Empowered

What transformed a fearful group of disciples into bold witnesses who turned the world upside down?

In this message, we explore the meaning of Pentecost and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not only save His disciples—He empowered them. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus for ministry was poured out upon the Church, bringing boldness, revelation, and power to be His witnesses.

Discover why the disciples needed more than knowledge, how the Holy Spirit makes God's Word come alive, and why Spirit-filled believers are still impacting the world today.

May this teaching encourage you to move beyond knowing about God’s power and begin walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Bible teaching by Ronald Gabrielsen, pastor of International Christan Fellowship Lublin

Transcript

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Today I thought I would continue a little bit on uh the topic that uh we started on last Sunday. Uh for those of you who were not here last Sunday, we talked about the breath of God and how God, when He created Adam, it says that He formed Adam, you know, from the dust of the ground, and then he breathed into him. The word there was swe. It's basically God's kind of life that he was breathing in, because God wanted his life to be the life that sustained man. He wanted his life to be the life inside of man, amen. So we're going to be continuing a little bit upon this, and of course, this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. So I mean it cannot really be Pentecost Sunday and you don't preach about the Holy Spirit, amen. I mean, this is basically, you know, the Sunday where you definitely need to preach on the Holy Spirit. So I have kind of titled it Empowered, because that's basically what it is. Even from the very beginning in Genesis, when God breeded his life into Adam and Eve, it was empowerment. It was God giving them something of himself that would sustain and empower them to be what they were created to be. Amen. So for those of you who are how to say not in the WhatsApp group, you know, there is one really good reason to be in the WhatsApp group. I mean, one thing is that you know about all the different things happening, but also the notes for today's preaching, they will be posted in the WhatsApp group, so you can download a full PDF, you can take it with you home. Very often there are things that maybe I don't have time to share, then you can read that at home. But more importantly, as I also often say, you know, we don't want just to inspire you, we want to educate you. We want you to take to have something that you can take with you home that doesn't only feel good on a Sunday, but something that you can work with during the week, amen? Because church is not about Sunday, church is all week, amen. So let's get into the word. Are you ready for the word today? How many are ready for the word today? Amen. So we are going to be talking about empowerment, and I want I would like to get the first picture up on the slide. You know, when God created man, as I mentioned, if I can get the first picture up. Yes. When God created man, he breathed into man his own spirit. When we get born again, that's basically the same thing that happened. We know the story: man fell in sin, man got corrupted by sin. But then when we get born again, God again, he breathes into our innermost being, his breath of life. He we when God when we get born again, God doesn't just fix us. No, we get completely new. If I can get the second slide, the reason why he does that is because he wants his life inside of us to completely, like leaven kind of uh spreads into the whole bread. God puts his spirit inside of us so that his spirit would start to influence everything we are, how we think, how we behave. It would go into our whole being. But you know, God doesn't fill you with the spirit just so that you would feel good. Many Christians stay stuck there. When they feel good, they go like, oh yeah, this is wonderful. Let us just be here in the presence. No, if I can get to the third slide. God puts you, his spirit, inside of you, because he wants to touch people around you. And you know, they cannot see Jesus. Most people have never seen Jesus. Some people have maybe an avision or something, but you know, most people and definitely unsaved people, they have never seen Jesus. The only Jesus that they will meet is you. So that's why God puts his spirit inside of you and he wants you to leak. You know, leaking, that's a good thing when we are talking about the Spirit of God, amen? Then it's good to have a lot of holes. You know, you have the mouth, that's one hole, you know, uh it flows out. It should flow out from you the presence of God. Why? Because he has put his presence inside of you, and that's a little bit what we are going to be talking about today. We are going to be talking about the Holy Spirit. Because as we ended last time, God didn't only how to say make you a new creation, he didn't only make you a new temple, he also wants to fill that temple with his glory. Amen? So a good place to start is in Acts 2, 1 to 4. There it says, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. That's an interesting thing. They were in one accord, in one place. You know, it's possible to be in one place, but not be in one accord, amen. Church, then we are supposed to be one accord. And whether we are one accord or not, that makes a whole big difference, amen. So they were in one place, in one accord, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, and one sat on each of them, and they were all filled with the whole they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. This is something that is for everyone. