Pour it Out - Series on the Holy Spirit
Session Three: The Holy Spirit Leads Us to Action
Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit will always make your life about Jesus
Day 1: God Uses Ordinary People
Scripture: Acts 4:1-4 (ESV)
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
We start Acts 4 and read that Peter and John are preaching about Jesus after healing a man who couldn’t walk. During this moment of preaching we see two things happen: The religious leaders get angry. Peter and John are arrested.
But even in the middle of opposition, something incredible happens. People hear the about Jesus… and believe!! Thousands are saved.
This wasn’t because Peter and John were the most educated, well spoken, or impressive people. It was because the Holy Spirit was working through them.
The Holy Spirit brings understanding to people’s hearts.
The Holy Spirit opens eyes to the truth about Jesus.
That means following Jesus is not mainly about your competency, it’s about God’s power. The power is not us. The power is in the Holy Spirit.
Apply:
Pray today for one person in your life to understand who Jesus is. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in their heart.
Reflection Question:
Am I trusting more in my own ability or in the Holy Spirit’s power?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me trust that You are the one who changes hearts and saves people. Use my life to point others to Jesus, even when I feel ordinary or unqualified. Amen.
--
Day 2: Do You Know You Have Power?
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how God uses ordinary people through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: Acts 4:5-7 (ESV)
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?
Peter and John are brought before powerful religious leaders and questioned: “By what power did you do this?”
The leaders knew something unusual had happened... A man had been healed.... People were responding to Jesus. So they wanted to know, Where did this power come from?
This raises an important question for us: Do you know you have power?
Not your own power. Not confidence in yourself. But the power of the Holy Spirit living in believers.
Sometimes us as Christians live weak, silent, fearful lives because we forget this truth.
The same Spirit who empowered the early church lives in believers today.
This means God works through ordinary people (You & I) to:
Apply:
When you feel nervous, weak, or unqualified today, stop and pray: “Holy Spirit, help me rely on Your power instead of my own.”
Reflection Question:
Do I actually live like the Holy Spirit is with me and empowering me?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, remind me that I am not alone. Help me stop relying only on myself and trust Your power working through me. Amen.
--
Day 3 – Holy Spirit-Led Courage
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether you truly live like the Holy Spirit is empowering you.
Scripture: Acts 4:8-12 (ESV)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This moment is incredible when you remember who Peter used to be. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus out of fear.
Now, in Acts 4, Peter publicly proclaims Christ in front of the same kind of people who helped kill Jesus.
What changed? The Holy Spirit.
Peter’s courage did not come from personality or confidence in himself. It came from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truth, obey God, and boldly point others to Jesus.
Apply:
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take one bold step today. Sharing your faith, encouraging someone, or obeying God in an area you’ve avoided.
Reflection Question:
Am I building my life on Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me into action?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, give me courage like Peter. Help me build my life on Jesus and boldly live for Him wherever You place me. Amen.
--
Day 4 – Jesus Alone
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit leads believers to bold action and builds our lives on Jesus.
Scripture: Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter says Jesus is the cornerstone. In buildings, the cornerstone is the most important stone. Everything else was aligned around it.
So Peter is saying: If your life is not built on Jesus, your foundation is going to be off.
Peter then says something bold: "for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Why does Peter say this? Because no one else can save us from sin.
Every other religion teaches some version of: “Be good enough.", “Work harder.”, “Earn your way.”
But Christianity teaches something completely different: You could never be good enough to save yourself. That’s why Jesus came.
He lived the perfect life we could not live, He died in our place for sin, and He rose again so we could be forgiven and brought to God.
Salvation is not achieved by our effort, but it is received by faith and from grace through Jesus.
Apply:
Take a few moments today and honestly ask yourself: “What am I building my life on besides Jesus?” Bring those things to God in prayer.
Reflection Question:
Is Jesus truly the foundation of my life or just a part of it?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for being the only Savior who can forgive sin and bring us to God. Help me build my entire life on You and trust in Your grace instead of myself. Amen.
--
Day 5 – You've Been With Jesus
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on Jesus being the only true foundation and the only source of salvation.
Scripture: Acts 4:13-14 (ESV)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
The religious leaders were shocked by Peter and John. These were ordinary men. Not highly educated or super religious men. Yet they spoke with boldness and confidence.
The leaders realized: They had been with Jesus.
That’s what the Holy Spirit does in a person’s life. When the Holy Spirit moves in you, you begin to:
Peter and John couldn’t stay silent about Jesus because they had personally experienced Him. And the same should be true for us.
If Jesus is changing your life, there should be moments where your words, actions, and priorities point people toward Him.
