As we gathered this morning (Sunday), we remembered that just a week ago we were celebrating Christ’s resurrection from the dead. He died, was buried and He rose again. From the dead! That is not something that we should just acknowledge one day a year. We will be taking some time to really focus on what Christ’s resurrection and His life mean for us today. Let’s step back in time and look at a section of Scripture where the disciples are asking Jesus some questions and let’s see what He has to say.
Acts 1:6-9 (NLT) “So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”7) He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8) 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.” 9) After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.”
They ask a question.
He answers, but not how they expected.
Jesus tells them about the Holy Spirit coming upon them.
He is then taken up in a cloud.
And it’s not like they didn’t already know this was going to happen. In both John 14:16-17 and John 16:5,7, Jesus tells them He will go away, but will send the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the very embodiment of the power and presence of God. He had been among them. He had died and rose again. The grave was empty. The disciples were trying to wrap their head around all of that and Jesus leaving them. But He wasn’t just leaving them all alone to fend for themselves. He assured them they would also be filled with the same Spirit. The same power that filled Jesus!
This week we will take time to read Scripture and take a deeper look at what Jesus not only told His disciples, but what it means for us today.
Monday:
We read in 1 Peter 3:18 “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” Consider Jesus’ lifeless body lying in the tomb. The Holy Spirit brought Jesus back to life. The very breath of the Spirit, breathed life into Jesus. If we believe and follow Jesus Christ, this very same Spirit lives in us. The SAME power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us.
Reflection/Action:
In his sermon, Pastor Adam shared a visual example to help us grasp this concept. He held up an old window pane from his great grandparents house. He looked through it and began to say that the window he was holding was the very same one that his great-grandmother looked out of and watched his great-grandfather work the land. The same window his great grandfather looked out of and saw his future grandfather come calling for his grandmother. The same window that his grandmother looked out of and saw his father playing outside. The same. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. Take a few moments and reflect on this. Re-read the verses Acts 1:6-9; John 14:16-17a; John 16:5-7. The same Spirit, not a trial version or a beginners version or if you’re good enough version, the very same.
Tuesday:
We read in Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT) “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20) that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” And in Romans 8:11 (NLT) “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.” These are such powerful verses. The same Spirit that spoke through Jesus can speak hope to you right where you are. It’s the same Spirit that flowed through Jesus to free the oppressed and heal the sick. It is at work in you. We see in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is occasional on a few people and for a specific purpose and place. However, that is different in the New Testament, it is not occasional, but forever.
Reflection/Action:
Ask yourself the question, “How empowered do I feel?
Powerless -- -- -- In between -- -- -- Empowered
Where are you on this scale? Are you living like you are an ‘empowered with the Spirit’ Child of God? Read the passages from Ephesians and Romans again. Meditate on them. Tomorrow we will take a look at how to get there, if we feel we are struggling.
Wednesday:
Let’s look at the question, “How do we get there?” Empowered. Let’s read Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.7) Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8) he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Jesus emptied Himself. And then the Spirit of God filled Him. When we empty ourselves - when we surrender our rights and ego and selfishness. When we surrender our failures and yes, even our victories, the Holy Spirit fills us.
Reflection/Action:
When you think of surrender, how does that make you feel? What about surrendering the failures or selfishness? Does that feel easier than surrendering ego, privileges, or victories? The amazing news in all this, He is not asking you to be perfect. There is no requirement for perfection. He just longs for you to be present and available. He does the work. As Pastor Adam said in his sermon, “Give Him a vessel to fill - fill with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.” Consider where you are in this process. Are you struggling with surrender? Read Philippians 2:6-8 and simply ask the Lord to help you today.
Thursday:
The concept of emptying ourselves is not hard to comprehend. Rather, it is the actual doing, the process, that we find much more difficult. We like being in control. Or rather we like the illusion of being in control because if we really think about it, we are not actually in control. Teaching a child how to drive is one of the most, if not THE most terrifying thing we can do. We are not in control at all. We are sitting and pumping that imaginary break with all that is within us. The reality is, no matter how much we think we are, or how much we try to convince ourselves that we are, we are NOT in control. We cannot break addictions, heal our own bodies, or fix what is broken. But we are not helpless or hopeless. The Spirit of God, that raised Jesus from the dead lives in You!!!
Reflection/Action:
Read Romans 6:10-11 and Romans 8:11. In order to empty ourselves, we must give up this illusion of control, laying it all down and welcoming the Holy Spirit to some in and do the work in us, that we cannot do ourselves.
Friday:
Pastor Adam shared a very powerful (and emotional) video with us about a heart transplant. That physical example is a beautiful and helpful one for us to grasp the concept that the Same Spirit that was in Christ, lives in us. The sacrifice of Jesus, His blood has placed the very life-giving heart of God, His Spirit in us. That same power that gave Jesus breath to live again is alive in those of us who would believe.
Reflection/Action:
In Acts 17:28a we read “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Are you “in Him” today? Ask Jesus to work in your heart and ask Him to help you surrender and then ask Him to fill you up.
Saturday:
Matthew 16:24-26 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25) If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26) And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Jesus invites you to surrender and to be filled.
Reflection/Action:
Take some time to listen to this song by Jeremy Camp, Same Power. Take some time to ask the Lord what it is you need to surrender. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. And remember, everything God has called you to be and do, you are NOT too far gone. He is not asking for you to be perfect, just present and available.