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Now, very often when we talk about the Holy Spirit, many people they automatically kind of start to talk about the issue of speaking in tongues, and that is an important issue. If you remember the quote I had here last Sunday at the end, it was a very interesting scientific study that had been done that actually show that people who speak in tongues regularly, they are more mentally stable than many people who don't. And that kind of totally contradicts because very often we think, you know, if somebody speaks in tongue, that means they are a little bit like you know, out there, uh have lost their common sense a little bit. No, actually, science proves opposite. And if you want to have that, you can look at the notes from last uh week, you can see the link to that study that was made. I find it fascinating, but it is because there is power in that experience that God wants to endue each and every one of us. It's not just a feel-good experience, there is something that actually happens, and when we start to draw from that well inside of us, it actually makes a difference in our life. To that extent that even science can confirm that yes, being a spirit-filled Christian is better than not being a spirit-filled Christian. Amen? And at the end, I'm going to show you some other numbers that I think is very encouraging that basically show that you know what we have what we read about in Acts chapter 2 didn't stop in Acts chapter 2. That is actually happening today, right now, even right now, all over the world, there are thousands of people who are gathering because of something that happened in Acts chapter 2. Amen. Amen. So when we look at the history, when we come to Acts chapter 2, we know that Jesus He came, He He wandered through the gospel. We can read how He was walking on this earth, he had 12 people that was following Him. Those 12 became to a bigger crowd. So in Acts chapter 2, there was at least 120 that was gathered in that room. But you know, it's very interesting to see that in Acts chapter 2, here you have people who have been walking with Jesus Himself for more than three years. And, you know, in my little understanding, I kind of think, you know, if somebody has been walking with Jesus for three, over three years, I mean, they should be ready to change the world. I mean, you know, I don't know if you have gone to Bible school or if you are planning to go to Bible school. I can guarantee you there is no better Bible school than to walking with Jesus for more than three years. Amen? That that's really the the you know, that is kind of the the cross, you know, the top. You you you don't get any better than that. But still, when we come to Acts chapter 2, these men who had seen amazing miracles, they had seen dead being risen from the out of the graves, they had seen blind people see, lame people walk, they had seen the most amazing things. And yet, when we come to the end of the Gospels, and when we come to the very end of the book of Acts, we don't see a group of bold revolutionaries. No, we see a scared crowd of people hiding in the upper room. It even says that you know, behind closed doors. I mean, they they were not really bold, they were not really ready to change the world, but they had gotten probably the best Bible teaching in the world, and yet they were afraid, they were scared. But something happened in Acts chapter 2 that took all that they had received during these three over three years, took everything, all the teaching, everything Jesus had been imparting into them. Something happened in Acts chapter 2 that just meant and everything was ignited. And suddenly, all the things that they had been learning, suddenly there was a life behind it. Suddenly, all the things that they had seen Jesus do, suddenly everything came in a different light. Before Acts 2, it's interesting to see how it says in Mark 14:50 when Jesus was captured, it says, then all forsake him. All these you know, bold disciples. I mean, Peter, he had in Luke 22, 33, he had been saying that you know, even if they put you to prison, even I will even follow you into death, Jesus. And Jesus has to say, you know, before the crew uh uh rooster crow, you know, you will be denying me three times. The guy, so bold, so fervent. Yet when suddenly Jesus was captured, when suddenly problems really came, suddenly they shrink back in fear. Why? Not because they hadn't gotten good Bible teaching, but because they lacked an empowerment. And you know, today there is a lot of Christians who have a lot of good knowledge, nothing wrong with the knowledge, they have a lot of excellent Bible teaching. But listen, what changes the world is not knowledge in itself. If knowledge in itself would change the world, then Europe would be changed ten times over. I mean, you can go, you can drive through Europe, you will see church after church, you will see Bible school after Bible school, theological seminaries. I