Most Recent

Empowered for Service: Receiving the Baptism of Holy Spirit - Combined Service

May 31, 2026    Pastor Scott Ochsner

This powerful message confronts us with a challenging question from Jesus himself: 'Why do you keep calling me Lord when you don't do what I say?' We're invited to examine the gap between our confession and our obedience, particularly regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Acts chapters 1, 2, 8, and 10, we discover that receiving the Holy Spirit isn't just a historical event from Pentecost—it's a present-day reality and command for every believer. The message emphasizes that salvation gets us to heaven, but the empowerment of the Holy Spirit transforms how we live on earth. We see how even Jesus waited for the Holy Spirit before beginning His ministry, and how the early church—including Mary, the mother of Jesus—recognized their need for this divine helper. The distinction between the Holy Spirit dwelling 'in' us at salvation and coming 'upon' us for power is clarified through multiple scriptural examples. We're challenged to move beyond powerless Christianity and step into the supernatural life God intended, where signs, wonders, and miracles confirm the message of the gospel. This isn't about denominational preferences or theological debates—it's about obeying a direct command from our Lord to receive the gift He promised would make us effective witnesses.