Clothed in Power

Ps David Jones

Team Night message 27th of August 2025

When Jesus rose from the dead, He not only brought forgiveness and salvation, but also promised His disciples the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. We are called not only to be saved, but also to be clothed in power from on high. Tonight, we’ll explore the difference between the Spirit living in us for salvation and the Spirit coming upon us for empowerment, and how we are called to live clothed in His power for God’s purposes.

The Spirit Within Us – Salvation and Peace

John 20:21–22 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22–23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV - Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

When Jesus breathes on His disciples after His resurrection, it marks a defining moment: the Spirit comes within them. This is their salvation moment—the first time they experience new birth in Christ. Notice the words Jesus chooses: “Peace be with you.” Peace is not an afterthought but a vital sign of salvation. We are no longer separated from God but reconciled and restored to Him. The inner fruit of the Spirit begins to grow naturally, showing evidence of this transformation. Salvation is not merely a decision we make; it is a divine work of the Spirit that brings new life, restored relationship, and inner peace. Whenever someone is genuinely saved, you will see the fruit begin to emerge - because the Spirit always produces life.

Discuss:

• Why do you think Jesus begins with the words, “Peace be with you”?

• How have you experienced peace as part of your salvation?

• What fruits of the Spirit have you noticed developing since you began following Jesus?

  
  

The Spirit Upon Us – A Promise

Luke 24:49 NKJV - Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

'Behold' meaning in the Greek: to look at, to see, to observe, or to pay attention to something of significance.

This is a declaration, an emphasis, that the following promise will be of huge significance.

Acts 1:4–5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In Luke, Jesus shifts from the Spirit within to the Spirit upon. He tells the disciples to wait (tarry) for the promise of the Father. Why wait? Because empowerment for mission cannot be achieved through human strength or good intentions—it requires divine power. The command to “stay” or “tarry” reminds us that God’s timing and process matter. We often want to move quickly, but spiritual maturity and empowerment come in God’s season. To be “clothed” with the Spirit paints the image of sinking into a garment until it becomes natural and comfortable. This isn’t something we put on and off depending on the day. It’s a permanent covering. The Spirit doesn’t only live inside us for personal transformation; He rests upon us for ministry, mission, and witness.

Discuss

• Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to wait before going out on mission?

• What does it mean to you to be “clothed” with the Holy Spirit?

• How do you respond to seasons when God calls you to “wait”?

The Spirit Upon Us – Power

Acts 1:8 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.

Acts 2:2–4 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The promise of power (dunamis in Greek) is not about natural skill or personality, but supernatural ability. It means God gives His people the strength to do what they could never accomplish alone—miracles, boldness, endurance, and spiritual authority. On Pentecost, the disciples experienced this firsthand: men became fearless preachers; ordinary people displayed extraordinary courage. The Spirit’s filling is described as overflowing abundance—more than enough for their mission. We need this same power today because human eloquence, strategies, and willpower cannot change hearts. Only Spirit-empowered witness can. Being “clothed in power” means walking in divine ability that points people back to Jesus.

Discuss

• How is the Spirit’s power different from human strength?

• In what ways have you seen God’s power at work in your life or in others?

• Why is being filled with the Spirit essential for being an effective witness?

  
  

The Spirit Upon Us – Gifts for Others

1 Corinthians 12:4–11There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Being clothed with the Spirit is not for our comfort or spiritual experiences—it is for the benefit of others. The Spirit equips the church with gifts to serve, build up, and extend God’s Kingdom. Paul emphasises that gifts are varied but from one Spirit. Some reveal truth, some demonstrate power, others speak directly into situations. None are given to boast or compete, but for the “common good.” This means when you operate in your gift, others should be blessed and Jesus should be glorified. When we embrace the Spirit’s empowering, we step into God’s design to be a blessing, not just a believer.

Discuss

• Why do you think the Spirit gives different gifts to different people?

• Which gifts have you seen in operation in your life or your group?

• How can we make sure the Spirit’s gifts are used “for the common good”?

  
  

Living Clothed in Power

Ephesians 1:13–14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

The Spirit seals us for salvation and clothes us for mission. Both are necessary. The Spirit within confirms our identity as children of God, while the Spirit upon us equips us as ambassadors of Christ. To be clothed in power means to live daily with the awareness that we carry God’s presence and authority. It is not occasional, but about an ongoing lifestyle of surrender, prayer, and obedience. We must rely not on human strategies or outward appearances but on the Spirit’s power. When we live clothed in the Spirit, our decisions, our words, and even the atmosphere around us reflect God’s influence. This is how the early church turned the world upside down, and it’s how we are called to live today.

Discuss

• What does it look like for you to walk daily “clothed in power”?

• How can prayer and obedience keep us sensitive to the Spirit?

• In what area of your life do you most need the Spirit’s empowering today?

  
  

Closing Prayer

Invite the group to pray together, asking God to deepen their experience of the Spirit—both the peace of His presence within, and the power of His presence upon them. Encourage openness to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and boldness to walk clothed in His power.