This podcast exists for the purpose of transforming people to be like Christ and to equip them disciple nations.. Today’s video reveals how to receive God’s power to serve others – the power to transform nations through Christ.
00:00 What Made Jesus Credible?
03:26 The Disciples Receive Salvation
04:13 The Disciples are Give Authority and Commission to Disciple Nations
06:19 The Disciples Receive Power to Disciple Nations
07:07 My Story
09:50 Activation
What Made Jesus Credible?
Many men have claimed to be a god. In Jesus’ time, the Roman Emperors did. What made Jesus different?
Acts 2:22 NIV
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
The signs and wonders Jesus performed gave Him credibility. The works He did announced clearly that He was the Savior - the Messiah.
Jesus said: "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves." John 14:11
Jesus said it Himself. Even if you struggle to believe me, believe the signs, wonders, and miracles I do.
Jesus walked on water, turned water into wine, multiplied a boy's lunch to feed thousands, healed many - even lepers, cast out demons, calmed a storm, and raised the dead.
Crowds followed Jesus because of the miracles and His anointed teaching. His teaching was different and people knew it. He spoke to them words anointed by the Holy Spirit – words carrying the power of God’s life. These living words opened minds and touched hearts.
Jesus needed Holy Spirit to guide him where to go and what to do. As Jesus stepped out in obedience, Holy Spirit released power to do signs, wonders, and miracles. God instructed. Holy Spirit led. Jesus heard and obeyed. And Holy Spirit released the anointing – God’s power.
Jesus needed Holy Spirit to heal the sick, raise the dead and do other miracles which set people free and confirmed his identity as the Savior of the world.
Jesus needed Holy Spirit’s anointing to overcome devils. Mere men are no match for demons.
In all these things, Jesus limited himself to do only what a man led and empowered by the Holy Spirit could do.
The Disciples Receive Salvation
The first time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was resurrected, he breathed the breath of life into the disciples and they were born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.
John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
God did the same thing when He created Adam See Genesis 2:7
So the disciples were born again. Their spirits were regenerated and they received the Holy Spirit. For 40 days, Jesus appeared to them and taught them many things.
Jesus Gave The Disciples Authority and a Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
18 … “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The authority God gave to Jesus, Jesus gave to us. He gave us the right to use His name. And He gave us His mandate - disciple nations.
Jesus’ Final Instructions
The last time Jesus saw the disciples he gave them one important last instruction:
Acts 1:4-5, 8-9
4 … 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Like Jesus, we need the power of God to do the work of God on the earth.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who was there, in the upper room, waiting, praying, and praising God. The received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power.
After the 120 received Holy Spirit’s power.
Acts 2:43 “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”
The signs and wonders God performed through the disciples drew people to the Gospel and quickly grew the church. They had “favor” with all the people. See Acts 2:47
Jesus’ instructions to the first disciples are His instructions to you and I. Wait for the power to do God’s work in God’s way.
My Story
Activation: Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit for Service.
Over 600 million Christians have responded to Jesus’ call to wait for power. They prayed and received what Jesus called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is the power of God to do the work He has planned for you to do while on this earth. Pray the prayer with me.
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