There often seems to be a separation between “spiritual” things and one’s everyday life. “How do I make the leap from the weekend teaching at church to application in the choices I must make today?” People wonder.
Christianity shows us how to live forever and also how to live until next Thursday. Following are our message notes for the talk, “Empowered for Daily Life.”
MCA Church ends each weekend service with the invitation to write a prayer request and leave it on the cross. The information exchange and the increase in prayer is tremendous.
The most common requests placed on the crosses are in the following real-life categories:
- Relationships
- Health
- Guidance
- Work/money
- Sin
Luke, in his two-part volume (Luke/Acts), gives special effort to show that the Holy Spirit empowers people in the normal flow of everyday life.
- The birth of a child – Luke 1:57
- Parent – Child issues – Luke 2:41-46
- Physical issues – Luke 4:38, 39
- Dealing with enemies – Luke 6:27-28
- Real Estate – Acts 5:1-2
- Complaints about benevolence – Acts 6:1
- Racial issues – Acts 10:1
- Rescued from Government – Acts 12:1,2
- Doctrine and behavior issues – Acts 15:1
- Falling asleep in long church services – Acts 20:9
- Troubles while traveling – Acts 27:13-44
Becoming personally empowered by the Spirit
- Start with a salvation experience with Jesus – Acts 1:1-3
- Believe the Promise of the Father is for you today – Acts 1:4, John 15:26
- Devote yourself to prayer – Acts 1:14
- Ask for the Promise of the Father (Spirit empowerment) – Luke 11:13
Sometimes, according to God’s timing, He has us wait in prayer for His Promise. Acts 1:4
Let’s declare Luke 4:14 to be true of us today too.
“And ___(Your Name)____________ returned in the power of the Spirit.”
MCA Church LIFE GROUP Home Work
Quick Review
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
Listen – My Story
- What is one of the greatest things for which you were required to wait?
- Did your father ever make a promise to you? If so, how did that go?
Learn – Digging Deeper
The Promise of the Father was prophetically developed in the Old Testament. What insights into the Promise do you find in the following verses?
- Who receives the Promise of the Father? Joel 2:28-29
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- What analogy does Isaiah give? Isaiah 44:3
- According to Ezekiel, where will the Promise of the Father reside? Ezekiel 36:26-27
- How is the Spirit identified in Zechariah 12:10? What is the result of this pouring of the Spirit?
What did John the Baptist say about the Promise of the Father? Mark 1:7-8
Jesus speaks of the Promise of the Father.Who receives the Promise of the Father? Luke 11:13
What illustration of the Spirit does Jesus use in John 7:37-39?
What aspect of the Spirit does Jesus feature in John 14:16-17?
To whom, according to Peter, is the Promise of the Father given? Acts 2:39
Life – Taking it Home
- What is God saying to you through this lesson?
- Have you received the Promise of the Father? Acts 19:2
- Are you desirous of another baptism of the Spirit?
Lift – Prayer
- Please pray for God to send the Promise of the Father to you.
- Please pray for those who may be frustrated with the waiting season that God has allowed them to experience.
- Please pray for the MCA Summer Connect groups.
- Please pray for the MCA Strong Tower Youth Explosion.