mean, Europe is full of knowledge. But what we often miss is that knowledge alone will never bring change unless there is something that empowers that knowledge, and that's what the Holy Spirit does. We can read the Bible and we can gain knowledge, but what the Holy Spirit comes, he comes and he transforms that knowledge into revelation, and that's something different. Yes, to some extent, revelation and knowledge might seem like very similar, but there is a huge difference between knowledge and revelation. Knowledge can teach you what to do, revelation empowers you to do it. You can have knowledge about healing, you can know one, two, three ABC of why people don't get healed. You can know one, two, three ABC of how to get people healed. But until it becomes revelation, you can pray for people and pray for people and pray for people, and nothing will happen. Because it's not knowledge, it in itself changes. Jesus, he wanted people to have knowledge, knowledge is good, but Jesus wanted them to have more than knowledge. Jesus wanted them not only to see him do amazing things, he wanted to put that same power into them. Why? Because you cannot give what you don't have. So, unless you have experienced the Holy Spirit, unless you have experienced the power of God for yourself, you cannot give to others because you can only give what God has first given to you. Amen. Of course, God can flow through anyone, God can work through a donkey, but now I'm talking about you giving something to others. You need to first receive it. It's very hard for you to give what you don't have, amen. And that's one of the first quotes that I want you to remember from today. The first quote: You cannot bring the power of God to the world around you until you first have been filled yourself. You cannot bring the power of God to the world around you until you yourself have been filled. That's why we need the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You know, Acts chapter 2 was not only for that time, no, that was the start of a new season, a start of a new in theology, they call it dispensation. It was a new time period where God said, In this time period, I am going to pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, even the slave and the slave women, the old people will have dreams. I was having a dream last night, so I guess that's because I'm getting old. God have mercy. But the purpose of it was not just to feel good, the purpose was that they will receive power. Power to do what? We read that in Acts 1.8, if we can get it. Up on the screen. Acts 1.8. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and to the end of the earth. You will receive power to do what? To be witnesses. The reason God wants to fill with you with you with his spirit is not just for you to get some goosebumps, it is for you to be able to, in an effective way, show the world who Jesus is. How can I show the world who Jesus is if my life looks nothing like Jesus? In order for me to show people Jesus, my life needs to assemble Him. And when I look at His life, I realize, oops, I'm not able to live that life. I mean, I am not able to heal the sick, I'm not able to cast out demons in my own power. So I know the only way that I can show the world who Jesus is, if it's Jesus Himself comes and fills me with the same power that he had, so that I suddenly start to do the same things that he did, not because of who I am, but because of what has filled me. His life is now inside of me. Amen. So we need to be filled. And you know, it's one thing to be a witness of something you have seen. I mean, in court they bring in witnesses, and these witnesses are supposed to say what they have seen. But you know, if you have been in a court case, five people can see exactly the same thing and they have five different stories. Do you know the problem? You can people can tell you something that they have seen, and then you talk with somebody else and they give you a totally different story. But you know there is something different when you are witnessing about something you have experienced. Someone who is witnessing of something they have experienced can speak with a lot more authority than someone who is just witnessing about something they have seen. Amen? We are supposed to be witnesses of what we have experienced. But many Christians they are just witnesses of what they have seen. Yes, they have seen things happening in uh India, they have seen things happening in Africa, they have heard about things there, they they have heard about things there, they have heard this preacher say this, they have heard this preacher say this. But it's all things they have heard and things they have seen. And that those things might be good, but listen, God wants you to be a witness of what you have experienced. Because someone with experience will always trump those who just have a theory. Amen. You know, if I take my finger and I put the finger into the socket, I will go. You know, I have tried, you know, to get uh this kind of electricity, and you you notice it. But let's say some kind of smart dude comes in with a degree in science and doctorate in I don't know what, and he comes and says, you know, we have really studied these things and we have found out that electricity is not real. And I go, hmm, well, he's really smart, he has degrees, he's a doctor, he's you know, there