Next: The Power to Begin

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever felt like you were on the verge of something great, but you didn’t know what to do NEXT because you didn’t know how to BEGIN. That’s exactly where the disciples found themselves after Jesus ascended into Heaven.

They had just received the Great Commission, a calling bigger than anything they’d ever imagined, but they didn’t yet have the POWER to carry it out. In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives them one final promise that sets the stage for everything that was coming: the POWER of the Holy Spirit and the mission that would take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

In this series we will explore what it means to step into God’s PURPOSE with boldness, faith, and the POWER that only He PROVIDES.

3-PHASES OF BEGINNING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

I. THE WAITING SEASON

a.  The DISCIPLES were told to WAIT before they RECEIVED the HOLY SPIRIT.

         i. Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

II. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

a. This moment marks the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT on the Day of PENTECOST, a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that the Comforter would come (John 14:26).

    i. Acts 2:2-4 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all

the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it

sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

III. THE PURPOSE OF THE POWER

a. The PURPOSE of the HOLY SPIRIT is not just to make us feel spiritual. It’s not just for emotional experiences. The PURPOSE is to give us POWER to be witnesses.

 i. Acts 2:14 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of

Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:”