Empowered by the Holy Spirit: The Power, Purpose, and Plan | Pt.3 | Nick Birmingham

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Description: In this week's sermon, Pastor Nick Birmingham delves into the ongoing series, "Scared of the Ghost," exploring the significance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. As the series continues, Pastor Nick shifts focus to the book of Acts, emphasizing the power, purpose, and plan that come with being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Key Points:

1. The Goodness of God:

   • Pastor Nick begins with a powerful reminder of God's goodness, encouraging the congregation to lift their voices in worship and acknowledge His greatness. He stresses the importance of declaring God's goodness and staying focused on His presence in our lives.

2. Understanding the Holy Spirit:

   • The sermon highlights the ongoing series theme of getting to know the Holy Spirit. Pastor Nick emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives, aiming to help the congregation understand their need for His presence and power.

3. The Promise of the Holy Spirit:

   • Drawing from Acts 1:3-8, Pastor Nick outlines the promise Jesus made to His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's power is given with a purpose—to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. This empowerment is not just for personal benefit but to impact the world for God's glory.

4. Personal Struggles with Sharing Faith:

   • Pastor Nick shares a personal story from his youth, illustrating the boldness that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges that sharing faith can be challenging, but the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome fear and be effective witnesses.

5. The Power, Purpose, and Plan:

   • The sermon is divided into three main sections:
     • Power: The Holy Spirit empowers believers with a dynamite-like power to impact the world. Pastor Nick compares the difference between working in our own strength versus relying on the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's will.
     • Purpose: The purpose of this power is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, not to seek worldly power but to influence others for the kingdom of God.
     • Plan: The plan involves spreading the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Pastor Nick emphasizes the importance of mission work and how the Holy Spirit enables believers to reach those who have never heard the gospel.

6. Call to Action:

   • Pastor Nick challenges the congregation to evaluate how much room they are making for the Holy Spirit in their lives. He encourages them to be filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing His power to work through them to be bold witnesses for Christ.

7. Mission Work and the Global Need:

   • The sermon concludes with a discussion on global missions, highlighting the need for reaching unreached people groups. Pastor Nick shares statistics on missionary work and funding, urging the church to take seriously the command to spread the gospel to all nations.

Takeaway: As believers, we are called to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, to understand the purpose behind this empowerment, and to follow God's plan to reach the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Pastor Nick's message is a powerful reminder that we cannot fulfill our mission in our own strength—we need the Holy Spirit's power to be effective witnesses for the kingdom of God.

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