must be something true to what he says. And I try to put my finger into the socket again, and I go like again. And he goes, No, no, no, no, it's just a figment of your imagination, it's not real. I go, I don't care what you say. I have had the finger into the socket, I know it's real. You can say whatever you want. Why? Because I have experience. He is talking about a theory, and he can talk as much as he wants. But when you meet someone who has experienced Jesus, you you can't argue with those people. I mean, when you have heard someone who has really encountered Jesus for themselves, when they start to talk maybe with people who maybe seem very smart, I mean, it's it's like talking two different pal planets. They are bringing all of this Darwinism and you know, evolution and all, and they say, but I know I have experienced for myself. And you know, there is one thing people can't argue with. They can argue with your theology, they can argue with your faith, they can argue is that religion better than that religion, they can argue argue philosophy, but one thing that they can't argue with is your experience. Your testimony. People can have all kinds of ideas about different religions, but no one can argue your testimony. Why? Because that's your experience. That's why it's so important, so important to have an experience with God for yourself. And if you haven't had an experience with God, the good news is that you can. Sometimes we need to seek, you know. Yes, amen. That's good. We should seek. It's not like that every Sunday you just wake up and you have an amazing encounter with God. No, we don't live our lives based on special encounters. I mean, we believe we believe in special encounters, but but that's not what we live on. But they are important. You know, when you get married, how many here are married? Some I can see, not many. How many here would like to get married? Only one? Okay. You know, when you get married, it's good to know that your wife loves you. You should know that your wife loves you. I hope, Owen, that you know that Angie loves you. But you know, when you get married, you know that you have Mondays, you have Tuesdays, you have Wednesdays, you have tired days, you have good days, you have bad days. You are not always going to feel that amazing love. But if that love was never there, something is wrong. You don't live on that on that on those feelings. But those feelings are important. It is important. Is it important to encounter God? Think about how much one encounter can change a person's life. Take a person like Saul. I mean, he was like the arch enemy of the gospel. How long did it take God to change Saul's life? It took Saul, Saul, it will be hard for you to kick against the broad. And he was changed. I mean, that that was not even that was not even half a minute. I mean, that was just a few seconds. One encounter with God can take Christianity's worst enemy and turn him into Christianity's greatest asset. Amen? One encounter with God can do more than years of therapy can do. Never underestimate, we don't live our lives based on feelings, but never underestimate the power of having an encounter with God. Amen? Amen. Let's go on. When the disciples had their encounter, there was a change that happened in their lives. I mean, it was like night and day. And I'm going to be reading some verses for you, but I have withheld one verse. And now your job is to try to figure out what verse is missing. Maybe some of you, uh, because I think maybe I have done this one time before in uh in ICFL, but you know, in ICFL, you know, every fourth church, fourth year you have almost a new church, so I can do it again. But there is one word missing, and I would like you to try to figure out what word is missing. First one is Acts 4.13. Now, when they saw the wisdom of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus. Is wisdom the word? Some of you are thinking, let me read the next one. Somebody are looking in the Bible. That's cheating if you're looking in the Bible. Just saying. Acts 4, 29. Now, Lord, look at their threats and grant your servants that with all wisdom they may speak the word of your word. By stretching out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. What word is wrong? We know it wisdom because that's what I put in, but it is actually not wisdom. Acts 4 31. And when they had prayed, the place where the assembled together was shaking, shaking, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God, and let me use the same word, wisdom. What is the word? Boldness. But you know what, isn't it wisdom? If if I just preach with enough wisdom, then people will be convinced. No, you can talk with some people and you can bring all the best arguments in the world. And they still, well, I don't believe. No, uh, you know. You you can come with all the arguments. You know, very often we feel, you know, unless I have all the answers, you know, when I go out to evangelize, I cannot really evangelize because what if I get a question that I cannot answer? Well, what about then just saying, I don't know? That is actually very okay. If you get a question and you don't know the answer, just say, I don't know. But I know that Jesus has touched me, and I know he has saved me, and I know what Jesus has done for me. I don't know how he could be born by a virgin. I don't know how Jonah