The Power of God in You

Illustration: Tell a story about something not working because you didn't realize it wasn’t plugged in.

— TENSION —

• My device was useless without proper power.

• It's true for electronics, and it's also true for you. You are packed full of potential, but you need a power source.

• We all need power, but many of us walk through life feeling as powerless as a lamp without a lightbulb.

• Here is the good news.

• There is something more powerful than your mood swings;

• there is something more powerful than addiction;

• there is something more powerful than the doubt you face.

• There is something more powerful than all your problems, pain, and pitfalls.

• That power is found in a person, and His name is Jesus.

• You can have a real-life connection to the most powerful being in human history. How do you plug into that power?

• Through the Holy Spirit.

• When Jesus was on earth, the disciples trusted him for everything.

• He was their mentor, leader, closest confidant, and possibly their cook.

• They learned that He always knew what was best, that he always had their best interest in mind, and that He always kept His promises.

• This is why they felt directionless when their dear friend was pronounced dead.

• Roman soldiers buried Jesus in a tomb on the outskirts of town, and the disciples ran away to mourn.

• Heartbreaking, right?

• Can you imagine the joy they experienced when Jesus walked through their door after His resurrection?

• Not only did they see a miracle unfold, but they also had their friend back.

• Jesus was back and better than ever. • They were overjoyed to be in the presence of Jesus again.

• But, He left them — again.

• Jesus ascended into heaven shortly after showing up at their doorstep after his death.

• One minute He was there, the next He ascended into the clouds.

• He disappeared.

• The disciples inevitably had flashbacks to when Jesus taught His followers that they would do even greater work than He did (John 14:12).

• Talk about a perplexing prediction.

• How can a group of smelly fishermen and social outcasts do greater work than God in the flesh?

• The secret to their success was simple — the Holy Spirit.

• Jesus was basically saying, "I may be gone, but we are just getting started. It may seem daunting, but I have a plan to give you power beyond your wildest dreams."

• The same message that Jesus gave to the disciples is the same message he's giving to you as well.

• When you become a Christian, the power of God lives in you and flows through you.

• That’s the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Why did God do that? Because He wants to do things in you and through you that are far beyond your best abilities and wildest dreams.

• Here are three ways the Holy Spirit empowers you.

ONE: The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Help Others

• The Holy Spirit is God's strategy for getting His work done in the world.

• He has called his people to offer salvation to the lost, carry comfort to the hurting, and bring hope to the hopeless.

• You cannot do that on your own; you need some divine help. To fulfill this big purpose, you need big power.

• That's why God has given you some gifts. These aren’t just normal gifts for a birthday or Christas, they’re presents given with a purpose.

• Let’s dive in by looking at a passage in 1 Corinthians • The Apostle Paul writes, "there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all" (1 Corinthians 12:4).

• Notice what these gifts are called, they’re spiritual gifts. Simply put, a spiritual gift is a special ability that God gives you to be used for His glory.

• Whether it's a talent, temperament, or skill, there is some special way God has blessed you to bless others. 

• The Holy Spirit is God’s strategy for getting work done in the world, but it’s also God’s strategy for getting work done within you. Which brings us to our second point.

 The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Be More Like Jesus

• The name says it all -- the Holy Spirit. That means that a major part of the Spirit's job is to make you holy.

• The Spirit wants to cultivate Christ-like character within you.

• This is achieved through a process called "sanctification." It's a big word with a simple meaning — to make you more like Jesus.

• You cannot be like Jesus on your own strength.

• You will inevitably mess up, give in to temptation, act on a sinful impulse, or put yourself before others.

• We cannot change by ourselves; we need a higher power.

• That's what's so amazing about the Holy Spirit.

• He's not just high above us; He's right beside us.

• God, the higher power, brought himself low to help you change.

• We don't change our lives by mere imitation; it requires transformation.

• Authentic life change is an inside job.

• Strive to be more in step with the Spirit's work within you. It may seem subtle, but it's life-changing.

• Because, this power is so much bigger than you can even imagine. God’s not just giving us power to change; He’s given us the power to conquer.

The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Conquer

• You have the power of the living God working within you.

• Whether you are facing feelings of overstimulation or desperation, the power of God dwells within you.

• He will help you overcome whatever obstacle you face.

• He will help you conquer whatever conflict is in your way.

• He will help you break through any barrier that stands between you and the life God wants for you.

• Paul echoed this sentiment in Romans when he taught, "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you" (Romans 8:11).

• This passage gives me goosebumps.

• Paul is essentially teaching that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is active within you.

• There is literally death-defeating power pumping through your veins.

• Whatever you are going through right now, you can be confident that you have access to the power you need to get through it.

• Notice that I didn't say that you have the power.

• That's not necessarily the case.

• If you tried to do it on your own, you would inevitably find yourself sore, exhausted, frustrated, and defeated.

• You will conquer when you surrender. Stop trying to do everything on your own. Ask for God to fill you with the power you need.

• Allow for God's power to move.

• God will do things in you and through you that are far beyond your best abilities and wildest dreams.

TALK IT OUT 

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Introduce yourself and share this week’s highs and lows (the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week).

Q1: What’s one thing you learned about the Holy Spirit from this message?

Q2: Why did God give us the Holy Spirit to live inside us?

Q3: How can the Holy Spirit empower us to change and be more like Jesus?

Q4: How can the holy spirit help you to live a holier life?

Q5: What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit empowering us with God’s power?

READING PLAN

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Acts 8:38-40

Romans 8:26-27

1 Corinthians 2:12-14

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 6:16-17

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.