Acts || Power
When you know where you want to go and what you want to accomplish, you take a look at those who have already done it. You find those who succeeded and set a precedence to find what worked, we learn from them. You find the keys that unlocked what you are trying to find and live out.
We can recognize today that we are in need of something, in need of transformation personally, boldness, unity, serving those who are in need, and alignment with one another under a common goal that doing something powerful. We can see that our community could use something they don’t even know is available to them. We can see that our lives and our ministry need to do more than just coming and being, but lives need to be changed, hope needs to be found, and something powerful needs to happen.
These are the things that the New Testament church needed too.
Over the next several weeks, we are going to looks at what happened to the believers once Jesus died, rose and went to be with the Father in Heaven. What happened to the disciples, the church, and how did they have such a rapid impact on Jerusalem and really the entire world at that time?
POWER
We understand that Jesus promised us something that we needed to remember, receive and continually pray for and pursue. There is something more for us.
ACTS 2:1-21
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
Peter Preaches to the Crowd
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’
One thing we don’t always think about in this is the disciples were immediately empowered to see the need for Jesus.
They had obviously walked with Jesus and saw how He interacted with people and that people had a need to believe Jesus was the Son of God and came to free them from their sin.
Remember, the Holy Spirit’s role is to point mankind to Jesus, causing us to be captivated by Him, pursue Him, and see our need for Him. Once the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came, the disciples immediately burned with a desire to see the lost come to know Jesus. They understood the need of every person.
When the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we need that daily, we begin to see the needs of mankind through the lens of Jesus and that every single person is in need of Him. At times this burning for the lost will become overwhelming.
Acts 1:8
8 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.”
A witness isn’t just someone who sees something but one who is willing to tell what they saw. A witness is someone who is willing to sit on the stand and testify about what they have seen, heard, and experienced.
The Holy Spirit gives us the boldness and tenacity to sit on any stand, be in any conversation, and go anywhere to tell people about the gospel of Jesus.
It is our responsibility to be witnesses, Jesus even says that we will receive power and we will be His witnesses. This wasn’t a one or the other kind of thing but a both/and statement. One causes us to do the other.
Have we shared Jesus with people? How long has it been? Who needs Jesus?
This is our calling, every believer! There is always a green light to be a witness and share Jesus with those that don’t know Him.
Acts 2:22-24
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
Acts 2:42-43
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
Peter and John - Healing the crippled Beggar
Acts 3:1-1
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
We have been given power to operate in these gifts just like they were, the Holy Spirit gives us these gifts and the boldness to step out using them to point people to Jesus. These gifts are not for show or just because but I believe that miracles & signs are meant to always cause people to stand in awe and wonder of Jesus.
Now we like the fruit of the Spirit in Galations 5:22-26
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Those are vital and we need to let the Holy Spirit develop these in us but these are more comfortable for us than these gifts of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11(ESV)
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
For some reason, many believe these gifts died with the apostles but we still need the fruit.
The fruit of the Spirit are indicators of our personal transformation which will impact others but the gifts of the Spirit are all about others and pointing people to Jesus. We’ve been given the same weapons, the same power, and the same ability to help as the disciples and we are to live them out in the same way, telling people everywhere about Jesus and confirming our testimony with miracles & power.
The church must begin to desire and operate in these gifts so that we can be better witnesses to what Jesus did, is doing, and desires to do.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
My prayer today and I’m asking you to consider and pray that each of us would have a burning desire to share Jesus with those who are far from Him.
Our world needs a church that is passionate and burns with a longing to see every person saved, we can’t choose for them but we can tell them, show them and be witnesses to everything God is doing.
Power to Burn, to witness, and then to desire the gifts, the weapons we’ve been given to see the world transformed. The gifts that scream the name of Jesus and point the attention of people to a Savior who died and rose for them.
We can recognize today that we are in need of something, in need of transformation personally, boldness, unity, serving those who are in need, and alignment with one another under a common goal that doing something powerful. We can see that our community could use something they don’t even know is available to them. We can see that our lives and our ministry need to do more than just coming and being, but lives need to be changed, hope needs to be found, and something powerful needs to happen.
