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When Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit the entire world changed. Because this happened so long ago, does it even still matter for today? Does it matter for you? In this sermon series we explore what Jesus meant in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Christian life was never meant to be lived powerless, purposeless, and aimless. Jesus promised the infilling of the Holy Spirit to ALL who believe in Him. His presence transforms us from powerless to powerful, orphan to witness, and deflated to filled to overflowing! Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives us exactly what we need as a church to do the ministry of Jesus in our day and age - he gives us supernatural gifts, he gives godly character and he commissions us with a divine function. When these elements work together for the common good - the church is build up and people are equipped for the work of the ministry.
New England can be a tricky landscape for evangelism. We value community, longevity, and autonomy. The Holy Spirit is able to give us three essential forms of boldness to help us- bold in speech, bold in interruptions, and bold in going where the Lord sends.
The Holy Spirit also desires to engage the inner world of every believer in Jesus. He has power yet He is a person and should not be neglected or avoided. He wants to bring us identity through his indwelling presence, assurance through his sealing, and connection back to the Godhead through his abiding. We’re definitely not in this alone because the Holy Spirit is our active helper!
We are not left defenseless when it comes to the daily struggles we face- the Holy Spirit has given us His Word, the Bible, to serve as an offensive weapon against all attack of the enemy. Don’t do battle on your own- do it in God’s strength, with God’s word and in an attitude of prayer!
