Live Like a Champion – Week 25
The Promise of Power Through the Holy Spirit!
This Week’s Memory Verse: Acts 1:8
Who wouldn’t like some more power?
Power to get up and face the day (Show the Energizer Bunny)
Power to be able to handle stressful work situations (Show the Star Trek Kirk quote).
The world defines power (according to Merriam-Webster)
“a source or means of supplying energy; the ability to act or produce an effect; possession of control, authority or influence over others.”
The biblical word used in this specific verse is “dunamis” (doo-ni-mas), which means:
“a description of strength of mind; moral qualities of a person; an inner strength that does not come from or depend on outer things. This is how they will be able to show God to others through their lives.”
Growing up, my parents raised my two sisters and me to be able to do things on our own, to take the initiative to get things done (which took a lot of prodding at first), and to help others when needed, which they led by example. They had us in church, surrounded by people who encouraged us in our walk with Jesus, and showed us that they were to be serving others in love, as the Holy Spirit gave them the power and the strength that they needed to get it done.
I know it was God’s power through the Holy Spirit that was helping them to do this because they could not have done it on their own. They demonstrated to us that they were studying the playbook. In this day and age, we could say that we have an app for that…downloading and plugging in to the right source! But where the problem lies is that, just like a gym membership, it doesn’t work unless we use it or put it to work. The power of the Holy Spirit is not something you use in the case of an emergency. NO! We are to be allowing it to flow in and through our lives each and every day.
I trust you have been listening to Pastor Jerry’s messages the last two weeks. They are key to understanding the differences between being sealed, being anointed, and having the power of the Holy Spirit. Somehow, there has been confusion in the church and many have come to think that these are interchangeable, and that is not the case! They are all part of what He does in our lives so we can carry out God’s plan for our lives. Let’s dig into the playbook (the Bible) and see how these all can work together in our lives.
Today, we will cover
- What is the intent of the power of the Holy Spirit?
- What is the best way for the power to flow?
- ow are we to listen? and
- How He ultimately brings glory to God?
I. What is the intent of the power of the Holy Spirit?
It is literally the power of God, the ability to act effectively and influence the behavior of others or influence events. Since it comes from Him, it is infinite, unlimited and eternal, unlike any other kind of power.
As David was being anointed to be king:
“So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.”
1 Samuel 16:13
The Spirit enabled him to do wonderful things, even in the face of great hardship and persecution. While He did not permanently indwell, the Spirit worked through them and gave them power to achieve things they would not and could not on their own.
n a vision to Zechariah for Zerubbabel:
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
In this message of encouragement to Zerubbabel, he was being told that his work wasn’t going to be accomplished through human strength and human power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, a divine power that is constant and consistent.
B. In the New Testament we find:
To be witnesses and share the Good News of Jesus with everyone
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Personalize this verse… “In New Castle, and in all of Henry County and Indiana, and to the end of the earth.
The once timid disciples, who had been in hiding since Jesus’ crucifixion, were now turning the world upside down with the message of the Gospel.
Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Look at that order! It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to love, and to be disciplined. When we share the Gospel, we are to share it with power, but also in love and the evidence of that should be seen in our lives. It can never be a “do as I say, not as I do” message.
II. What is the best way for the power to flow in your life?
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Luke 24:49
“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.”
Acts 1:4-5
They were told to stay and wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would come. They were not told how long they would have to wait. How many of us would have honestly stayed in place after just a couple of days? This group of followers waited over a week! Ten days after receiving the message to ‘stay put’, that is when the power fell on them.
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
1 Peter 5:6
I have told you before that Peter is one of my favorite disciples. He was often quick to speak or act, yet Jesus loved him dearly and kept telling him to love others as well. He was the one who had denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl yet on the Day of Pentecost, he was the one preaching to all who would listen! God provided through the Holy Spirit what Peter needed, just when he needed it!
III. How are we to listen to His voice and leading?
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”
Matthew 6:5-8
Remember, prayer is a TWO-WAY communication! You don’t just pray down through you prayer list, then say “OK, that’s it. Gotta run!” We are to wait upon the Lord, allow Him to speak to our hearts, and for Him to tell or show us what He wants us to do for the day.
And you don’t have to be real wordy with your prayers. Just talk with Him like you would a friend on the phone, but just like a friend on the phone, let Him get a word in edge wise!
“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
Luke 5:16
This is just one time the Bible records Jesus going off by himself to pray. He knew that in order to hear God’s voice clearly and without distractions, He had to be by Himself. So if Jesus did it, and we say we want to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we be doing the same thing?
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1
Corinthians 9:27
No excuses about fasting. I know some can’t fast from food because of medical conditions. Then fast from Facebook, or television or games on our phone, iPad, or gaming system. Spend that time reading your Bible, praying and journaling. If you can only fast one meal, then take that time to go out to your car and spend that time with God. This is a great way to set a new habit or routine, as some of the other things we do are distracting us from what God is trying to say to us that He wants us to do as believers.
IV. How does He ultimately bring glory to God?
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17
The Holy Spirit was moving upon Paul as he emphasized an important message. In his letters to the Corinthians and to the Colossians, he uses almost the same words. Not just some things, but everything, knowing that we are representing Jesus and giving glory and thanks to God. This can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Left up to us, trying to do it in our own strength and power, usually ends up a train wreck!
The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives, pointing us to the example of Jesus and helping us become more like Him. Jesus never took credit for the miracles and wonders that He did, but rather always pointed people to give praise to His Father, God. And God loved us so much, that He sent His one and only Son to live among us and give His life for us. Then when He rose again, He ascended to the right hand of the Father to intercede for us, and the Holy Spirit came to comfort and guide us….see the wonderful cycle of love!
This is how we should live our lives…in the fullness of power through the Holy Spirit. This can only be done when we stay in the Word, discipline and train our hearts and minds, listen to the voice of God as He speaks to our hearts and then work together to build His kingdom, all to His glory.
I want to pray this blessing over you as we close out this message:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13