Acts 1:4-5 NLT - 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:7-8 NLT - 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4 NLT - 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The church is dead without the Spirit.
The Spirit ANIMATES the church.
Without the Spirit, we are like a KITE with no wind.
Without the Spirit, we are like an ARMY with no life (see Ezekiel 37).
Without the Spirit, we are an unspiritual church. He is the SPIRIT in SPIRITUAL. He opens the door for a greater reality than the one we experience with our senses.
Here are three things the Holy Spirit does with His church:
1. He FILLS the church.
A Spirit-filled church is composed of people who are Spirit-filled. He fills us both individually and corporately.
We are now the temple. The disciples were on the steps of the temple when they were filled with the Spirit. This was symbolic that the Spirit was no longer in temples, but in them (and us).
His filling the church is His ministry TO the church.
He is renewing us.
He is changing us.
He is strengthening us.
He is perfecting us.
2. He LEADS the church.
The proof of animation is movement. The Spirit will always MOVE the church.
Philip was moved down a desert road.
Peter was moved to Cornelius.
Paul was moved to Cyprus.
3. He EMPOWERS the church.
The Spirit empowers the church with inspiration (i.e., to speak, write, go).
The Spirit empowers the church with strength (i.e., boldness, courage).
The Spirit empowers the church with gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12).