Apply:
Look for one opportunity today to mention Jesus naturally in a conversation, encourage someone spiritually, or share something God is teaching you.
Reflection Question:
Would people recognize from my life that I’ve been with Jesus?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help my life reflect Jesus. Give me boldness and a genuine desire to point others toward Him through my words and actions. Amen.
--
Day 6 – Can People Tell That You've Been With Jesus?
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether your life points others toward Jesus.
Scripture: Acts 1:8 (NIV)
8 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.”
Jesus tell us that the Holy Spirit gives believers power for a purpose: To be witnesses.
A witness is someone who has seen and experienced something personally and then tells others about it. This means following Jesus is all about telling others what you've experienced. Telling people about the relationship that changed you.
So here’s the question: Can people recognize that you’ve been with Jesus?
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to reflect Jesus in every area of everyday life and when you intentionally spend time with Jesus, it becomes noticeable over time.
Apply:
Spend intentional time with Jesus today through prayer and Scripture, then ask the Holy Spirit to help your actions reflect Him throughout the day.
Reflection Question:
Would the people closest to me say my life reflects Jesus?
Prayer:
--
Day 7 – Holy Spirit-Led Action
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether people can recognize from your life that you’ve been with Jesus.
Week Recap:
Scripture: Acts 4:1-14 (NIV) & 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV)
Acts 4:1-14 (NIV)
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV)
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This week we’ve seen something important: The Holy Spirit does not make us as passive. He leads us into action.
Peter and John were ordinary people, but the Holy Spirit gave them:
Some next action steps are:
The Holy Spirit empowers us to move, not stay stuck. So be confident that God uses ordinary people.
Tonight, we’re going to talk about this:
Tonight we’ll be in 1 Corinthians 2:10–12, talking about how the Holy Spirit helps us grow spiritually and understand the things of God. The Spirit doesn’t only send us into action, He transforms us from the inside out.
Reflection Question:
What action step is the Holy Spirit leading me to take right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, give me courage to act on what You are leading me to do. Help me live boldly for Jesus and trust that You will work through my obedience. Amen.
Session Three: The Holy Spirit Leads Us to Action
Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit will always make your life about Jesus
Day 1: God Uses Ordinary People
Scripture: Acts 4:1-4 (ESV)
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
We start Acts 4 and read that Peter and John are preaching about Jesus after healing a man who couldn’t walk. During this moment of preaching we see two things happen: The religious leaders get angry. Peter and John are arrested.
But even in the middle of opposition, something incredible happens. People hear the about Jesus… and believe!! Thousands are saved.
This wasn’t because Peter and John were the most educated, well spoken, or impressive people. It was because the Holy Spirit was working through them.
The Holy Spirit brings understanding to people’s hearts.
The Holy Spirit opens eyes to the truth about Jesus.
That means following Jesus is not mainly about your competency, it’s about God’s power. The power is not us. The power is in the Holy Spirit.
Apply:
Pray today for one person in your life to understand who Jesus is. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in their heart.
Reflection Question:
Am I trusting more in my own ability or in the Holy Spirit’s power?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me trust that You are the one who changes hearts and saves people. Use my life to point others to Jesus, even when I feel ordinary or unqualified. Amen.
--
Day 2: Do You Know You Have Power?
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how God uses ordinary people through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: Acts 4:5-7 (ESV)
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?
Peter and John are brought before powerful religious leaders and questioned: “By what power did you do this?”
The leaders knew something unusual had happened... A man had been healed.... People were responding to Jesus. So they wanted to know, Where did this power come from?
This raises an important question for us: Do you know you have power?
Not your own power. Not confidence in yourself. But the power of the Holy Spirit living in believers.
Sometimes us as Christians live weak, silent, fearful lives because we forget this truth.
The same Spirit who empowered the early church lives in believers today.
This means God works through ordinary people (You & I) to:
- Share truth
- Love people
- Fight sin
- Stand boldly for Jesus
Apply:
When you feel nervous, weak, or unqualified today, stop and pray: “Holy Spirit, help me rely on Your power instead of my own.”
Reflection Question:
Do I actually live like the Holy Spirit is with me and empowering me?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, remind me that I am not alone. Help me stop relying only on myself and trust Your power working through me. Amen.
--
Day 3 – Holy Spirit-Led Courage
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether you truly live like the Holy Spirit is empowering you.
Scripture: Acts 4:8-12 (ESV)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This moment is incredible when you remember who Peter used to be. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus out of fear.
Now, in Acts 4, Peter publicly proclaims Christ in front of the same kind of people who helped kill Jesus.
What changed? The Holy Spirit.
Peter’s courage did not come from personality or confidence in himself. It came from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truth, obey God, and boldly point others to Jesus.
