The Holy Spirit empowers believers to establish God’s Kingdom on earth by placing that Kingdom within them, providing supernatural power to break strongholds and boldly witness to others. According to Andrew Stoner, this empowerment is not about passive waiting but involves active surrender, obedience, and faith to let God do what is humanly impossible in our daily lives.
What does the Bible say about the Kingdom of God?
For many of us juggling work, school drop-offs, and family schedules, the “Kingdom of God” can feel like a distant theological concept. However, Andrew Stoner notes that during the 40 days Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection, the Kingdom of God was the only topic He spoke about. This suggests it should be a priority for us, too.
But what does it look like to enter this Kingdom? Andrew Stoner uses a vivid illustration of a theme park rollercoaster to explain our relationship with the Lord. Just like getting on a wild ride at a Florida theme park, walking with God requires three specific things:
- Surrender: You have to leave your loose items behind and let go of control.
- Obedience: You must follow the instructions on where to sit and how to lock in.
- Faith: You have to trust a machine to do what is humanly impossible—like flying through the air.
Similarly, the Kingdom of God is not about us building our own empires or managing our own stress perfectly. It is about surrendering our control, obeying God’s Word, and having faith that He can take us on a journey we couldn’t survive on our own.
What is the difference between water baptism and Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
In the church, we often hear about different types of baptism. The sermon highlights a clear distinction found in Acts 1:5, where Jesus distinguishes between John’s baptism and the promise of the Spirit. Understanding this distinction is vital for your spiritual growth.
| Type of Experience | Biblical Context | Purpose |
| Salvation | A one-time decision to follow Jesus. | To receive eternal life and begin a relationship with God. |
| Water Baptism | A public declaration following salvation. | To publicly produce fruit in keeping with repentance. |
| Baptism of the Holy Spirit | A distinct gift promised by the Father. | To receive power (Dunamis) to be a witness and live a victorious life. |
Andrew Stoner emphasizes that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a free gift available to everyone. However, like any gift—whether it’s a birthday present or an Amazon package—it does you no good if you leave it on the shelf. You have to actually open it and use it to enjoy the benefits.
How can “Dunamis” power help with anxiety and stress?
If you are like most people, you likely deal with stress, anxiety, or the feeling of being overwhelmed. The Bible has a specific word for the solution to this: Dunamis.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “You will receive power.” The Greek word used here is Dunamis, which is the root word for “dynamite”.
Why does this matter?
- Breaking Strongholds: Just as dynamite destroys obstacles, the Holy Spirit has the power to break chains of addiction, depression, and anxiety that you cannot break on your own.
- Supernatural Restoration: This power can restore relationships and bring healing to bodies, going beyond natural human capabilities.
We often try to fix our lives and families through better scheduling or more discipline, but God invites us to stop trying to be the “thermometer” that just reflects the stress of the room. Instead, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be the thermostat that changes the atmosphere of our home.
How can I use the SOAP Method to hear God?
Andrew Stoner, who also works as a career coach and resume writer, notes that we should look for “keywords” when we read the Bible, just like a recruiter looks for keywords on a resume. To make this practical for busy people and families, he recommends the SOAP Method for reading Scripture.
This is a simple framework you can use during your morning coffee or before bed:
- S – Scripture: Read the Bible text (like the Book of Acts).
- O – Observe: What are the keywords? What is happening in the text?.
- A – Application: How does this apply to my life today? Do I need to make a decision or change my behavior?.
- P – Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk this out.
Using a journal to document these thoughts can help you track how God is speaking to you through His living and active Word.
What happened on the Day of Pentecost?
The Day of Pentecost was the moment the disciples stopped waiting and started moving in power. After waiting 10 days in an upper room, the Holy Spirit arrived suddenly with the sound of a violent wind and tongues of fire.
There are two key takeaways from this event for us today:
- God Moves Suddenly: In our culture of “Amazon Prime” instant gratification, we hate waiting. The disciples didn’t know how long they would have to wait. But when God moves, He often does it “suddenly.” His timing is perfect, even if the waiting is hard.
- The Atmosphere Changes: The wind filled the whole house, but the fire rested on each of them individually. This means the Holy Spirit is available to you personally, but He also wants to fill your entire home (your “house”) with His presence.
We don’t need to wait for a specific Sunday to experience this. As was said in the pre-service prayer, “Every day can be a Pentecost day”.
Conclusion: Active Waiting
Are you sitting back passively, waiting for God to fix your problems? Or are you actively seeking Him? Jesus clarified in Luke 17 that the Kingdom of God is not something you watch from a distance—it is within you.
The Holy Spirit is the key that unlocks that Kingdom. Whether you are dealing with a difficult toddler, a stressful job, or a marriage that needs healing, you have access to Dunamis power.
Action Step: Take a moment today to stop building your own kingdom. Pray a simple prayer of surrender: “Holy Spirit, I welcome You. I need Your power. Be the thermostat in my home today”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the Holy Spirit a free gift for everyone?
A: Yes. In the sermon, Andrew Stoner explains that the Holy Spirit is a gift promised by the Father. Like salvation, it is free and available to everyone, but you must choose to “open” the gift to receive its benefits and power.
Q: What does the word “Dunamis” mean in the Bible?
A: The word “power” in Acts 1:8 comes from the Greek word Dunamis, which shares the same root as the word “dynamite.” It refers to miraculous power capable of breaking strongholds like addiction, fear, and anxiety.
Q: How can I wait on God when I’m so busy?
A: Waiting on God isn’t about doing nothing; it’s an active posture of surrender. It involves praying and communicating to God that nothing is more important than Him. Even taking a few moments to humble yourself and acknowledge your need for Him counts as “waiting” in His presence.
