For some reason, so many facets of Christianity are afraid of the Holy Spirit. I don’t really understand it. I do in part, but not completely. There have been a lot of abuses of the Holy Spirit that has caused many to be cautious of it. There have been many who have used the Holy Spirit as an excuse to act crazy and to say crazy things.
But, when you have an understanding of the scriptures, you know that the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of truth. Considering that fact, what the Holy Spirit prompts and encourages us to do must be in accordance with what we know of the Bible as well. Therefore, to know if what the Holy Spirit is prompting us to do is truly the Spirit, we must also know the word to know if it’s the Spirit or indigestion.
So, we as a church need to not be afraid of the Holy Spirit. But, we also must operate in a proper understanding of the ways of the Spirit. All that said, we need to be a church that joins with the New Testament church in praying to be strengthened in the Holy Spirit. We need to call on God for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our lives and in our church.
They called on God for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
13 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
“I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, … and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)
Also notice in our passage He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, that anything that is accomplished is done so through His power that is at work within us. As a result of this, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations.
The only praise worthy things we will accomplish will be those things that the Spirit empowers us to do and only He can take the credit for. Those things that God alone can take the credit for.
That is exactly where we want to be as a church and as individuals. We want to be living in the power of the Spirit so the things we do are things we can’t take credit for but it is God alone at work in us to accomplish His will, for His glory for the spread of His gospel and the expansion of His Kingdom.
The Three for Morning, Afternoon and Evening.
“Now for Next” Prayer
What do we need to do now as a church to be ready for what God has for us next.
“What’s My Role” Prayer
Pray for God to show us the role we will play individually in accomplishing that mission.
The Conclusion
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.