YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER

Title: YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Acts 1:8 
Supporting Text: Luke 24:49, Acts 2:1-4, Isaiah 40:29-31

INTRODUCTION

The promise of power is one of the most significant promises Jesus made to His disciples before His ascension. In Acts 1:8, He declares, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This power is not an ordinary human strength but a divine enablement to fulfill God’s purpose on earth. In this sermon, we will explore the nature of this power, its purpose, and how we can receive and sustain it in our lives.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF DIVINE POWER

a) The Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17) 
The power Jesus spoke about is the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who empowers, guides, and equips believers for godly living and effective ministry. Acts 1:8 clearly states that this power is received when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. It is a supernatural power that goes beyond human strength and capability.

b) Power for Witnessing and Boldness (Acts 4:31; 2 Timothy 1:7)
One of the primary purposes of receiving this power is to be witnesses for Christ. In Acts 4:31, after the disciples prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness. The Holy Spirit empowers us with boldness to testify about Jesus, even in the face of opposition and persecution. 2 Timothy 1:7 affirms that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

c) Power for Miracles, Signs, and Wonders (Mark 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10)
The power of the Holy Spirit enables believers to perform miracles, signs, and wonders. Mark 16:17-18 says, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues..." The gifts of the Spirit, including healing, prophecy, and discerning of spirits, are manifestations of this divine power (1 Corinthians 12:7-10).

2. HOW TO RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

a) Desiring and Thirsting for the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; Matthew 5:6) 
Jesus declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-39). This promise is for those who are thirsty and desire the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:6 adds, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." The first step to receiving the Holy Spirit's power is a deep thirst and hunger for more of God.

b) Praying and Waiting on God (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1-4)
The disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit after spending time in prayer and waiting on God in the upper room (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1-4). Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and opens us up to receive His power. Jesus instructed His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

c) Obedience to God's Word and Leading (John 14:15-17; Acts 5:32)
Obedience is key to receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:15-17, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever." Acts 5:32 also states that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. Living a life of obedience positions us to receive the fullness of God's power.

3. PURPOSES OF RECEIVING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

a) Empowerment for Effective Witness (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20)
The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit's power is to empower believers to be effective witnesses of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 emphasizes the need for power to witness locally, regionally, and globally. Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission, is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

b) Spiritual Warfare and Overcoming the Enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
The power of the Holy Spirit equips us to engage in spiritual warfare and overcome the forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks of the armor of God and the need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 reminds us that our weapons are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

c) Living a Victorious Christian Life (Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:16-18)
The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to live victoriously over sin, flesh, and the world. Romans 8:11 declares that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us and gives life to our mortal bodies. Galatians 5:16-18 teaches us to walk in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live holy, righteous, and fruitful lives.

4. SUSTAINING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

a) Maintaining a Lifestyle of Prayer and Worship (Jude 1:20; Ephesians 5:18-20) 
To sustain the power of the Holy Spirit, we must maintain a consistent lifestyle of prayer and worship. Jude 1:20 encourages us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-20 instructs us to be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

b) Feeding on the Word of God (Colossians 3:16; Joshua 1:8)** 
The Word of God is the fuel that sustains the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Colossians 3:16 urges us to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. Joshua 1:8 teaches us to meditate on the Word day and night. Regular study, meditation, and obedience to the Word keep the Holy Spirit's power active in our lives.

c) Staying Connected to Fellow Believers (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:42)
Fellowship with other believers is essential for sustaining spiritual power. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us not to forsake assembling together but to encourage one another. Acts 2:42 shows that the early believers continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Corporate worship, fellowship, and accountability strengthen us spiritually.

CONCLUSION:

The promise of the Holy Spirit's power is available to every believer who is thirsty, obedient, and willing to wait on God. This power is for effective witnessing, victorious living, spiritual warfare, and manifesting God’s presence on earth. To sustain this power, we must cultivate a life of prayer, the Word, worship, and fellowship. Seek to receive and continually walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and you will experience God's fullness and effectiveness in every area of your life.

PRAYER POINTS

1. "Father, fill me afresh with the power of the Holy Spirit."
2. "O Lord, ignite a fresh hunger and thirst for Your presence in my heart."
3. "Holy Spirit, empower me to be a bold and effective witness for Christ."
4. "Lord, grant me the grace to tarry in Your presence until I am endued with power."
5. "O God, empower me to live a victorious Christian life by the power of the Holy Spirit."
6. "Holy Spirit, manifest Your gifts and fruits in my life for Your glory."
7. "Father, help me to build a consistent prayer and Word life that sustains Your power."
8. "Lord, strengthen me for spiritual warfare by Your mighty power."
9. "O God, help me to walk in obedience to Your Word and leading."
10. "Father, let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn continually in my life."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit in a new and fresh way.
2. I decree that you are empowered to be an effective witness for Christ.
3. I proclaim that every spirit of fear is replaced with boldness and courage.
4. I declare that you will perform signs, wonders, and miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit.
5. I decree that you will walk in victory over sin, flesh, and the world.
6. I proclaim divine strength and grace to tarry in God's presence for more of His power.
7. I declare that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifesting in your life for God's glory.
8. I decree that you are a vessel of honor, filled and used by the Holy Spirit.
9. I proclaim that the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life will never go