FirePower—You Shall Receive
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/27/2019
Foundation Scripture:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 KJV
1. Instituted by Jesus, the Head of the Church.
a. John 14:13-21
b. John 14:26 KJV — But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
c. John 15:26 KJV — But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.
d. John 16:7-15
2. Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost and Fire.
a. Luke 3:16-17 KJV — John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
b. John the Baptist: the forerunner to the ministry of Jesus.
c. John leapt for joy in his mother’s womb (they were filled with the Holy Ghost).
d. Luke 1:41 KJV — And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
e. Luke 1:44 KJV — For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
f. He announced One was coming (Jesus), Who would baptize us in the Holy Ghost.
g. Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire.
3. What is the Fire for?
a. Power to be a witness: A demonstrator; A proof-producer of the Gospel; Exhibit A of the resurrection; Proof that Jesus is alive.
b. Not just in word but in power, signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
c. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 AMPC — And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], 5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.
4. This Fire Power is Also There to Help Us.
a. To live an overcoming life.
b. Holiness—power over temptation and the flesh.
c. Prayer power.
d. Power to accomplish the mission.
5. What to Expect.
a. Jesus taught the disciples concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit and what to expect.
b. John 14:16 AMPC — And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.
c. To us, the Church, He will be our: Comforter; Helper; Intercessor; Advocate; Strengthener; Standby.
d. He will also be your: Teacher; Guide; Revealer (testify of Jesus); Abider (in you; with you); Manifestor; Reminder.
e. He is the artist, Who paints Jesus on the canvas of life.
f. John 16:8-11 KJV — And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
g. To the world, He is the Reprover of sin and Judgement.
h. Sin: He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin (AMPC).
i. Judgement: because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him (AMPC).
6. You—the Vessel Waiting to be Filled.
a. Salvation is a prerequisite.
b. John 4:14 AMPC — But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
c. Then the circumcision—the baptism.
d. John 7:37-38 AMPC — Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! 38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
e. Out of your innermost being, shall flow rivers.
f. A River of: Life; Joy; Healing; Deliverance; Preservation; Prosperity; Abundance; Mercy; Grace; Love.
g. You will be: Filled; Immersed; Baptized; Saturated; Marinated.
7. Our Posture—to Receive the Holy Ghost and Fire.
a. Acts 1:4-5
b. Acts 1:8 AMPC — But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
c. Acts 2:1-22
d. Come: Hungry; Thirsty; Empty; Expecting.
e. Be Filled.
f. Ephesians 5:18 AMPC — And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.