2-2-25 Boldness in the Face of Oppositions Acts 4 Pastor Joshua Kenedy

Title: Understanding the Person of the Holy Spirit

Series: Living in the Spirit Focus Scripture: Acts 2

Introduction

* Acts 2 marks the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit, empowering believers for ministry and revealing the person and work of the Spirit profoundly. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the Holy Spirit's role in the life of the church and the believer.

* Objective: To explore the Holy Spirit’s identity, nature, and mission as revealed in Acts 2 and how this understanding transforms our daily walk with God.

I. The Identity of the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit as God:

* Acts 2:4: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..." The Spirit’s divine nature is evident in His ability to fill believers and empower them with supernatural gifts.

* The gifts of the Holy Spirit are an extension of the person of the Holy Spirit present within us.

* The Holy Spirit is not a force but a person of the Trinity with intellect, will, and emotions -

2. The Promise of the Father:

* Acts 2:33 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

* The Spirit fulfills the Old Testament promises

* (Joel 2:28-29) - 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

II. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2

1. Empowering Believers:

* Acts 2:3-4: 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 gift of diverse tongues and interpretation manifested because people of many nations/languages were gathered.

* Application: The Spirit equips us for ministry and mission, giving gifts for service (1 Corinthians 12).

2. Revealing God’s Glory:

* Acts 2:11: "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

* The Spirit's work is always centered on glorifying God and revealing His nature to the world.

3. Convicting and Drawing People to Christ:

* Acts 2:37: Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

* The Spirit convicts hearts, leading people to repentance and faith (John 16:8).

4. Building Unity in the Church:

* Acts 2:44-47: 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[a]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

* The Spirit creates a community of believers through generosity, worship, and fellowship.

* The Spirit binds believers together in one body (Ephesians 4:3) - Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

III. Living in the Spirit Today

1. Continual Filling:

* The Spirit’s presence in Acts 2 wasn’t a one-time event but the beginning of ongoing empowerment (Ephesians 5:18). 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

* Daily surrender and openness to the Spirit are essential. God’s mercies are fresh and new every day. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we need fresh manna daily,

2. Boldness in Witnessing:

* Acts 2:14-41: Peter’s boldness in proclaiming the Gospel came from the Spirit’s power.

* Application: The Spirit emboldens us to share our faith in love and truth.

3. Transformation of Lives:

* Acts 2:42-47: 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day, the Lord added those who were being saved to their fellowship.

* The Spirit transforms believers, resulting in worship, generosity, and a communal lifestyle.

* Personal Reflection: How is the person of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts, habits, and relationships?

Conclusion

* Call to Action:

* Let’s reflect on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are we yielding to His leading, seeking His filling, and walking in His power?

* Let’s pray for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in our lives, just as in Acts 2.

* Encouragement:

* The same Spirit who moved powerfully at Pentecost is alive and at work today. He longs to empower, guide, and transform each of us into the likeness of Christ.