In the Bible Christian Ministry
Sunday 5-25-25 (Empowered, Part 1)
- IntroductionSo we just wrapped up fully alive and that it is good to know what WE need to do in order to get the most out of life.We understand that we have the ability to live fully because of God’s tremendous and loving grace.We take that grace and we expand on it because it gives us unwavering connection with Him.Understanding He has taken the time to provide for us and now we have the opportunity to Live a full life is amazing.But.We still face challenges in this life.How do we execute the things He wants us to execute? How do we do the things he wants us to do?We definitely know what to do and what not to do but when it comes to taking action to do the things that God asks of us we have a few things in our way:FearWhat will happen if I do it?Apprehension/WorryWhy me? Fast heartbeat? NervousSelf DoubtCan I do it?Feeling of Lack of Knowledge (part of self doubt)Do I know enough to complete the task at hand?ProcrastinationDo I have to do it now?Look at Peter:- Said he would never betray Jesus. He would die for him.After Jesus told Peter you will deny me...
Matthew 26:35 NIV 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.- We see Peter in the courtyard of the Sanhedrin denying Jesus three times to a young girl and to others who were in the court yard who recognized him as a follower.Luke 22:54–62 NIV 54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.Galileans were often recognized by their distinct accent or mannerisms, which differed from those in Judea.Fear!!!God KnowsGod understands us because He made us. Jesus led His disciples to be leaders of men and while He was here they didn’t do too bad but what about when he left.You have a bunch of people who just witnessed their leader get murdered and they have been asked to teach and preach the same message that got Him killed.FEAR and other things that we mentioned earlier really come into play now.Well God knew He would need to give the disciples and us something to help with this. Something to let us know that he is still in controlComfort. We think of comforter as being a warm hug or only needed if we are feeling bad. That is true but a comforter.Comforter isaid; support.To what – Make you feel Comfortable.When you are comfortable you do more with ease—you can Be YourselfYou at a new job and they invite you to lunch – UncomfortableYou go to the same place have the same food but with your family – comfortableMy Banquet!!!!But this world is uncomfortable and Jesus said They are in world but not of the worldThat is not comfortable.You can’t do what you used to… what is that— FOLLOW THE CROWDWe are made to follow the crowd.Purchases (Amazon)Lines (must be the right line)I want to see tooEverybody want one....I NEED ONE TOOWhat did God recognize. We need a comforter, a helper, a guide, a support.We need the HOLY SPIRITBut many Christians Overlook the Holy Spirit and His Power!He is promised usJohn 14:16–17 NIV 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.What DIDN’T He give us:2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.He lives in us. He will Teach you and remind you....John 14:26 NIV 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.Peter ExampleRemember Peter and how scared he was.Well in Acts 2 we see the Holy Spirit come upon Peter and the disciples and they speak with other tongues which gets the attention of those coming to town to celebrate the Passover and Peter stands and teaches the people the Gospel.Well the leaders (Pharisees) don’t like this so they bring him before the Sannhedrin.Acts 4:1–3 NIV 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.Notice it says Sadducees (one of the the dividing points of doctrine a point of contention between Pharisees and Sadducees was believing that one could be resurrected —The Pharisees believed that God's people would be resurrected in the futureActs 4:8–10 NIV 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.Acts 4:13 NIV 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.Peter stands there and delivers a long detailed defense in the same place where Jesus was tried and where he denied him.But now he is speaking boldly to these same people he was afraid of.What changed --- The Holy Spirit (50 Days or so)Discernment:- Holy Spirit provides thisTeach usTrain usHelp usHoly Spirit is real but we as a group tend to Overlook HimWe think of Him like AI. Like Alexa or Siri.Hey Holy Spirit:He is more than that.- Gives you the boldness needed.- Gives you the knowledge necessary- Makes you comfortable so that you can operate freely.Empowers you to do whatever you need to do to flow in the will of God.John 14:16 NIV 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—Romans 8:9 NIV 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.The Role of the SpiritJohn 14:26 NIV 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.Sometimes we need reminding.So easy we forget.Sometimes I’ll just be living my life. And I’m living it as Reggie, not thinking about being a child of God...not doing anything wrong just mentally going through the motions.And then things start happening and guess what I start making all my decisions for my lifeI start solving problems for othersI start figuring it all out and navigating my lifeI’m just livingAnd then I hear “when is the last time you involved God?” REMEMBEROr I’ll start to worry...and I’ll hear “Don’t be anxious about anything...”Or I’ll just feel like I’m not good enough...1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.I’m good enough to be a Temple??We are the templeWe are hosts for God. and you are EMPOWERED for what? GreatnessDon’t doubt your abilitiesDon’t doubt your truthDon’t doubt your purposeStop belittling yourself.You are good enough for God you are Good enough for this worldGod lifts you up.. justIt's a physical manifestation of God's relationship with humanity, a space where the divine and human realms intersect. The temple also symbolizes the overall biblical story of God's creation, residence, and eventual transformation of all of creation into a sacred space.God not living in some worn down beat up unfit to dwell place.He will clean youHe will develop youHe will lead and guide youHe will love youAnd He will EMPOWER youTo be more than a Conqueror1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.John 16:8 NIV 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: Matthew 26:35NIV2011
Luke 22:54–62NIV2011
John 14:16–17NIV2011
2 Timothy 1:7KJV1900
John 14:26NIV2011
Acts 4:1–3NIV2011
Acts 4:8–10KJV1900
Acts 4:13NIV2011
John 14:16NIV2011
Romans 8:9NIV2011
John 14:26NIV2011
1 Corinthians 6:19–20NIV2011
1 Corinthians 12:13NIV2011
Ephesians 1:13–14NIV2011
John 16:8NIV2011