The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that's not plugged in.
“The sufferings brought by the heat, or
cold, or any other inconvenience, the heavy weight of grief or sorrow, may be
considered as the eternal decrees of Providence which sends suffering for your
own good and proportions it to your strength. In this way, God’s fatherly love
and tenderness for you will become evident. It is apparent in the opportunities
that He gives you to serve Him in the way that is most pleasing to Him.” Lorenzo
1. The world runs on POWER.
Some like the JWs teach that the Holy Spirit
is “just a power like electricity.” The
recent power outage shows us how much we NEED the POWER. The same is true in the church.
“...having a form of godliness but denying
its power. And from such people turn away!”
2 Tim 3:5
The form and power of godliness are a package deal. We normally do not have form of
godliness without the power.
Outward forms may be carried on doctrinally but be without power or
conviction. As faith without works is a
form without substance, just so is religion without power. This is a stern warning to us who are
committed to proper form.
“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all
things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thess 5:16-22
God The Holy Spirit is to be actively
present in the life of the church. Note
Stephen. "You stiffnecked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your
fathers did, so do you.” Acts 7:51
2. Spiritual power is God’s Promise.
“And while more than 150 specific works of
the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the NT, let’s not forget that without the
Spirit there could be no Bible - OT or NT.
Kendall declares that the greatest work
is the Bible itself, having inspired those who wrote it (2 Peter
1:20-21).” J.Taylor
It is the Spirit’s Bible.
Copyright every word.
Only His thoughts are uttered.
Only His voice is heard.
“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." Luke 24:49
“For thine is the kingdom, and the POWER,
and the glory forever. Amen.” Matt. 6:13
3. Spirit Power For Christian Living.
Note Paul.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know
what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the
saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
Therefore, honor The Spirit by asking Him
(God) to help you fall out of (worldly) fear and into love with Him. He is your Comforter/Helper, Guide, Enabler,
Renewer, Refresher.
“Love has been perfected among us in this:
that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we
in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in
love. We love Him because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:17-19
“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke
in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we
count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and
seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and
merciful.” James 5:10-11
“While I may
stand at the coffin of my first wife and doubt the love of God, it is
impossible for me to do so when I’m kneeling at the foot of the cross.” J.M.Hicks
“Precious in
the sight of the Lord Is
the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15
