1. Speaking with the power of the Holy Spirit
Acts 14:1-7

2. Introduction
Words have power

3. Introduction
It is far easier to use the power of words to destroy than to use the power of words to build-up.

4. Introduction
Hurtful words will wound you more deeply than healthy words will heal you. Healing words need to be repeated, emphasized and meditated upon for them to take effect.

5. Introduction
Words have the power to poison your mind.

6. “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”

7. Reject Negative Attacks

8. Do not let people poison your mind
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1)

9. Hearing and speaking the Words of the Holy Spirit for power in life
“But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”

10. All truth is God’s truth.
All lies are from the father of lies

11. Let the Holy Spirit so transform your mind and your heart that you can spot falsehood easily.

12. Don’t let people poison your mind.

13. Let the Holy Spirit so transform your mind and your heart that you can spot falsehood

14. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

15. They spoke with power because they were filled with the Holy Spirit

16. Acts 13 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

17. Acts 13 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

18. Acts 13 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas

19. Acts 14 1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

20. The empowering of the Holy Spirit is not limited to speaking
The empowering of the Holy Spirit is not limited to speaking. It is for any ability or skill.

21. Exodus 31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

22. Exodus 31 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab … to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

23. You will be given new empowering abilities when you are living out God’s purpose for your life.

24. Some abilities are given for good and can be used for personal blessings / or even abused for selfish gain.
Some abilities need dependency of God and is withdrawn when we fail to do the job.

25. They spoke with power because they spoke the truth
“they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed”
The truth in Chapter 13

26. Some don’t do. Some don’t talk. Some do but don’t talk
Some don’t do. Some don’t talk. Some do but don’t talk. Some talk but don’t do. The persuasive life is do and talk.

27. They spoke with power because they spoke verifiable truth
The truth they spoke was verified by signs and wonders = miraculous acts

28. Signs and wonders OT: the Exodus Event & eternal kingdom
NT : Repeat of the Exodus Event & fulfillment of the eternal kingdom

29. Speak verifiable truth in our context

30. The Holy Spirit does not depend on religious fraud to produce spirituality.

31. They spoke with power because they were bold
“3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord,”

32. Boldness is not offensiveness – but boldness is not afraid of offense

33. Boldness is not about speaking loudly but fearlessly.

34. Boldness is not bullying – but it is the ability to stand up to bullying.

35. Boldness does not talk yourself into despair – it is speaking God’s blessings into your soul.

36. Boldness comes from conviction, not from self-interest, or self-consciousness.

37. They spoke with power because they met the needs of the people
“3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace…”

38. It’s about loving your neighbor and speaking to his / her needs.

39. Conclusion
The words of others can poison you, your words and poison the minds of others – so be transformed by the renewing of your mind by the Word of the Holy Spirit.

40. You will speak and act with the power of the Holy Spirit when you are filled with the Holy Spirit.

41. Speak grace to your neighbor’s needs
Your words have the power of the Holy Spirit when you …
Speak truth
Speak boldly
Speak grace to your neighbor’s needs