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. 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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” Acts 1 v 3-8

empowered by the Spirit

Without the convicting work of the Spirit, our preaching is in vain. Without the gifts, guidance and power of the Spirit, our mission is mere human effort, and without the fruit of the Spirit our unattractive lives cannot reflect the beauty of the gospel. The Holy Spirit in Mission

The distinctive characteristic of such communities is that the Holy Spirit creates and sustains them. Their identity (who they are), their character (how they are), their motivation (why they are), and their vocation (what they do) They are not formed solely by human intentions and effort, individual or collective, but instead by God’s empowering presence.

“The Spirit of God is the dynamic; life-giving power of the Church, the unseen Lord, Master, Guide, and Inspirer of the Christian Community.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit a “people sent” are cultivated through the practices by which they are formed, trained, equipped, and motivated as missional communities. Missional Church

1. Power to overcome selfishness & care about what God cares about

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you Acts 1 v 6-7

A Shift God’s Kingdom Over our Kingdom

Spending our Capital on ourselves

Physical Spiritual Intellectual Relational Financial

1. Financial 2. Intellectual 3. Physical 4. Relational 5. Spiritual

The Spirit Reorders these

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5 v 14

1. Spiritual 2. Relational 3. Physical 4. Intellectual 5. Financial

The compassion of Jesus

A leper came up to him, and begged on his knees, “Lord if you are willing you can make me clean.” Jesus moved with compassion, reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said, “be clean” Mark 1 v 41

When he looked out over the crowds his heart broke, so confused and aimless they were, like sheep without a shepherd. Luke 9 v 36

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19 v 41-42

For as I have often told you before, and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Philippians 3 v 19

2. The spirit opens our eyes to see what god is doing around us

The difference between the truth of God and revelation is very simple. Truth is where God's been. Revelation is where God is. Truth is God's tracks. It's His trail, His path, but it leads to what? It leads to Him. Perhaps the masses of people are happy to know where God's been, but true God chasers are not content just to study God's trail, His truths; they want to know Him. They want to know where He is and what He's doing right now. Tommy Tenney, The God Chasers

The art of notice

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15

3. gives us boldness to do his will

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.”

breaking the power of fear

A witness, not a prosecutor

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16 v 8-11

4. the power of the Spirit is a gift, not earned

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

feeling disqualified?

greater things

Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14

hunger & thirst. repentance. ask. receive.

The Spirit of Life