Life is hard! If we try to live without God’s power, we will struggle our way through life. As a believer, the power of the Holy Spirit lives in YOU and is accessible at any time!
Notes 📓✏️:
The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s) – Theme: God wants a personal relationship with people.
The Second Great Awakening (1795-1835) – Theme: When you are saved, your life changes, and so do things around you.
The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1915)
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT): “Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
Revival begins in me.
You can be empowered by God’s Spirit in everyday life.
“Why do we need to be empowered by God?”
“With all that is going on, how can we NOT need to be empowered by God?”
2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT): “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”
John 14:16-17 (NLT): “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.”
The Holy Spirit is Your Everyday Companion
The Holy Spirit is your Guide, your Comforter, your Helper, and your Empowerment.
“Holy Spirit, I need You today. Give me power and strength.”
“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.” Acts 8:5
“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts: 8:12
“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John…” Acts 8:14
“…they came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,” Acts 8:15
We see that there are two different experiences:
1. Salvation
2. Baptism/Filling of the Holy Spirit
Salvation secures our eternity, but the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is for life on Earth.
You need power beyond your own to live in God’s freedom.
Acts 1:8 (NLT): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
He fills you with the power you need to live boldly and confidently.
The Holy Spirit Helps You Live Differently
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Living empowered by God’s Spirit isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you become.
You ask God
Luke 11:11-13 (NLT): “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
Here’s a simple, but powerful prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I come to You as Your child. Jesus is my Lord, and I trust in the truth of Your Word. Your Word promises that if I ask, You will give me the Holy Spirit. So, in the name of Jesus, I ask You now to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit. I stand on Your Word and believe that I have received Your Spirit. Thank you for this gift. By faith, I know the Holy Spirit is with me, and I ask Him to lead my life. Amen.”
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- How should the core principles of the Azusa Street Revival influence our own personal relationship with God today?
- Why do you think it’s important that the revival included people from diverse backgrounds and social classes?
- In what ways have you seen the promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14 being fulfilled in your life or the lives of those around you?
- What are some challenges you face in trying to live out your faith in your own strength as discussed in the sermon?