Serving Power

Pete Kersker - Jan 30, 2026

Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:6-8 NIV).

Jesus told his disciples (students) to go back to Jerusalem and wait until they received the Holy Spirit. Then, they would be empowered to go and tell other people about Jesus. He trained them as apostles (sent ones) who would be eyewitnesses to everything Jesus said and did.

"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning (John 15:26-27 NIV).

They had been taught by Jesus, so they knew what he had said. They had been equipped by Jesus, so they had practice serving in ministry. They had never gone out without Jesus, though, so they needed his Spirit to empower them to go. Jesus' disciples (students) would spend the rest of their lives testifying as eyewitnesses to the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who offers to save us all.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV).

Those disciples (students) of Jesus weren't the only ones who were empowered to serve. Jesus' disciples (students) receive His Spirit still today. We learn from Jesus when we hear and read the Scriptures. We are equipped by Jesus through his Church: the body of Christ. We are empowered by his Spirit to serve together in unity to build people up in the Lord.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Romans 12:4-8 NIV).

God's Spirit empowers us to have victory over our enemies. God's Spirit empowers us to have an abundant life. God's Spirit empowers us to be holy children of God. Then, we enjoy eternal purpose in our lives as God's Spirit empowers us to serve in the Body of Christ.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10 NIV).

Have you received God's Spirit?
How has God empowered you to serve others?
Are you a "faithful steward of God's grace" as you serve?