Today we celebrate Pentecost—a day that changed everything for the early disciples and for every believer since. But this isn’t just about looking back at a powerful moment in history. Pentecost is a living call, inviting us to step into the very same power that rolled away the stone and filled the upper room.

Jesus didn’t rise from the dead to prove He could. He rose so He could pour out His Spirit on us—so we could walk in resurrection life, not just remember it. He didn’t just come out of the grave; He sent the Holy Spirit so that same power could live in us. This is our moment to step into the fullness of that power.

We’re in part 2 of our message series, “You Are Known,” and today’s message is titled “Filled for a Purpose.” That purpose—your purpose—is not just to survive, not just to make it through another day, but to live in Spirit-empowered ministry.

Jesus said: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

This is what sets our faith apart from every other belief system in the world. We don’t follow a religion built on principles alone—we follow a risen Savior who fills ordinary people with extraordinary power. Power to carry His presence. Power to proclaim His salvation. Power to be His witnesses.

Christianity isn’t about admiring a moral teacher or following a set of noble ideas. It’s about living in the power of the Son of God—the One who lived sinlessly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously. And now, He fills us with His Spirit so we can fulfill His purpose.

And so today, we’re not just celebrating what Jesus did—we’re embracing what His resurrection makes possible in our lives right now. Yes, on Good Friday, we remember His death on the cross. But today, we celebrate the life He gives through His Spirit.

The Lamb who was slain is now risen, and because He lives, we’re not stuck trying to fix ourselves. We are made new by supernatural transformation. Jesus didn’t come to breathe resurrection life into your lungs—He came to pour the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit inside of you (Romans 8:11).

When Paul cried out to God, he didn’t say, “I want more information.” No, he said:

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).

Paul wasn’t chasing inspiration—he was after transformation. Not just a fresh start. Not just a new nature. He was seeking the power of a completely new life. And that same power is available to you right now. Because the Holy Spirit isn’t just in heaven. He’s not reserved for the elite or the ultra-holy. He is here. He is present. And when He comes, He changes everything.

So yes—we thank God for the cross. But our faith doesn’t stop at the cross. It moves from the sorrow of Friday to the victory of Sunday. From death to life. From suffering to power. From the grave to glory.

And yet, too many believers live stuck on Friday, burdened by shame, guilt, and regret. But the good news isn’t just that Jesus died. The gospel doesn’t end in a tomb. He rose again! And because He rose, we are not called to remain in mourning—we are called to rise in glory.

Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but He also rose to give us eternal life. That is the full gospel. And yet, many of us still live more aware of our failures than of His victory. More conscious of our weakness than we are of His power.

But hear me—Jesus was the sinless Son of God. And because sin had no hold on Him, death had no claim on Him. The Bible says, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But Jesus, the spotless Lamb, walked through this broken world untouched by sin. That’s why He walked in full authority over everything sin introduced—sickness, bondage, suffering, and death.

Wherever Jesus went, the glory of heaven broke through. The sick were healed. The dead were raised. Demons trembled. Darkness had no power over Him.

And because of the resurrection, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you. That power is not just symbolic. It’s not just historical. It is available.

Paul put it like this: “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

It’s Christ in you, not beside you, not just above you, not just for you, but in you, that brings transformation. That’s the mystery. That’s the miracle. That’s the power of Pentecost.

And yet, some still hesitate when it comes to God’s power and presence because they feel unworthy. But his presence isn’t reserved for the perfect. The blood of Jesus doesn’t just cover your past; it sanctifies you today and secures your future. In other words, Jesus paid for more than where you've been—He paid for where you are going. So you are no longer labeled by shame. You are marked by grace, sealed with purpose, and filled with power.

Consider Peter, whom we’ve been looking at in this series. He didn’t just stumble—he fell flat on his face. The same man who swore, “I will never deny you,” ended up denying Jesus three times that very night.

However, after the resurrection, the angel delivered a powerful message to the women who found the empty tomb: “Go, tell his disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7).

The Holy Spirit made sure Peter was mentioned by name because Jesus knew he would feel disqualified after his failure. But grace didn’t leave him out—grace called him by name and brought him back in.

Not only was Peter restored, but he was also filled with the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, this same man, who had once been broken by shame, stood with boldness, full of the Holy Spirit, and preached the first gospel message to the people of Jerusalem.

The Bible says: “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41).

