The Power Of The Holy Spirit

More than ever before, the church needs to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit!  Because without it we will never be able to accomplish what God has called us to do.  As we look back in the book of Acts, it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit that the early church was able to grow and expand as it did. In this post, I want to answer the question why some people are afraid of the power of the Holy Spirit and why it is vital for the Holy Spirit's power to be at work in the life of every believer.

Why Some Are Afraid Of The Holy Spirit And His Power

There are many reasons that people shy away from or are out right afraid of the Holy Spirit's power.  Some of them include:

1. They witnessed what "ignorance" has produced in the past.  Just because people didn't know how to effectively use the power of the Holy Spirit in the past, doesn't discount its reality nor the need for its manifestation today.
2. They are afraid of any kind of demonstration.  God has demonstrated His power in many ways.  We have to be open to what God wants to do.
3. They are not sure if miracles still happen today.  God has not limited His miracle working power to just the early Church.  He still brings miracles today!
4. They don't want to change.  We get comfortable in our current place, but God is ready to move forward.  When God is ready to move, we need to be ready also.

God Established The Church On The Power Of The Holy Spirit

1. Every believer is to be endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
2. The Holy Spirit's coming in itself was a miracle (Acts 2:1-8).
3. The lives of the apostles were changed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 3).  Peter went from a disciple of Jesus who denied Christ just prior to His death to an apostle who preached Jesus with boldness on the day of Pentecost.  He was able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. The power of the Holy Spirit causes the unusual to happen in our lives (Acts 4:8-13, 29-31).
5. The power of the Holy Spirit cause "signs and wonders" to become common place to us (Acts 5:12-19).
6. There is no question as to whom we obey when the power of the Holy Spirit is operating in our lives (Acts 5:29).

Why You Need The Power Of The Holy Spirit

1. So the church can experience God's power.  You see, God works through people.  Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we become the channel for God's power.
2. So God can manifest to us who He is.  If we don't know who God really is, then how will we ever be able to effectively share with others who He is?  We each need a personal experience with Him and a demonstration in our life of who He really is. 

 What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

1. It will change your life and empower you.  Just as Peter was changed after the Holy Spirit came upon him, so to is our life!
2. It will give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  It's unfortunate that most Christians aren't interested in ministry.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit that will change that.
3. It will give you a heart and desire for ministry.  Every believer will find their place in the Body of Christ when they become empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4. It will give you the confidence you need for ministry.  The Holy Spirit gives us a boldness and confidence that we can do what God has called us to do.

God's greatest desire is for His children to operate with all He has provided.  Jesus was very clear when He told the disciples that He would send "another Comforter," the Holy Spirit, to enable them to carry on the ministry that He began.  I encourage each and every one of you to embrace this wonderful gift of God, the power of the Holy Spirit!