Power

Acts 1:1-8

Introduction

Electric vehicles have become more popular in recent years. There are many kinds of electric cars, but only three major types: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric. Plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles have batteries that must be charged by plugging into a main electric power source. These cars cannot run or reach their maximum fuel economy potential without being plugged in to charge. In the same way, believers can only achieve their God-given calling if they are plugged into the Holy Spirit. He is the agent and the power source that brings Kingdom reality into the life of believers.

As the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit bears all the attributes of God. He is a divine person. Like electricity, He provides the power we, as believers, need. The Holy Spirit is also a relational person. We can relate to Him and call on Him personally. Therefore, He is not merely a power to be used but a person to be known. The more we interact with Him, the more His Kingdom power can be manifested through us.

The Kingdom of God means that God will rule. God wants to demonstrate His rule through the Holy Spirit working through us, His Kingdom people. The Holy Spirit empowers us to witness about Christ, share our testimony and proclaim the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit also enables us to do the works of Christ, and without Him, we can do nothing. When we testify about Christ, we connect to the Kingdom. But if we abandon the truth of God’s Word, we cancel the Holy Spirit’s work and power in our lives. We can either align our will with God’s or pursue our desires. We can either do things in our own power or connect to the power of the Holy Spirit. If we want to experience God’s Kingdom power in our lives, we must seek to know the Holy Spirit and allow Him to be our source of strength.

Getting Started

1. What are some things that do not work unless they are plugged into a power source?
2. What drains your power and energy? How do you get refreshed and reenergized?

Let’s Get Personal

1. How have you relied on your own power rather than the power of the Holy Spirit? How has that impacted your life and your relationship with God?
2. How often do you share your testimony and proclaim Christ to others? What prevents you from sharing?
3. Where have you abandoned the truth of God’s Word and canceled the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? Where have you been aligned with God’s will?

Take the Next Step

1. How can you spend more time each day with God? How will seeing the Holy Spirit as a relational person change your daily life?
2. How can you develop your testimony so that you will be prepared to proclaim Christ at any given moment?
3. Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Acts 1:1-8; Luke 11:13; John 16:12-15; Luke 24:49; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 28:30-31; John 7:37-39; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Acts 2:1-4; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 John 2:20-27; Romans 8:18-29; Acts 8:12; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23.

Renew Your Mind

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’”

Acts 1:8