These are the things that the New Testament church needed too.
Over the next several weeks, we are going to looks at what happened to the believers once Jesus died, rose and went to be with the Father in Heaven. What happened to the disciples, the church, and how did they have such a rapid impact on Jerusalem and really the entire world at that time?
POWER
We understand that Jesus promised us something that we needed to remember, receive and continually pray for and pursue. There is something more for us.
- That more is power, not just power to have more but power to impact, make a difference, lead others into hope, show Jesus, and see the world around us completely transformed.
ACTS 2:1-21
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
Peter Preaches to the Crowd
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’
- POWER TO BURN
One thing we don’t always think about in this is the disciples were immediately empowered to see the need for Jesus.
They had obviously walked with Jesus and saw how He interacted with people and that people had a need to believe Jesus was the Son of God and came to free them from their sin.
- Disciples who had been wondering when Jesus would set up His earthly rule were now more concerned with those that didn’t know Jesus.
Remember, the Holy Spirit’s role is to point mankind to Jesus, causing us to be captivated by Him, pursue Him, and see our need for Him. Once the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came, the disciples immediately burned with a desire to see the lost come to know Jesus. They understood the need of every person.
When the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we need that daily, we begin to see the needs of mankind through the lens of Jesus and that every single person is in need of Him. At times this burning for the lost will become overwhelming.
- Many of given up their lives to be missionaries and go into ministry because this need and burning is so great.
- Peter who had denied Christ because of persecution was now preaching the gospel with thousands of people coming to believe in Jesus.
- POWER TO WITNESS
Acts 1:8
8 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.”
A witness isn’t just someone who sees something but one who is willing to tell what they saw. A witness is someone who is willing to sit on the stand and testify about what they have seen, heard, and experienced.
The Holy Spirit gives us the boldness and tenacity to sit on any stand, be in any conversation, and go anywhere to tell people about the gospel of Jesus.
- About what He taught
- Miracles they had seen
- Testify about their experience of freedom is
It is our responsibility to be witnesses, Jesus even says that we will receive power and we will be His witnesses. This wasn’t a one or the other kind of thing but a both/and statement. One causes us to do the other.
Have we shared Jesus with people? How long has it been? Who needs Jesus?
This is our calling, every believer! There is always a green light to be a witness and share Jesus with those that don’t know Him.
- POWER IN GIFTS
Acts 2:22-24
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
Acts 2:42-43
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
Peter and John - Healing the crippled Beggar
Acts 3:1-1
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
We have been given power to operate in these gifts just like they were, the Holy Spirit gives us these gifts and the boldness to step out using them to point people to Jesus. These gifts are not for show or just because but I believe that miracles & signs are meant to always cause people to stand in awe and wonder of Jesus.
Now we like the fruit of the Spirit in Galations 5:22-26
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Those are vital and we need to let the Holy Spirit develop these in us but these are more comfortable for us than these gifts of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11(ESV)
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
For some reason, many believe these gifts died with the apostles but we still need the fruit.
The fruit of the Spirit are indicators of our personal transformation which will impact others but the gifts of the Spirit are all about others and pointing people to Jesus. We’ve been given the same weapons, the same power, and the same ability to help as the disciples and we are to live them out in the same way, telling people everywhere about Jesus and confirming our testimony with miracles & power.
The church must begin to desire and operate in these gifts so that we can be better witnesses to what Jesus did, is doing, and desires to do.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
My prayer today and I’m asking you to consider and pray that each of us would have a burning desire to share Jesus with those who are far from Him.
Our world needs a church that is passionate and burns with a longing to see every person saved, we can’t choose for them but we can tell them, show them and be witnesses to everything God is doing.
Power to Burn, to witness, and then to desire the gifts, the weapons we’ve been given to see the world transformed. The gifts that scream the name of Jesus and point the attention of people to a Savior who died and rose for them.
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