Peter wasn’t just having a redemptive moment; he was walking in resurrection power—and he continued to walk in it. The glory of God was so strong in him that people brought the sick into the streets, hoping even his shadow might fall on them and bring healing.

And when Peter met the lame man at the temple gate, he declared:

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6).

That wasn’t just bold—it was intentional, purposeful, and Spirit-empowered. Jesus hadn’t abandoned Peter. He called him by name, filled him with power, and sent him with purpose.

Peter welcomed Jesus into the pain of his failure and granted Him full access to his life, identity, and sense of security. That moment of surrender became the turning point. Because his heart remained soft, his spirit stayed open, and he kept trusting, God was able to redirect his entire destiny.

Maybe that’s why Jesus chose Peter—because what if Peter had said “no” when Jesus first asked to borrow his boat? Think about it. Most of us wouldn’t lend our car to a stranger in a Walmart parking lot, but Peter gave Jesus access to something that represented his livelihood, and that one decision launched his calling.

Luke’s gospel tells us: “Then he got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat” (Luke 5:3).

In that moment, everything shifted. What others might have called “too trusting” was actually the very thing God used to shift Peter’s future.

Jesus was saying, “Peter, your business is your ministry. That boat—the place of your labor and the source of your income—just became my pulpit.” Because God hadn’t placed Peter there to make a living. He placed him there to fulfill his purpose. And Jesus took what Peter already had in his hands and used it to open a future he never could have imagined.

In the same way, God didn’t place you in that job, that classroom, that family, or that city just so you could survive. If he wanted, He could drop provisions straight from heaven. Provision isn’t the issue—purpose is. And even in what feels ordinary, God is doing something eternal.

You thought you were going to work, providing for your family. But you’re not just earning a living—you’re advancing the kingdom. You’re forming divine connections. You’re opening doors others can’t even see. And that’s exactly what was happening with Peter.

After Jesus finished teaching, He looked at Peter—not with a demand, but with an invitation. An invitation to go deeper into his purpose. He said:

“Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).

That moment redefined everything for Peter. From that point forward, that boat didn’t just carry fish—it carried calling. It became a vessel of mission. For the next three years, that same boat would be like Jesus’ Uber, taking Him back and forth across the lake as He fulfilled His ministry.

But for Peter to go deeper, he had to let go of his own plan. And that’s always the hardest part—surrendering the life we imagined for the life God is calling us to. Peter hadn’t started that day planning to leave his career. But then Jesus said:

“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

And just like that, Peter walked away from everything he knew. For the next three years, he walked with Jesus through storms and crowds, through rejection and miracles—experiencing the mighty power of God up close. Because he stayed close, he witnessed what others missed. He didn’t earn a front-row seat because of his title—he walked in a relationship.

That’s why Satan, your spiritual enemy, works so hard to isolate you. To cut you off from other believers. To keep you out of church. Because your next breakthrough might be connected to a relationship the enemy is trying to sabotage. Sometimes your breakthrough isn’t about who you are or what you’ve accomplished—it’s about who you’re walking with.

Peter knew that firsthand. One day he was catching fish, and the next he was walking beside the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus—the one who is our righteousness, our shepherd, our provider, the all-sufficient one—invited Peter to walk with Him. And Peter didn’t just witness what Jesus did. He lived it. He stepped into the middle of miracles.

“Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water” (Matthew 14:29).

He saw the woman with the issue of blood press through the crowd, reach for Jesus’ garment, and get healed (Matthew 9:21). He was right beside Jesus when Bartimaeus cried out, “Rabbi, I want to see,” and…

“Immediately he received his sight” (Mark 10:52).

Peter saw it all—not because he was perfect, not because he had all the answers—but because he stayed close. He remained near Jesus. And later, after the resurrection, when the religious leaders saw Peter and John:

“They were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

That’s what made the difference. It wasn’t their reputation. It wasn’t their education. It wasn’t their credentials. It was their relationship with Jesus.

And the same is true for you.

And so, I want to ask you: are you walking closely with Jesus today?

You don’t need a title to walk in authority. You don’t need to be in the spotlight to make an impact. And you certainly don’t need a perfect past to be powerfully used by God. What qualifies you isn’t found in your résumé, your recognition, or your reputation—you need to be filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

That’s the power of resurrection life. The key is having a heart that’s willing, surrendered, known by God, and filled with His divine purpose. As long as Peter focused on his failure, he couldn’t walk in the power of God. But the moment he fixed his eyes on Jesus, everything shifted. Shame gave way to grace. Fear gave way to calling. Brokenness made room for boldness. Because—"as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

So let me ask you: is Jesus pleasing to the Father? Is He alive and victorious over sin and death? The answer is yes. And as He is, so are we.