could be three days in the belly of a fish. I don't know how he could walk on water, I don't know. But I have experienced him, and I know that he is real, and I know that he can change my life, I know he has changed my life, and I know he can change your life. Amen. Boldness. There is something when people share something with there is something convincing about boldness, amen. Even you know, even if what they are saying is wrong, when somebody just says it with a lot with enough boldness, you you almost start to believe it just because of the you know the boldness that they have. Because there is something convincing about boldness. When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, was what was changed was that they suddenly became bold and they proclaimed Jesus. Peter, who had denied Jesus in front of a little girl, suddenly he stands up in front of the same crowd who just days earlier had crucified Jesus, and he goes, You crucified the Son of God, you nailed him to the cross, you, I mean, he was really, you know, that talking about fire and brimstone, I mean, he was really, you know, on fire. They were well able to crucify him too if they wanted to. Suddenly, there was something changed in Peter. Why? Because he no longer spoke out of what he had seen, he spoke out of what he had experienced. Amen. Suddenly, Peter was not only speaking about what Jesus had said so, Jesus had said so, and Jesus had done so. No, suddenly he had experienced that same power that was operating in the life of Jesus, and suddenly it started to have, you know, like a wind inside of him, and he just had to speak. Why? Because there was a new power inside of him that compelled him. Paul says, the love of Christ compels me. You know, I try to be silent, but I just find myself, oh, I just have to share. And that is one of the signs when somebody really gets filled with the Holy Spirit, they might be shy, but still there is a boldness that comes inside of them. Why? Because suddenly they are they have experienced something that goes beyond what is natural. Reminder number two our testimony carries far greater weight when it flows from personal experience, not just observation. And that's what I want for each and every one of you that your testimony flows out of experience. Flows out of what you have experienced for yourself. You should cherish that. I like what it says in Acts 17 when they came to Thessalonica. Paul and his team, it says, These who have turned the world upside down have now come here. I usually like to say, no, they didn't turn the world upside down, they turned it downside up. Because the world is already on its head, and they need someone to actually turn it around the right way, amen. So, but you know, that can be you. That can be you. Many people say, well, that was Paul, he was special. But have you ever thought about Paul? He didn't walk with Jesus when he was here on earth, he only got to know Jesus after the resurrection. How many here have gotten to know Jesus after the resurrection? I don't think there is anyone here who got to know Jesus before the resurrection, so I think that's pretty much all of us. But he is in the same boat as you. He heard about Jesus. Well, he had a revelation about Jesus. He had to receive Bible teaching from people who had seen Jesus just like we have. He had to get filled with the Holy Spirit just as we have. He is in the same boat as us, but they turned the world upside down because of knowledge, no, because of power. And I find it very fascinating. I will not get into that uh now, uh, but I find it very interesting that you know, Paul, he was a very educated man. He had been he had been having the best, you know, theological training you could ask for in that time. And yet, that same Paul, when you come, it's interesting to see, and I think it is in Acts 17. This is not in the notes, but you know, in Acts 17, he he has this sermon, it's very eloquent. He is speaking to these Corinthians, and he is talking about, you know, I see that you have many statues, and he's quoting their own prophet, their poets, and it's very eloquent, and then it's kind of interesting to see. You can read it to yourself. I think it is in Acts 17, it says, and a few believed. A few believed. Well, here was a great speech. I mean, very even today, many Christians they use this example of a good way to kind of speak into the culture and you know do it in a wise way, and then it says, and a few people believed. And then if you turn one chapter, you see Paul coming to the Corinth to Corinth. What did Paul say when he came to Corinth? If you read 1 Corinthians chapter 2, it says, And when I came to your brothers, I did not come with excellence of speech, I did not come with the wisdom of man, I did not come with persuasive speech. He had just been in Acts 17 and tried it, and it says only a few believed. Now he comes to Corinth and says, Okay, I need to change my tactic. And then he said, I don't want to know anything amongst you. Then Christ and him crucified. Not wisdom of man, not persuasive speech, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. And he explains the reason why he did that in uh 1 Corinthians 2 5. It says, so that your faith will not be dependent upon the wisdom of man, but on the power of God. You know, if your faith, if somebody comes to Christ, Christ, because of your