Empowered by the Holy Spirits and its gifts
John 16:7-11 New International Version (NIV)
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Jesus is the main focus of Christians nowadays. He the main point of adoration and recognition of our spiritual journey with God. Sadly, we forget to recognize the Holy Spirit who is actively working to our lives.
Many thought that the Holy Spirit is just a force that works in us. But in reality, the Holy Spirit is the third person in the TRINITY who is in every way equal with God (The Father and The Son) and not a vague and impersonal force. The NIV bible called Him as the Advocate while in the King James Version, He was called as Comforter. This means it is very difficult to live our Christian life apart from Him, since He is the one who leads to all truth and directs us to the will and purpose of God.
John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
What is meant to be empowered by the Holy Spirit?
1) You will receive power to become an effective witness
Acts 1:8 New International Version (NIV)
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.”
2) You will receive boldness to be a witness
Acts 4:31 New International Version (NIV)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
3) You will have guidance and direction in your life
John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
4) You will be constantly reminded of the things concerning God
John 14:26 New International Version (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.
5) Help in times of weakness
Romans 8:26 New International Version (NIV)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
The fullness of the empowering of the Holy Spirit starts during Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift to every Christian believer who repents of his sins and decides to follow God fully to their lives.
Acts 2:38-39 New International Version (NIV)
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
How can we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
We can receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit if we truly ask and seek for it in our lives.
Luke 11:9-13 New International Version (NIV)
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Things to consider when seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1) Seek forgiveness of your sins to God.
2) Desire fully to be Baptized by the Holy Spirit.
3) Pray specifically for the infilling of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit to your life.
4) Have faith that you will receive it.
Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit to every Christian is normally accompanied by the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The most common in the biblical account is the speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues, or gift of tongues sometimes referred by others, is one of the tangible evidence that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs.
Acts 2:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 10:44-46 New International Version (NIV)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came onall who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.
Acts 19:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[a] and prophesied.
Other gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 New International Version (NIV)
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[a] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1) Gift of Word of Wisdom
2) Gift of Word of Knowledge
3) Gift of Faith
4) Gift of Healing
5) Gift of Miracles
6) Gift of Prophecy
7) Gift of Discernment
8) Gift of Tongues
9) Gift of Interpretations of Tongues
Do you want to be empower by the Holy Spirit?
Are you willing to use your spiritual gifting in extending God's Kingdom?
Put your notes and reflections on this lesson
Copyright © 2022 by God@Work Church - Singapore.
All quotations from scripture in this training material unless otherwise indicated are taken from the
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
