EMPOWERS US TO BE HIS WITNESS - HOLY SPIRIT - MARK PETTUS

Main message: The Holy Spirit is a knowable person of God whose power—symbolized by fire—refines, empowers, and commissions believers so they can make Jesus known; we are invited to move from merely receiving the Spirit at salvation to being saturated (baptized) in His power.

Key points:

• Fire is used as a biblical symbol for the Holy Spirit’s refining and purifying work—He removes what is not of God (sanctification).
• Pentecost (Acts 1–2) fulfills Joel’s promise: tongues of fire and the Spirit’s outpouring empower people to witness across nations.
• The Spirit not only refines but empowers with gifts and abilities beyond our own strength (including bold witness and spiritual gifts).
• The ultimate purpose of the Spirit’s power is to point people to Jesus—“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
• Practical application: daily pray three simple prayers—“Holy Spirit, show me” (reveal blind spots), “Holy Spirit, fill me” (receive/saturate), and “Holy Spirit, use me” (be sent as a witness).

Scriptures mentioned: Genesis 1:2, Joel 2, Luke 3, John 20, Acts 1, Acts 2, Matthew 11, 2 Corinthians, 2 Thessalonians, Psalm 139, Romans 2