The Power of the Holy Spirit
BY PASTOR ANDREW WIBLE
From Observant to Participant
I've always loved the Book of Acts. It paints a vivid picture of the early Christian Church and serves as a testament to the incredible power of God working through ordinary people! If you're new to the Bible or unfamiliar with Acts, it's a collection of history about the first Christian Church, written by Luke, the same author of the Gospel of Luke. The book focuses on the stories of those who followed Jesus most closely and who would lead His ministry after His ascension into heaven.
So, why is the Book of Acts so important to us today? Because it teaches us that we are not meant to be mere observers in our faith but active participants, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
A TALE OF TWO DRIVERS
There are two types of drivers in this world. Actual drivers get in the car, turn it on, and control the vehicle. Then there are backseat drivers, who are not at the wheel, may be distracted, and only think they can control the vehicle.
I once had a road trip experience with our pastor Jady, who was my college pastor at the time. He was exhausted from a week-long mission trip, and about halfway into our drive home, asked me to take over driving the van. Though I was technically not allowed to drive due to insurance requirements, Jady trusted me with the responsibility. He started as a vigilant backseat driver but eventually fell asleep, only to occasionally wake up and make sure I hadn’t driven us off the road or to a different state!
This experience made me realize that when we become backseat drivers in our faith, we often fall asleep and miss out on the incredible things God has in store for us.
DISCIPLES TO APOSTLES
In Acts 1, we find the disciples in a "life happens" moment. They had experienced betrayal, loss, Jesus’ return and His ascension into heaven. It would have been easy for them to slide into the passenger seat and observe from an emotional distance, as they had when He was arrested and crucified. But Jesus called them to be participants, not just observers. This is evident in their transition from being called "disciples" to "apostles." A disciple is a follower or student, while an apostle is a pioneering advocate of something.
EMPOWERED PEOPLE
How did the disciples make this transition? Acts 1:8-9 tells us that they received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit as a Helper (John 14:12-17) who would empower them to do even greater works than Jesus did on Earth!
How can we make this transition today?
Engage with the Spirit of God through worship
Ask for His presence when you’re scared or anxious
Pay attention to the needs around you with eyes to believe that Jesus can move at any time
Lean into the Holy Spirit when you feel offense, rejection, and pain
Get consistent in a daily rhythm of meeting with God for prayer and reading Scripture. You can find fantastic reading plans on the Bible App to help!
EMPOWERED CHURCH
Imagine the impact we could make if we all chose to be front seat participants, actively seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. We might see miraculous things happen in our workplaces, schools, and families.
Take the story of Bezalel in Exodus 31. He was an ordinary person. But God filled him with His Spirit and called him to build the Tent of Meeting (the Israelites’ temporary temple in the wilderness) and the Ark of the Covenant (where the Spirit of God resided and met with Moses). Like Bezalel, we can become participants in God's great plan when we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives.
YOUR NEXT STEP
What can you do this week to become a more active participant in building God’s Church, not just an observer? Maybe it’s committing to tithe, leading a Lifegroup or joining a Sunday serve team.
Let’s seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, wisdom, and power, and watch as God does incredible things through each of us!