THE ADVANCING CHURCH Empowered by the Spirit

(Acts 1:4-5, 8)
I. EMPOWERED FOR PROCLAMATION – (Acts 2:1-12, 14-41)

  We proclaim through the gifts of the Spirit

  We proclaim through preaching

II. EMPOWERED TO PRAY – (Acts 4:23-31)

  O God, empower us to preach your word with more boldness

  O God, stretch forth your hand to heal and to do miraculous signs and wonders in the name of Jesus

III. EMPOWERED TO PERPETUATE REVIVAL – (Acts 8:4-7, 14-17)

  This empowerment is a divine statement that God wants the gospel of salvation to reach all people. God also wants the work to continue from Samaria to other places.

  A cardinal lesson here is: get born again and also receive the empowerment from the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness for Christ.

IV. EMPOWERED TO PARTICIPATE– (Acts 9:17-19; 10:44-48)

  Saul’s conversion

  Cornelius’ conversion

V. EMPOWERED FOR PORTENCY – (Acts 19:1-7)

  God’s power was so visible in the way they believed and acted. The word of God grew mightily that it prevailed over all the works of the devil.

 Jesus owns his church. By his blood he bought us to belong to the Father

 Jesus is the one who empowers every believer in the Holy Spirit

 Jesus still calls people to repentance for the remission of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit.