Three's a Cloud Pt 5: The Purpose of Power

 

Pericope: Acts 1:1-8 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Sermon Text Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Sermon Title: Three is a Cloud Pt 5: The Purpose of Power

You know the story, but do you know the purpose.  There are at least 5 purposes for the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Purpose 1:  Power creates community – vs. 14, 15  14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty.

God shows up in community. 

A.  Diverse men and women gathered together.

B.  Unified

Purpose 2:  Power creates spiritual discipline and accountability – vs. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, …

A.  They were not distracted (sanctified)

B.  They were determined

C. They were destined

Purpose 3: Power creates a crowd – Acts 2: 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

Matthew 9: 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Mark 6: 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

When Jesus saw the crowd without a Shepherd, he brought order and leadership. He appointed apostles - the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. This is similar. A crowd in need, but this time they have the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Purpose 4:  Power creates a connection – Acts 2: 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Purpose 5:  Power creates a strategy – Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

·       Macro level

o   Power without strategy is dangerous and can be destructive.  It will only be used for personal gain and exploitation. That is why Jesus was clear with what they were supposed to do with the power of the Holy Spirit. Go witness in Jerusalem Judea Samaria and the ends of the earth

·       Micro level – granular – Acts 2: 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

Three's a Cloud: Why You Need the Holy Spirit

Review: Cloud leading, Cloud lifting, Cloud filled. Time to come be in the cloud in the crowd

Pericope: Exodus 40: 34-38 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Sermon Text:  Exodus 40: 38 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Sermon Title: 

BP: Move the hearers to stay in the presence of God

Introduction:  Overview of

         1) Genesis – Hovers

         2) God speaks to Patriarchs theophany’s

         3) Judges – Operational temporal

         4) Prophets – Instructional

         5) Gospels – rested of Jesus Baptism of Holy Spirit

Point 1:  The Cloud (Holy Spirit) envelops Worship. 2 Chronicles 7: 1-3 7 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”

Point 2:  The Cloud (Holy Spirit) causes us to be Reflective.  Isaiah 6: 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.   

Isaiah 6:5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. 

1 Thessalonians 1:5

because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Point 3: The Cloud (Holy Spirit) gives Instructions. Matt 17: 5 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”.

Verse 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”.

2 Peter 1:16-18 - 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Point 4: The Cloud (Holy Spirit) changes our Communication. Acts 2: 4 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

1 Corinthians 14: 1-3 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Life Application:

1.   Get in the cloud in the crowd

2.   Reflect on your routines in the cloud

3.   Get instructions in the cloud

4.   Tell the masses about the wonderful works of Jesus