people of God from the bondage of Egypt, but God provided the “a rod” a symbol of God’s power. (Exodus 4), but the rod was not a just a symbol of God’s power it was and instrument of judgement. The rod in and by it self-had no power but it was what God in and through the rod that we see Gods power.
Ps 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'" NKJV
The rod not only symbolizes God’s Power, Gods Judgement and it is a symbol of God’s comfort
Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. NKJV
Jesus called himself the “good shepherd” (John 10:14) the tool of a shepherd is a staff (rod). The Shepard’s staff is the symbol of and protection for the sheep however the shepherd is the source of power, God’s power and without the power of God we can do nothing. Jesus said in John 15:5 that with out Him we can do nothing. Had those early day disciples not infused with the power of the Holy Spirit they would have failed as disciples taking the message of the Gospel to the world...
1st Power of the Word- Acts 1:8 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." NIV
Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:4 to not leave Jerusalem but stay and wait until they had received the gift of God from the Holy Spirit. After He ascended to His Father the disciples assembled and prayed and waited for the fulfilment of the Word. The empowerment of these disciples was not a gift of luxury but of necessity. They were to be disciples and take the message of salvation to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. It is important to noticed that the word “witness” and “witnesses” appears 29 times either as a noun or a verb in the Book of Acts. This word “witness” is a legal term which say each of the disciples had a story to tell. Not just a story but an eyewitness account of all that Jesus did in His ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. But it didn’t stop there they witnessed the post resurrection ministry of Jesus.
They were to tell what they believed took place but what they had see with their own eyes. If you were called as a witness in a legal matter in court the Judge did not want to hear secondhand testimonies but first eyewitness account of what took place. These witnesses had their testimony and they testimony was bathed in the power of God. It is interesting to note that our word martyr comes from the word witness and all the 12 disciples will lay down their lives to seal the testimonies of all they had observed.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer also provides power of the Bible with the constant revelation of the Word. The book of Hebrews describes the power of the Word.
Heb 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2nd Power of the Blood of Jesus- Heb 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. NIV
The stain of sin was indelibly etched in each of us. There is nothing that can change that except the Blood of Jesus. The power of Gods Word brings forgiveness of our sin. It is our nature to sin because of Jesus sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from we have forgiveness of sin (disobedience). Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, NKJV. Redemption for our disobedience comes from the power of the cross.
The sacrificial blood of Christ has the power to cleans us from our sin, not just our present sins, but the blood of Jesus has the power to cleans us for our past, present and future sins. The Bible is full of examples of men failure of sin. Yet it is Gods eternal and complete power of forgiveness that permit us to experience a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. When Jesus died on the cross the veil which separated man from entering in to the Holy of Holies However the power of the Blood of Christ destroyed that separation. The Holy Spirit infuses every believer with the power of God and in everyone who opens his door to God. He eagerly enters every open door. He comes in by our invitation and consent. His presence within is the vital thing. [Note: S. D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer, 9.]
Paul writes in Rom 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, NKJV. The word “propitiation” only appears twice in the New Testament, Once in Romans and in Hebrews 9:5 but in the Old Testament usage gives us an understanding gives us a fuller understanding of the word of being used; purged, cleansed, reconciled, and or make atonement.
The power of the atoning blood of Jesus shed on the cross cleanses us from our dead words to new life in Jesus.
ILLUSTRATION: When Evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) Was ... By Donnie Martin
When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’” The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.
Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!” (Source Our Daily Bread, October 1, 1994.) (Copied from Sermon Central)
3rd Power of Conviction: John 16:8-9 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; NIV
The power of the Holy Spirit does not come to lost of this world. Power of God is only imparted to the who have accepted Jesus and are His disciples. The work of the Spirit of God is working in and through the church. In the Book Acts begins with the gathering of believers and they were empowered with the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit does not convict those who have not believed of individual sin the conscience must do this. In Acts 24:24-25 Paul speaking to Felix concerning his faith in Christ. Felix responds to Paul reasoning concerning righteousness and tells Paul he will consider the words of Paul at a more convenient time.
The power of the Holy Spirit is convicting the world of sin,
John 16:8-9 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; NIV
John 18:9 list three judgments (1) sin, (2) righteousness and (3) Judgement. The Spirit uses witnessing Christians and the Word to convince the unbeliever of their sin of unbelief; of their need for righteousness; of the fact that, since he belongs to Satan (Eph_2:1-2), he is on the losing side. There is no salvation without Spirit-led conviction, for the Spirit uses the Word to convict lost souls.
Eph 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient
Any Christian who surrenders to Christ can be taught by the Spirit. Read Psa_119:97-104 to see how God can teach the humble Christian. It is not age, experience, or education that counts so much as a willingness to learn and live the Word.
Conclusion: The results of the empowering of the disciples can be seen in Acts 2, Peter who had denied Jesus, now stands in Jerusalem and delivers a powerful message concerning the conviction of sin. Their response to hearing the words of Peter is found in Acts 2:37 power of God convicts and moves then from rejection to salvation.
ILLUSTRATION: It has been said that a man will never be the same after hearing the Word of God spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit. He will either open the door of his hear and let Christ come in and go forward in life as a disciple or He will reject the Word and his spiritual hear will and be harden even more. Every time a person rejects and ignore the message of salvation, they move a little closet to the brink of destruction and eternity in Hell.