good arguments, their salvation will only last until somebody comes with a better argument. But if somebody comes to Christ because you have led them into an encounter with the Almighty God, then people can come with all the arguments in the world and will it will have no effect. Because they know that they know that they know what they have experienced. Amen. Amen. Let's go on a little bit. So we read in Acts 1 8 that what's Jesus saying that this Holy Spirit that would come, it would be giving them power. If we read, we can read two two verses here before we go on. It's from Luke 24, 49. Jesus say, Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you have been endued with power from on high. Wait till you have been endued with power from on high. We can get Acts 1, 4 to 5 also up on the wall. What Jesus was promising them was power. Power to do to do what? Power to be witnesses of him. And here is one thing that many Christians misunderstand. They think Jesus did the things he did because he was the Son of God. I mean, of course, Jesus could walk on water. I mean, he's the Son of God. He is God. Of course, Jesus could heal the sick. I mean, he is God. I mean, he's the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I mean, of course he could heal the sick, raise the dead. But what we don't understand is what it says in Philippians 2, 7. We can get that up on the wall. I will speed up a little bit. There it says that he emptied himself. He emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born into the likeness of man. He took his heavenly glory and he put it aside. And he came in the likeness of man. So when Jesus was here on earth, yes, he was God. I'm not saying that Jesus wasn't God, he was fully God. But when he came, he laid aside his privileges as the Son of God. And he came as a man, dependent upon the Holy Spirit. That's why Jesus again and again and again said, I can do nothing of myself. He was not exaggerating when he was saying that. He was actually speaking the truth. I can only do what I see the Father is doing. I can only do what the Holy Spirit through me is telling me to do. Why? Not because he wasn't God, but because when he came, he had laid aside his privileges. So when he comes, in Luke chapter 3, we see Jesus get baptized. What happens when Jesus gets baptized? Do anyone know? The Spirit comes upon him. Now we don't know like for sure, but we you know they say that he at here he was around 30 years old. When Jesus was 12 years old, was Jesus the Son of God? Did Jesus do any miracles when he was 12 years old? Not that we know of. Didn't Jesus have compassion on the sick when he was 12 years old? But he was the son of God and he didn't heal anyone. When Jesus was 15 years old, was he the Son of God? Did he cast out any demons when he was 15 years old? No? Actually, we know not because you know later in the gospel it says that this was the first miracle Jesus did, uh, turning the water to wine. So we know he didn't heal anyone, he didn't do any miracles. Didn't he have compassion on those who were possessed by demon evil spirits? Of course he did. And of course he was the Son of God. But then in Luke chapter 3, we see he gets baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon him, and now suddenly things change because now when we read in Luke 4, going to the next chapter, Luke 4, 14, it says, Jesus returned in the power of being the Son of God. Is that what it says? What does it say? Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. But he was the Son of God. Couldn't he just come in the power of being the Son of God? He could, but he had let aside those privileges because he came as a man. Then in Luke 4, 18, because I am the Son of God, I am anointed to preach the gospel. Is that what it says? No, it says, What is upon me? The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to preach the gospel, to bring healing, to bring deliverance, to bring good news. And when you read through several times in the gospel, you can read that it says that the power of God to heal was with him. And again and again, Jesus said, I do nothing in myself, I can only do what the Father through me does. Jesus operated as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He operated, it was the Spirit that empowered Jesus to raise the dead. And that's why Jesus could say in John 14, 12, and many people we read this and we say we believe it, but honestly, I think very often we have a hard time believing it. It says in John 14, 12, Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also. And we go like, wow, that's stretching it too far. I mean, maybe I can maybe I can get some prayers answered, but you know, do the same things that Jesus. But the thing is, Jesus doesn't even stop there. What does Jesus continue to say? Seriously? I mean, nobody can do greater works than Jesus. Are you for real? Well, that's what Jesus said. And I mean, you can argue with you can argue with me, but you know, don't argue with Jesus. He usually wins, you know, every argument, at least at the end. But he gives a hint to why those who believe in him will do the same. When he says, Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me the works that I do, he will do also. And greater works than these he will do. Why? Because I go to my father. What was it that should happen when he went to the father?

