Greater Things – The Power of Today – Pentecost Sunday

John 14:12 (NIV) Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Acts 1:8 (NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

When the Holy Spirit filled His church, He wrote His law on our hearts and gave us access to His power. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously, supernaturally and on mission to accomplish the things God created us to do. We need His help to live out the calling He’s placed our lives. By understanding the true meaning of Pentecost, we can recognize the power the Holy Spirit has given us and use that power for the purpose for which He gave it; to save the lost, embrace the “Greater Things” He has for us, and live the “abundant life” He promised us.

BIG idea - Before Pentecost, the disciples had information about Jesus. After Pentecost, they had transformation through Jesus.

Passover: Salvation. - (1 Corinthians 5:7) For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

(Ephesians 2:8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Pentecost: Power to make a difference. - (Acts 1:3-5) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

(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.”

Tabernacles: The 2nd Coming of Christ. - (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The Meaning of Pentecost – Greek (Pentekost) = Fifty. 50 days after Passover.

(Acts 2:12) Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

1. The Holy Spirit empowers me to live righteously.

(Romans 8:9) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.

(Isaiah 30:21) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

2. The Holy Spirit empowers me to live supernaturally.

(Acts 10:38 NLT) And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

(1 Corinthians 2:4-5) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

3. The Holy Spirit empowers me to live on mission.

(1 Thessalonians 1:5) Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t make me better than you, it makes me better than me.

Discussion

1) What does the power of the Holy Spirit mean to you? Why is it important to walk in that power after you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you’ve been filled/baptized with the Holy Spirit, share how the power of His Spirit has helped you in your faith journey.

2) What are some practical way you cultivate the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How has your relationship with the Holy Spirit changed the way you approach and experience daily time in the Word, worship and prayer? How does the Holy Spirit empower you in these areas?

3) Since deciding to follow Jesus, what are some steps you’ve taken with the Holy Spirit that have empowered you to live righteously, supernaturally and on mission?