“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"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."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
November 24, 2024 | "Blueprint for a Godly Life: Protected Against the Devil’s Schemes” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Explore the power of God's armor in our daily battles against spiritual forces in the "Protected Against the Devil’s Schemes" sermon, concluding the "Blueprint for a Godly Life" series at New Hope.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
In the concluding sermon of the "Blueprint for a Godly Life" series, Pastor Vicki Harrison addressed the pressing topic of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the reality and proximity of spiritual battles. Reflecting on Ephesians Chapter 6, Pastor Harrison reinforced the necessity of recognizing our spiritual conflicts, not as abstract or distant, but as intimate and pervasive influences in our daily lives.
She explored the theme of The Reality of Spiritual Warfare, querying our understanding of spiritual forces and challenging the Western dismissal of such notions due to rationalism. The sermon pressed on the importance of discerning spiritual influences beyond our own flawed actions, anchored in scriptural teachings.
Moving into Fighting the Battle, Pastor Harrison detailed the armor of God as our divine provision for spiritual defense, stressing the power of prayer and scripture as our primary offensive tools against satanic forces. She shared personal testimonies within the church community that resonated with the struggle against unseen spiritual pressures, illustrating the practical application of biblical truths in resisting spiritual attacks.
In an empowering conclusion, Pastor Harrison called for vigilance and spiritual readiness, advocating for a proactive stance against the devil’s schemes through prayer, scriptural engagement, and communal support. She reminded us that while the ultimate victory in Christ is certain, the daily battles require our active participation in faith, clad in the full armor of God.
Call to Action:
Join a community group to deepen your understanding of spiritual warfare and support each other in wearing the full armor of God daily. Engage in regular scriptural study and prayer to fortify your spiritual resilience.
For a deeper exploration of our spiritual defenses and to connect with our mission, visit New Hope's beliefs page and our mission page.
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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.