YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 NLT

If you’re honest with yourself, you probably sense your own weakness as a Christian.  If you have walked with God for any length of time, you know what it is to experience inconsistencies and failure in your Christian life.  

All of us Christians want to live like Jesus.  And all of us know what it is to fall short of that goal.  We know what it’s like to disappoint ourselves by not behaving in a manner consistent with our own principles.  

Nobody knew that more clearly and profoundly than the original disciples of Jesus.  They were given a massive mandate — to change the world by bringing the gospel to the nations.  They were to continue what Jesus began.  And unless they had the same power Jesus had, that mission was doomed to fail.  

The disciples could preach all the same messages Jesus preached, but it was guaranteed that they wouldn’t get the same results.  They could try to say the same words Jesus spoke, but they lacked the power Jesus had to transform the lives of the hearers.  

Everywhere Jesus went, needs were met, hurts were healed, and the impossible became possible.  People were radically transformed in an instant, and it was all because of the supernatural power of God.

God knew in advance that in order for us to live like Jesus and advance His mission in this world, we would need one thing: spiritual power.  

There is one very important word in Acts 1:8, and that word is “receive.” You shall receive power.  Power is not something you manufacture within yourself.  Power is what you receive when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  If you have felt pressure to try to produce spiritual power, only to fail and feel your own weakness, I’ve got good news for you.  Acts 1:8 doesn’t say “You shall produce power.”  It says, “You shall receive power.”  

While we would all like to think we have something to offer God, the reality is that we are devoid of spiritual power.  When we were lost in sin, we had no power to be righteous.   Listen to what the Bible says about our salvation:

“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” — Titus 3:5 NLT

even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.  — Ephesians 2:5 NLT

In the same way, now that we are saved, we still have no ability to produce spiritual power.  All we can do is receive it!  “You will receive power…” — Acts 1:8 NLT

Notice how all through the Bible, there is a connection between the Holy Spirit and power:

• But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. — Micah 3:8 NLT
• God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power — Acts 10:38 NLT
• They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. — Romans 15:19 NLT
• Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. — 1 Corinthians 2:4 NLT
• that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man — Ephesians 3:16 NASB
  

The Holy Spirit and power are inseparable.  When the Holy Spirit comes, power comes.  If you feel your own weakness, you don’t need to look to yourself as the source of power.  Look to the Holy Spirit today.  Let Him fill you.  Position yourself for an encounter with Him, and you will find power coming upon you no effort on your part.  You shall receive power.