The Most Powerful Gift

THE MOST POWERFUL GIFT

Acts 1:4-8 “And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of them, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

THE MOST POWERFUL GIFT

After Jesus was raised from the dead in His own Power, He appeared a number of times.

His final appearance was with the disciples as he was preparing to return to the glories of Heaven.

Before He left, Jesus gave some final instructions to the disciples. These instructions are the same for every man born from then and on into the future.

Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until the Promise of the Holy Spirit should come. The baptism in the Holy Spirit would empower them to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God and in the hearts of men everywhere.

A number of us have had this wonderful experience of the Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.

So many in the world, both the church world and the secular world, try to discredit the Holy Spirit baptism or to make it as though it were not really necessary.

While we don’t believe or teach that the Holy Spirit Baptism is necessary for salvation – we do teach that you will accomplish far greater things when the Holy Spirit comes upon you in power.

The church world, including the Pentecostal faiths, have accomplished great things but how much more could have been accomplished or can be accomplished if only we would learn to led the Spirit fill us completely with His presence and power?

Illustration: Years ago on a variety show, a guest appeared that was a body builder. As he entered the stage with his huge muscular body the crowd went crazy as the body builder began to flex his muscles and show his power. The first question asked of him was this: “What do you use all those muscles for?” Without answering, the body builder again stood up and began flexing his muscles while the crowd cheered wildly.

A second time, the question was asked, “What do you do with those muscles?”

Again, the body builder flexed his muscles and the crowd became almost ecstatic.

After asking three times, “What do you do with all those muscles?” the body builder just sat in silence and had no answers.

The man was all power but his power had no purpose other than to show off and bring attention to himself.

HOW MANY SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIANS ARE JUST LIKE THAT?

When we are baptized in the Holy Ghost and experience the awesome power of God, its not for applause of men or show of our spirituality, it’s for application and for a purpose.

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost isn’t just something that makes me feel better than other people who don’t have it. It is an experience that makes me better than me!

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is sent to empower us “TO BE” greater witnesses for Christ.

The Holy Ghost is in us to “PLUG US IN” to the power of Almighty God for the accomplishment of great things.

1 – It give us the Power to Witness

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost comes upon you, and ye shall be witnesses…”

When Jesus told these disciples these words, they were already witnesses. They had already been sent out to preach, to spread the gospel and deliver people from demonic oppression. They were already anointed ministers and bringing in souls to the Kingdom of God.

But, their witnessing lacked real power.

They had been baptized into Christ for their salvation.