The Power of The Holy Spirit | Pt.2 | Nov. 1st

November 2nd, 2026

The Power of The Holy Spirit | Pt. 2
Acts 3 & 4

Overview

This sermon walked through the early chapters of Acts to examine how the first believers responded to the Holy Spirit, faced opposition, shared the gospel boldly, and gave all glory to God rather than themselves. The central challenge for us today is the same one those early believers faced: will we be filled with the Holy Spirit and act on that filling with boldness, humility, and urgency?

Key Takeaways

The greatest miracle is not a physical healing but a transformed heart.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event after salvation but an ongoing need for every believer.
Boldness in proclaiming the gospel does not mean being obnoxious or argumentative -- it means speaking truth with gentleness and respect.
God uses ordinary, uneducated, and unlikely people to accomplish his purposes so that no one can boast.
We are not responsible for how others respond to the gospel, only for how we respond to them.
The urgency of the times demands that the church be active, equipped, and filled with the Spirit.

Opening

Think about a time when you felt genuinely used by God in some way, whether through a conversation, an act of service, or simply being present for someone. What did that experience feel like?
The sermon mentioned that God used fishermen, a former drug addict, a stuttering shepherd, and an 80-year-old man. What does that tell you about how God chooses the people he works through?

Discussion Questions

In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth, and the crowd immediately focuses its attention on them. Peter quickly redirects all glory to God. Why do you think that redirection was so important? How does pride show up in our own lives when God uses us?
The sermon drew a distinction between two kinds of fear -- reverence toward God and cowardly fear of circumstances or people. Read 2 Timothy 1:7 (summarized: God gives us not a spirit of cowardice but of power, love, and a sound mind). Where in your life are you currently experiencing one of these kinds of fear? Which one, and why?
Peter and John were identified as uneducated and untrained men, yet the religious leaders marveled at them and recognized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). What do you think it looks like today for people around us to recognize that we have been with Jesus?
The sermon referenced 1 Peter 3:15-17, which calls us to always be ready to give a defense for our hope with gentleness and respect. How does the call to gentleness and respect change the way you think about sharing your faith or engaging with someone who disagrees with you?
The sermon said, "You could be so right, you're wrong. Who cares if you win an argument but you lose the person?" Have you ever experienced this -- either winning a debate but losing the relationship, or watching someone else do it? What did you learn from that?

Personal Reflection

D.L. Moody was once asked why he talked so often about being refilled with the Holy Spirit. His answer was simply, "Because I leak." Do you relate to that? In what areas of your life do you feel most spiritually depleted right now?
The sermon mentioned that Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody, 40 years learning he was nobody, and 40 years discovering what God could do with a nobody. Where do you see yourself in that progression right now?
The sermon stated that we are not responsible for how others respond to the gospel or to our witness -- only for how we respond to them. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you need to release the burden of someone else's response and trust God with the outcome?

Action

The sermon closed with an invitation to join an evangelism team, with the reminder that every believer has a testimony. Whether or not formal evangelism feels natural to you, what is one specific way you could share something about your faith with someone in your life this week?
The sermon emphasized that prayer from home is a genuine form of participation in the ministry of the church. Who in your circle of relationships -- inside or outside the church -- are you currently praying for consistently? If no one comes to mind, who could you begin praying for this week?

Practical Application for The Week

Set aside intentional time each day this week to ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit before you begin your work, conversations, or responsibilities.
Identify one person in your life who does not know the Lord and commit to praying for them by name every day this week.
Reflect on a recent situation where you may have prioritized winning an argument over preserving a relationship. Consider whether reconciliation or a softer approach is needed.
If you feel called to participate in outreach or evangelism through your local church, take a concrete step toward that this week, whether by filling out a sign-up card, speaking to a pastor or leader, or simply telling someone in your group that you want to get more involved.
Memorize or meditate on 1 Peter 3:15 this week: be ready to give a reason for the hope within you, and do it with gentleness and respect.