INTRODUCTION

No man is an island. We were not created to run on our own strength. That is why God has given us a power beyond ourselves. That is the power of the Holy Spirit, given to believers (Acts 1:8a). To access the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to be baptised in the Holy Spirit – not once, twice or thrice, but again and again.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an essential part of being a follower of Christ alongside salvation and water baptism. Salvation is the starting point where we repent of our sins and acknowledge Jesus’s life-saving work on the cross. Water baptism is the outward public declaration of that faith in Jesus. As believers, Jesus has already given us the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). But that is not the end of the story.

Pastor Rhordan compares the filling of the Holy Spirit to an overflowing cup of water. The only way that our cups can be filled to overflowing is if we are continuously filled with the Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit moves, we will receive that power that is beyond ourselves.

DISCUSSION

1. What can you do to receive the power of the Holy Spirit? We can do no better than to read Peter’s answer on how to receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38-39:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Repent. Ask. Receive.

a. We have learnt that the Holy Spirit convicts of our sins. As we well know, our
sinful nature means we are constantly being tempted, tried and distracted away
from God (Romans 7:15-20). Is there any area in your life that the Holy Spirit is
speaking to you about?

b. Many of us are familiar with the verse to present our requests to God by “prayer and supplication” (Philippians 4:6 KJV) “Supplication” in English means to beg for something earnestly and the original greek word deésis connotes asking from a place of need. Have you ever felt the earnest need to ask God for the filling of the Holy Spirit?

c. Share and give thanks for the times that you have asked and received the Holy Spirit so that your testimony can encourage your present self and others.

2. Why do we need the power of the Holy Spirit? Read Acts 2:43, 3:1-10, 4:7-10 and 5:12-16.

a. These events in Acts followed Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven. Give some examples of what the power of the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to do.

b. Is there any area in your life right now that needs the power of the Holy Spirit? In this discussion, don’t put Jesus in a box. What healing or transformation would be life-changing for you?

c. If your answer to the previous question was to win the lottery, consider how the disciples used the power of the Holy Spirit. Who benefitted from the exercise of this power? Focus on Paul’s speech to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:8-12, what was his justification for healing the lame beggar?

3. In the midst of serving and doing the work of God, have you taken time to be filled by the Holy Spirit or have you been trying to pour out from an half-full cup? When was the last time you paused not to do for God, but to simply be with Him?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Pause to be filled; Proceed to fulfill.

Before you go about your day, in the business of the day, before you go to bed, would you pause. Pause to ask the Holy Spirit to fill you before you proceed to fulfill whatever it is you need to do.

MEMORY VERSE
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Acts 2:38

AN E1R1 REFLECTION

(Drawn from John 7:37-39 and the Day 28 devotional from Open the Gates)

On the climactic final day of Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles, which celebrated God’s provision and the harvest, Jesus drew on the festival’s imagery of water and spiritual longing. In Jewish tradition, water symbolised both the rains that sustained physical life and the Spirit who brings God’s blessing. When Jesus declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink,” He revealed Himself as the true source of living water. He invites all who are spiritually thirsty to come to Him for the satisfaction that nothing else can give.

Evangelism is not about convincing people with arguments; it is about inviting the thirsty to the source, pointing others to the One who satisfies, heals and restores. Every human heart longs for meaning, belonging and peace. In Christ, these longings find their fulfilment.

As bearers of this good news, we become like those who have tasted living water and cannot help but share it with others who are still thirsty. Just as Jesus invited all to come and drink, we are called to extend that same invitation with compassion, humility, and joy to a world searching for what only He can give.