This Is Us-3-Empowered

Pastor's notes:

TEXT
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I am so excited to be here this morning. I have some important meetings this coming week in Kenya with some officials, so I’d appreciate your prayers. I can’t wait to share with you the opportunity that has opened up to us. I can’t tell you just yet, but be excited. It’s a big deal!

Today, as we continue talking about “This Is Us”, I want to look at what it means to be Spirit filled. My message today is entitled “Empowered”.

ILLUSTRATION

In most of our possession, we hold an electronic device called a cell phone. Let’s take a survey:
- If you are team iPhone, raise your hand.
- If you are team Android, raise your hand.

- If you don’t know what kind of phone you have, please ask a millennial. What’s the significance of this illustration?

1

Sunday, September 15, 2019

This device you have in your possession has the capability to do many amazing things, but it can do nothing if there is no power in it.

It’s still a phone with no power, but a dead one!

It is designed and meant to function when a power source is flowing through it.

TRANSITION

As a Christian, that’s the way we are supposed to function. We are to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

BACKGROUND

Jesus told His disciples

Luke 24:46-49 NKJV

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

This was something John the Baptist also spoke about.

Luke 3:16 NKJV

16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

So throughout the Scripture, there was spoke of an experience with the Holy Spirit that would come.

APPLICATION

2

1. His Promise

- This empowerment was Jesus’ promise.

- He called it “power from on high”. How many of you need some power from above?

- It was a promise, but He commanded them to seek it.

2. His Presence

- It came from above. This is not something that comes from the devil.

- There was a sound of a rushing wind. Pentecost has always been loud and brought a sound with it.

- There was fire that came.

3. His Pattern

- It says they were “all” filled and became to speak with tongues.
- That’s weird, some may say. Well. Jesus was the one who said in

Mark 16:17 NJKV

“They will speak with new tongues.....”
- This pattern appeared all throughout Acts and church history.

- Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19
- Why this? It’s tied to its purpose.

4. His Purpose

- Why are we empowered? Acts 1:8 NKJV “ You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses.....”

- Witness involves telling, which involves your tongue! - It was a sign of God empowering the tongue to communicate in power His plan to humanity.

CONCLUSION

This plan is also God’s plan for us. We also need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. When we seek the power and presence of the Spirit, He also touches our lips to be able to tell others about Him.