This changes everything

by Pastor John Lin

Disciple making Empowerment by the holy spirit

1. Holy spirit Affirms our identity and our calling

Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”


Baptism affirms our loyalty to Yahweh. Holy spirit descends shows us that Jesus was God's chosen Messiah

Father said in whom I am well pleased echos Old testament:

Psalm 2:7
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.


Isaiah 42:1
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.


Before Jesus begins his mission, he was affirmed by the father and empowered by the Holy spirit

While Jesus is fully divine hebis also fully human. He chose to rely on the holy spirit

Luke 4:1-2
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.


What happen during the baptism was the peak for Jesus. He could have gone to the temple to worship yet straightway he was led by the spirit afterwards to be tested

Devil tempted Jesus three times:
- If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread
- Worship me and I will give you the kingdoms
- If you are the Son of God .... throw yourself down ... the angels will catch you

Devil attacked Jesus identity as the son of God

Likewise, We will be tested in our loyalty and obedience. The holy spirit will affirm our identity and calling in God

We too can be filled with the spirit and depend on the power of God's word, and follow God's plan, Not the popular thought of the day or go with the general flow

When we experience the power of the holy spirit, our lives begin to transform

Do we follow false promises when we face .... Or go through it With the power of the holy spirit?

2. The holy spirit empowers us for ministry

Luke 4:14
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.


We must go through Refining fire of loyalty and spirit led obedience

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”


How are we proclaiming the good news to the poor?
Is it Only to people we are close to or we are comfortable with?

Let God use our hands and hearts to bring hope

www.graceaog.org/serve

Luke 4:43
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”


Outreach Is essential, is a compulsory mission for Jesus

If we are not making disciples or living for missions, then why do we need the holy spirit power and empowerment?

Are we moving on God's spirit or are we moving on empty?

Without the holy spirit, There will be no real conviction or transformation

Without power, we are just present but powerless

Without charge and power of holy spirit (empowerment), connecting to the divine source in our lives, we're simply running on reserve battery

Disciple Making requires empowerment by the holy spirit

If Jesus rely on the holy spirit to do God's ministry and mission, it is more so for us!