We all need more power. This message from the Believers School of Ministry will help you to get God’s power working in your life and help you to become a more effective witness for Jesus Christ.

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Most of us would like more power in our lives, but God has said He will give us power through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Him. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn how to effectively yield yourself to he Holy Spirit and receive all He has for you today. The teaching notes are below or you can download the PDF file.

Power to Change the World Teaching Notes PDF

Receiving Power to Change the World

The purpose of this teaching is to discover what the Bible tells us about the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit and His gifts and to encourage all of us to press into a closer relationship with Father God in order to be witnesses for Jesus the earth.

RECEIVING POWER TO BE A WITNESS

Some people think that receiving the Holy Spirit is all about emotionalism, but in reality it’s about power. You shall receive power when? Acts 1:8

You shall be witnesses (proof producers) where?

Jesus said wait until you be endued (clothed) with power from on high. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4,5

Paul ministered not in enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:4

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

He is God. Matthew 28:19, John 15:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 5:7

He convicts the world of sin. John 16:8-11

He is a Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby. John 14:16 Amplified version.

He guides us into all truth. John 16:13

He helps us overcome our weaknesses and helps us to live the Christian life. Romans 8:26

He insures that we are not alone. John 14:18, John 16:7

He brings the Father and Son to us and speaks their words. John 14:15-26

He imparts the knowledge of our salvation. Romans 8:16, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:13

He imparts God’s love. Romans 5:5

He is sensitive and easily grieved. Ephesians 4:30

He desires communion (koinonia—fellowship, association, community, joint participation, intimacy) with you. 2 Corinthians 13:14

THREE LEVELS OF WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN DO IN OUR LIVES

1 WITH YOU. Jesus disciples had the Holy Spirit with them. The Holy Spirit will also work in the lives of unbelievers to bring them to Christ. John 14:17, John 16:7-11

2. IN YOU. The water that I give him will be in you a well. John 4:14, 1 John 4:4

3. UPON YOU. Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38

The same Holy Spirit that convicts us and brings us salvation also empowers us to be witnesses. There is no difference in substance in water in a well and water in a river. The difference is quantity and force.

We are to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18, Acts 4:31

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES GIFTS TO HELP US MINISTER (more next week)

Gifts of utterance (tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy) 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Gifts of revelation (word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits)

Gifts of power (gifts of healing, working of miracles, gift of faith)

THE EARLY CHURCH WAS BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The scriptures speak of three foundational baptisms:

1. Baptism (immersion) into the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthian 12:13

2. Baptism (immersion) into water, identifying with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Matthew 3:13-15, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12

3. Baptism (immersion) into the Holy Spirit Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:4-5

The disciples had already received the Holy Spirit in salvation. John 20:22

But they were told to wait for something more. Acts 1:4-5

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON THEM IN POWER

They were waiting on the Lord in prayer and in unity. Acts 2:1

The Holy Spirit came in wind and fire. Acts 2:2-3

They spoke in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

SPEAKING IN UNKNOWN LANGUAGES IS ONE OF GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. It is given for a miraculous sign. Acts 2:5-13

2. It is given for a message in the assembly (church) ! Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:5-6,13,18-19

3. It is given as a devotional prayer language to enable us to pray out of our spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2,4, Jude 20

Some of the controversy around tongues is because these three are not distinguished.

1. SIGN. Tongues as a sign to them that believe not. 1 Corinthians 14:22

2. MINISTRY. Do all speak in tongues? (context is ministry) 1 Corinthians 12:30

3. DEVOTIONAL PRAYER. I would that ye all spoke in tongues. (as a devotional prayer language) 1 Corinthians 14:4,5

4. FOR INTERCESSION with groanings. Romans 8:26-27

Speaking in unknown tongues is a gateway into moving into the other gifts. ! Corinthians 14:1-6

Testimonies concerning tongues: Tom, Dave Roberson, Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong.

As we will see, in three places in the book of Acts when believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures specifically declare that they spoke in unknown languages. In one place where it doesn’t mention, it is obvious that something miraculous happened, because a man wanted to pay money have the gift of imparting the Holy Spirit to others. We know also that Paul received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts  9:17) and later said, “I speak in tongues more than ye all.” 1 Corinthians 14:18

Another reason for controversy is that some people don’t believe that the Holy Spirit is doing the same things He did in the early church. Hebrews 13:8 Let’s just believe the Bible and don’t fight about it. God does not want us to argue about the Holy Spirit, He wants us to enjoy the Holy Spirit.

THE BIBLICAL PATTERN IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

1. The initial outpouring in the book of Acts. They had already received the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed upon them. So obviously this was something more. Acts 2:1-4

2. The Samaritan believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. They had already been saved and baptized. Acts 8:5-17

3. The Gentiles simultaneously receive salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit and then are water baptized. Acts 10:44-48

4. The disciples as Ephesus receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands and speak in tongues and prophesy. Acts 19:1-6

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL OPEN MANY BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE

Magnifying God. Acts 2:11, Acts 10:46, 1 Peter 2:9

Unveiling of truth. 1 Corinthians 14:2,4 Example: Oral Roberts receives direction.

Boldness to be a witness. Luke 22:54-62, Acts 2:14, Acts 4:29-31

Supernatural gifts to help others. 1 Corinthians 12:7

A greater awareness of the presence of God. Acts 3:19

HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Roman 10:9-10, John 1:12

2. Ask for the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:9-13

3. Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit and His gifts. God fills those who are hungry. Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:32, Matthew 5:6, Jeremiah 29:13

Remember the Holy Spirit is a person. If you are a child of God He already lives in you. He wants to give you gifts. Do you want the Holy Spirit to have a greater role in your life and ministry? Ask the Father and He will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit. Whether you speak in unknown tongues or manifest other gifts immediately or not, just believe God’s promise and receive all He has for you. Yield yourself to God in prayer. The Holy Spirit gives the inspiration. You do the speaking!

A PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Dear Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus. I believe He died for me and rose again. Jesus is my Lord and I yield my life to Him. Father, you said if I would ask, you would give me the Holy Spirit and He would empower me to be a witness. I ask you Father to fill me with your Holy Spirit. Empower me to be a witness. I will receive all that you have for me. I believe I will speak in other languages, and move in the gifts of the Spirit according to your will in Jesus name. Now I yield myself to the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

Ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

HOMEWORK

Study and meditate on these scriptures on the Holy Spirit. Practice yielding yourself to Him in prayer.

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