The Holy Spirit-Part 9
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: LIVING SPIRIT-FILLED AND SPIRIT-LED
Main Scripture: ACTS 3-4
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
While there is still much to learn on the person of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Ryan wrapped up this series with a powerful focus on being Spirit-filed and Spirit-led in life. Using Acts 3-4, Pastor Ryan showed us examples of what can happen and how the Spirit can work through us to do God’s work. Peter, John, and the church were filled with the Holy Spirit so everyday activities were ignited with power from God. Going to a prayer meeting turned into an amazing miracle, the healing of a lame man. The healing brought attention and glory to God which gave Peter an opportunity to proclaim and preach the gospel resulting in over 5000 people being saved. Of course, just when momentum is moving and good things are happening that is when opposition will come. This didn’t stop Peter and John from speaking boldly about the name of Jesus to the local religious leaders of the day who arrested them. Threatened to be silent, the apostles resolved to obey God rather than these men. You’d think it was time for vacation and a nap but that isn’t the case. We learned from the story that these men meet up with the fellowship of believers to share their experiences. The church immediately prayed, exactly what we should do when there is spiritual warfare. The words say it all, “O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). Pastor Ryan challenged us to be a part of the movement. We want to be used by God and see a powerful work of God (hopefully) but we have to be willing to be used by God, be available and step out in faith so God will use us. When you’re willing to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, you’ll see daily moments as opportunities for God to minister through you. We’ll experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit when we obey God and go into situations where He is needed.
Notes:
Where is the move of the Holy Spirit that we see in scripture? When will I see and experience the Spirit working? Why don’t we see Him working as we do in the book of Acts? The answer to those questions depends on where you are and what you’re doing for God. I believe the Holy Spirit is still working powerfully through believers but our experience is dependent upon our cooperation with the Spirit, our obedience to the mission, our faith to do what He wants, and overall, our lifestyle. Let's look at when the Holy Spirit was working through the early church.
Read through Acts 3-4
We see four moments where the Spirit is working and moving among the church. All sparked by one trip to a prayer meeting and people who believed and obeyed the words of Jesus, “ and you will be my witnesses…”
Ministry of Miracles - Acts 3:1-11
They were living for God, heading to a prayer service at 3:00 in the afternoon.
When you’re Spirit-filled and Spirit-led you have supernatural solutions for those in need. You think of miracles, instead of band-aids.
Do both…pray for miracles and help the poor if it’s fitting.
Proclaiming the good news - Acts 3:12-26
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.
When you’re Spirit-filled and Spirit-led you have spiritual vision to seize opportunities.
1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Peter gives them a spirit-filled Sunday school lesson and we see in chapter 4 that it worked.
The key scripture to their transformation was Acts 3:19-20: “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.”
Courage to Face Opposition - Acts 4:1-22
They were arrested for doctrine, the teaching that Jesus resurrects the dead.
Many believed and were saved, 5000 men, not including women and children.
V. 8 “Peter filled with the Holy Spirit.” When you’re Spirit-filled and Spirit-led you will have the courage to testify of Christ even in the face of opposition. And the Spirit will give you the words to say… Luke 12:11-12 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
V. 13 When you’re Spirit-filled and Spirit-led you will glorify God and reflect Christ.
The powerful thing about this moment is that one trip to a prayer meeting resulted in a healing that is preaching itself at this point. The miracle preaches for itself. You can’t argue with a miracle and a changed life!
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:4: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” The NLT says, “I relied on the Spirit’s power.”
They try to silence the apostles but Peter answers masterfully. They must obey God first and they can’t stop saying everything they have seen or heard. They are first-hand witnesses and their testimony is still reliable today.
The world is working hard to silence us as followers of Christ, righteousness, and truth. But the world doesn’t have to silence an already quiet and inactive church, we’ve done it to ourselves, especially in America. When both are happening at the same time, God have mercy on us. And let it be clear today, what the scripture is talking about is proclaiming everything about Jesus, not politics or our opinions. We must be bold about preaching the gospel of Christ, repentance of sin, and believing in Jesus as the only way to eternal life. “God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” No politician, no world leader, and no opinion will save souls. This doesn’t mean we don’t get involved in shaping our culture, but let’s start with the gospel.
Spirit-Empowered Church - Acts 4:23-31
They countered the opposition with courageous prayer. When you’re Spirit-filled and Spirit-led you go to God in prayer with other believers!
Fellowship, worship, prayer, teaching...in these settings, we will experience the living presence, work, and power of the Holy Spirit in and through us!
We have to get together, we're supposed to be together Hebrews 10:24-25
But notice the prayer was not just for the believer’s benefit but for the lost who don’t know Christ. This prayer was missional.
Notice the expectancy and passion to continue the work. They were excited to get back out there and see God move through His mighty power working through them.
The church was aware of their assignment. They were not stagnant, the Holy Spirit ignited them to GO and so they took the great commission seriously. They knew as they went they were not alone, the Holy Spirit would be with them. This is no different for us today.
If we want to see a powerful move of God we have to be willing to move with God.
We’ll experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit when we obey God and go into situations where He is needed. What good are useful tools that always stay in the shed?
When you’re willing to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, you’ll see daily moments as opportunities for God to minister through you.
LET’S BE IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
First, we have to want God to use us. God isn’t looking for ability, He is looking for availability. When we make ourselves available, His Spirit will enable us.
Secondly, we must step out in faith to obey God’s command to love others. Loving others leads us to pray for someone, to care, to speak Spirit-led words, and testify about Jesus. It’s love for God and love for the lost that drove Peter to seize the opportunity. Following the leading of the Spirit often means stepping out of your comfort zone, stepping out by faith to do God’s will, and trusting the Holy Spirit to carry out the supernatural work.
Discussion:
What was a big takeaway for you from today’s message?
According to Acts 3-4 what are some examples of when we are Spirit-led and used?
What has stopped people from being used more by the Spirit?
What has the Holy Spirit led you to do lately?
What steps do we need to make to be led and used by the Spirit more?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!