“You Will Receive Power: The Holy Spirit in the Church” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
Pastor Vicki Harrison shares how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church in Acts 2—and still empowers us today. Discover how the Spirit unifies believers, equips the church with spiritual gifts, fuels worship, and leads the church into mission.
This week’s message explores what it means for the church to be truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Vicki challenges us with a sobering quote from A.W. Tozer:
"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
In Acts 2, we see the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: a mighty wind, tongues of fire, people speaking different languages and understanding one another, and 3,000 people coming to faith in one day. That was the power of a Spirit-filled church.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that the same Holy Spirit is still with us today—not a different Spirit, not a diminished one. The Spirit transforms ordinary church gatherings into vibrant, world-changing movements that embody the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Through Acts 2:42-47, we see how the Holy Spirit shaped the early church into a community of unity, generosity, worship, and mission. The Spirit unified people from different backgrounds, equipped believers with spiritual gifts, fueled their desire for God's fullness in worship and prayer, nourished them through comfort and teaching, and empowered them to engage in spiritual warfare against darkness.
We are challenged to examine how much of what we do in our own churches relies on human effort versus the power of the Holy Spirit. A Spirit-empowered church is not simply a good organization or a social gathering—it becomes an extension of heaven itself.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon handout:
What were some ways that the Holy Spirit led and guided the early church, as we read in Acts 2?
What are some real ways the Holy Spirit empowers the church today?
The Holy Spirit allows the church to experience unity. What are some ways you have seen Jesus’ church embody the unity of the Spirit? Have you also seen disunity? Explain.
The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the church for ministry. How does the Spirit use spiritual gifts in the church? Do you know your own spiritual gifts? Are you using them to build up Jesus’ church?
The Holy Spirit gives the church a desire for his fullness in worship and prayer. Explain the difference between the omniscient presence of God and the manifest presence of God in worship. Have you experienced the manifest presence of God? Explain.
The Holy Spirit nourishes and comforts the church. How have you personally experienced this?
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to engage in spiritual warfare. How does what’s going on in the spiritual realm affect the church?
Do you believe that a Spirit-empowered church can be an extension of heaven?
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More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
October 6, 2024 | "Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit!” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Explore the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in Pastor Vicki Harrison’s sermon, as she unpacks its role in guiding, empowering, and renewing our faith. Discover how to actively engage with the Spirit in your life.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In her enlightening sermon “I Believe in the Holy Spirit!” Pastor Vicki Harrison guides us through the Apostle’s Creed, emphasizing the transformative and affirming power of the Holy Spirit. She elucidates the essential role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, from affirming our status as children of God to empowering us with spiritual gifts and ensuring our growth to be more Christ-like. Pastor Harrison passionately invites the congregation to embrace and seek more profound experiences with the Holy Spirit, advocating for a bold and dynamic engagement with our faith that transcends conventional worship.
This sermon invites us all to deepen our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. It’s a call to actively pursue spiritual gifts, embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives, and ultimately transform how we live and worship. To explore this further and to see how you can get involved in spiritual growth activities at New Hope, please visit New Hope’s mission and learn more about our values.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
September 8, 2024 | "Creed: I believe in God the Father” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In the sermon “I Believe in God the Father,” Pastor Vicki Harrison initiates the “Creed” series, focusing on the profound truths embedded in the Apostles’ Creed. This series, deeply rooted in the community and faith of New Hope, aims to fortify believers with a robust understanding of foundational Christian doctrines, guiding daily actions and strengthening communal bonds.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the sermon “I Believe in God the Father,” Pastor Vicki Harrison initiates the “Creed” series, focusing on the profound truths embedded in the Apostles’ Creed. This series, deeply rooted in the community and faith of New Hope, aims to fortify believers with a robust understanding of foundational Christian doctrines, guiding daily actions and strengthening communal bonds.
Pastor Vicki highlights the revolutionary nature of declaring the Apostles’ Creed, emphasizing its role in defining and defending core Christian beliefs against cultural and historical waves of materialism, consumerism, and relativism. By reciting “I believe,” rather than “I know,” she distinguishes our faith-driven convictions that actively shape our life choices, unlike mere knowledge which often fails to impact behavior.
The sermon beautifully unfolds the dual nature of God as the Almighty Creator and a loving Father, illustrating God’s power and parental care with scriptural backing and relatable analogies. This approach not only aligns with New Hope’s values of being “Rooted in God’s Word” and “Renewed by the Holy Spirit” but also reinforces the church’s mission to deepen the faith of its congregation and reach out to the world with the message of Jesus Christ’s love and salvation.
The call to action for the congregation is to engage deeply with the Creed study, ensuring that every member understands and lives out the truths of their faith, fostering unity and purpose within the community. This reflective and educational journey promises to equip believers to articulate their faith better and to live out the transformative power of the Gospel in every aspect of life.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
In this powerful message, Dr. David Wilkinson explores how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and calls us to mission. Discover what it means to encounter the Spirit personally—and why it’s both beautiful and uncomfortable.