unknown 42:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 42:19

We can get John 16 7 up on the wall. What was it that would happen when he went to the Father? He was going to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew the power that enables me to heal the sick is the Holy Spirit. And now he's saying, when I go to the Father, that Holy Spirit is going to be sent to you. So now you can do what I do. Because the same power that enabled me to heal the lame person will now be dwelling inside of you. It's not about if you can heal the sick, you cannot heal the fly. But you have a life inside of you. And that life inside of you was operating in Jesus. And I can tell, you know, tell you a secret: the Holy Spirit doesn't have twins. It's not like Jesus had the big Holy Spirit and you get the small Holy Spirit. No, no, there is only one Holy Spirit, and that same spirit that was operating in Jesus now, because I have been born again, can come and dwell inside of me. So it's not what I can do and what I cannot do. It's not about how anointed I am or how mighty I am. No, it's just that I have something inside of me, and that life inside of me enables me to live in a way that goes beyond. And that's not only about miracles, that's also about every day. Things that are happening in our lives. But what I want you to see, it is the same power. Reminder number three says it was the reminder number three. It was the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to do what he did. And the promise of power was the promise of receiving that same spirit who empowered him. Listen, we don't have a power problem. Many Christians they pray, Oh God, we need more power, we need more power, we need more power. And we see people come, we pray for them, nothing happens, and we think, oh, I don't have enough power. I need more power. And we pray for somebody else, and nothing happens, and we pray, oh God, I need more power. Listen, you don't have a power problem. So you ask you, so what is the difference? Well, why why do these things happen with Jesus? And if I have the same power, why why is not the same things happening in me? It's not a power problem. The thing is, Jesus knew what he had, and very often we don't. Jesus knew who he was, and very often we don't. What we lack is not power, we lack we lack revelation. Revelation is what we need because revelation will take the knowledge that we have and will bring it to life, and suddenly it manifests. That's why you can have someone when they get a revelation of healing, suddenly people start to get healed. You can have other people who have a revelation when it comes to deliverance. So when people come to them, they are delivered right away. They go to somebody else and they keep screaming for hours and nothing happens. It's not a power problem, it's a revelation power, revelation problem. And what we need, we need to know what we have already been given. And the truth is that we have been given a treasure more valuable than any gold or silver you can find on this earth. And God has placed that power, that treasure right inside of you. If you are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, you have that power inside of you, and you don't need more power. What your prayer should be is what Paul taught Ephesians to pray. Lord, open the eyes of my heart so that I might see what you already have given me. And when I see what you have given me, when revelation comes, and that's what the Holy Spirit comes to bring. He brings revelation. That's why we need the Holy Spirit, because He is what's taking the Word of God and makes it alive to us so that it manifests and becomes a reality. I know people who have a lot of Bible knowledge, but their spiritual life is dead. Why? Not because they don't have good knowledge, because they have it developed that friendship with the Holy Spirit, that that listening, that that ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. We will end. Those who are in the worship team can start to get ready. There is a lot more I would like to say, but time is running. But luckily, today we actually are not in a hurry. It almost feels like I can go on for more uh several more hours. No. Where was I? Yeah, you can look at the notes. There is one thing I would just like to say as we end. You know, many people they read the book of Acts and they think this is for Dan. But you know, God, He is not a God who starts strong and ends weak. That's not in the nature of God. God, He is a God who goes from glory to glory. Amen. So it's not so that God poured out His Spirit upon the first disciples, and now we need to live on the crumbs. No, no, no. God's children don't live on the crumbs, they can eat the bread. God is not a God who starts strong and ends weak. God is a God who starts strong and he ends stronger. Amen. The Bible nowhere it paints a picture of a church that in the end time will be weak and desperate and dying. No, it paints a church that has grown in maturity, up to Him who is the head. And you know, if you thought this thing was only for the first Christians, I