We are not just forgiven—we are filled. We are not just saved—we are sent. And we don’t live by our own strength—we live by His. Because…

“God’s power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So if Jesus could restore Peter, He can restore you. And the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that filled Peter on the day of Pentecost, that same power lives in you.

All through the Scriptures, we see that ordinary people did extraordinary things—not because they were perfect, but because they were filled. Not because they earned it, but because they believed and received it. Jesus said:

“Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things…” (John 14:12).

I wonder—is there anybody in here who still believes?

So let me ask you: what are you waiting for? This is the life we’ve been called to. A life of resurrection power. A life that is anything but ordinary. It’s not average, not average effort, not average impact, not average faith. No—this is a Spirit-filled, kingdom-advancing, hell-shaking kind of life because it’s built on the power of God.

You see, the Christian life isn’t supposed to look like the rest of the world. Why? Because the world is still under the power of sin. But we are the Church, the called-out ones, and in Christ we have broken free. We don’t live under the weight of sin anymore. We live under the covering of grace and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says: “Those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

That means we’re not just trying harder to be good. We’re not working ourselves to exhaustion trying to earn something. No—through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we’ve entered into a new covenant. A better covenant. One that’s not built on our goodness, but on His.

When Jesus went to the cross, He didn’t go as a victim. He wasn’t tricked or trapped. He laid down His life willingly.

“Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30).

And when they found the tomb empty, it wasn’t just a surprise—it was God’s declaration to the entire world: Jesus didn’t just die for sin, He conquered it.

He descended—not in defeat—but in triumph. He went down to the gates of hell, not to be tormented, but to take back what was stolen. He paid the price for sin, then stripped the enemy of his authority. The Bible says:

“By his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

Now the door to eternal life is wide open to anyone who believes. You don’t have to wonder if you’re good enough. You don’t have to question whether you’ll make it into heaven. Scripture makes it crystal clear:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

That’s the power of the blood. Yes, the cross was gory—but that’s what it took to redeem you. There is power in the blood.

Remember the first Passover, which took place in Egypt, as recorded in Exodus. The Israelites weren’t saved because they were perfect. They weren’t spared because they prayed the longest or lived the most holy lives. They were saved because of the blood on the doorpost. The Lord said:

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).

It didn’t matter who was inside the house—whether they were righteous or rebellious, fearful or full of faith. The only question was: Is there blood on the door?

That’s how salvation works. It’s not about how loud you shout or how much Scripture you can quote. It’s about the blood. And when the blood is applied, the enemy can’t cross that line.

Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him. He holds the keys to death and hell. And because He holds the keys, He holds you. He said: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

So what part did you play in your salvation? You believed. That’s it. Jesus did everything else.

The enemy will always try to make it about your mistakes, your past, your weakness—but Jesus says, it’s already finished, and it’s all about Him.

That means your confidence doesn’t come from your performance. It comes from your position in Christ. And if Jesus is alive—if He is the same yesterday, today, and forever—if He is seated at the right hand of the Father, victorious and reigning, then you are secure in Him.

In fact, the Bible tells us: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

So we’re not living to earn approval—we’re living from it. We’re not chasing power—we’ve been granted access to it. But if you keep measuring your worth by your behavior, you’ll always feel unqualified. And when you feel unqualified, you won’t walk in power.

The Bible doesn’t say only the perfect will walk in miracles. It says: “These signs will accompany those who believe… They will place their hands on sick people and they will get well” (Mark 16:17-18).

It doesn’t say those who never fall. It doesn’t say those with the cleanest past. It says those who believe because the power of God is not based on your perfection—it’s based on Jesus’ perfection. It’s based on His righteousness. It’s based on His resurrection power.

That is the foundation of the resurrection life we believe in—a life anchored in the finished work of Jesus, secured by His blood, and fueled by His Spirit. But hear me—this is not just a doctrine to agree with, not just a truth to nod your head at in church. This is a reality we are called to walk in. This is something to live.

It means waking up each day with the confidence that you are forgiven, filled, and fully equipped. It means stepping out with boldness, knowing the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you. So don’t just believe it—live it, breathe it, carry it, and let it change every part of your life.

Graphics, notes, and commentary from LifeChurch, Ministry Pass, PC Study Bible, Preaching Library, and Sermon Central. Scripture from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.