This Sunday, in our Holy Spirit series, Pastor David delivered a powerful message on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This power is readily available to all followers of Jesus. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus left His disciples with a profound promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, CSB). This promise was not just a mere statement but a life-altering reality that was fulfilled only days later at the festival of Pentecost, when His disciples, about 120 of them, experienced the release of power in their lives through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This initial release of power was only the beginning. Since that day at Pentecost, disciples of Jesus have continued to receive His power through the Holy Spirit. Throughout the accounts in Acts, followers of Jesus experienced an outpouring of power that enabled them to perform great works, endure severe trials, and bring thousands to faith in Jesus.
This power allows believers to witness miracles, face incredible hardships, combat the forces of darkness, and experience personal transformative work in their lives. Throughout history, there have been numerous examples of this power at work.
The apostles performed many miracles in the early church, such as Peter healing the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-10). During the Reformation, Martin Luther stood firm against immense opposition, fueled by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
In the 20th century, missionaries like Corrie ten Boom and Brother Andrew exhibited extraordinary courage and faith, smuggling Bibles into dangerous territories and witnessing miraculous deliverances. Modern revivals, such as those led by Billy Graham and the outpourings at places like Azusa Street, have shown the Spirit’s power in bringing countless people to faith and sparking widespread spiritual renewal.
Just as our church building receives its power from an outside source, that same power is channeled for different purposes to accomplish various tasks. The power source is the same, from running the lights to providing heating and cooling to powering the sound systems, but its applications vary.
Just as our church building receives its power from an outside source, that same power is channeled for different purposes to accomplish various tasks. Similarly, the power we receive from God is not a generic force but a personalized gift serving different purposes. The four categories of power presented on Sunday: Supernatural Power, Spiritual Power, Inner Power, and Transformative Power are not just theoretical concepts but practical tools that can manifest in every believer’s life at some point. Some may experience them more frequently than others. Still, all will be necessary at one time or another, depending on our unique circumstances and needs.
- Supernatural Power to perform miracles, signs, and wonders (including healing).
- Spiritual Power, partnered with authority in Christ, to combat darkness and evil and to preach the Gospel.
- Inner Power and Strength to face challenges and difficult situations.
- Transformative Power to conform to the image of Christ and grow as His disciples.
What area do you need to see the Spirit’s power in your life today? Spend prayer, seeking the Spirit to fill you with His power for these areas. Be honest with your need for God’s power in your life. Activate your faith to trust God to send you the power you need and then receive it.
Miss any of the Holy Spirit series? Catch up here…