came over some just some interesting thing to really show because very often we look at the world around us and we think that, oh yeah, no, it's so hard, so little things is happening. No, there is actually a lot of things happening. And I I read uh this statistic that it said in in the 1900s there were fewer than one million Pentecostal charismatics believers in the whole world. So that was in the 900, fewer than uh one million today. And now listen, today estimate ranged between 640 to 660 million spirit-file believers. In the 1900s, one million today, over 600 million believers, charismatic, people who have been filled with the Holy Spirit, people who know when we are talking about, when we are talking about the experience of the baptism and the Holy Spirit. They estimate that by the year 2050, just following the numbers, charismatic Christianity will reach one billion. That is just by that is just like if we just follow the the numbers themselves. By the year 2050, they say it will probably be one billion. And we think God is not doing anything today, God is on the move today, and He is changing life all over the world. There are far more happening beneath the service than we see on the news, amen. Don't follow the news to see what God is doing, because the news will not tell you what God is doing, amen. Listen, this is very good for today. One of the biggest changes in the last hundred years is that Christianity is no longer centered mainly in Europe. Europe used to be sending a lot of missionaries to a lot of different countries, and I have said it many times before. Europe sent the gospel to Africa. Now Africa needs to bring it back. Africa, you know, if you thought you were here by chance, no, no, no. You are not a student, you're a missionary. It is no coincidence that you are here right now, it's because God wanted you here, and it was for more than just taking an education. Amen. Now listen. In 1900, Africa had only nine to ten million Christians. That is just Christians in all. Today, Africa has more than 750 million Christians. That is Christians in all, not only charismatics. And it's actually the continent today where it's growing fastest. About 69% of all Christians now live in the global south, especially Africa, Asia, Latin America. Africa alone has more than 750 million Christians, and the number is growing rapidly. You know, God is on the move. What started in the day of Pentecost many years ago never stopped. Yes, we went through maybe what they call the dark ages, but God always kept moving. All through the dark ages, there was always people who believed in the power of the Holy Spirit. There was always people who were experiencing being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues all through the dark ages. Then we come to the 1900s, and for those of you who know history, with Asusa Street, there were some people in a prayer meeting there. One person starts to get baptized, and the Holy Spirit starts to speak in tongues, and it went like wildfire. Today, they say that charismatic Christianity is by far the fastest growing movement of all movements in the world today. Charismatic Christianity. Christianity, one thing, but Christians who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. Why is it spreading so much? It's because it's not about us, it's about the life that God has put inside of us. It is not about how clever you are, it's not about how educated you are, it's not about how smart you are. All you need is that you need to be endued with that same power. And when you get filled with that same power, suddenly things will start to change in you. And it will not be from the outside in. No, then suddenly things start to change from the inside out, and things that you were struggling with suddenly they just fall off. Not because you mustered up some willpower, but because there was a life inside of you that was changing you from the inside out, and that same Holy Spirit that was being poured out on the day of Pentecost, that same Holy Spirit is here today. That same Holy Spirit that turned Peter from a coward to someone willing to stand up and proclaim the name of Jesus to the very crowd that had crucified Jesus. That same power is available for you today. I don't know what you need, I don't know what your problems is, I should rather say, but I know what we all need, and I say we all, we all need more of the Holy Spirit. We all need more of the Holy Spirit. If you read Revelation 2 and 3, the letters to the seven churches, there was one warning that was given to every single church. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying. Because what will make a difference in your life is if you are able to hear the Holy Spirit. Yes, you can read the Bible, but there is something different when you read a Bible, and at the same time the author of the Bible can whisper into your ear. This is what I want to say to you, through what you are reading. Don't only read the letters on the page, listen to what the author of the Bible is telling you as you read. Amen. Holy Spirit, I thank you that you are here.