Apply:
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take one bold step today. Sharing your faith, encouraging someone, or obeying God in an area you’ve avoided.
Reflection Question:
Am I building my life on Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me into action?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, give me courage like Peter. Help me build my life on Jesus and boldly live for Him wherever You place me. Amen.
--
Day 4 – Jesus Alone
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit leads believers to bold action and builds our lives on Jesus.
Scripture: Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter says Jesus is the cornerstone. In buildings, the cornerstone is the most important stone. Everything else was aligned around it.
So Peter is saying: If your life is not built on Jesus, your foundation is going to be off.
Peter then says something bold: "for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Why does Peter say this? Because no one else can save us from sin.
Every other religion teaches some version of: “Be good enough.", “Work harder.”, “Earn your way.”
But Christianity teaches something completely different: You could never be good enough to save yourself. That’s why Jesus came.
He lived the perfect life we could not live, He died in our place for sin, and He rose again so we could be forgiven and brought to God.
Salvation is not achieved by our effort, but it is received by faith and from grace through Jesus.
Apply:
Take a few moments today and honestly ask yourself: “What am I building my life on besides Jesus?” Bring those things to God in prayer.
Reflection Question:
Is Jesus truly the foundation of my life or just a part of it?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for being the only Savior who can forgive sin and bring us to God. Help me build my entire life on You and trust in Your grace instead of myself. Amen.
--
Day 5 – You've Been With Jesus
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on Jesus being the only true foundation and the only source of salvation.
Scripture: Acts 4:13-14 (ESV)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
The religious leaders were shocked by Peter and John. These were ordinary men. Not highly educated or super religious men. Yet they spoke with boldness and confidence.
The leaders realized: They had been with Jesus.
That’s what the Holy Spirit does in a person’s life. When the Holy Spirit moves in you, you begin to:
- Talk differently
- Live differently
- Love differently
- Care about Jesus differently
Peter and John couldn’t stay silent about Jesus because they had personally experienced Him. And the same should be true for us.
If Jesus is changing your life, there should be moments where your words, actions, and priorities point people toward Him.
Apply:
Look for one opportunity today to mention Jesus naturally in a conversation, encourage someone spiritually, or share something God is teaching you.
Reflection Question:
Would people recognize from my life that I’ve been with Jesus?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help my life reflect Jesus. Give me boldness and a genuine desire to point others toward Him through my words and actions. Amen.
--
Day 6 – Can People Tell That You've Been With Jesus?
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether your life points others toward Jesus.
Scripture: Acts 1:8 (NIV)
8 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.”
Jesus tell us that the Holy Spirit gives believers power for a purpose: To be witnesses.
A witness is someone who has seen and experienced something personally and then tells others about it. This means following Jesus is all about telling others what you've experienced. Telling people about the relationship that changed you.
So here’s the question: Can people recognize that you’ve been with Jesus?
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to reflect Jesus in every area of everyday life and when you intentionally spend time with Jesus, it becomes noticeable over time.
Apply:
Spend intentional time with Jesus today through prayer and Scripture, then ask the Holy Spirit to help your actions reflect Him throughout the day.
Reflection Question:
Would the people closest to me say my life reflects Jesus?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me be a witness for Jesus. Change my life in a way that others can clearly see Your work in me. Amen.
--
Day 7 – Holy Spirit-Led Action
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether people can recognize from your life that you’ve been with Jesus.
Week Recap:
- God Uses Ordinary People
- Do You Know You Have Power?
- Holy Spirit-Led Courage
- Jesus Alone
- You've Been With Jesus
- Can People Tell That You've Been With Jesus?
Scripture: Acts 4:1-14 (NIV) & 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV)
Acts 4:1-14 (NIV)
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV)
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This week we’ve seen something important: The Holy Spirit does not make us as passive. He leads us into action.
Peter and John were ordinary people, but the Holy Spirit gave them:
- Boldness
- Confidence
- Courage to speak about Jesus
Some next action steps are:
- Talking to someone about Jesus
- Inviting a friend to church
- Praying with someone
- Taking sin seriously
- Start spending consistent intentional time with God
The Holy Spirit empowers us to move, not stay stuck. So be confident that God uses ordinary people.
Tonight, we’re going to talk about this:
Tonight we’ll be in 1 Corinthians 2:10–12, talking about how the Holy Spirit helps us grow spiritually and understand the things of God. The Spirit doesn’t only send us into action, He transforms us from the inside out.
Reflection Question:
What action step is the Holy Spirit leading me to take right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, give me courage to act on what You are leading me to do. Help me live boldly for Jesus and trust that You will work through my obedience. Amen.